Last Updated on February 20, 2024 by Afsar
Embarking on the quest for the ultimate fly fishing sling packs of 2024? Navigating the world of sling packs designed specifically for fly fishing enthusiasts can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not intimately familiar with the nuances that distinguish them from their more generic counterparts. Unlike standard sling packs, those crafted for the art of fly fishing are ingeniously designed to offer rapid access to your indispensable gear. With a simple, swift motion, these packs rotate from back to front, ensuring your essential equipment is at your fingertips in moments. This seamless functionality not only streamlines your fishing experience but also elevates it, making the process more efficient and enjoyable.
While traditional fly fishing vests have their adherents, the allure of a fly fishing sling pack is undeniable for those seeking an alternative. The market is awash with options, each claiming to be the quintessential companion for your angling adventures. As we delve into the best fly fishing sling packs of 2024, it’s crucial for both novices and seasoned anglers alike to understand the key features that set the best models apart. Fear not, for our comprehensive guide below will illuminate the path to finding your perfect sling pack, ensuring you’re well-equipped to make an informed decision. But first, let’s glance at a comparative overview of the top contenders in the realm of fly fishing sling packs.
Table of Contents
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Best Fly Fishing Sling Packs 2024
Image | Model | Editor's Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Maxcatch Sling Pack | 4.8 | ||
Fishpond Summit Pack | 4.5 | ||
Orvis Safe Passage Sling Pack | 4.5 | ||
Allen Cedar Creek Fishing Sling Pack | 4.7 | ||
Moonlit Pack | 4.3 | ||
Umpqua Steamboat 1200 ZS | 4.5 | ||
Reebow Gear Sling Pack | 4.6 | ||
K&E Outfitters Seeker Series | 4.2 | ||
Tactical Sling Bag | 4.6 |
Fly Fishing Sling Packs Reviews
Maxcatch Fly Fishing Sling Pack
Maxcatch has established itself as a prominent name in the world of fishing gear and accessories, and its fly fishing sling pack stands out as a premier choice among the myriad options available. Crafted from superior quality polyester and complemented by other materials, this sling pack is designed not just for durability but also for comfort. Its breathable fabric, enhanced with a mesh lining, ensures you remain cool and comfortable during your fishing expeditions, a testament to its thoughtful design aimed at maximizing angler satisfaction.
What sets this Maxcatch sling pack apart is its ergonomic design, meticulously engineered to place your fishing gear right at your fingertips. The ability to carry and swiftly access all your preferred fly fishing essentials without fuss highlights its practicality. The pack’s design incorporates both shoulder and hip support, addressing the unique challenge posed by the single-strap system typical of sling packs. This strap is deliberately broadened to prevent discomfort, offering an additional hip strap that can be secured around the waist for improved weight distribution, enhancing the wearer’s overall comfort.
Storage solutions within this sling pack are generous, featuring a spacious main pocket that accommodates the bulk of your fly fishing gear, alongside a front zippered pocket for smaller items and essentials. This ensures that everything you need is organized and easily accessible. Furthermore, the sling pack is equipped with various loops for attaching a net or other fishing tools, alongside two lash tabs on the side for convenient rod transport in a tube.
Given its robust construction, thoughtful design features, and affordability, this Maxcatch fly fishing sling pack represents exceptional value. It combines durability, a wealth of useful amenities, and an attractive price point, making it an unbeatable choice for anglers seeking the best sling pack for their money.
Notable Features:
- High-quality polyester with breathable mesh
- High breathability to keep you cool
- Wide shoulder strap
- Nylon waist strap to spread the weight
- Various loops provided
- Easy to access zippered compartments
- Two lash tabs on the side
- Transport rod easily
- Spacious main compartment
- Easy to spin the bag
Allen Ceder Creek Fishing Sling Pack
Based in Broomfield, Colorado, Allen Ceder is a renowned hunting and fishing accessories manufacturer. Allen Ceder Sling packs a cool sling pack that comes with a very wide strap. If you are worried about carrying a lot of gears that might cause pain to your shoulder, then this is a good sling pack for you.
