Best Sling Champion | Carry Awards X

Packing in impressive utility and durability, our Best Sling champion easily adapts to a multitude of loads in a variety of settings…

1st Place

1733 Side Pack 3.5L

Nobody here at Carryology was surprised at this win. 1733 and their iconic Side Pack have been hyper-popular, and the latest, smaller 3.5L variant hits all of the same notes in a more compact package. The Side Pack 3.5L is utilitarian to the max, at home on the bike, on the trails, or in the city.

The amount of utility packed into such a small bag is impressive. The compression straps keep it tight and close to your body, while securing the contents. The PALS on the front panel allows for the addition of pouches or accessories or serves as a lashing point. The dedicated lashing cord across the top is great for a jacket or umbrella. The strap itself has four areas of adjustment, allowing it to fit a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and uses. And when not in use, you can tuck the strap away behind the rear panel.

Slings are easily one of our most competitive categories, since it’s such a popular field, with most brands releasing new slings every year. We’re glad to see 1733 here at the top, bringing unique designs and looks to an already crowded field.

Highly Commended

These are the pieces that just missed out, and in most cases, by the smallest of margins. To them, we award a High Commendation. The below were of outstanding quality, displaying fine craftsmanship and design flair. With honor, we bow our heads in the utmost respect and kudos. If this were a dais, they’d be biting their teeth into silver medals, while their flags were hoisted into the horizon – a feat not to be overlooked. And we’re sure they’ll be back, to take it one notch higher, next year.

KILLSPENCER Utility Belt Bag 2.0

KILLSPENCER offers a luxurious spin on the sling with their Utility Belt Bag 2.0. Premium materials and meticulous USA-made construction elevate the look and feel of this compact carry companion. Made with full-grain leather, a Swiss-made water-resistant Riri zipper, and a burly AustriAlpin Cobra strap buckle, the bag exudes refined quality. But it’s practical too, with a wide-opening main compartment to easily see the contents, a front zippered pocket for small quick-access items, and a rear zippered pocket for discreet storage of valuables.

With its stylish unisex design and flexible chest, back, and waist carry options, the Utility Belt Bag 2.0 is a luxe option for those who need to carry smaller loads in both everyday and travel settings, while bringing a high-fashion touch to their setup. Bravo, KILLSPENCER!

rofmia Shoulder Bag V3

rofmia’s oh-so-clean blend of pared-back aesthetics, high-quality materials and leading Japanese construction has earned them fans across the world. And it’s not hard to see the widespread appeal of a piece such as the rofmia Shoulder Bag V3. Super sleek, durable, and versatile, this sling lends itself to a variety of uses and environments, from carrying EDC setups to travel essentials and even small camera setups.

The bag is crafted with tough and waterproof Dyneema® Composite Fabric, YKK AquaGuard zippers, and a Fidlock buckle. So you get a hard-wearing and practical build that will protect your gear from the elements and stand up to years of demanding use. Add in features such as a padded base, interior rigidity for enhancing stability while carrying heavier loads, interior pockets for storing small items, and a rear external pocket for discreet storage of a phone or other valuables and you score a refined design that not only looks beautiful but is functional too. Bravo, rofmia!

–