The quick verdict
A sling bag is one of those accessories you do not think you need until you wear one for a day, and then your pockets feel broken forever. In the video above I run through my top five reasons to get one, using the Heimplanet Transit Sling I wear as the example. The short version: it frees up your pockets, it makes everything easier to grab, it carries more than pockets ever could, it saves you from hauling a backpack everywhere, and there are enough styles out there that one of them will suit you.
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What is a sling bag?
Sling bags, or crossbody bags, started out as fanny packs turned sideways. Some still are that, but the category has grown into bags designed to be worn across your body, on your chest, at your side or on your back. It is a middle ground between your pockets and a backpack.
1. It frees up your pockets
Back in the day, leaving the house meant a wallet and keys. Now it has morphed into a wallet, keys, a battery pack, headphones and more. Cramming all of that into your pockets ruins the line of your coat, wears the fabric out faster, and is just plain uncomfortable. Putting everything in a sling instead keeps your pockets empty and your coat looking and wearing better, and even a smaller sling will hold far more than you would ever want to shove into your pockets.
2. It makes everything easier to grab
On a recent trip I was carrying a battery bank, a phone, a charging cable, a wallet, my passport and money, with no jacket on. Imagine all of that in pockets: digging for one item means nearly pulling something else out with it. With a sling, everything is centralized right on your chest. You can grab what you need one-handed, and you can even leave it unzipped for a stretch, because as long as you do not bend over, nothing is falling out. It also has multiple internal organizers, which I am willing to bet your pockets do not.
3. You can carry more than pockets allow
Once I have sunglasses, a phone, keys and a wallet on me, that is about as much as I want in my pockets, with or without a jacket. A sling raises that ceiling a lot. My sunglasses ride up front, and there is room for everything I listed above and then some. This bag is on the smaller side and I can still fit a full bottle of water in it. Fair warning, though: you will probably end up carrying stuff you do not strictly need day to day. It is just kind of fun to have it along.
4. It saves you from wearing a backpack
I am not going to knock backpacks. You can fit far more in one and they are better for long days of travel. But nobody wears a backpack for the fashion benefits, and for a day trip around your own city or a light travel day, a backpack is overkill. A sling is the more modern take: enough capacity for what you actually need that day, worn close to the body.
5. There is a style for everyone
Style is subjective, and the category knows it. There are tons of models, fabrics and colours. You can get a messenger style that sits at your side, or something closer to a single-strap pack that rides on your back. So do not write sling bags off because you do not like the one on me in the video. Look through the options: as an accessory, especially for travel, it is super useful.
The bag in the video: Heimplanet Transit Sling
The Heimplanet Transit Sling is part of the German brand’s Transit Line, built around exactly the kind of organization this style of carry needs. The main compartment has several internal pockets, including a zippered pocket suited to a phone or passport. The front pocket is scratch-free, which is why my sunglasses live there. The strap adjusts with an aluminium buckle, and the shell is Heimplanet’s Dyecoshell nylon with water-resistant YKK zippers, so it shrugs off weather and daily abuse. It is a small bag by design, and that is the point: everything I need, nothing digging into my legs.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Empties your pockets, so clothes fit and wear better
- One-handed access to everything, right on your chest
- Carries far more than pockets, up to a bottle of water in a small sling
- Internal organization your pockets simply do not have
- Lighter and better looking than a backpack for day trips and travel
Cons
- You will end up carrying things you do not really need
- Capacity tops out fast compared to any backpack
- Leaving it unzipped for quick access only works while you stay upright
- Styles vary wildly, so you have to shop around for one you like
FAQ
Can a sling bag replace a backpack?
For day trips, city travel and everyday carry, yes. For long days, laptops and big loads, a backpack still wins. Most people end up using a sling for the majority of days that do not need a full pack.
Are sling bags good for travel?
They are one of the best travel accessories I own. Your passport, money and phone stay on your chest where you can reach them one-handed and where they are much harder to lose than in a pocket.
Final verdict
Once you start putting your everyday gear in a sling bag, you are not going to want to go back to stuffed pockets. The freedom of movement, the clean lines, and being able to grab anything with one hand sell it fast. The Heimplanet Transit Sling is the one that convinced me, but whatever style you pick, your pockets will thank you.