15 Stylish Sling Bags That Can Do It All

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WHEN YOUR backpacks or duffle bags feel like an overkill for going out, let sling bags take their place and be your companion instead. Sling bags are a compact type of bag that is worn over one shoulder and across the body with one shoulder strap, giving you easy access and carrying of essentials, whether you're a traveler, a commuter, or an adventurer.

If you’re wondering which sling bag to invest in, keep in mind that the best sling bags for men should offer ample storage space to stash your essentials like smartphones, wallets, keys, or even a compact tablet. To add, the best sling bags for men need to boast multiple compartments and pockets, in and out, to help you stay organized and easily access your belongings. Just as important, the best sling bags for men need to have optimal weight distribution and an adjustable strap to make carrying them feel pleasant.

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All in all, the best sling bags for men are accessories that combine style and convenience together to let you stay organized on the go. Below, we’ve tested dozens of sling bags in places from casual outings to professional settings to find the 15 best sling bags for men. Whether you're heading to the office, going on a trip, or running errands, these best sling bags for men will make your travel easier.

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The Renew Transit Fanny Pack

Looking for something to take on your next trip? Everlane's take on the sling bag is big enough to hold your passport, wallet, phone, and then some, but small enough not to be cumbersome (which means you can move freely while keeping your essentials on you). We also love how the curved shape sits comfortably against your back or chest.

In our testing, we were impressed by the smoothness and durability of the fabric and loved how the slouchy style can be carried like a crossbody bag or a shoulder bag. Our editors also found that this bag really has the right amount of organization: one big main compartment divided into two, which we think is very no-frill but spot-on. We like to keep our gadgets on one side and snacks or grooming products on the other. The polyester also dries fast, we found, which is great for drizzly days.

Crossbody Sling Bag

We had to test out this Amazon best-seller, which we found to be perfect for traveling and hiking. It’s really got organization in spades, with mesh pockets on two sides for bottles or umbrellas, a small front zipper pocket for small gadgets and devices, and a big space inside that’s designed like a backpack’s—i.e., smartly compartmentalized into smaller places for anything from keys, passports, snacks, and other bits and bobs. The main pocket inside is also big enough to store our tablets, a feature that we deemed essential in a travel sling bag.

Oh, and don’t forget, there’s also a small bag on the shoulder strap, which adds more organization and storage to the whole package. All in all, when we bring this to hike or travel, it’s always roomy enough and fits everything we need for a day. Really, if you're looking for something simple and easy to carry as a sling bag, this beats a fanny pack any time.

Mini Quick Pack

As one of the smaller—or the smallest—sling bags on the list, Topo Designs Mini Quick Pack has become my go-to for when I’m just going out (to meet a friend or whatever) and maybe need to bring a charger, some granola bars, keys, and sunglasses. I found that its capacity is perfect for shorter trips and daily errands, and the straps are a piece of cake to adjust (though there are quite a few straps). Really, I opt for this easy pouch whenever I don’t need a backpack.

In my experience of carrying the bag as either a waist pack or crossbody bag while traveling or walking, I love how it always keeps up with my movement. With a decent amount of space and interior organization for a phone, cardholder, and other odds and ends, I’ve also stuffed it under a thin coat for when I'm in a pinch with ease. When you want to pack light, this is the star.

Lite Sling

Designed to have expandable storage, this sling bag from Bellroy has a magnetic clasp to make it easier to put on and off. There are also a sunglasses pouch and key ring on the inside. We don't know about you, but we think this is perfect for attending summer concerts, baseball games, and so much more.

In our testing, we found that while the fabric is incredibly light, it’s super durable as well—ripstop, by the way—which makes the whole thing easy to be folded, rolled, or packed into our other bigger bags for travel. When carrying it, the only thing that feels hefty about it is the stuff inside, not the sling bag itself. More importantly, we love the smart compartments inside that make our organization easier.

Clean Lines Belt Bag

Given that Lululemon is all about making things for the man on the go, it's no surprise that it made a cool, lightweight sling bag. You can also sport it as a fanny pack for when you're on a hike or going to an outdoor concert (or any other time you want to be hands-free). And on the inside, there's a mesh pocket with a key loop.

