Tested: The 7 Best Travel Slings for Your Next Trip

There’s a reason you see slings everywhere now — airports, city streets, hiking trails. They’ve become the default move for travelers who need quick access to essentials without the bulk of a full backpack. Whether you’re layering one across your chest with a larger pack during international flights or wearing it solo to explore a new city, the right sling keeps passports, charging cables, and daily carry gear organized and exactly where you need it.

But not all slings are built the same. Some are ultralight 2-liter companions designed to disappear when paired with a backpack. Others are burly 8-liter workhorses that can handle a full day’s worth of gear on their own. The materials, organization, and carry systems vary wildly depending on what kind of traveler you are and how you move through the world.

In this is a quick-hitting travel slings guide, we’re keeping each review tight and focused on what matters most as we’ve produced hundreds of in-depth, individual reviews on our site and channel.

Here’s how we’re breaking down each pack: a quick intro on the brand and what makes it special, the exterior build and carry system, the interior layout and organization, and our overall take on who it’s for. 

So without further ado, let’s get into our favorite picks for some of the best travel slings on the market.

How We Tested

When it comes to travel slings, the utility might have a slight leg up compared to form factor. That said, bags that don’t have a great aesthetic aren’t ideal either. Before harvesting our units for testing, we scoured the space, looking for slings that had solid function and looked good while doing it. We leaned on brands we love and also looked at some newcomers too.

After creating our short list, we sourced our units for testing and got hands-on with each and every bag here, during a process that lasted weeks. We looked at how each backpack performed and felt on our bodies, paying attention to size and weight, as well as pocket configuration and strap comfort. These findings and more are detailed below.

Aer Day Sling 3

Aer’s been one of our favorite carry brands for well over a decade, and they’ve been refining the Day Sling since its first iteration, and the third generation feels like it finally nails what the previous versions were chasing. Of course, considering our proclivity for overengineered gear, we went with the X-Pac variant – which still offers the same 3-liter capacity as the standard ballistic nylon version, but wrapped in Challenge Sailcloth’s signature diamond-ripstop fabric that sheds water and weighs less. At 11.5 x 6 x 3 inches, it’s compact enough to wear across your chest with a travel backpack but still substantial enough to handle a day exploring a city on its own.

Dimensions & Exterior

The exterior is where Aer’s obsession with durability shows up. X-Pac isn’t just about looking technical — it’s a laminated composite that’s legitimately weatherproof without needing a separate rain cover. YKK AquaGuard zippers seal things up, though there’s been some chatter online about the zipper tape cracking over time. We haven’t seen it firsthand, but it’s worth noting. The Fidlock magnetic buckle is positioned off-center on the strap, which keeps it from digging into your spine when you’re layering this with a backpack. It’s a bit polarizing though and worth mentioning — some people love the one-handed release, others just don’t trust the magnets. In our experience, we found the buckle rarely disengages accidentally unless you’re yanking the strap at weird angles. The back panel hides a stealth passport pocket that’s just deep enough for a Field Notes notebook or your documents. It’s shrouded by a gusset and uses a low-profile Hypalon zipper pull to stay under the radar.

Loadout & Interior Layout

The front quick-access pocket lost its internal organization from the Day Sling — now it’s just a dump pouch with a carabiner-style key clip. That’s a trade-off, because the main compartment gained two mesh pockets to compensate. The horseshoe-style opening on the main compartment swings wide, and the flat base lets the sling stand upright, which makes digging through your gear at airport security way less chaotic. Inside, you’ve got four mesh pockets total (two on each side), plus a rear sleeve that fits an iPad Mini or Switch. There’s also a zippered divider for smaller items like dongles or chargers.

Overall Thoughts

For travelers who want a single sling that can handle airport runs and full-day city exploring, this is the sweet spot. The X-Pac version runs $25 more than ballistic nylon, but if you’re bouncing between climates or just want something that looks a bit more technical, it’s worth the upgrade. Just don’t expect it to compress down much when you’re not using it—the structured base and X-Pac’s rigidity mean it holds its shape whether it’s stuffed or empty.

For a deeper dive, check out our hands-on review of the Aer Day Sling 3.

Alpaka Go Sling Mini V2

Alpaka’s a brand that actually listens when people complain, which is refreshing to say the least. The original Go Sling Mini had a poorly placed, chunky magnetic buckle that users hated, so they went back and redesigned the strap system for V2. At 5L and $79, this sits right in the middle of the pack for both size and price. It’s built from 300D Axoflux fabric that sheds water and somehow resists pet hair better than most fabrics, which is useful if you spend time around dogs or cats before traveling. The V2 also added YKK AquaGuard zippers and threw in a top carry handle. Despite the “Mini” label, this is actually one of the beefier slings here at just over a pound.

