Why a Sling Bag is the Perfect Bag for You
I bring my sling bag with me on all of my day trips, because, let’s be honest, who wants to lug around a full-sized camera bag all the time?
Inexpensive camera sling bags are always better quality than cheap backpacks, because they’re built for photographers. Plus, every time I buy a cheap camera backpack on Amazon it ends up wearing out in the next few months. What a waste.
Sling bags are also easier to wear than other versions of camera bags, so with all that in mind, let’s explore a few reasons why a sling bag is the perfect bag for you.
Editor’s Note: I’ve used the HEX Ranger Sling Bag as an example in this article because it is my sling bag of choice. It’s been incredibly functional, comfortable to carry, and versatile. Get more details about the HEX Ranger!
Sling Bags Offer Versatile Carrying Options
The best sling bags allow you to carry all of your different equipment, particularly different types of cameras like mirrorless cameras and DSLRs, when you’re heading out on different shoots.
When you’re in the market for a sling bag, you’re obviously looking at the pricing of your different options, but ensure you’re also paying attention to the size. The marketing for sling bags should include the overall size of the bag, as well as options you have for additional storage in pockets and cubbies inside and on the outside of the bag.
Additionally, I usually have my tablet with me because it allows me to do some easy editing on the go. I made sure my sling bag had a dedicated pouch for my tablet.
While some sling bags are marketed for specific cameras, most aren’t and allow you to carry everything you need regardless of the brand.
Sling Bags Are Easy to Use
As much as I preach about organization on this site, I’m truly not a very organized person, which is why my sling bag comes in handy.
The large flaps featured on many sling bags allow me an unobstructed view of all the gear I packed that day.
They are also faster to use than a traditional backpack because you never need to take them off unless you’re packing up all of your gear. You can just spin it around, grab whatever gear you need, and quickly get back to shooting.
The best sling bags are also easy to use because they fit you perfectly. A good sling bad should be contoured to your body in a way that makes you comfortable in even the most crowded spaces.
This also helps prevent the bag from flopping around all over the place, like clanking against your back or side as you walk. I don’t know about you, but I’m not interested in using a bag like that!
The Best Sling Bags Have a Protective Interior
My favorite sling bag, the HEX Ranger sling, has a maximum amount of protection padding.
This bag is fleece-lined, so you know your expensive equipment won’t suffer from any dings or scratches, plus it comes with a faux-fur lined tablet pocket, so you can rest assured that your tablet is secured in an animal-friendly way.
The creators of this sling bag really thought of everything, because there’s also a faux-fur lined pocket for your phone and/or sunglasses (which is really important in my part of the world).
One touch of the inside of this sling bag and you’ll want to crawl up inside it and take a nap. It’s seriously that soft!
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