Sling bags have surged in popularity, becoming the go-to accessory for travelers and city explorers alike. But what exactly is a sling bag, and why should it be your next travel companion? We’ve spent months analyzing over 50 sling bags to bring you the definitive guide to choosing the Best Travel Sling Bag for your needs.
Variety of sling bags for travel, showcasing different styles and sizes
What is a Travel Sling Bag?
Defining a sling bag isn’t always straightforward. Essentially, a travel sling bag is designed for comfortable wear across your chest or back, secured with a single, crossbody strap. Key features often include an off-center buckle, diagonally connecting straps, and an oblong bag shape. However, variations abound, making the sling bag category wonderfully diverse.
While similar to messenger bags with their crossbody strap, sling bags differ by being generally smaller, more body-contouring, and less boxy. Think of it this way: you intuitively recognize a messenger bag when you see one. For our purposes, we’re focusing on sling bags specifically optimized for travel.
Travel Sling vs. Hip Pack: Understanding the Difference
It’s common to hear sling bags confused with hip packs (also known as waist packs, fanny packs, or belt bags). However, they are distinct. A hip pack is essentially the modern, rebranded fanny pack, worn around the waist. A sling bag, while sometimes wearable as a hip pack, is designed primarily to be worn across the body. Think of a sling bag as the hip pack’s more sophisticated cousin.
Many brands contribute to the confusion by using terms like “crossbody bag” interchangeably with “sling bag.” For clarity, this guide focuses solely on sling bags and their travel-centric benefits, leaving hip packs for another discussion.
Why Choose a Travel Sling Bag? Benefits for Travelers
Now that we’ve established what a travel sling bag is, let’s explore why it can be a game-changer for your travels.
In-Flight Essential Organizer
Juggling luggage at airport security is stressful. A travel sling bag simplifies this process, becoming your dedicated carry-on for pocketable essentials. Consolidate your phone, wallet, passport, and other must-haves into your sling, and breeze through security checkpoints. Unlike overstuffed pockets, a sling bag accommodates all your in-flight necessities comfortably.
Here are some items we recommend keeping in your travel sling bag:
- Smartphone
- Snacks
- USB cables and chargers
- Portable battery bank
- Earplugs
- Eye mask
- Headphones
- Small notebook and pen
- Tissues
- E-reader or book
Once onboard, many sling bags can be conveniently attached to the seat in front of you with a carabiner, keeping essentials within easy reach throughout your flight.
Day Trip Savior
For day trips, a travel sling bag strikes the perfect balance between pockets and a full-sized backpack. While pockets might suffice for just keys, wallet, and phone, many day trips require a few extras that pockets can’t handle. Sling bags are ideal when you need more than pockets offer, but not enough to warrant a bulky backpack.
Consider bringing these items in your sling bag on day excursions:
- Extra camera lenses
- Camera batteries
- Snacks
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Makeup
- Portable gaming device
Essential travel items laid out to demonstrate what fits in a travel sling bag
A travel sling bag acts as the perfect middle ground – encouraging you to be selective about your essentials while providing more capacity than pockets alone. It’s a welcome relief for your back compared to carrying a heavy daypack unnecessarily.
Lightweight and Packable Design
Travel sling bags, especially those designed for travel, are incredibly lightweight and often pack down flat. This makes them easy to stow inside your main travel backpack, ready to be deployed when needed. You can pack it away and almost forget it’s there until you arrive at your destination and need a smaller, more convenient carry option.
Easy Access and Enhanced Security
One of the greatest advantages of a travel sling bag is its accessibility. Worn on your chest, everything is literally at your fingertips. When worn on your back, you can easily swing it to the front for quick access. This accessibility also enhances security, especially in crowded areas, as you can keep your valuables close and visible, deterring potential theft.
