The 15 Best Sling Bags for Men, Tested by Style and Gear Experts

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.