Style & Culture

These are the best sling bags to wear when travelling

Comfortable, safe and stylish, the sling bag has become the ultimate travel bag of the moment
The best sling bags to wear when travelling

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A must-have accessory we're adding to our closets (and luggage) for our next trip: sling bags. Not only are these bags the most practical way to carry all of your daily essentials, they also add an effortless, chic look to even the simplest airport outfit. Since they're made to be worn across your chest, sling bags will keep you hands-free whether you're running errands, on an afternoon hike, or working your way through airport security. And compared to their equally on-trend bag cousin, the bum bag, they tend to be a bit roomier; some even have dedicated pouches to hold water bottles and sunglasses. Below, we've rounded up the best sling bags to wear on all your upcoming trips to make reaching for your passport, hand sanitizer, and phone a breeze.

  • Bellroy Venture Travel Crossbody

    Bellroy's crossbody has been designed specifically with travellers in mind, squeezing in multiple coveted features that other bags on this list can't claim: an RFID-blocked magnetic passport pocket, an internal slip pocket for an AirTag or other luggage tracker, and a divided back pocket for your boarding pass or other travel documents. That's on top of the other four pockets, including a main roomy inner compartment, for your book, snacks and in-flight essentials. It's made from water-resistant recycled nylon, has a removable shoulder strap and comes with a three-year warranty. For airport days, this is the bag to reach for.

    £119 at Bellroy

  • Uniqlo's round mini shoulder bag

    It's a simple style but in terms of value for money, this Uniqlo sling is hard to beat. The bag blew up on TikTok last year when a 1.7-second video posted by @caitlinphillimore demonstrated how much it could fit inside, from a pair of headphones to a large packet of biscuits. One of our writers even put it to the test and took the viral £15 Uniqlo bag on holiday, deeming it ‘the perfect travel companion.’ Since then Uniqlo has launched the bag in an array of colours and fabrics, including corduroy in time for winter. Be warned though, the various colours tends to sell out quickly so it's best to buy when you can.

    £14.90 at Uniqlo

  • Been London's Annis Sling Bag

    The proudly minimal Annis sling, from London-based brand Been, is as eco-friendly as it is chic. All of its leather goods are crafted from offcuts sourced from UK tanneries; pieces that would otherwise go to waste. That would be a real shame, given how smooth, supple and soft it is. It's large enough for your purse, water bottle and small makeup bag, with an inside pocket for keeping a phone or boarding pass easily to hand. The adjustable strap helps keep a snug fit whether wearing a bulky coat or not. It’s available in a choice of three colours and personalisable for an extra £10.

    £295 at Been London

  • Tumi's Compact Sling

    For those who like to travel light, Tumi’s compact sling provides enough space for your daily essentials, with a handy exterior pocket for your phone to claw back more room inside. But the bijou size doesn’t mean that it’s light on features. Concealed within, there’s a key chain, luggage tag, pen loops and a tracer to help reignite you should you misplace it.

    £275 at Tumi

  • July's Carry Me

    Australian brand July has a similar, more reasonably-priced hardshell bag, although, of course, without that telltale ridged design. It’s made from the same polycarbonate as the brand’s suitcases, helping ensure precious cargo remains safe, and comes with colour-matched zips and a strap. Inside, there’s a concealed zipped pocket, and the lining detaches to hold the case open.

    £55 at July

  • Coach's Gotham Pack

    Coach has created the perfect in-flight bag: sleek, streamlined, and large enough to fit your iPad, book and some snacks. It’s finished in polished pebble leather, with two exterior pockets to keep your phone and keys easily to hand. The strap is adjustable for shoulder or crossbody wear.

    £395 at Coach

  • Lululemon's Everywhere Belt Bag

    This belt bag has gained cult status as one of the best to wear while on the move. Designed to be worn around the waist or over your shoulder, it features an exterior zipped pocket for small essentials like your favourite lip balm, interior pockets for larger items, and an adjustable strap for a comfortable fit. The bag comes in a larger two-litre size as well.

    £38 at Lululemon

  • Bellroy's Lite Sling

    There’s more than enough space for daily accessories in this roomy Bellroy sling. It's been developed to be especially lightweight, so it’s a good one to reach for on hikes and active days. The seven litre capacity comfortably allows space for a water bottle and daily essentials, plus there's a couple of hidden slip pockets for smaller items like keys, and a specialised sunglasses pouch. It also rolls up impressively small, so you can stow it in your carry-on without losing precious suitcase real estate. The magnetic clasp, which can be opened and closed one-handedly, is a clever upgrade, too.

    £85 at Bellroy

  • Away's The Everywhere Sling Bag

    This is a deceptively roomy sling bag with two main compartments, two internal ones and an additional front pocket for your phone or passport. The water-resistant nylon body makes it a good one to bring on hiking expeditions and more adventurous trips away. It comes in a selection of pleasing shades – we like this jaunty blue and green number – including a few that match Away’s suitcase range.

    £70 £56 at Away

  • Rimowa's Sling Clutch

    Celebrity-favourite luggage brand Rimowa, beloved for its now-iconic ridged aluminium suitcases, has added a practical sling bag to its chic range. It’s got all the style sensibilities you’d expect from a Rimowa case, with a leather interior, two card slots and a roomy compartment to keep sightseeing essentials safe. It is expensive, yes, but a statement-making piece that will last a lifetime – and won’t spend most of its time languishing in the hold.

    £935 at Rimowa

  • Prada's Logo Nylon Banana Bag

    Small but perfectly formed, with Prada’s signature nylon finish and logo up front, this sling bag has one bijou compartment to keep your keys, purse and phone handy. However, those heading out all day have no need to fear, as the brand also has a roomier option, ready to house all your travel essentials the next time you’re heading off.

    £420 at Selfridges

  • COS's Swing Crossbody Bag

    COS’s 100 per cent leather bag is a consistent bestseller, retaining its spot in the brand’s core collection year after year. Now, the colour range has expanded to six shades, giving us an option to accompany every outfit. It’s one of the chicer sling bags we’ve found, being versatile enough to handle the hop from office to bar on a weekday through to a sightseeing weekend away seamlessly.

    £110 at Cos

  • Free People's Hudson Sling Bag

    We love this soft suede slouchy bag from Free People for something more boho than sporty. The style features two separate, easy-to-reach zip-up pockets – one small pouch to fit keys and wallet and another larger pouch big enough to fit a medium-sized water bottle. The best part is that the bag comes in 13 different colour options, from spicy mustard yellow to bright crimson red and dark jade green.

    £78 at Free People
TopicsFashionShopping