In our testing, we found this sling bag incredibly light and versatile, especially when your goal is to carry small and pack only the essentials. While it can’t store a water bottle, we love how easily our gadgets and snacks fit inside. Our favorite part, however, is the strap which we found is one of the easiest to adjustable and one of the most comfortable. The zipper, by the way, is super smooth to open and close—we’ve not encountered any accidents, yet.

Mono Sling Backpack

Count on Carhartt to make a solid sling bag. This versatile style is made with a water-resistant material that'll keep your things dry through light rain and has a tablet sleeve. The main compartment measures 19 inches, while the fleece-lined front pocket is the perfect size for your keys or phone. Overall, if you're headed on a day hike and need something easy to throw over your shoulder, this spacious sling bag is the one for you. It'll carry everything and keep you from worrying about losing anything along the trail.

Dry Sling Pack

Whether you're planning to go on a river hike, head to the beach, fish, or do anything else in some water while you're outdoors, you'll want to keep your things dry. In which case, reach for this dry bag. Yes, it's undoubtedly pricey, but with the large capacity, D rings to hook up your go-to gear, and a padded back panel, this is sure to get plenty of use to make the investment well worth it. Plus, it has weatherproof zippers, so you don't have to worry about any water damage when it rains. However, it is on the heavier side, so make sure your traps are burley enough for this bad boy.

Everyday Sling

When it comes to travel bags, a packable soft-sided option is always a good idea. Peak Design's sleek and simple back is designed to carry (and protect) your DLSR camera, making it the perfect option for those who are sightseeing. However, it also makes a great option for everyday use—especially since there's a padded sleeve for a 13" laptop and dividers to keep things (or, you know, lenses) organized. We also love that it'll pack down into a zip pouch and fit easily within your bigger bag, features an interior organization system, and is made with water-resistant nylon.

Extractor Sling 2.0

If you aren’t ready to get something that screams “sling bag,” we suggest Oakley’s Extractor sling bag, which is basically a backpack in disguise—with the capacity of backpacks and the inner compartmentalization of backpacks as well. Although the downside is that it is heavier, it really packs a lot. And we love how the back panel with air channels helps deliver more comfort while we’re on the move. We found this sling bag specifically useful for when we want to pack heavy, just not too heavy, and it is smart and spacious enough to transport our goods.

Atom Sling Bag

Tough bags are what Patagonia is known for, and they really bring it with this one. The polyester fabric, for instance, is enhanced with a durable water-repellent coating, and we love how the harness makes sure the weight stays close to the body for more comfort. In a decent capacity with two main compartments and a zipper front pocket, we also love how versatile it is for hiking, traveling, commuting, etc.

Bale Sling Bag

If you’re looking for a luxury option that’ll last for ages, consider this leather sling bag from Parker Clay. Complete with a front zip pocket for your valuables and an adjustable strap, this is as stylish as it is functional. Plus, we can only imagine how good the patina will look with more wear. Fair warning, though—the interior organization isn't the smartest, but it is big enough to hold an iPad and your essentials.

Berkeley Field Bag

Lightweight, convenient to use, and vintage-looking, this charmer is big enough to carry your bottles and tablets, and we love how the water-resistant fabric comes in handy during rainy days. Plus, the external fleece-lined pocket makes accessing keys and phones super easy, while the zippered inner compartments store your heavy-duty stuff. Oh, by the way, there's even a concealed pocket in the back. All in all, we found this sling bag great for commuting from A to B, as well as hiking or traveling in general,

Nova Sling Bag

This might just be the Goldilocks of sling bags—not too big, not too small, but just right. The Nova Sling Bag is big enough to hold your essentials and then some more (aka it might be. the only thing you carry from here on out). The mesh pockets and bungee cords make it ideal for daily commutes—and for the eco-conscious shoppers out there, the body's made with 7 recycled plastic bottles.

Hatch Bag

This Nixon sling bag is tough—I mean, come on, it’s made with Cordura fabric that can pretty much withstand anything. It can be carried like a briefcase or like a regular shoulder bag and waist bag. What we love most about it is its outer pockets, which let you easily reach in and grab your stuff. But the inside is impressive as well, spacious enough for a tablet plus some smaller accessories.

