2019 was the year of the sling bag. Whether you like slings or not, you’d have to be living under a rock to not notice that manufacturers have been seizing on a trend and releasing slings in every shape, size, and configuration. You can probably dig up posts on various forums by me stating that I don’t like slings. That’s still true in a lot of cases, but a couple of trips overseas and some open mindedness on my part along with some actual field use has caused me to re-consider the category.
So what are slings good for? Abroad, they’ve become very popular because in some countries, pick pockets are rampant in large cities and the ability to rotate a bag to the front of the body prevents theft. Slings are good for days when you want to carry a minimal amount of stuff that’s still too much for on-body carry. Backpacks and most messengers are overkill in that situation. Slings are great for travel. Either as a small carry-on that can easily fit under an airline seat on a crowded plane or as a minimalist EDC option that can be tossed into luggage and used once you get to a destination. And for commuting, slings are really nice to have on crowded trains and buses (as long as you can go light with your load-out).
As I tend to lurk on many forums throughout the year, I’m in tune with bags EDC enthusiasts are gravitating towards. And so here is the tale of the tape on a few options along with some commentary on each. Hopefully this will help if you’re researching slings for your own use.
Code of Bell X-Pak Pro
Code of Bell X-Pak Pro
Dimensions: 17.5″L x 10″W x 4″D
Volume: 11L (expandable to 17L)
Weight: 2.5 lbs
Build: 1680 Ballistic, X-Pac Sailcloth
Cost: $239
Now simply called the X-Pak, this one of my personal favorites and one of the most versatile bags on this list. The X-Pac main compartment has it’s own dimensional volume and can expand from 11L to 17L for days when you might need to carry something unexpectedly bulky. There’s lots of organization, attachment points and a padded sleeve that can fit up to a 13-inch laptop or tablet. The strap is comfortable and truly ambidextrous for both cross-body and single shoulder carry. Some of the Kickstarter released versions featured AustriAlpin GT Cobra quick-release polymer buckles, which is a nice (and still lightweight) upgrade over the standard hardware.
Defy Insidious
Defy Insidious Sling
Dimensions: 16″L x 8″W x 5″D
Volume: 10.5
Weight: 2.5 lbs
Build: Wax Canvas or 1020D Ballistic, 1000D Cordura
Cost: $198
Defy is a great boutique manufacturer of american-made handcrafted gear based here in Chicago. The Insidious sling also has a good amount of organization for EDC and the padded tech pocket can hold up to a 13″ Macbook (although not as securely as the padded sleeve on the X-Pak). It’s a bit more sleek and compact compared to the Code of Bell bag. The shoulder strap is well padded and ambidextrous for cross-body carry only. The metal AustriAlpin
COBRA® Quick-Release buckle is a nice touch but complete overkill on a bag this size.
GreenRoom136 MetroMonger
Greenroom136 MetroMonger
Dimensions: 12.6″L x 8.7″W x 5.5″D
Volume: 9L
Weight: 2.0 lbs
Build: 1000D Cordura, 420D Ripstop
Cost: $84 (converted at time of publication)
GreenRoom136 is based in Malaysia and makes some really well regarded EDC gear. The Metromonger has a front organization pocket, a main compartment that is compatible with their optional camera cubes and a rear padded laptop/tablet pocket that will fit up to 11″ Macbook Air. The strap is ambidextrous for cross-body carry only, well padded and one of the most comfortable under load that you’ll find in this category. Personally, I’m not in love with the boxy rectangle shape and it’s deeper than I’d like, but if you’re looking for an affordable well-made sling, the MetroMonger is one that a lot of sling-loving EDC enthusiasts swear by.
Bedouin x Carryology Balian
Dimensions: 14.1″L x 8.8″W x 5.1″D
Volume: 4.5L
Weight: 1.2 lbs
Build: Dyneema Composite, Cotton Drill, Italian Leather
Cost: $280 (converted at time of publication)
Bedouin x Carryology Balian
Bedouin Foundry is a small U.K. bag maker located in East London, Hackney. The brand as a very loyal following of EDC enthusiasts who love handmade bags made of materials like leather and waxed canvas. Very much like Defy in a lot of ways. The Balian, Bedouin’s first sling bag, is a collaboration project with Carryology.
Much of the bag is made of Dyneema Composite which is strong, super lightweight, and highly water resistant. The padded back panel is made of Italian top grain vegetable-tanned leather. The interior of the expandable hi-vis main compartment features three organization pockets. There’s also a “secret” security back panel pocket. The main compartment is large enough to fit an 11″ iPad Pro although there’s not a dedicated sleeve for it. Like Defy, Bedouin included a metal AustriAlpin COBRA® Quick-Release buckle. I do question the understated volume measurement compared to the relative dimensions of the other bags on this list. The premium materials do add to the cost and it was released in a very limited run, which Carryology says may or may not be repeated. But, I’ve included it because Bedouin might also release a less exclusive version in the near future.
The post 2019 Everyday Carry Sling Bag Comparison appeared first on Loadedpocketz.