It comes with a wide-mouth opening which lets you access your fishing gears like tackle boxes very easily and quickly. The main compartment of it has a good storage option to keep different types of flies and gears separately. As a result, you can identify different things within seconds.
This sling pack features high-viz lining which can accommodate several fly boxes with ease. There are multiple D-rings strategically placed across the bag to attach extra fishing gears and accessories to the sling pack. The heavy-duty zippers used on the bag are easy to pull and manage. There is also a water bottle pocket to help you keep hydrated while fishing.
What’s more, the price of this sling pack for fly fishing is very reasonable.
- Easy to spin design
- Wide-opening mouth allows to access the main compartment of the pack easily
- Padded sling strap for comfort
- Can hold multiple flies or tackle boxes with ease
- Attach accessories with the multiple D-Rings
- Water bottle pocket to keep hydrated
- High-viz lining
- Fly patch
Moonlit Fly Fishing Sling Pack
This is a cute little fly fishing sling pack for newbies. It comes with a lightweight design that is comfortable and helps you carry your necessary fishing gear. Despite the compact design of this pack, you can carry a lot of your favorite gear.
Though I prefer contrast or vivid colors, this one comes with a very poor gray color. Identifying different pockets and compartments from the outside is hard. That’s a bummer if you are like me. However, there are four outer pockets that face up when you move them to the front position.
The sling straps that come with the pack can fit almost all adults or kids. Its main compartment can hold a lot of items including fishing boxes, tools, and tippets. The built-in lanyard allows you to access your most-used tool quickly. You will find a water bottle holder at the bottom of the sling pack to sip while fishing. Also, this sling bag comes with a small strap to keep the pack from sliding around unless you want it to. In a nutshell, this is a good fly fishing sling pack for beginners.
- Lightweight design
- Lanyard to access most-used gear/tool
- Four outer pockets
- Water bottle holder
- Can hold a lot of items
- Ring clip to attach more tools
- Small strap for better control
Umpqua Steamboat 1200 ZS
Umpqua is a known company in the fly fishing industry. They have made some fantastic gear and tools for the fly fishing community. Umpqua Steamboat 1200 ZS is a fly fishing sling pack with lots of storage options. The main compartment of this sling pack comes with a spacious design. Though this might not be your regular sling pack for fly fishing, if you are fond of carrying lots of fears at the same time, this is the best fly fishing sling pack for you.
The main compartment of the pack can hold a light rain jacket, lunch box, etc. It has been divided to keep 4 more fly boxes safe and secure. You can keep your necessary flies to deploy when needed. Since this is a big bag, it will be heavier than usual. It comes with a fully padded shoulder strap with a complete back panel. It can spread a lot of weight to keep you feeling comfortable.
There is also a front pocket where you can keep essentials like car keys and cell phones. You can use the D-Ring and web loops for extra gear and net attachments. You can land this fly fishing sling pack in two colors: Granite and copper. In a nutshell, this is a good sling pack if you are carrying a lot of gears.
Notable Design:
- Spacious design
- Can keep lots of gears
- Divided main compartment to keep 4 large fly boxes
- Front pocket can keep essentials
- D-Ring & web loops for extra gear and net attachment
- Available in two colors: Copper and Granite
- Shoulder strap padded for comfort
K&E Outfitters Seeker Series Fly Fishing Sling Pack
K&E Outfitters is a fly fishing gear maker from Wenatchee. This is cheap fly fishing sling pack from K&E Outfitters. It comes with a lot of space to keep big tackle boxes and other gears in the pack very easily. Despite being able to store a lot of items, the sling pack itself is very lightweight. It comes with padded shoulder sling which is very comfortable to carry. There is also a comfort molded back pad to make you feel comfortable.
