Sling Pack Buying Guide
When you’ve been waiting all week for a day where you can finally fish, you have to be organized to make that day count. The last thing you want to be doing in the dark at five o’clock in the morning is scrambling through your jacket pockets for that one specific fly you want to use. And when you're an on-the-go angler, being organized can be extremely difficult. So, how can you solve this problem?
Companies like Simms and Fishpond make an angler's life less difficult with their sling packs. These packs help anglers stay organized, simplifying fishing and making a day of fishing that much more enjoyable. Some have a specific pocket for everything you need to carry, from a tackle/fly box to your water bottle, while others are simple, with just one opening.
So when you’re buying a sling pack, you have to ask yourself what you want to get out of it. Are you an on-the-go type of angler that fishes whenever possible, even at the spur of the moment? Do you plan weeks at a time for that perfect fishing trip or are you more of a weekend warrior? Here are some sling packs that cover all the options you might want to address:
Simms Freestone Ambidextrous Sling
The Simms Freestone Ambidextrous Sling comes in two sizes, small and large. The small has a capacity of 18 liters. I features a technical main compartments, with smaller compartments inside for accessories. I find this pack to be the most universal “everyday angler” pack. These packs are made out of 420D Nylon Oxford with PU coating, making them extremely durable.
Fishpond Summit Sling Pack
The Fishpond Summit Sling Pack was designed to fit more like a messenger bag, resting along the side of the hip. With two huge compartments to fit your boxes and other accessories, it also has a molded zip-down workbench in the front. The bonus with this pack is that on the side it has a spot for a water bottle to keep you hydrated on hot days. Another awesome feature is the built-in net slots to hold small landing nets on the inside. This pack is made out of Fishpond’s Cyclepond fabric, ensuring it can withstand anything from a lazy day at the carp pond to walking five miles on a spring creek.
Allen Cedar Creek Sling Pack
The Allen Cedar Creek Sling Pack will benefit even the most frugal trout bum, coming in at just $44.99. It has a large compartment for your boxes and a smaller front compartment, great for fitting a medium day box or smaller lure box. It has multiple exterior D-rings to help you stay organized with nippers and tippet spools. The Cedar Creek Sling Pack lays comfortably on your shoulder and back, keeping it from messing with your cast. This pack is perfect for the minimalist that brings just enough to have a fun day on the creek.
Simms Dry Creek Z Sling Pack
Made with the hardcore angler in mind, Simms Dry Creek Z Sling Pack has a compartment with a 12 liter capacity. You can fit the kitchen sink and more into this pack and it has a carry system for your net on the side for the on-the-go angler that is hiking to a great spot. The awesome part of this sling pack is the 210 Double Rip Nylon with the TPU coating. This makes the pack very durable and water resistant, so when you're in the middle of a deep wade and your pack touches the water, everything you have in it stays safe and dry. The Dry Creek Z Sling Pack is truly the workhorse pack that any extreme angler should have.
A sling pack can make an angler's life much easier. It all comes down to finding out what kind of angler you are. Do you take everything and the kitchen sink with you? Or just that one special box that you know will work and a few spools of tippet? Regardless of angling style, a pack will help you stay organized and make fishing much easier and enjoyable.
Fishpond Summit Sling Pack
The Fishpond Summit Sling Pack was designed to fit more like a messenger bag, resting along the side of the hip. With two huge compartments to fit your boxes and other accessories, it also has a molded zip-down workbench in the front. The bonus with this pack is that on the side it has a spot for a water bottle to keep you hydrated on hot days. Another awesome feature is the built-in net slots to hold small landing nets on the inside. This pack is made out of Fishpond’s Cyclepond fabric, ensuring it can withstand anything from a lazy day at the carp pond to walking five miles on a spring creek.
Allen Cedar Creek Sling Pack
The Allen Cedar Creek Sling Pack will benefit even the most frugal trout bum, coming in at just $44.99. It has a large compartment for your boxes and a smaller front compartment, great for fitting a medium day box or smaller lure box. It has multiple exterior D-rings to help you stay organized with nippers and tippet spools. The Cedar Creek Sling Pack lays comfortably on your shoulder and back, keeping it from messing with your cast. This pack is perfect for the minimalist that brings just enough to have a fun day on the creek.
Simms Dry Creek Z Sling Pack
Made with the hardcore angler in mind, Simms Dry Creek Z Sling Pack has a compartment with a 12 liter capacity. You can fit the kitchen sink and more into this pack and it has a carry system for your net on the side for the on-the-go angler that is hiking to a great spot. The awesome part of this sling pack is the 210 Double Rip Nylon with the TPU coating. This makes the pack very durable and water resistant, so when you're in the middle of a deep wade and your pack touches the water, everything you have in it stays safe and dry. The Dry Creek Z Sling Pack is truly the workhorse pack that any extreme angler should have.
A sling pack can make an angler's life much easier. It all comes down to finding out what kind of angler you are. Do you take everything and the kitchen sink with you? Or just that one special box that you know will work and a few spools of tippet? Regardless of angling style, a pack will help you stay organized and make fishing much easier and enjoyable.