15 of the Best Sling Bags for Men

Sling bags are slowly overtaking the traditional rucksack design as the go-to for everyday carry, commuting, and even hiking. The ‘swing round design provides easy access to items, and with a stylish profile, they’re slowly becoming a staple part of daily fashion too.

While sling bags used to put a heavy burden on the shoulder, new ergonomic designs and a more informed approach to weight distribution have made modern sling bags on the market just as comfortable as their double-strapped siblings – even for long journeys and hiking expeditions.

In this buying guide, we’re going to cover some of our favourite high-quality sling bags available today. Whether it’s for you or as a gift for someone else, we’re certain that there will be something on this list for everyone.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

BEST SLING BAG FOR TRAVEL

We’ve chosen the Pacsafe Metrosafe as our recommended sling bag for travel mainly due to its security features. This highly security-minded sling bag can be fastened to fixtures, has lockable compartments, and is fitted with a lightweight slash-proof lining. It’s also water-resistant and easy-clean, so it takes the elements well.

BEST SMALL SLING BAG

Despite a fairly simple design, we love the G4Free Small Sling Bag. It’s lightweight, practical, and water-resistant, and it comes in an array of unique designs to help show off your individual style.

BEST WATERPROOF SLING BAG

The Mark Ryden Waterproof sling bag gets our vote because it’s not only waterproof but also very fashionable and comes with a built-in USB charging interface – making it easy to charge devices on the go. It also has space for a 10” laptop in a dedicated laptop sleeve.

BEST EDC SLING BAG

The Aer Tech Sling 2 is hands-down the best everyday carry sling bag, in our opinion. Not only does it come in a simple, sophisticated design that compliments all kinds of ensembles, but it’s equipped with an easy-to-organize interior and space for a 13” laptop—ideal for fashion-focused commuters.

BEST SLING BAG FOR HIKING

We highly recommend the Maxpedition Sitka Gearslinger as the go-to hiking sling bag as it’s engineered for military-grade use, easy to maintain, and features storage for a 3L hydration reservoir. It also comes with a built-in distress whistle, which could come in handy on particularly treacherous terrain.

1. Osprey Daylite Sling

Simple in design, the Osprey Daylite sling is a no-fuss, lightweight, everyday carry sling bag suitable for everyone. This bag can be used on the left or right shoulder for ambidextrous carry and has a handy interior mesh organizer to keep your belongings in order. While not as full-featured as some of the other options on this list, the Osprey Daylite is a great low-cost sling bag that should serve you well for daily use.

2. Leaper Canvas Messenger Bag Sling Bag

This sling bag is an homage to the vintage satchel design but in a stylish, more practical package. The Leaper Canvas Messenger Sling has a soft canvas finish with smart PU leather straps that can be easily released using the ‘magnetic snap’ mechanism. As well as the typical, more neutral colours, this canvas sling bag is also available in a range of vibrant hues like bright green, pink, or purple – so there’s an option to suit everyone.

3. Nomatic Navigator Sling 6L

Nomatic is known for producing some of the best-equipped luggage solutions on the market, and the 6L Navigator Sling is no different. This durable sling bag is packed with a ton of useful features, including tamper-resistant zippers, an RFID-safe pocket in the main compartment, and a card pocket is hidden discreetly in the strap, all to keep your items secure. As well as being stylish, practical and water-resistant, the Nomatic Navigator 6L also features two discrete reflective bands to maximize safety when travelling at night.

4. OZUKO Anti-Theft USB Sling Backpack

If you want something that can keep your valuables safe on a trip, the Ozuko Anti-theft USB Sling has plenty to offer at a reasonable price. It’s waterproof, lined with shock-absorbing high-density foam, with several anti-theft measures to protect your items from pickpockets.

It’s not just secure. It’s also pretty comfortable with a breathable, decompression-carrying strap system that reduces the strain on your shoulders over longer journeys. This bag also has a handy USB charging cable built into the design so that you can charge your devices on the move.

5. Hazard 4 Bandoleer: Mini Optics/EDC Shell Sling

Versatility can be key to a great carry-on, and that’s something the Hazard 4 Bandoleer excels at. This tactical, hard-shell EDC sling bag features a fairly lightweight and low-profile design that also offers lots of protection. But it can also be fitted with modular accessories to expand its capacity for larger journeys.

If you like to take your camera out with you on day trips, you’ll be pleased to know that this sling bag also has a built-in D-ring for camera tethering, and the moulded hardshell will keep any accessories protected from external damage.