Bozeman Sling

Let’s be real: No brand does it quite like Tumi. This durable sling pack, which is a great size for everyday use or day hikes, features a cool and functional buckle closure, a quick-release strap, and an interior wall pocket among other things to ensure you'll always have your things on you. To top it off, it comes with Tumi Tracer, a complimentary program that uses a unique 20-digit number to help you track down missing or stolen bags.

How to Choose the Best Sling Bags for Men

Functionality: The best sling bags should offer features that cater to your needs, such as well-designed compartments and pockets that allow for smart organization and easy access, as well as ample storage capacity (usually measured and listed in liters) for anything you want to carry with you. Therefore, consider the layout and accessibility of the compartments, pockets, and dedicated spaces for laptops, tablets, or water bottles.

Comfort: Since sling bags are often worn over one shoulder or across the body, the best sling bags for men need to have adjustable straps and padding to distribute weight evenly across your shoulders and back—a properly fitted sling bag should feel comfortable and not strain you even when worn for extended periods. Therefore, pay attention to the strap’s material, width, and adjustability.

Durability: The best sling bags for men will come in durable materials that can withstand everyday use and even outdoor activities. Materials like high-quality nylon, polyester, or leather will help extend a sling bag’s lifespan because these materials' are great at resisting daily wear and tear. Also, pay attention to the stitching and construction of the sling bag to ensure it is sturdy.

Weight: A lightweight sling bag is usually better since it is easier to carry and feels better on your body by preventing unnecessary strain on your shoulders and back, especially if you plan to use the sling bag for hours on end, or carry it while hiking. Ultimately, the weight of a sling bag will depend on the bag's capacity, design, and intended uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can sling bags carry laptops or tablets?
Many sling bags are actually designed to accommodate laptops or tablets. These sling bags usually fall on the larger, more functional side, with a large capacity and spacious interior compartment, as well as dedicated padded compartments or sleeves that offer protection and secure storage for your electronic devices.

Can I use sling bags on different occasions?
Sling bags are versatile just like backpacks, hence, with the right style and design, they can work in a variety of places. A sleek, leather option looks professional enough for the office and goes well with your office fits. A rugged, weather-resistant one is great for outdoor activities—in fact, there are sling bags designed for purposes like hiking and traveling. For your casual outings, a small, stylish sling bag will work wonders.

How We Selected

To find the best sling bags for men, our style and gear editors have personally tried on a variety of them and put them to the test on different occasions, such as carrying Waterfly's and Carhartt's sling bags to hike, packing all the needed essentials in Lululemon's and Bellroy's sling bags for a night out, or traveling during the day with Everlane's and Patagonia's sling bags.

Read more: Learn How Men's Health Tests Products

From there, we evaluated these sling bags based on their style, capacity, performance such as resistance to weather, and overall functionality such as pockets and organization to make the final top picks. Specifically, we're looking for styles of sling bags for men that are not trendy or trend-chasing; instead, our picks of the best sling bags for men all will work well from the office to the great outdoors, provide a ton of value at reasonable price points, and come in styles that will look great years from now.

Why Trust Us

At Men’s Health, we don’t produce product reviews that don’t actually involve testing anything hands-on or in person. For each product, we always use items ourselves first before considering whether to include them. Therefore, rest assured that our product recommendations derive from first-hand experience. You can read more about our testing process here.

More importantly, at Men’s Health, we have a whole fashion closet dedicated to calling in, trying out, and selecting the best as well as the newest products. We put them on ourselves to see how the items look and feel before making our final decision. And we constantly go into the fashion closet to feel a product’s materials and test it.

Lastly, you can trust our opinions on product recommendations and tips. Not only do we have Fashion Director Ted Stafford and Deputy Editor, Commerce Christian Gollayan who know the pros and cons of materials, but we also have a panel of influencers, stylists, and experts—including designers at top brands or retailers—whom we regularly seek shopping guides from. Therefore, our product recommendations and buying tips are all driven by professional, expert opinions.

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