How to Choose the Best Sling Bags for Travel Under 50
When it comes to travel, choosing the right bag is essential. A sling bag for travel offers convenience, versatility, and hands-free comfort, making it an ideal companion for your trips.
If you’re exploring a city, hiking through nature, or heading to a weekend getaway, a sling bag allows you to carry your essentials securely while keeping your hands free. The best part?
You don’t have to break the bank to find a high-quality, functional sling bag. We’re also going to focus on the The 15 Best Sling Bags of 2025 offering practical, stylish, and budget-friendly options.
Why Sling Bags for Travel Are Essential
A sling bag for travel is an excellent alternative to traditional backpacks offering a lighter, more compact solution for carrying your daily essentials.
Their design makes them comfortable and easy to wear, and their crossbody strap allows for easy access to your belongings. This makes sling bags a popular choice for both short trips and long travels.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Sling Bags for Travel
When choosing the best sling bags for travel, several factors come into play. Let’s look at the key considerations to help you make an informed decision:
1. Durability and Material Quality
One of the most important things to consider when buying a sling bag for travel is the material. Durable, high-quality fabric ensures that your bag lasts long and withstands wear and tear.
Look for sling bags made of nylon, polyester, or water-resistant materials, which are often preferred for travel due to their durability and ability to protect your belongings from the elements.
2. Comfort and Adjustability
Comfort is essential for a sling bag, especially when you’re wearing it for extended periods. Choose a bag with an adjustable strap to ensure a proper fit for your body.
Many travel sling bags come with padded shoulder straps, which make them more comfortable to wear, even during long walks or while sightseeing.
3. Storage Space and Organization
The best sling bags for travel should offer plenty of compartments for organization. Look for bags with multiple internal pockets, including a secure zippered compartment for valuables like your phone, wallet, and passport.
External pockets are also a great feature, allowing easy access to frequently used items like tickets or snacks.
4. Travel-Friendly Features
When traveling, additional features like water resistance, anti-theft designs, and RFID protection can make a big difference.
Water-resistant fabric ensures your gear stays dry, while anti-theft features, such as hidden zippers or lockable compartments, provide extra security.
If you’re traveling with sensitive items, RFID-blocking compartments will help protect your credit cards and passports from unauthorized scanning.
5. Affordability and Value for Money
When shopping for a sling bag for travel, it’s important to balance quality and affordability. Thankfully, there are many budget-friendly options available for under $50 that don’t compromise on functionality or style.
These affordable sling bags offer a good mix of quality materials, organization, and comfort making them perfect for travelers on a budget.
Travelon Anti-Theft Metro Convertible Small Crossbody Bag: Secure, Stylish Sling Bag for Travel
- Best For: Active lifestyles and versatile everyday use
Pros:
- Advanced security: 5-Point Anti-Theft system with locking zippers, slash-resistant body and straps, and RFID blocking.
- Convertible design: Wear as crossbody bag or waist pack.
- Organized interior: Zippered pocket, tethered key clip with LED light, and 4 RFID-protected card slots.
- Durable and water-resistant: Polyester material with raw gun-metal hardware.
- 2-year guarantee: Travelon’s commitment to quality.
Cons:
- Limited capacity: Small size may not fit larger items.
- Weight: 0.55 lbs, slightly heavier than similar bags.
Who It’s For:
The Travelon Anti-Theft Metro Convertible Small Crossbody Bag is perfect for travelers, commuters, and anyone seeking a secure, versatile sling bag.
When you’re exploring a new city, commuting to work, or running errands this crossbody bag offers peace of mind with its anti-theft features.
It’s ideal for anyone who wants to carry their essentials safely while maintaining easy access and comfort.
Its convertible design allows it to function as a sling bag or waist pack, making it adaptable to your daily needs.
Why We Love It:
- Superior Anti-Theft Protection: With its 5-Point Anti-Theft Security System, the bag features locking compartments, slash-resistant body and straps, RFID-blocking pockets, and lockdown straps, ensuring your belongings are safe from theft.
- Versatile Design: Whether worn as a crossbody or a waist pack, this travel-friendly sling bag can adapt to your needs, offering comfort and style.
- Efficient Organization: Multiple compartments, including RFID card slots and a zippered wall pocket, make it easy to organize and quickly access your essentials, from smartphones to travel documents.
- Durable & Low Maintenance: Made with water and dirt-resistant fabric, this bag is built to last and easy to clean—perfect for everyday use or international travel.
- Compact but Spacious: Despite its small size, this sling bag provides ample storage for your essential items while keeping them secure and well-organized.
We Tested It: We love how this sling bag balances security and style. The anti-theft features are top-notch, and its lightweight design makes it comfortable for daily use.
When you’re traveling, commuting, or running errands, the Travelon Anti-Theft Metro Convertible Small Crossbody Bag ensures your essentials stay secure and easily accessible.
Adidas Rectangle Crossbody Sling Bag for Women and Men - Daily Errands and Travel
- Best For: Daily errands, travel, festivals, and outdoor activities.
- Highlights: Eco-friendly design, multiple zippered pockets, adjustable crossbody strap, and wipeable lining.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly: Made with recycled content to reduce plastic waste.