Dimensions & Exterior

Taking a closer look at that strap for a second, it’s wide with no padding, but it spreads weight well enough that you won’t feel it cutting in. Alpaka relocated the buckle to a new Maglockz system that’s supposed to be less annoying than the old Fidlock setup — and it is definitely more comfortable — though the adjusters are still tight. You’ll need to take the sling off to dial in your fit. There are loops on either side for Alpaka’s HUB magnetic accessories, but standard carabiners work fine too. The top carry handle is subtle and blends into the design, good for quick room-to-room moves. The Axoflux exterior feels structured and tough – and there’s also an X-Pac version if you want that diamond pattern we love so much.

Loadout & Interior Layout

The rear pocket is slim and works best for flat stuff like a passport or minimalist wallet. Your phone fits, but getting it out when the sling’s pressed against your body can be awkward. The front compartment has two shallow pockets and Alpaka’s MOD Key Tether — a magnetic clip that detaches so you can actually reach your doorknob without awkward contorting. There’s room here, but you need to pack smart or the front gets lumpy pretty quickly.. The main compartment opens wide and has a padded back pocket for an iPad Mini or Switch. Two more liner pockets up front handle small gear like chargers or an AirPods case. The grey liner makes it easy to see what you’re hunting for, but the space feels shallower than 5L should. We’d definitely suggest packing neatly or things stack on top of each other and can turn into a mess.

Overall Thoughts

This is a good middle-ground sling if you want more space than the ultralight 2-liter options but don’t need a full 8-liter pack. Alpaka fixed the main issue from the first version with that buckle redesign, and details like the detachable key clip show they’re paying attention. At $79, it’s definitely priced fairly. The catch is that “Mini” is misleading — this is a structured, beefy sling that sits flush on your body. If you want something that disappears when empty, this isn’t it. But for travelers who like organized carry and don’t mind a little heft, it works great.

Bellroy Venture Ready Sling 2.5L

Bellroy built its reputation on sleek city carry, but the Venture Ready line is their answer to travelers who need something a bit tougher. The 2.5-liter sling ditches the brand’s usual smooth Baida nylon for Canva Ripstop — a grid-textured fabric with a slightly rubbery feel that’s polarizing but undeniably rugged. At just 7oz, this is one of the smallest slings in the guide.

Dimensions & Exterior

The Canva Ripstop exterior has a rough, grid-like texture that some people love and others can’t stand. YKK AquaGuard zippers handle the main compartment and front pocket, with knotted paracord pulls that lean into the outdoor-ready aesthetic. The rear security pocket uses a fabric welt to keep things low-profile. There are no external webbing loops, but the self-compressing strap forms closed loops on each side that work as makeshift attachment points. The strap is angled upward and uses aluminum adjusters to create tension when worn, so the sling compresses against your body in a relaxed side carry. The seatbelt-style material is soft and slick, but the generic magnetic buckle is a bit of a weak point — it’s disengaged on us a few times over months of testing when pushed at the wrong angle.

Loadout & Interior Layout

The front pocket has a fabric divider running down the middle that separates gear and prevents the pocket from folding over completely. There’s also a paracord key leash that’s long enough to reach a doorknob when the sling is worn on your side. The rear security pocket is slim and best suited for flat items like a passport or minimalist wallet. The main compartment uses reversed zippers — instead of meeting in the middle, they’re positioned on each side, which makes access easier whether you swing the sling left or right. Inside, there’s a padded slip pocket for your phone at the back and an elevated mesh hammock up front for sunglasses. At 2.5L, there’s enough room for a power bank, cables, and small essentials, but this isn’t a sling for carrying layers.

Overall Thoughts

This is the right sling for minimalist travelers who want something small, organized, and decently weatherproof without the bulk of a 6-liter option. The self-compressing strap and angled carry make it comfortable for extended wear, and the distributed pocket layout keeps you from digging through a single dump compartment. The magnetic buckle is a legitimate reliability concern, and the Canva Ripstop fabric won’t appeal to everyone, but if you can live with those quirks, this is one of the most thoughtfully designed small slings for travel.

Patagonia Atom Sling Bag 8L

Patagonia’s Atom Sling is one of those bags that shows up everywhere — trailheads, city streets, airport terminals — and there’s a reason for that. At 8L and $69, it’s one of the most accessible entry points into quality travel slings. The body is 400-denier recycled polyester ripstop with a PU coating and DWR finish, and the whole thing is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory. It’s sporty, outdoorsy, and comes in ten colorways if you do somehow manage to get tired of all-black everything. At 12oz, it’s the second-largest sling in this guide, which means it straddles the line between a quick-access companion pack and a standalone day bag.

