10 Best Sling Bags for Sports and Travel In 2021: Buying Guide and Reviews
Typical sling bags for sports and travel are quite simple; triangular with a single strap that you sling across your shoulder. They are popular with all sorts of fun-lovers – backpackers, people who hop from city to city, sportspeople, and practically anyone who wants all their items in the same place. A sling backpack is easily accessible as you only need to unclip the strap to bring it to the front. A padded strap slung across the torso not only eases the strain, but it also gives you a sense of security even when in crowded streets.
So, which best sling backpack for sports and travel is ideal for you? There are many on the market with practically every brand carrying its own, but we have narrowed down the options for you. In this article, we review ten of our best on the market, give you with thorough buying guide for sling backpacks and answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding this product.
Table of Contents
- Sling Bags for Sports and Travel – Review & Buyer’s Guide
- 1. Versatile Canvas Sling Bag/Urban Travel Backpack
- 2. OutdoorMaster Sling Bag
- 3. MOSISO Sling Backpack
- 4. Men Vintage Leather CrossBody Sling Bag
- 5. Nicgid Sling Bag
- 6. Travelon AT Classic Sling Bag
- 7. Nicgid Sling Bag Chest & Shoulder Backpack
- 8. KAVU Mini Rope Bag Crossbody
- 9. Canvas Sling Bag – David Nile
- 10. TOPNICE Sling Bag
- Sling Bags for Sports and Travel – Buyer’s Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Sling Bags for Sports and Travel – Review & Buyer’s Guide
1. Versatile Canvas Sling Bag/Urban Travel Backpack
This pack from Neatpack doesn’t have the most innovative design, but it does get the work done. Made of water-resistant polyester canvas, you know it will serve you for many years and will resist tear even when subjected to harsh conditions. The zippers are solid, metal, and durable. The reflective stripe at the back is one of our favorite features of this backpack.
Its thick strap is padded for comfort while an inner pocket has RFID blocking to safeguard your cards and electronics. The back is comfortable and the material breathable to keep your items in good shape and your back pain-free. It has one large compartment and several smaller pockets both inside and outside the bag for easy access to your items. Canvas is water-resistant but not waterproof, and so your items will not be ruined by a splash of water or light rains. Price-wise, we think this is a steal. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.
- Reflective stripe at the back.
- Sturdy water-resistant material.
- Padded strap.
- RFID blocking.
- Not waterproof.
- Only available in three colors.
2. OutdoorMaster Sling Bag
This OutdoorMaster sling bag is small by the look of it but it fits all your regular personal effects when on day travel. It can be used for work, play, and even school by all genders, thanks to its simple design, the padded strap is a win as it provides protection, while the three compartments outside the bag give you easy reach of your items. The back panel is meshed to allow for ventilation while an anti-theft pocket inside the bag completes the picture.
As far as dimensions, it measures 30 x 10 x 45cm – L, W, H – and will comfortably hold a 12.5″ laptop in the large compartment. It only weighs 1lb and comes in eight colors. It has a side pocket for a water bottle, but it is quite small and will only fit the smallest water bottle on the market. And, it is water-repellent and so you won’t have to worry about your items getting drenched in light showers.
- Available in eight colors.
- Quite large – fits a laptop.
- Has an anti-theft pocket.
- The design is a little drab.
- The side pocket is quite small.
3. MOSISO Sling Backpack
This Mosiso sling bag can be worn across the torso, at the front, and even slung across the waist depending on your preferred styles. It is made of polyester that repels water and is breathable. The strap is thick, breathable, and quite comfortable for all-day wear. The back of this bag is padded for comfort and breathability while the inside compartment is large enough to fit a 12.5-inch laptop.
On the side is a mesh pocket for a water bottle though we found it too small. The pouter compartments are great as they give you easy access to your personal effects. The zippers, though unhidden, are sturdy and made of metal to last as long as the bag will.
The material, though water-repellent, is not waterproof and so it will not prevent your items from getting drenched in a heavy downpour, but it will protect them from a light splash.
- Lightweight – only weighs 12.3oz.
- Roomy compartment.
- Available in several exciting colors.
