If you’ve ever traveled or gone on vacation as a family, you know how complicated it can be. There are so many things you need handy and on your person, but you also know how important it is to have your hands free at all times for busy or tired kids! That’s where a sling bag becomes essential for travel.
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With your hands free and your valuables in place, it’s so much easier to capture all of those happy memories with your family on your camera. Or to have your hands available to chase a toddler. Never again will you be tired of carrying a heavy bag on your shoulder while walking around and exploring all day long.
The best thing about sling bags?
If you need to grab something like your wallet quickly, then there’s no digging into an overfilled backpack to find it. You can just slip it out of the pocket with ease.
Trust us on this one. A sling bag will become a family vacation essential once you’ve tried it. They are super convenient for day trips or vacations where you will be out walking and exploring all day, and once you take one of these bags on your next Disney trip, you’ll never go back to using any other bag again!
5 Best Sling Bags
Luckily, we’ve done the research for you, and found the best sling bags on the market. We’ve opted for bags that are unisex and are available in various colors so that anyone can wear them, or you can share wearing the bag with your partner while traveling.
Our number one recommendation is the Waterfly Crossbody Sling Bag, so let’s start there.
Waterfly Crossbody Sling Bag
Our number one choice is the Waterfly Crossbody Sling Bag. This bag is designed for hiking, traveling, and convenience. It is made from durable materials, yet it has mesh features to ensure the material is breathable and flexible.
With a front zipper pocket, you can store your wallet, a power bank, tissues, travel snacks, and more, and have the ease of pulling them out quickly without searching through the interior of the bag.
There is also a shoulder strap with a pouch for your phone so that you can snap all of your family memories as they happen. However, it does only fit a phone that is under 7”, so bear that in mind.
What we really like about this sling bag is the two side mesh pouches for either a water bottle or an umbrella, depending on your vacation! This is super handy for traveling and keeping you and your kids hydrated along the way.
In addition, the shoulder strap is reversible, and you can attach it to the various D rings so that you can wear it on your left or right side, depending on your preference.
As extra added bonuses, there is an earphone hole to feed your ear pods through, a sunglasses holder, and a hook to hang your keys off of the inside of the bag.
Honestly, it doesn’t get more convenient than this sling bag.
Pros:
- Adjustable, reversible shoulder strap
- It can be worn on your left or right side
- Front zipper for tablet or phone
- Multiple small compartments inside to keep valuables in place
- Made from durable, breathable material
- Includes a hook for your keys for easy access
- Comes with a water bottle holder and umbrella holder
- Equipped with a hook for sunglasses
- It comes in various colors, from black, red, green, blue, pink, purple, etc.
Cons:
- The strap is adjustable, but you may not be able to fit it around your hips to wear as a fanny pack.
Also Available At Waterfly.
MOSISO Sling Backpack Crossbody Bag
If you’re looking for something with a bit of a sleeker, sportier design, then the MOSISO Sling Backpack Crossbody Bag may be the right choice for you. This backpack-style sling bag is perfect if you need to carry a lot of items with you on your travels.
This sling bag comes in various colors and fun patterns, so you’re sure to find one that suits the whole family! It is also made from durable, breathable materials, but what makes this sling bag stand out is that it is fully waterproof, so you can take it in all weather conditions.
It is also equipped with a small zippered compartment in the front if you need to grab your wallet, phone, or a powerbank quickly, and it has a larger compartment suitable for an iPad or book.
While this design is sophisticated, it is also fully functional and comfortable to wear. The shoulder strap is made of a flexible material that is slightly padded so that your shoulder and back don’t feel the pressure of the weight in the bag.
The strap is fully adjustable so that you can wear the bag loosely or snugly to your body.
With earphone holes, mesh pockets at the side, and sturdy hooks, you can trust this sling bag to keep everything you need.