Dimensions & Exterior

The harness system is where Patagonia got it right. Both the back panel and shoulder strap use thick recycled polyester airmesh with air channels to keep things breathable. The padding is substantial enough that you can wear this thing all day without feeling like the strap is cutting into your shoulder — it’s actually really comfortable for long hauls. There’s also a stretchy mesh pocket on the strap itself that should fit smaller phones (no luck with our iPhones), snacks, or maybe a set of AirPods. 

The front compression straps aren’t just for show either -they can hold a rolled-up rain jacket or light layer externally, though Patagonia’s marketing about yoga mats is overselling it a bit. The strap is permanently attached to the bottom right corner, so this only goes over your right shoulder if you’re wearing it on your back. You can’t switch sides when things get heavy, and wearing it chest-style makes everything flop the wrong direction. It’s a single-orientation design, which is fine until it isn’t. And it’s one of the bigger complaints you’ll find out about the bag.

We do, however, appreciate the fact that you can swing the bag around to your chest for easy top-down access to both pockets without having to remove the sling.

Loadout & Interior Layout

The front quick-access pocket  has a plastic key clip, and though it’s tight, you can fit your iPhone in here with a bit of extra effort. The main compartment has an internal divider that creates two sections: a padded sleeve against your back that fits an iPad Mini or e-reader, and an open bucket for everything else. That’s it. No mesh pockets, no zippered organizers — just two spaces to work with. It’s simple, maybe too simple if you’re coming from something like the Aer Day Sling with all its internal organization. The zippers aren’t lockable, so if you’re worried about security in crowded spaces, you’ll need to wear it on your chest.

Overall Thoughts

The Atom Sling is quite possibly the most popular option in this category and it’s for good reason — it’s affordable, comfortable, and built well enough to handle both trails and terminals. It’s a direct competitor to the Osprey Daylite, and honestly, they’re neck-and-neck for budget-conscious travelers who want something simple. The single-orientation strap is the biggest drawback, and the minimal internal organization won’t appeal to everyone, but if you want a comfortable 8-liter sling that just works without overthinking it, this is the move.

Black Ember Grip Sling 6L

Black Ember operates at the intersection of technical gear and urban design, led by co-founder Chris Gadway, former Global Creative Director at Nike and The North Face. The Grip Sling 6L is their latest answer to modular carry — a blacked-out, minimal sling built around their proprietary Lever hardware system and brand-new EmberTex fabric. At 12 x 7 x 5 inches and 1lb, this sits in the mid-size range with a more premium price point of $135. It’s worth noting that Black Ember just removed all PFAS from their supply chain with EmberTex, a 1200×600 denier twisted nylon with an abrasion-resistant matte finish. Combined with YKK AquaGuard zippers and laser-cut Hypalon panels, this thing is built like a vault.

Dimensions & Exterior

As we previously mentioned, the Lever hardware is what sets this apart. Two anodized aluminum pivot points let the strap adjust and conform to your body throughout the day, with a quick-slide release mechanism that makes tightening and loosening effortless. Spring-gated hooks on either side mean you can swap the strap from right to left shoulder, providing true ambidextrous carry. The strap is removable via custom carabiners on Black Ember’s swivel connectors, and the integrated shoulder pad is a nice touch. The laser-cut Hypalon panels embedded in the shell add structure without bulk, and the zipper pulls are deliberately long — designed with a locking mechanism that works well in crowded terminals or tight airplane rows where you want extra security. The exterior is aggressively minimal, no webbing loops or external attachment points unless you buy them separately.

Loadout & Interior Layout

Inside, the Grip 6L is divided into three sections. First is a fast-access pocket with a Fidlock magnetic key ring. Next is a surprisingly large main storage area with power-mesh organizers that keeps cables, adapters, and charging bricks from turning into a jumbled mess. If you’re familiar with Black Ember, it’s everything you’d expect from their organization systems.

Finally, there’s a device pocket with two protective layers that fits an iPad Mini plus chargers. We were able to fit a Steam Deck in the back pocket and over-ear headphones in the main compartment, though bulkier items push the limits. The main complaint is that it won’t fit a full-size tablet like an 11-inch iPad Pro, which puts it at a disadvantage against similarly sized slings.

Overall Thoughts

At $135, this is the most expensive sling in the guide, and you’re paying for Black Ember’s obsessive attention to materials and modularity. The ambidextrous strap system and Lever hardware are a nice innovation, and the PFAS-free EmberTex fabric is a step forward for the industry. But the lack of external attachment points and the inability to fit larger tablets might be dealbreakers depending on what you carry. This is for travelers who want something technical, modular, and built to last — more tactical precision than outdoor utility. If you want a sling that works equally well layered with a backpack or worn solo through airport security, and you value build quality over price, this is worth the premium.