- Breathable strap and padded back.
- Zippers are not hidden and so it’s not anti-theft.
- The side pockets are not very roomy – 2.5 inches.
4. Men Vintage Leather CrossBody Sling Bag
Though this vintage bag is marketed as a product for men, anyone can use it as it is classy and beautifully designed. Made of leather, it will repel and resist water and the outer surface will not tear easily unless subjected to too much stress. It comes in three colors and two different sizes – medium and large.
It is well compartmentalized with a large pocket that will handle a laptop and several smaller others for smaller items. On the exterior is two reasonably large compartments that are easily accessible while inside, more others will handle your cards, keys, and passport. It also has a charging port that you can connect to your power bank to charge your phone while traveling.
This PU leather bag is durable, has a thick padded strap for comfort, and is stylish for business travel and leisure. For a bag this stylish, its price is quite lenient.
- Stylish.
- Has a charging port.
- Durable and water-resistant material.
- Roomy compartments – fits a 12.5-inch laptop.
- No side pocket for a water bottle.
5. Nicgid Sling Bag
Nicgid’s sling bag measures 8.3*3.9*11.8 inches and is ideal for both men and women. It is made of nylon for water resistance and durability, while the strap, padded and breathable, and comfortable for any style of slinging. While it will not fit a laptop well enough, it handles tablets and other items quite well. The large compartment inside is backed up by smaller pockets that hide your personal items and there are more outside to hold any other item you would like to access easily. It also has one other padded part for the safety of your sensitive items – camera, tablet.
On the side, a mesh pocket fits a small water bottle. The back panel is mesh for breathability and padded for comfort so you can carry this bag for hours. Thanks to its rugged make, this bag is tear-resistant and
- Padded strap and back panel.
- Padded interior pocket for a camera or tablet.
- Nylon is durable and water-resistant.
- Quite small.
- It is water-resistant but not waterproof.
6. Travelon AT Classic Sling Bag
Travelon’s sling bag is classic without too much fuss. The design is simple and the four colors available are all laid back and business-friendly. Since the material is tough and water-resistant, it handles light showers well but you do not want to get caught in a heavy downpour.
One of the most attractive features of this bag is its RFID blocking pocket that will protect your cards from illegal scanning. Its slash-resistant construction is unique and the lockable compartments provide extra security even when in crowded and unsafe areas. The strap on this bag is not only wide and padded for comfort, but it is also made of the same anti-slash material as the rest of the bag. On the side is a mesh pocket that fits a 500ml water bottle. Though it is a little more expensive than most, this bag’s features make it worth every dime.
- RFID blocking pocket.
- Water-resistant.
- Roomy compartment and several pockets.
- Slash-resistant construction.
- Water-resistant but not waterproof.
- Quite expensive.
7. Nicgid Sling Bag Chest & Shoulder Backpack
Nicgid’s fanny bag made of rip-resistant nylon is reasonably priced for a product of its quality, like all fanny bags, it is quite small and designed to be slung across the waist. The main compartment will fit a tablet, kindle, and other smaller items while the outer pockets will give you easy access to your phone and keys. Being as it can be worn at the front, it is safe as you can keep an eye on it all the time.
It is versatile with sturdy construction that will not rip under any circumstances. The zips are metal and corrosion-resistant while the sole strap is thick and padded for comfort. It is also adjustable so you can carry it regardless of your size and height.
- Adjustable thick, padded strap.
- Versatile.
- Durable, sturdy material.
- Zippered compartments.
- No RFID pockets mentioned.
- Not waterproof.
8. KAVU Mini Rope Bag Crossbody
KAVU’s mini sling bag is uniquely designed for leisure and travel. It comes in many colors and is lighter than most on the market. It is 16 inches high x 9 inches wide which is quite large and versatile to fit books and other items. Made of polyester, the inner large compartment can handle quite a lot while the smaller outer pockets are ideal for those items you want to access easily and fast. They are all zippered for safety too.
The strap is a rope that may not be the most comfortable to sling for long hours, but it does have a clip that allows you to adjust the strap to your height and size. The price is a little steep, thanks to the quality of the bag, but it will serve you well for long.
