As a kid, I used to make fun of my dad for sporting a fanny pack on occasion. But now that I'm older, I've come to realize that as uncool as they might be, they're extremely useful. My list of essentials has gone from a Game Boy Color and maybe a few extra games, which all fit in my pockets, to a variety of daily necessities, whether I'm staying local, commuting around the city, or traveling abroad.
Not only is the Bellroy Sling way more stylish and versatile than the fanny pack my dad wore around his waist like a kangaroo's pouch, it also has a ton of expandable storage space.
It is spacious enough to carry (pictured roughly from left to right) my small umbrella, lip balm, hand sanitizer, Mophie Powerstation XL, Nike+ Apple Watch Series 4, AirPods, iPhone Xs Max with a Scooch case, passport and boarding pass, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Gucci wallet, work ID and MetroCard, car keys equipped with a Tile Mate Pro, and Bellroy Travel wallet.
The Belroy is the perfect middle ground for me. I no longer have to overstuff my pockets to the point where they're awkwardly bulging out, and I'm not forced to carry a cumbersome backpack that's mostly empty.
Let's get one thing straight here, Amir: Fanny packs are not "uncool," no matter what you say! I have probably seven or eight of them (yeah, people know me in the office as the girl with the fanny packs, it's fine), because they really are the most practical kind of bag, but they also look good.
Though I wouldn't wear this one around my waist because of it's size, it makes for the perfect cross-body sling bag. I can fit everything I'd need for a day out in the city or for traveling, all without weighing myself down much.
I really like that this one has a front pocket for holding essentials like my phone and lip balm, and another larger pocket for holding everything else. It's just the right amount of compartmentalization. The strap also compresses the bag down when I don't have much in it, or expands out when it's fully packed to make it feel customizable depending on my needs for the day.
— Sally Kaplan, Insider Picks editor
Aside from the expandable storage capacity, there are many other reasons we love the Sling.
Here's Insider Picks editor Sally Kaplan reaching into her Bellroy Sling Premium for a pair of sunglasses.
Backpacks are a smart option if you need to keep your arms free, but the Sling is even better because it's compact. When you need full mobility, you can move the Sling to the back with little effort. I find it's really convenient when I jump on a Citi Bike, but it's great for any number of scenarios.
Perfect for a grab-and-go lifestyle, the Sling goes can be worn just like any other shoulder bag.
You won't find any hard-to-open buckles here. This magnetic clasp is secure as ever, but easy to unfasten too.
This smaller interior pocket is an ideal spot for storing your sunglasses to keep them from getting scratched. You can also use it to stow smaller items that might get lost in the bottom of your bag.
At $99 or $159, the Sling and Sling Premium could cost you just as much as a full-size backpack, but you're not paying for storage capacity — it's the convenience and versatility. The design is compact but spacious enough for daily essentials you can't fit in your pockets. If you value mobility and comfort when on the go, this bag is for you.
Sally and I have different styles, but we both found the Sling easily blended into our wardrobes.
Aside from the extended leather panel on the premium version, there is no difference in size or usability between the two. If you have a smaller budget, I recommend the original version.
Bellroy Sling, $99, available in four colors Bellroy Sling Premium, $159, available in two colors
Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
An Ambani disruption in OTT: At just ₹1 per day, you can now enjoy ad-free content on JioCinema
SC rejects pleas seeking cross-verification of votes cast using EVMs with VVPAT
Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 electric sports bike launched in India starting at ₹2.99 lakh
Deloitte projects India's FY25 GDP growth at 6.6%
Next Story