Fashionable and Versatile Accessory
Sling bags are undeniably trendy right now. From high street retailers to luxury brands, they’re a fashionable accessory. This blend of style and practicality is a major win. Beyond travel, sling bags are versatile enough for:
- Festivals and events
- Everyday carry (EDC), especially for cyclists
- Hiking and outdoor adventures
- City exploration
- Amusement parks
- And countless other situations
Key Features to Consider When Choosing the Best Travel Sling Bag
Finding the best travel sling bag depends on your individual needs and preferences. Here are crucial factors to consider:
Volume & Size
While sling bag sizes are often listed in liters, it’s important to note that liter measurements can vary between brands. A 5-liter sling from one brand might feel like a 2-liter from another. Therefore, consider liter capacity as a general guideline, but pay closer attention to the bag’s actual dimensions, shape, and internal organization.
For travel, we generally recommend sling bags between 1 and 8 liters. Keep the total weight, including your belongings, under 4-5 pounds to ensure comfort and prevent strain on your shoulder. Overly large and heavy slings can become cumbersome and look awkward worn across the chest.
Compact NOMATIC Navigator Collapsible Sling 3L, highlighting its packable size for travel
Expandable Sling Bags:
Consider expandable sling bags, particularly for travel. These offer the benefit of a compact size when you’re carrying less, with the flexibility to expand when you need more space. This adaptability is especially useful for travel, where your needs can fluctuate throughout your journey. However, be mindful that excessively large expandable slings can become bulky when fully expanded.
Expandable CODEOFBELL X-POD II, showing its versatility for different carrying needs
Profile & Shape
The profile of a travel sling bag significantly impacts its look and comfort. Most are oblong-shaped to contour to the body. You’ll typically find two main orientations: tall and wide.
Tall Sling Bags:
Tall sling bags resemble purses or mini-backpacks in their vertical orientation. They are well-suited for carrying items vertically and often offer a more relaxed fit against the body. They can be worn on the back or chest, offering versatility.
Tall profile Topo Designs Mini Shoulder Bag worn crossbody, demonstrating its vertical orientation
Wide Sling Bags:
Wide sling bags are horizontally oriented, resembling fanny packs in shape, though typically larger. They tend to sit closer to the body and are often favored for a more streamlined look.
Wide profile Chrome Industries Kadet Nylon Messenger Bag, illustrating its horizontal, fanny pack-like shape
Both tall and wide profiles are viable options; the best choice depends on your personal style and intended use.
Weather Resistance
Your travel sling bag will likely carry essential items like your phone, wallet, and passport, making weather resistance a crucial feature. A water-resistant sling bag protects your valuables from unexpected rain or snow. Look for materials and zipper designs that offer some level of water repellency.
However, extreme waterproofing might be overkill for everyday travel slings. Highly waterproof materials can sometimes be less durable for general use and may not be as comfortable against your body. For most travel scenarios, a good level of water resistance is ideal. In heavy downpours, smaller slings can often be tucked under a rain jacket for added protection.
Weather-resistant ALPAKA Bravo Sling Max V2, emphasizing its suitability for outdoor and travel conditions
Durability & Material Quality
Travel sling bags are available at a wide range of price points. While a super-expensive sling isn’t necessary, investing in a bag made from durable, high-quality materials is recommended for longevity and reliability, especially for travel. Key aspects of durability to consider are:
Zippers:
Zippers are critical. A zipper failure during your travels can be a major inconvenience. Look for reputable zipper brands like YKK, RiRi, or SAB. YKK zippers, in particular, are known for their reliability. Sizes #5 and #8 are common and durable for sling bags. Avoid zippers smaller than #5, as they may be prone to breaking. Overly large zippers (#10 and above) can be noisy and uncomfortable.
Close-up of a durable YKK zipper on a Chrome Industries sling bag, highlighting quality components
Reverse coil (RC) zippers have internally facing teeth, offering slight water resistance. Water-repellent zippers like YKK AquaGuard have a polyurethane coating for enhanced water protection, ideal for wetter climates.
