Sling bags have surged in popularity recently, becoming essential for travelers and everyday adventurers alike. These crossbody-style bags offer a practical alternative to traditional purses and backpacks, providing ample capacity while maintaining a compact and secure feel. The ability to easily swing a sling bag to the front of your body enhances security, making it ideal for navigating crowded airports, bustling city streets, or scenic hiking trails.
Whether you’re seeking the perfect Sling Travel Bag for flying, hiking expeditions, shopping excursions, or daily errands, we’ve rigorously tested 23 sling bags from reputable brands to pinpoint the absolute best for every conceivable need. Our selection encompasses everything from robust, weatherproof bags designed for the great outdoors to chic leather slings that effortlessly complement any ensemble. We prioritized bags that impressed us with their functional designs for optimal organization and premium materials built to endure countless journeys.
Our Top Sling Travel Bag Picks:
Best Overall: The North Face Borealis Sling at Amazon $59
Best for Travel Days: Béis The Sport Sling at Beis
Best Large: Cotopaxi 13L Sling Pack at Amazon $75
Best Rugged: Kavu Rope Bag Sling Pack at Amazon $55 $32
Best Everyday: The Sak Tess Sling Bag at Amazon $119 $90
Best Value: Cluci Sling Bag at Amazon $28 $23
Best Padding: Osprey Daylite Sling Backpack at Amazon $45
Best for Water Bottles: Nomatic Navigator Sling at Amazon $130
Best for Runners: Janji Sling Bag at REI $56
Best Mini: Quince Italian Pebbled Leather Sling Bag at Quince.com
Best Overall Sling Travel Bag
The North Face Borealis Sling
Why We Love It: The North Face Borealis Sling travel bag offers exceptional comfort and surprising spaciousness for everyday essentials.
What to Consider: Accessing the main compartment may require removing the bag depending on wearing style.
The North Face Borealis Sling truly impressed us during our extensive testing, consistently achieving top scores across all critical categories, including capacity, comfort, material quality, and overall value. Immediately, we noted its comfortable wearability, even during extended periods of walking and activity. Even when fully packed while running errands on a warm day, the bag never felt cumbersome or heavy. The weight distribution felt balanced across the torso and shoulders, making it feel akin to a small, streamlined backpack rather than a typical sling bag. The adjustable straps allow for a customized, snug fit that prevents rubbing or chafing, enhancing comfort during prolonged use.
The Borealis Sling also boasts a surprisingly generous capacity. We were particularly impressed by how much we could comfortably store inside, easily accommodating all our daily essentials and more. The main compartment is quite roomy and intelligently designed with a fleece-lined internal pocket, perfectly sized for securely holding a phone and keys, protecting them from scratches. Additionally, a conveniently placed pocket on the strap offers quick access to smaller items like wireless headphones or lip balm without needing to adjust the bag’s position. The materials used are demonstrably high-quality, and we are confident in this sling travel bag’s long-term durability and resilience.
The Details: 7.3 x 4.7 x 13 inches | 10.6 ounces | 6-liter capacity | Recycled nylon ripstop, recycled polyester | Water repellent
Best Sling Travel Bag for Travel Days
Béis The Sport Sling
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Why We Love It: The Béis Sport Sling travel bag excels in organization with numerous pockets and compartments, perfect for travel essentials.
What to Consider: A zipper closure on the front slip pouch would enhance security.
The Béis Travel The Sport Sling stands out as an exceptional sling travel bag for travel days, primarily due to thoughtful design elements that cater specifically to travelers’ needs. When it comes to efficiently organizing and accessing essential travel documents and items like passports, phones, and hand sanitizer, this bag is exceptionally well-equipped. It boasts a wealth of strategically placed compartments, including a convenient front slip pouch for quick access and a zippered front pocket that incorporates three dedicated credit card slots along with additional space for slim items such as wallets, passports, or critical travel documents. The main zippered compartment further enhances organization with a small internal pouch and a zippered mesh pocket. For added security, a hidden zippered compartment is located on the back of the sling, ideal for safeguarding valuables close to the body. Jasmine Grant, Senior Editor at Travel + Leisure, highlights a standout feature: “My favorite part of the bag is the hidden water bottle pocket, ingeniously designed to unzip from the side, allowing it to pop open for use and then collapse back into the side zipper pocket when not needed.”