Osprey Daylite Sling 6L

Osprey made its name in the outdoor world, and the Daylite Sling is their answer to travelers who need something versatile enough for trails and terminals alike. At 6L and $55, this is the most affordable sling in the guide. It’s built from bluesign-approved recycled polyester with a PFC-free DWR treatment, and at just half a pound, it’s one of the lightest options here. The updated version added ambidextrous carry via a swivel hook that lets you switch the strap from right to left shoulder, which is a key advantage over the Patagonia Atom’s single-orientation design.

Dimensions & Exterior

As we mentioned, the strap system is where Osprey separated this from the Patagonia Atom. A swivel hook with a gatekeeper clip lets you move the strap to either side of the sling, so you’re not locked into right-shoulder-only carry. The strap and back panel both use diamond-patterned breathable spacer mesh over EVA foam. YKK zippers are slightly stiff out of the box but break in with use. There’s a stretchy mesh pocket on the strap for transit cards or lip balm, and a webbing loop near the top for hanging the sling or clipping a water bottle externally. The elastic strap keeper is webbing with no stretch, so smaller users might end up with some dangling strap.

Loadout & Interior Layout

The front pocket opens in a horseshoe shape across the top and is built from sturdy recycled polyester. It’s sized perfectly for items like a phone, sunglasses, and a minimalist wallet. The main compartment uses a dual-zipper that runs nearly all the way around the top, so you can open from either side. And just like the Atom it can be accessed top down by swinging the sling around front without removing the pack. Inside, there’s a sleeve against the back panel that fits an e-reader, Nintendo Switch, or small tablet, though there’s no padding on the front of the sleeve. A zippered mesh pocket inside the main compartment features Osprey’s red plastic key clip and is sized for AirPods, charging cables, or other small accessories.

Overall Thoughts

The Daylite is the budget pick in this guide at $55, and it definitely punches well above its price point. The ambidextrous carry is a game-changer if you need to switch shoulders on longer days, and that alone gives it an edge over its direct competitor, the Patagonia Atom. The dual-zipper system makes access easier no matter which shoulder you’re wearing it on. The trade-off is that it’s less padded and slightly less organized than pricier options, but for travelers who want a lightweight, packable sling that works equally well on trails and in airports, this is hard to beat.

Evergoods Civic Access Sling 2L X-Pac

For the uninitiated, Evergoods is a Bozeman-based brand that’s become legendary in the EDC community for over-engineered, thoughtfully designed gear — and we’ve been fans since inception. The Civic Access Sling 2L is their smallest carry option, and the X-Pac version wraps it in VX42 laminated sailcloth for added weatherproofing, and a coyote-colored interior that’s arguably the best interior color around.

At 11 x 5.5 x 3 inches and weighing just 13oz, this is the smallest sling in the guide at just 2L. At $130, it’s also the second-most expensive option here, but seeing that this has long been a contender for our favorite EDC sling (not necessarily travel), we felt like we couldn’t close out this guide without at least mentioning it.

Dimensions & Exterior

The back panel uses Evergoods’ two-layer construction — 3D spacer mesh over 50D monofilament — which delivers serious breathability even on hot days. The strap has no padding, but it’s wide enough to distribute weight comfortably. The buckle is positioned right next to where the strap connects to the sling so it won’t dig into your back when you’re layering this with a backpack, and there’s a strap keeper to manage excess webbing. Evergoods takes ergonomics very seriously, and the sling is patterned to curve with your body (Evergoods calls them “hip huggers”) which prevents that awkward pinching whether you’re wearing it crossbody or as a waist pack. The hook-and-loop logo patch is minimal and lets you add custom patches, and the U-shaped main zipper opens wide for fast access while on-body.

Loadout & Interior Layout

The Civic Access has two compartments that work in tandem. The front pocket has no organization but serious depth — enough to fit over-ear headphones or a packable jacket. And there’s a black key leash inside. The back compartment is where all of the organization lives: a zippered mesh pocket divided into three zones, plus two drop-in liner pockets on the back wall. The larger pocket takes up two-thirds of the back wall and is sized for flat items like a passport or travel wallet. Between the two organizational areas is a slot that works well for a phone or paper map. The 210D nylon lining is both durable and water-resistant.

Overall Thoughts

As we mentioned, at 2L, this is the smallest sling in the guide and really designed with EDC in mind, which means it’s best suited as a chest-carry companion to a larger backpack or for ultralight urban exploration where you only need the absolute essentials. Think of it more like an extension of your pockets. The X-Pac version adds legitimate weatherproofing, and the breathable back panel keeps things comfortable in warm climates. It’s EDC community royalty for a reason — Evergoods nailed the details, and the dual-compartment system keeps small gear organized. If you want the most thoughtfully designed ultralight sling here and the smaller capacity works for your travel style, this is it.

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