- Roomy compartment.
- Available in different unique colors.
- Unique design.
- Strap is not too comfortable.
- Material not water-resistant.
9. Canvas Sling Bag – David Nile
This colorful sling bag from David Nile measures 10 X 7 X 16 inches n weighs 1.4lb which is quite light and ideal for frequent travelers. It is also quite popular with school kids, thanks to a roomy compartment that fits books perfectly.
Inside the bag is a hidden anti-theft pocket for your cards while the zippers on the exterior part of the bag are sturdy and hard to break. The strap is as sturdy as the rest of the material that makes up this sling bag and it is also thick and padded for comfort. A pocket on the side for a water bottle is a thoughtful addition to the entire set-up. It is backed up by a lifetime warranty.
- RFID blocking pockets.
- Zippered compartments for security.
- Thick padded strap.
- Sturdy and durable material.
- Only available in one color.
- Won’t fit a laptop.
10. TOPNICE Sling Bag
This Topnice sling bag is made of polyester that is also slash-resistant and scratchproof. It is durable and able to resist water. A reflective stripe at the back is a thoughtful idea that gives you some much-needed visibility when riding at night.
Overall, this bag has five compartments including one with RFID blocking. The largest compartment is 14 x 8.5 x 1 – length, width, and height. The other pockets are either inside or outside the bag and are all zippered for safety. A wide, padded strap makes carrying this pack comfortable for any size and height since it is adjustable. It only weighs 0.5lbs.
- Five roomy compartments.
- Anti-slash material.
- Water-resistant.
- RFID protection.
- Quiet small.
- Water-resistant but not waterproof.
Sling Bags for Sports and Travel – Buyer’s Guide
On the market are so many brands of sling backpacks and this presents a real challenge for most people when they go shopping. Which sling backpack is perfect for you? There are not too many things to look at as you will see in the buying guide below.
Material Used
You want your sling backpack to last a long time – which is why you will not pinch pennies –and so you want the material to be able to stand the test of time. Some of the most popular materials used for these bags include cotton canvas, leather, and polyester. These materials are not only sturdy to handle stress, but they have some level of water resistance.
Compartments and Pockets
Most sling backpacks will have one large compartment for your larger items and smaller pockets for smaller personal effects. You want to go for a pack that handles your most necessary items without straining too much, and that will mostly depend on how you intend to use it. If the smaller pockets are hidden for security but easy to access at the same time, it’s a win.
Size of the Backpack
This is a personal decision depending on what you carry in your backpack, but you also want to remember that it slings across your body and so weight is not equally balanced. You do not want it so big that it overwhelms you when you pack it up. It should not be over 10% of your body weight when fully packed, and so a reasonably small bag is more favorable.
Adjustable Straps
You want adjustable straps to enable you to carry the backpack reasonably. This way, you will have several options for carrying it as you can strap it across your shoulder, at the waist, or the front across the chest because the strap will be clipped differently. You also want a strap that is well-padded for added comfort that will prevent strain especially when you carry the pack for long hours per day. Thicker straps are always more comfortable that slimmer ones.
Design and Functionality of the Sling Backpack
They all have one thing in common – one strap that can be slung across the shoulder or otherwise. The ideal sling bag is durable, comfortable, made of material that can withstand stress, and easy to access. When buying one, ensure that it meets as many of these features as possible to get back value for your money. Some have padded backs for comfort when carrying them, and this is a bonus especially if you are a traveler that is often on the road with their bag. It also helps when it looks good, but functionality is even more important.
Price
The sling bags for sports and travel we have reviewed will not break the bank but they will serve you for long because they strike the perfect balance between function and value. On our reviews, we try not to pay too much attention to price because a good product will set you back a few more bucks than a substandard one, but it will be worth the investment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion – Wrapping Up
That concludes this guide on the best sling backpacks for sports and travel. We do hope you found a product that is perfectly suited for you or you at least gained some insight on what to look for when buying the next one.
We used information available on the market and products readily available online, and so all this information is up-to-date. Should anything change or new information come up, we will update this article accordingly. Meanwhile, have fun-filled adventures with your sling backpack and share this information with your friends!