Hardware:
Buckles and clips are essential for sling bag functionality. Reliable hardware brands include Duraflex, YKK, Woojin, and ITW. These brands are known for producing durable buckles that won’t fail. Metal buckles offer exceptional durability but can add weight and may be less comfortable than plastic options for sling bags.
Robust Duraflex buckle on a Chrome Industries Ruckas Sling Bag, showcasing reliable hardware
Fabrics & Materials:
Numerous fabrics are used in sling bags, each with pros and cons. Balance durability with weight and capacity. Common materials include:
Nylon: A versatile synthetic fabric that’s soft, durable, and lightweight, making it a popular choice for sling bags. Nylon is often enhanced with weaves or coatings for improved tear or water resistance.
Ballistic Nylon: Originally designed for body armor, ballistic nylon is exceptionally strong and abrasion-resistant. While highly durable, it can be stiffer and heavier than other nylons, possibly overkill for some sling bag applications.
Texture of ballistic nylon fabric, emphasizing its strength and durability
Ripstop Nylon: Ripstop nylon incorporates a reinforced weave that prevents tears from spreading. It’s lightweight yet strong, offering a great balance for sling bags.
Polyester: A more affordable synthetic alternative to nylon. Polyester is generally heavier and less durable than nylon but can be suitable for budget-friendly sling bags or those intended for light use.
Texture of polyester fabric, contrasting its properties with nylon
CORDURA® Fabrics: CORDURA® is a brand that certifies nylon and polyester fabrics meeting high standards of abrasion resistance and strength-to-weight ratio. CORDURA® labeled fabrics are a mark of quality.
Canvas: Canvas, especially cotton canvas, offers a classic, durable aesthetic. It’s heavier than synthetics and less abrasion-resistant but can be waxed for water resistance and enhanced durability.
Texture of canvas fabric, highlighting its classic and durable nature
Leather: Leather sling bags are less common for travel due to weight, sensitivity to elements, and maintenance requirements. Leather is more often found in fashion-oriented slings.
Denier (D): Fabric thickness is measured in denier. Higher denier numbers generally indicate thicker, more durable fabrics, but also heavier weight. When comparing fabrics of the same type (e.g., nylon vs. nylon), higher denier usually means greater durability. However, denier is less useful for comparing different fabric types (e.g., nylon vs. polyester).
Reverse coil zipper detail on a Moment MTW Mini Fanny Sling, showing a feature for weather resistance
Choosing the Right Material for Your Travel Sling Bag
For travel sling bags, a balance of durability and weight is key. Fabrics in the 300D to 500D range often provide excellent durability without excessive weight. While fabrics over 500D offer increased durability, they can become heavier without a significant benefit for typical sling bag use. Prioritize overall quality, including zippers and hardware, alongside fabric choice.
Consider these examples of travel sling bags with different material choices:
Durable Aer City Sling 2, showcasing its robust 1680D CORDURA® Ballistic nylon construction
The Aer City Sling 2, made with 1680D CORDURA® Ballistic nylon, is exceptionally durable, perhaps bordering on overbuilt for a sling bag, but ideal for those prioritizing maximum toughness.
Chrome Industries Tensile Sling Bag made with recycled nylon and polyester, highlighting sustainable and durable material choices
The Chrome Industries Tensile Sling Bag utilizes a blend of recycled nylon and polyester with ripstop sailcloth, balancing durability with a unique aesthetic and a focus on recycled materials.
Assortment of different travel sling bag styles, providing visual variety and options
Conclusion: Finding Your Best Travel Sling Bag
The best travel sling bag is a versatile and indispensable accessory for any traveler. It offers hands-free convenience, enhanced security, and just the right amount of capacity for your essential items. By considering factors like size, profile, weather resistance, and material quality, you can choose a travel sling bag that perfectly complements your travel style and enhances your adventures. Explore the diverse options available and discover how the right sling bag can transform your travel experience.