6. AER Tech Sling 2

The AER Tech Sling 2 has a simpler, more sophisticated design than some other products on this list. It’s built to be functional yet stylish and easily complements almost any ensemble – making it the ideal sling bag for men who like to look sharp on their daily commute.

Inside, this high-quality sling bag has various pockets to keep your everyday items organized (no more rooting around for pens and phone chargers) and can fit up to a 13” laptop.

7. Tajezzo Waterproof Sling Bag

We really love this hard shell sling bag from Tajezzo, and not just because the unique geometric design makes it look like something out of Blade Runner. This bag has been designed with the 21st century in mind, with a built-in USB charging interface, hidden anti-theft pocket, and a hard shell, waterproof design that keeps your valuables safe against the elements.

8. Mosiso Multipurpose Travel Sling

The thing we love about this bag is the handy headphone cable hole. If you like keeping your phone in your bag while travelling but still want to be able to listen to your favourite music, we would highly recommend the MOSISO Multipurpose Sling Bag. As well as having space for an 11” tablet and two stretch mesh bottle pouches on the outside, this crossbody sling bag is waterproof, with a ton of stylish colours to choose from.

9. Chrome Industries – Mxd Notch Sling Bag

We recommend this bag a lot to people who are after something lightweight and low profile that gives easy access to your belongings. The MXD Notch Sling Bag is Chrome’s answer to the daily nomad, with two quick-access pockets and space for an iPad Mini, all in a compact package. This dual-purpose sling bag also has a dedicated phone and sunglass pocket with a soft lining to prevent those unwanted scratches we’re all too familiar with.

10. Mark Ryden Waterproof Sling Bag

Boasting a simple yet stylish design, the Mark Ryden waterproof sling bag is a great option for those who like to take their tech with them on their adventures. One of the stand-out features of this bag is that it has a built-in USB charging interface, which means you can easily charge your phone from a power pack inside your bag while on the move. This styling men’s sling bag has space for a 10” tablet or small laptop in the dedicated laptop sleeve as well as a dedicated card pocket. It’s waterproof too, which means your electronics should be safe even if you get caught in the rain.

11. Maxpedition Sitka Gearslinger

The Sitka Gearslinger is the go-to sling bag for expeditionists. Originally designed for military and law enforcement operatives, this tactical sling bag is designed to be ‘swung’ around for quick access to your kit. If you’re looking for a bag to take on hardcore hiking trips or just something comfortable and practical that will stand the test of time, this sling bag is resistant to water and grease and is as tough as nails. The pack also features a 3L hydration reservoir slot, making it a great choice for hikers.

12. Nicgid Sling Bag

Sometimes you need something lightweight and versatile. If that’s the case, you might want to take a look at the Nicgid Sling Bag, which comes in a selection of blacks, greys, and cool greens. This sturdy bag is water and rip-resistant, has an adjustable strap, and can be worn in a variety of different ways, making it great for men, women, and children and easy to adjust to stay comfortable on a long day trip.

While fairly compact on the outside, this EDC sling bag has space for an iPad Mini or Kindle and a selection of different pockets to keep your items organized – including a hidden anti-theft pocket.

13. Pacsafe Metrosafe LS150 7L

If security is a priority for you, look no further than the Pacsafe Metrosafe. This anti-theft sling bag is kitted with countless security and anti-theft features, including a slash-proof, lightweight, steel mesh lining, lockable zipper compartments, and an RFID-protected pocket to keep your phone and bank cards secure.

This sling bag is also water-resistant with an easy-clean finish and features two padded sleeves to help keep your valuables protected on those more ‘adventurous’ outings.

14. OutdoorMaster Travel Sling Bag

The OutdoorMaster sling bag is a lightweight, affordable, everyday sling bag with some great features for the price. As well as having space for a 12” laptop or tablet, the bag has a hidden anti-theft pocket to keep valuables safe from pickpockets. This men’s crossbody sling bag also has a comfortable padded strap that can be reversed to alternate the load between shoulders on long journeys, as well as a built-in water bottle holder.

15. G4Free Small Sling Bag

While not as fully featured as some of the other bags on this list, the G4Free Sling Bag comes in plenty of designs, making it a great option for anyone who wants to show off their style but doesn’t need all the fancy bells and whistles. Even so, this lightweight everyday carry sling bag is easy to keep organized and simple to maintain thanks to its water-resistant Nylon material.

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