Pros:
- It comes in a variety of colors
- Equipped with a zippered compartment for iPad
- Small zippered compartment for phone or wallet
- Mesh sides for water bottles
- Flexible, comfortable shoulder strap
- Earphone hole at the front for easy access
- Made with durable and soft materials
- Waterproof
Cons:
- It may feel too large for some travelers
Also Available At Walmart.
KAVU Rope Sling Bag
The sling bags we have offered so far have been suitable for anyone, with simplistic designs and sophisticated colors. If you want a sling bag with a little bit of an eye-catching design, then we have the KAVU Rope Sling Bag for you.
This bag looks a little more outdoorsy and features a rope adjustable strap. It is a bit pricier than the others, but this one is far more high quality and will stand the test of time.
It comes as no surprise that this sling bag is a bestseller. It has an ultra-comfortable, adjustable rope shoulder strap with two side release buckles for ease of use.
It is also equipped with two key or phone pockets and two vertical zip compartments. The back itself is padded, so nothing from inside of the bag will dig into you all day long!
The Kavu Rope Sling bag has a simple yet fully functional design that will keep your possessions safe on a busy vacation day.
Additionally, if the strap is too small for you, you can purchase a strap extension, making this one of the most convenient and useful sling bags on the market.
Pros:
- Extremely high-quality materials
- Includes two main pockets for internal organization
- It has two front pockets for essentials
- The rope strap is adjustable and sturdy yet soft
- Designed with the strongest buckle clips for security
- The sling bag has been tested for adventures
- Water-resistant materials
Cons:
- Limited styles are available on Amazon, but many other patterns are on the Kavu site.
Also Available At KAVU.
Mini Sling Bag
A few of the options above are backpack-style sling bags. If you are hoping to find something a little bit smaller and more simple, then try this Mini Sling bag.
It is truly simplistic and just looks like a fanny pack, but you can wear it both ways. This bag is small and sleek, available in various colors, regardless of your favorite!
You can choose from red, blue, green, teal, orange, pink, black, yellow, and many more. The Mini Sling Bag also has a unisex design, so you or anyone else in your family can chop and change and borrow it.
With this bag, what you see is what you get. It is a functional sling bag that can be used as a lightweight waist bag too. It has space for your phone, wallet, passports, keys, ID, and other essentials, but you won’t be fitting a water bottle in this one.
Made with an adjustable buckle belt, you can sling it around your shoulder or wear it as a fanny pack. It does have interior pockets and compartments and a front pocket for easier access.
It does have a lovely sheen to it, and it’s nice and small, so it doesn’t overwhelm you and can blend into your outfit.
Pros:
- Smaller design
- It comes in 37 color options
- It can be worn as a fanny pack or sling bag
- Made of strong fabric with durable zippers and straps
- Great bag for walking, hiking, outdoor use, and traveling
Cons:
- Very small and may not contain everything you need for some vacations.
Also Available At Ododos.
SEAFEW Black Sling Backpack Bag
If you want a sling bag that is straightforward and uncomplicated yet does the job, go for the SEAFEW Sling bag. This sling bag features an ergonomic design and is made of lightweight yet strong, durable, and waterproof materials.
With a small zippered pocket in the front for phones, a powerbank, your wallet, or supplies, this bag is perfect for traveling. It sits beautifully on your back or chest due to its lightweight nature, and it can be wiped clean as it is dirt resistant too.
What we like about this one is that it has a USB charge port, making it oh-so convenient to charge your electronic devices if you have a powerbank in your bag. You can still use your phone and charge it at the same time!
It can also fit an iPad, has a front zippered pocket for essentials, two side pockets for water or umbrellas, and the strap is adjustable so that you can wear the bag on your left or right side, depending on which is more comfortable for you.
It’s a medium size, so not too big or too small, and just a great all-rounder!
Pros:
- Includes pockets for water bottles
- It has A USB charge port for power banks- so you can still use your phone when charging
- Made of high-quality materials and is waterproof
- Soft and breathable mesh on the back for airflow
- It comes in a range of colors and designs
- It can be worn on the left or right side
- Small zippered front pocket for valuables
- Pocket compartments on the inside, including one for a book or iPad
Cons:
- The nylon material is not as strong as other products on this list.