We found the Sport Sling remarkably comfortable to carry for extended periods, a crucial feature for travel days. The adjustable strap ensures a perfect fit for various body types, further contributing to its comfortable wear. The overall quality is notably high, instilling confidence in the bag’s long-term durability. While it has a smaller capacity compared to some sling bags on our list, this compact size makes it an ideal personal item, fitting comfortably under airplane seats and keeping essential belongings within easy reach while navigating airports.
The Details: 8.2 x 6.7 x 2.7 inches | 9.6 ounces | 1.16-liter capacity | Nylon, vegan leather, recycled polyester
Best Large Sling Travel Bag
Cotopaxi 13L Sling Pack
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Why We Love It: The Cotopaxi 13L Sling Pack travel bag offers substantial space, easily accommodating jackets, water bottles, snacks, and even tablets.
What to Consider: Its larger size might be overwhelming for everyday use as a small, daily bag.
Cotopaxi’s spacious sling pack essentially functions as a mini backpack but with the convenience of a crossbody strap. This design makes it an excellent sling travel bag choice for extended outings when you require significant extra storage capacity. It offers more than double the storage volume of our top overall pick, The North Face Borealis, with a 13-liter capacity that readily accommodates a variety of items. The large main compartment is ideal for bulkier items like jackets, tablets, or a large water bottle, while multiple smaller pockets are perfectly sized for essentials like car keys or smartphones. Constructed from TPU-coated nylon, the sling provides excellent water resistance, allowing you to confidently use it in rain, snow, or sleet without concern for your belongings getting wet or damaged.
A notable feature is the versatility in wearing preference; you can comfortably sling the pack over either your right or left shoulder. The padding integrated into the back panel and strap significantly enhances comfort, regardless of your daily activities. After six months of regular use, including hiking and bike riding, the bag has maintained its like-new condition and has proven to be a dependable part of our outdoor gear. While its size might be too substantial for some users as an everyday bag, it is the perfect solution if you need a spacious sling bag for travel or activities requiring more gear.
The Details: 18 x 10 x 5 inches| 1.1 pounds | 13-liter capacity | Recycled 840D TPU-coated nylon | Weather resistant
Best Rugged Sling Travel Bag
Kavu Rope Bag Sling Pack
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Why We Love It: The Kavu Rope Bag Sling Pack travel bag features an adjustable rope strap that conforms to the body, offering flexible and comfortable wear for various activities.
What to Consider: The rope strap can feel slightly rough against bare skin.
For outdoor adventures including hiking, biking, or any excursion into nature, we highly recommend the Kavu Rope Sling as your sling travel bag of choice. Constructed from water-resistant polyester and available in a wide array of outdoor-inspired prints and patterns, it makes a thoughtful and practical gift for nature enthusiasts. Beyond its distinctive fabric designs, this bag excelled in comfort during our testing, largely due to its flexible rope crossbody strap. This strap effectively contours to the upper body and evenly distributes the pack’s weight, enhancing comfort during active use. We did observe that the rope strap could feel a bit rough directly against bare skin, so we advise wearing a layer of clothing between the strap and your skin for optimal comfort.
With a 10-liter capacity, this lightweight pack provides ample space for everyday essentials, including jackets, water bottles, and snacks. It also incorporates several pockets designed to organize both smaller and larger items effectively.
The Details: 20 x 11 x 5 inches| 12.4 ounces | 10-liter capacity | Polyester | Water resistant
Best Everyday Sling Travel Bag
The Sak Tess Sling Bag
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Why We Love It: The Sak Tess Sling Bag travel bag is perfectly sized for everyday carry and comes in diverse materials like leather and crochet for varied occasions.
What to Consider: It is among the pricier options in our selection.
