Which sling bags are best?
Sling bags come in a number of different styles, including messenger bags, wallet cross-bodies and sling backpacks, and they’re a great way to carry your most important belongings and give you the design and durability you need.
The OutdoorMaster Sling Bag is designed to hold a small laptop or tablet up to 12 inches wide, has several compartments, an ergonomic design and a reversible shoulder strap.
What to know before you buy a sling bag
Type of sling bags
There are several kinds of sling bags, including classic slings, designer slings, wallet cross-bodies, sling backpacks, messenger bags and cross-body hiking bags.
Classic: The classic sling is a bag with one end of the strap attached to the bottom of the bag and the other attached to the top. Classic slings are used as daypacks, especially if you’re tired of lugging around a big, heavy bag. These bags are slightly larger than wallets with interior pockets to store items, such as your wallet and phone.
Designer: Designer slings are much like classic slings but more appropriate for special occasions or date nights. They come in various shapes, colors and styles and are sometimes bejeweled.
Wallet cross-body: A wallet cross-body is the ideal bag for a casual day out. It’s similar to a classic sling, but it’s a wallet with a leather strap or chain attached to it.
Sling backpack: Sling backpacks are backpacks with one strap worn across the body and a zipper on the strap.
Messenger bag: The messenger bag is a larger version of a classic sling and works well for work settings.
Cross-body hiking: Cross-body hiking slings combine backpacks and messenger bags.
Convenience
Sling bags are streamlined and simple to carry — you can throw the strap over your head and carry the bag across your chest. You can open your bag and grab whatever you need, even while you’re walking.
Comfort
Sling bags are comfortable to carry, since most of these bags have a broad shoulder strap that can be slung across the chest. They lay flat against the body, so they’re not overly bulky and they let you stay mobile when necessary.
What to look for in a quality sling bag
Durability
Genuine leather and thick canvas are great materials to look for in sling bags if you want something durable. Pay attention to the quality of the seams of the sling bag, since they’re typically the weakest points. If the seams aren’t reinforced or double-stitched, they might rip under heavy stress.
Straps
Shoulder straps go across your chest and come in a variety of quality levels, styles and sizes, so don’t ignore this feature when selecting your bag.
How much you can expect to spend on a sling bag
Sling bags cost about $15-$200, depending on the materials, quality, construction and features of the bag.
Sling bag FAQ
What’s the purpose of a sling bag?
A. Sling bags feature an ergonomic design that works with your shoulders to reduce and/or eliminate back, shoulder and neck pain. The proper way to carry your sling bag is with the strap going across your chest.
What are the benefits and disadvantages of sling bags?
A. Sling bags can help you keep from filling extra space just because you have it, since you really only have enough room for your water bottle, headphones, phone, wallet and keys. They also simplify what you carry — you have less bulk to manage and fewer pockets to check. They’re more comfortable over the long term compared to shoulder bags, and you can easily and quickly access your things without removing your bag.
On the flip side, sling bags usually have a lower carrying capacity than other bags, such as backpacks. They aren’t right for carrying heavy loads, since the bag weight is placed across only one shoulder. Carrying a heavy bag could lead to shoulder and neck strain as well as issues with your posture.
What’s the best sling bag to buy?
Top sling bag
OutdoorMaster Sling Bag
What you need to know: This versatile, sturdy sling bag is the perfect everyday bag.
What you’ll love: This sling bag is designed to hold a laptop or tablet up to 12 inches wide. It has a water bottle pocket as well as a hidden antitheft pocket. Its ergonomic design means it’s lightweight but can hold lots of items, and it’s a decent size with a comfortable, reversible strap.
What you should consider: Several people had issues with zippers breaking or coming open after limited use.
Top sling bag for the money
Leaper Canvas Messenger Bag
What you need to know: This sling bag is made for multiple activities and boasts plenty of space for all your things.
What you’ll love: The Leaper sling has a number of compartments and pockets, including those sized for a laptop and phone. The washed canvas is a durable fabric, while the outer flap and buckles provide security. It comes in over 20 colors in a unisex design. Its medium size makes it convenient for travel.
What you should consider: It isn’t waterproof, so it isn’t best for trips where it could get wet.
Worth checking out
Osprey Daylite Shoulder Sling Bag
What you need to know: This ambidextrous shoulder sling bag has comfortable padding and plenty of storage areas.
What you’ll love: The back of the bag has a padded mesh panel for extra comfort and breathability. You can fit it over your left or your right shoulder, so it’s ideal for both left- and right-handed people. It has a spacious main compartment and some smaller pockets to hold items like your phone and keys.
What you should consider: The strap isn’t completely padded.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