You can easily spin the pack to the front to access your gears. The fantastic design of it allows you to access your stuff within seconds. You don’t have to take off the pack to do so. The sling pack also boasts hemostat, tippet holder, retractor zinger and nipper for better customization. There is also a place to keep your water bottle.
The fabric and material used in this pack are sturdy and can offer you a service for a long time.
Notable Features:
- Cheap Price
- Plenty of rooms
- Water bottle holder
- Durable fabric and material used
- Easy to access the sling pack
- Padded shoulder to spread the weight
- Comfortable
- Stylish design
- Lots of other features
Fishpond Summit Sling Fly Fishing Pack
Hundreds of people adore fishpond Summit’s fishing sling pack for its simplicity and ruggedness. This sling fishing pack comes with fishpond’s patented molded drop down fly bench. The outside of it has hook and loop for fly foam attachment. The Hypalon and tool attachment is available in the right places to keep gears closer.
Fishpond used water-resistant YKK zippers. These zippers are durable and operate very smoothly. You can transport the rod in the rod tube thanks to the flexible TPW las tabs. There is also an integrated net sleeve on the back panel.
One cool thing about this is it’s recycled fabric. If you love to use eco-friendly products, you will love it’s cyclepond recycled fabric. You can get this sling pack in two colors: Gravel and Tortuga. In a nutshell, this is the best fly fishing waist pack for fishing which comes with tons of features.
Notable Features:
- High-quality polyester with breathable mesh
- High breathability to keep you cool
- Wide shoulder strap
- Nylon waist strap to spread the weight
- Various loops provided
- Easy to access zippered compartments
- Two lash tabs on the side
- Transport rod easily
- Spacious main compartment
- Easy to spin the bag
Piscifun Sling Bag Fly Fishing
Piscifun is a very known name in the fly fishing industry. Besides making great fishing reels and rods, they also offer some other accessories like this sling bag. If you are running low on budget, this can be a good fly fishing sling bag for you. This is a multi-purpose sling bag which can be used by both men and women.
Super 420D canvas is used to make the fabric of this cheap sling bag. The adjustable strap is padded to offer excellent comfort to the users. There are several compartments with zippered pockets to organize your gear and essentials. Due to the design, it can be used as a messenger bag too. If you are a newbie, you can start fly fishing with this bag.
Notable Features:
- Cheap
- Vibrant color used
- Multiple compartments with a zippered pocket to keep things safe and sound
- Unisex design
- Multi-purpose
- Super 420D PVC canvas material used
What is Sling Pack?
A sling pack is a pack that can sling over the shoulder. Sling packs are usually worn on the back. A sling pack can be used for several activities like fishing, camping, hiking, and more. Besides the outdoor activities, a sling pack can be used for daily casual activities too.
Why is Sling Pack used in Fly Fishing?
Sling packs are widely used in fly fishing. They are lightweight, helps carry the right gears, make it easy to handle the gears, and just work great. If you are a seasoned fly fishing angler, you know that getting the right fishing gear at the right time can significantly increase your fishing experience.
This is where the sling pack comes for the fly fishers. A sling pack can be swung to the front within seconds to let you choose the gear at the right time. You can use it to organize your gears, tackles, boxes, flies, and other things.
While fly fishing, both hands are needed to cast and reel the fish to your fishing net. This is why it is important to get a sling pack to remain hands-free. A sling pack will rest on the back to let you fish with style.
How To Choose the Best Fly Fishing Sling Packs
Choosing the best fly fishing sling pack will not only help you to organize your flies easily, but it will help you to enjoy your fishing trip better than ever. Getting the flies and tackles at the fingertips will put a smile on your face. There are lots of other reasons to choose the best fly fishing sling packs. Assume, you wade too deep. In that case, you may want a waterproof sling pack to keep your things dry. Or you may want to stay hydrated while wading. This is why we are sharing some factors to consider while getting a sling pack for fishing.
Fabric
Choose a sling pack that comes with good fabric. A suitable material will ensure that the pack provides service for a long time. Not only will it provide better durability, but it will help you keep comfortable with its breathability. Some sling pack comes with durable fabric to help the pack combat harsh situations.