If you prefer to avoid the sporty aesthetic often associated with many sling bags, The Sak Tess Sling Bag is an excellent choice. This sling travel bag leans more towards a stylish crossbody bag in appearance, making it highly versatile for daily use. While its capacity isn’t massive, it feels surprisingly spacious for a smaller bag and is ideally suited for everyday essentials. Our testing editor, Jackie Cucco, successfully fit an iPhone, passport case, wallet, AirPods, sunglasses, hand sanitizer, bulky keys, a compact mirror, and several small makeup items, still with some room to spare. The bag includes a large internal slip pocket, perfectly sized for an iPhone, and a smaller internal zippered pocket for added security. Comfort is a key feature; the bag is comfortable to wear, and the adjustable strap accommodates a range of body types.
With over two dozen styles available, including leather, hand-crocheted yarn, and eco twill, there’s a Tess Sling Bag for nearly every personal style and occasion. We tested a black leather version, which impressed us with its luxurious feel, justifying its higher price point. Overall, we consider it a stylish and adaptable bag suitable for numerous occasions. “I value having a versatile bag when I travel that can transition from casual to more dressed-up settings. The compact size is perfect for travel, yet it’s still spacious enough to be truly functional, which is essential,” Cucco notes.
The Details: 6 x 2.63 x 11.5 inches | 9.9 ounces | Leather, crocheted recycled polypropylene yarn, or repreve eco twill
Best Value Sling Travel Bag
Cluci Sling Bag
Why We Love It: The Cluci Sling Bag travel bag combines style and functionality at a remarkably affordable price point.
What to Consider: The faux leather material may exhibit wear and tear over extended use.
In need of a sling travel bag on short notice? The Cluci Faux Leather Sling Bag is readily available with Amazon Prime shipping and its versatile design complements nearly any outfit. We appreciate the medium size of its main compartment, which comfortably accommodates a book, wallet, and sunglasses. We also found space for smaller essentials like lip balm and keys in the interior pockets. The vegan leather material is surprisingly soft, mimicking the feel of genuine leather, and the woven nylon strap is comfortable against the skin, preventing digging or discomfort. While some minor wear and tear on the exterior material became noticeable after six months of use, we still consider it an exceptional value given its low price and overall stylish appearance.
The Details: 15.5 x 6.9 x 2.8 inches| 12 ounces | Vegan leather | Water resistant
Best Padded Sling Travel Bag
Osprey Daylite Sling Backpack
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Why We Love It: The Osprey Daylite Sling Backpack travel bag features a padded spacer mesh back panel for exceptional comfort and breathability.
What to Consider: The crossbody strap is not entirely padded.
During our tests, this sporty sling travel bag impressed us with its superior comfort and breathability, primarily due to its padded and mesh-lined back panel. The anatomical design ensures a comfortable fit on either the back or chest, whether worn over the right or left shoulder, offering a versatile and convertible wearing experience. With a 6-liter capacity, it efficiently holds daily essentials like a phone, keys, earbuds, and a wallet (though a smaller wallet is recommended for optimal space utilization). The main compartment is spacious and easily accessible, complemented by a few pockets for organizing smaller items.
While we found this bag exceptionally lightweight and comfortable to carry, the crossbody strap is only padded around the shoulder area, transitioning to a regular nylon strap that can be adjusted for fit. In a durability test, we even spilled coffee on the bag and were able to successfully clean it in a washing machine on a delicate cycle, restoring it perfectly.
The Details: 14.17 x 8.66 x 5.12 inches | 8 ounces | 6-liter capacity | Recycled polyester
Best Sling Travel Bag for Water Bottles
Nomatic Navigator Sling
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Why We Love It: The Nomatic Navigator Sling travel bag features both internal and external water bottle pockets for ultimate hydration convenience.
What to Consider: The textured fabric can be challenging to clean stains from after prolonged use.
Stay hydrated effortlessly while on the go with the sleek and highly functional Nomatic Navigator Sling. This sling travel bag is uniquely designed with not just one, but two dedicated water bottle pockets. The structured design of this 6-liter bag maintains its shape even when filled with items like a tablet or jacket. The interior includes a water bottle sleeve and multiple zippered pockets for organization, while the exterior features a convenient side slip pocket providing quick access to another water bottle or a phone without needing to open the main compartment.
While it’s one of the more expensive bags we tested, the Navigator Sling comes packed with extra features, including a removable stabilizing strap, an RFID-blocking security pocket, and a dedicated tablet sleeve suitable for devices up to 11 inches. Additionally, its robust nylon fabric is water-resistant, making this pack ideal for daily errands or commuting, even in inclement weather.