- Ample storage: Multiple zippered pockets for organization.
- Easy cleaning: Wipeable lining with soap and water.
- Adjustable strap: Crossbody strap adjusts up to 60 inches.
- Stylish design: Classic adidas Originals branding.
Cons:
- Limited capacity: Small size may not fit larger items.
- Hand wash only: Requires gentle care.
Who It’s For:
The Adidas Originals Rectangle Crossbody Bag is perfect for those who want a practical and stylish bag for everyday use.
If you’re heading to the gym, running errands, or traveling, this compact crossbody bag is a versatile choice.
It’s ideal for individuals who appreciate eco-friendly products, as it’s made with recycled content to help reduce plastic waste.
With its adjustable strap, it’s a great fit for people of all sizes, offering both comfort and convenience.
Why We Love It:
- Eco-Friendly Construction: Made with recycled content, this crossbody bag supports Adidas’ goal of reducing plastic waste, so you can feel good about your purchase.
- Ample Storage Space: With multiple zippered pockets, this bag gives you plenty of space to organize your essentials, making it great for keeping your items secure and accessible.
- Easy to Clean: The wipe-able lining makes spot cleaning a breeze, ensuring your bag stays looking fresh with minimal effort.
- Comfortable and Adjustable: The adjustable strap allows you to customize the fit, ensuring comfort whether you wear it as a crossbody or over the shoulder.
- Sleek and Durable Design: Made from a mix of polyester and spandex, this bag is durable, lightweight, and perfect for daily use.
We Tested It: We love the simplicity and practicality of the Adidas Originals Rectangle Crossbody Bag.
Its eco-friendly design, combined with its ample storage and easy-to-clean features, makes it the perfect choice for those who need a reliable, functional bag for everyday use.
Whether for casual outings or quick trips, this bag keeps your items organized and easily accessible.
Fjallraven High Coast Crossbody Sling Bag – Eco-Friendly, Water-Resistant, 3L Lightweight Bag for Travel.
- Best For: Travel, hiking, outdoor activities, and daily errands.
- Highlights: Lightweight, packable, recycled nylon, adjustable padded strap, and multiple pockets.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly: Made from 100% recycled nylon.
- Lightweight and packable: 3L capacity, perfect for travel.
- Adjustable strap: Padded crossbody strap with detachable option.
- Organized interior: Interior pocket, key hook, and mesh sleeves.
- Durable: 210D polyamide material.
Cons:
- Limited capacity: Small size may not fit larger items.
No RFID blocking: No protection against electronic theft.
Who It’s For
The Fjallraven High Coast Crossbody Sling Bag is ideal for eco-conscious travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyday commuters who value sustainability, organization and hands-free convenience.
Its compact 3L design is perfect for carrying essentials without the bulk, making it suitable for urban explorers, hikers, and anyone needing a versatile, durable bag.
Why We Love It
We love the Fjallraven High Coast Crossbody Sling Bag because it combines eco-friendly materials with a smart, user-friendly design.
Its durable, water-resistant recycled nylon fabric offers reliability for various conditions. While thoughtful details like an adjustable, detachable strap and organized compartments make it an easy choice for those on the move.
Plus, with multiple color options, it’s both stylish and functional.
We Tested It
After testing, the High Coast Sling Bag exceeded expectations for comfort, practicality, and durability.
The padded strap remained comfortable during extended wear, and the secure compartments kept valuables easily accessible but safely stored.
It performed well in both urban and outdoor settings, proving its versatility as a dependable companion for any adventure.
The North Face Berkeley Field Sling Bag – Compact Sling Bag for Travel & Outdoor Adventures
- Best For: Travel, hiking, commuting, and daily errands.
- Highlights: Vintage style, lightweight, adjustable straps, secure storage, and water-resistant fabric.
Pros:
- Water-resistant: 400D recycled nylon with non-PFC DWR finish.
- Lightweight and comfortable: Adjustable shoulder straps.
- Secure storage: Internal zippered compartment, external fleece-lined pocket, and concealed back pocket.
- Vintage style: Classic design with modern charm.
- Durable: High-quality materials and construction.
Cons:
- Limited capacity: 5L volume may not fit larger items.
- Not intended for children: Recommended for ages 13+.
Who It’s For?
The North Face Berkeley Field Bag is perfect for travelers, commuters, and outdoor enthusiasts who need a compact, durable bag for carrying essentials on the go.
It’s designed for both men and women looking for a functional and stylish sling bag.
Why We Love It
We love the Berkeley Field Bag for its combination of sustainability, versatility, and sleek design.
It offers water-resistant protection for your valuables, ample storage with multiple pockets, and a comfortable fit with adjustable straps.
If for daily use or travel, it’s a reliable companion that adapts to all your needs.
We Tested
We tested The North Face Berkeley Field Bag for its functionality and durability in real-life travel and everyday use scenarios.
It passed with flying colors, offering a perfect balance of compact storage, water resistance, and comfortable wear.
The bag’s versatility for both outdoor activities and daily commutes makes it an excellent choice for travel enthusiasts, professionals, and anyone on the go.