Also Available At Ebay.
Buyer’s Guide
Things To Consider When Purchasing A Sling Bag
When purchasing a sling bag for your next vacation, there are a few things that you may want to keep in mind. Sling bags are small by nature, but they are mighty!
You won’t be able to fit all of your supplies in a sling bag, but they are perfect if you need to carry a few things on your person, and want to keep your hands free for activities or chasing toddlers.
As a result, we would recommend choosing a bag you can really get the most out of. You’ll want to find one with interior compartments to make it easier to find what you need while on the go.
For instance, it’s a good idea to have pockets inside to fit your wallet in and make it easier for you to grab it whenever the kids need an ice cream pronto!
We also recommend choosing a bag with a front pocket or an individual pocket for your phone or camera. Again, this means that you can get it out in those quick-as-a-flash moments to capture all of your family memories.
Another important note is to ensure that the bag is made from strong, durable materials and has an adjustable strap. This ensures that it is comfortable for all-day wear and can withstand busy days in all weather conditions.
Finally, we recommend you consider what you will need personally to carry around. Will your bag need a water bottle holder? Will it need room for a charging bank? Do you want space for your iPad?
Once you know what you’re definitely going to be carrying around with you, you can narrow down which features your sling bag needs.
How To Wear A Sling Bag
Sling bags are incredibly versatile and can be worn in a few different ways (depending on the bag you choose, of course).
One of the most popular ways to wear a sling bag is across your back. You will keep one strap over one shoulder, and the bag should rest on the middle part of your back.
That being said, some prefer to wear a sling bag around the front of the body, so that you have easier access to their belongings at all times. If your bag is adjustable, you could even fit a sling bag around the waist and wear it much like a fanny pack.
The beauty of the sling bag is that you can swap between modes. You could wear the sling bag over your back or chest if you’re walking around all day, but then when it comes to sitting down, you could sling it around your waist so that you don’t have to put it down, and it will always be on your person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Put In A Sling Bag For A Vacation?
A sling bag is a perfect size for carrying a few essentials on your vacation.
Depending on the size and pockets of the bag, you should be able to fit a book or tablet to read by the beach, a water bottle, some snacks, your wallet, your ID, phone, camera, and a few bandaids to take with you everywhere you go!
Which Is The Best Sling Bag For A Disney Trip?
If you are heading to Disney World or Disneyland on your next family vacation, then you’ll already know- you’ll need a lot of supplies, but you also need a bag that you can keep safe on rollercoasters and attractions. This is why a sling bag can be a lifesaver.
For this kind of trip, we would recommend the SEAFEW Sling bag. This bag has ample space inside for your wallet, phone, Magicbands, and snacks. There is also a USB charger attachment, so your phone will never die just when you’re about to get a Lightning Lane for Big Thunder Mountain!
There are also pockets for your phone or valuables, and you can wear it around your waist like a fanny pack and out of the way, so it won’t fall out of any ride vehicles. Or, you can wear it slung around you, so you can wave at Mickey during the parades!
What really won us over with this one is the USB charge port for your phone and a powerbank. There’s nothing worse than your phone dying at Disney when you want to try and get a last-minute reservation, or you want to check the wait times on your favorite attractions.
To learn more about planning a fun, easy, stress-free, and magical vacation to Walt Disney World, check out our Disney World Planning Guide with Printable Worksheets.
For a simple and easy (as it can be) Disney trip, we’d go for the SEAFEW Sling Crossbody bag.
For more about family travel, check out these posts:
Best Diaper Bag for Travel
Which Is Better, Disney World Or Disneyland?
How Many Days For Disney World?
Sunscreen Hack For Kids – Using A Brush Applicator
Beach Essentials for Kids
Best Beach Tents For Families
Best Beach Blanket
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Last update on 2023-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