The Details: 9 x 4 x 3.5 inches| 1.3 pounds | 6-liter capacity | Nylon | Water resistant
Best Sling Travel Bag for Runners
Janji Sling Bag
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Why We Love It: The Janji Sling Bag travel bag is remarkably slim yet stretches to accommodate items as large as water bottles, ideal for runners and active individuals.
What to Consider: The extra strap can be initially confusing, especially for those new to running belts and bags.
While technically designed for runners, the Janji Multipass Sling Bag is also exceptionally practical for highly active travelers. Its sleek and slim silhouette makes it comfortable to wear across the shoulder, crossbody, or around the waist, offering a convertible and secure fit. Despite its seemingly small size, this sling travel bag is surprisingly spacious, capable of holding everyday essentials like a wallet, phone, and keys. It also features a bungee cord at the back to secure a jacket or water bottle while you’re on the move. Constructed from durable polyester, the material is ultralightweight and water-resistant, maintaining a new appearance even after six months of use. Runners will particularly appreciate its slim design for light packing and the secure crossbody strap during strenuous activities.
The Details: 6.5 x 6.25 x 4 inches| 5.8 ounces | 2-liter capacity | Polyester, nylon | Water resistant
Best Mini Sling Travel Bag
Quince Italian Pebbled Leather Sling Bag
Why We Love It: The Quince Italian Pebbled Leather Sling Bag travel bag, crafted from luxurious Italian leather, offers a sleek and timeless aesthetic.
What to Consider: Adjusting the strap can be somewhat challenging due to the hardware design.
If you are looking for a sling travel bag to perfectly accent a brunch-ready outfit, the Quince Italian Leather Sling Bag is your best choice. The soft, pebbled Italian leather feels luxurious and proved to be remarkably scratch-resistant throughout our six-month testing period. The interior cotton lining further protects both the bag and its contents. We appreciate that it’s not overly large, yet comfortably accommodates phones, wallets, earbuds, and passports. It’s compact and easy to carry either across the chest or around the waist. The nylon belt, while adjustable to various lengths for different wearing styles, can be a bit tricky to adjust due to the metal hardware. This chic sling bag is available in several sophisticated earth-tone colors, including olive, beige, and black.
The Details: 11 x 5.75 x 1.5 inches| 10.9 ounces | Leather, cotton
Best Organized Sling Travel Bag
Patagonia Atom Sling Bag
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Why We Love It: The Patagonia Atom Sling Bag travel bag excels in organization with numerous pockets and dividers to neatly arrange your belongings.
What to Consider: The asymmetrical design is intended for wear over the right shoulder only.
The intuitive and highly functional design of Patagonia’s Atom Sling Bag truly impressed us in terms of organization. It features an ideal number of pockets for keeping items sorted and accessible. The combination of various pockets and an 8-liter capacity ensures that everything has its place without getting lost in a large, undefined space. The main compartment includes a fabric divider, perfect for separating and protecting more delicate items like books or tablets. A generously sized front zippered pocket is ideal for quick-grab items such as sunglasses, car keys, or earbuds. A standout feature is the small pocket located on the bag strap, perfectly sized for storing a phone, allowing you to remain hands-free while traveling.
During our six-month testing, we even spilled sunscreen on the bag, which we easily cleaned using a small amount of dish soap, demonstrating its resilience. One point to note is that the asymmetrical sling design is intended to be worn over the right shoulder. If you are accustomed to wearing sling bags over your left shoulder, adjusting to this right-shoulder orientation might require a brief period of familiarization, though the comfort remains excellent.
The Details: 13.5 x 9 x 3 inches | 12 ounces | 8-liter capacity | Recycled polyester, nylon | Water resistant
Most Stylish Sling Travel Bag
Free People Idle Hands Sling Bag
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Why We Love It: The Free People Idle Hands Sling Bag travel bag offers a luxurious vintage purse aesthetic and feel, blending style with practicality.
What to Consider: The zippers were not as smooth as desired and tended to snag occasionally.