Compartment
The primary reason to get a sling pack is to organize your flies and gears easily. Besides keeping flies and boxes, you may want to keep other things like a rain jacket or cell phone. Having several compartments will allow you to keep things organized.
Storage
Some of the mentioned sling packs have bigger storage than others. If you are a seasoned fly angler who happens to bring a lot of gears will have to choose the one with most storage options. The Bigger storage means you can store a lot of items and tools with ease. However, it will adversely affect the weight of the pack. The bigger the storage it has, the heavier it will be. On the other hand, if you love lightweight packs, you will have to choose one which uses the storage cleverly.
Weight
As per the last paragraph, weight plays a great role in determining the storage option of a sling pack. Though manufacturers are becoming clever by using the spaces more strategically, it is for the user to determine which one to choose. I know most people will always go with the lightweight design as it is easier to carry. So you will have to tactically face this factor as this one of the biggest factors while choosing the best sling bag for fly fishing.
Color
It may sound funny, but color also plays a functional role here. If the pack comes in vibrant color, it will be easier to detect you. This is primarily for security purpose, but most people love to spot their pack easily. Also, the inline colors also play a great role while locating the fly boxes. If you maintain the same color of inline with the fly boxes, you can easily spot them within seconds.
Shoulder Strap
Since a sling pack will have only one shoulder strap, it is important to have one with a wider strap. Unless you are carrying very few gears, your shoulder will hurt if it doesn’t come with padding. If a shoulder strap has a wide design with padding, it will spread the pressure throughout the sides to make you feel comfortable. Even if you carry a lot of gears, your back & shoulder won’t hurt. However, some of the sling packs come with side strap to attach to the waist. In that way, it provides hip support to the pack to spread the weight of the gears.
Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is very important. If you are fishing on a sunny day where getting edible water is tough, a water bottle can come to rescue. Most sling packs come with a dedicated place where you can keep your water bottle safe and sound. However, if your sling pack doesn’t come with a place for a water bottle, you can use the D-rings to attach one.
D-ring and other attachment systems
Fly fishing requires you to have a lot of gears with you. If you are going to a remote place where you may need a lot of gears, you can use these D-Rings and other attachment systems to attach more gears and tools. We all have our favorite fishing tool which we want right at the moment within seconds. You can identify the D-ring which is easy to access and attach it to your most used fishing gear.
Zippered Pockets
Keeping your essentials safe and sound can be tricky if you are not taking the full benefits of the zippered pockets. Zippered pockets are the best place to keep your essentials like the car keys and papers.
Waterproof pockets
If you are wading too deep or fishing in a rainy place, you may want to have a sling pack with waterproof pockets to keep your paper and phone safe.
Price
Talking about price, most sling packs are affordable. There are lots of cheap fishing sling packs available on the market, but I will suggest you spend some decent money to get the best sling pack for fly fishing.
Final Verdict
Fishing without the proper gears can be annoying. By using a sling pack, you can keep all your favorite fishing gears and make the most out of them. I will continue to add more amazing fly fishing sling packs in this list. Meanwhile, you can comment on your favorite best fly sighing sling pack on the comments section below.
Good Read:
- Best Fly Fishing Reels
- Fly Fishing Vests
- Fly Fishing Rods
- Best Fly Fishing Waders
- Best Fishing Sunglasses
- Best jackets for kayak fishing
- wading boots for fly fishing
Afsar is an avid kayak blogger born near the coast. He has a passion for kayaking and started as a child. He has paddled in various conditions and locations and promotes responsible kayaking. Afsar’s blog is widely read, and they are a respected voice in the kayaking community, offering valuable content on kayaking trips, gear, tips, and tricks. Afsar collaborates with other bloggers and brands and continues to inspire others through their writing and social media.
Read fly fishing books: https://kayakbase.com/best-fly-fishing-books/