If style is your foremost consideration when choosing a sling travel bag, we highly recommend the Idle Hands Sling Bag from Free People. During a 10-day road trip, I personally tested this bag across both casual and more formal settings and found it exceptionally versatile. Despite its seemingly small size, it is surprisingly capacious. I easily accommodated my wallet, headphones, lip balm, and other essentials, and was pleased to find it could also hold larger items such as a plastic water bottle and my e-reader.
This sling bag features two main compartments, each with internal pockets, which is highly useful for separating items like snacks and water from tech accessories such as a phone or Kindle. It is comfortable to carry both as a crossbody and as a shoulder bag; I even wore it on a hike without any discomfort. The adjustable strap is easily tightened or loosened, further enhancing its adaptability. My favorite aspect of this bag is its look and feel — the leather has a beautifully aged, vintage appearance and a buttery soft texture, as if it has been lovingly cared for over time.
The only minor drawback we noted was that the zippers were not as smooth as we would have preferred, occasionally snagging. However, this is a relatively simple issue to address with a DIY fix.
The Details: 15.7 x 2.2 inches | Leather
Other Sling Bags We Liked
While the following sling bags didn’t quite make our top picks, they are still commendable options with minor drawbacks identified during testing.
The North Face Women’s Isabella Sling: We appreciate many aspects of this bag and have minimal criticisms. However, its similarities to the Borealis sling travel bag (our top overall pick) led us to favor the Borealis due to its slightly more comprehensive features like a water bottle pocket, key hook, and external bungee cord.
Peak Design Field Pouch V2: This sling bag offers a 1.5-liter capacity expandable to 3 liters via a Velcro front flap and includes internal dividers for organization. However, we found the strap comfort could be improved.
Eddie Bauer Ripstop Sling Backpack: We admire this bag’s functionality, capacity, comfortable wear, and secure feel. Unfortunately, some stitching came undone after limited use, raising quality concerns.
Aer Day Sling 3: This straightforward bag provides good capacity and ample pockets for organization. However, we found it less comfortable to wear and somewhat bulky for everyday use.
Our Sling Travel Bag Testing Process
We rigorously researched and selected 23 sling bags, encompassing various sizes, colors, and designs, to identify the best options available. Over several months, we tested these sling bags during activities such as air travel, daily errands, and hiking to assess their real-world functionality. Our evaluation focused on material quality, durability of zippers, fabric strength, and buckle robustness under regular handling. We also evaluated ease of access to items and overall comfort when worn for extended periods. Our top sling bag recommendations are based on bags that are easily adjustable for a comfortable fit, feature intuitive pockets for organized storage, and are constructed from durable, long-lasting materials ensuring extended lifespan.
Tips for Buying a Sling Travel Bag
Decide on Essential Materials
A key benefit of investing in a sling travel bag is its versatility within a capsule wardrobe. Given the wide variety of materials and sizes available, consider your primary use for the bag. Outdoor enthusiasts will likely prefer rugged options made from nylon or canvas, offering weatherproof capabilities suitable for hiking, running, or biking. Travelers seeking a more versatile everyday bag may appreciate leather slings, which can be easily dressed up or down for various occasions from day to night. Remember, if you plan to attend stadium events, ensure your bag adheres to strict size and material guidelines. Opt for a stadium-approved clear bag to avoid entry issues.
Balance Style and Functionality
While aesthetics are important when choosing a sling travel bag, functionality should remain a primary consideration. An uncomfortable bag is less likely to be used, so prioritize features like an ambidextrous design for shoulder versatility and adjustable straps for a customized fit. Ensure the bag includes intuitive pockets and smooth zippers for easy access to items when swung to the front.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
T+L Associate Editor Anna Popp, with a background in outdoor adventure and extensive product testing experience, including luggage, footwear, and outdoor gear, contributed to this article. For this guide, Anna personally tested the North Face Isabella Sling and the Free People Idle Hands Sling, and leveraged comprehensive product testing notes to curate the best sling bag recommendations for travel, errands, and shopping.
Updated by Anne Taylor, a Travel + Leisure updates writer with extensive international travel experience and a focus on travel product testing, ensuring articles remain current and accurate.
Edited by Jackie Cucco, Testing Editor at Travel + Leisure, overseeing product testing and editing travel-related product reviews based on rigorous testing protocols.
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