Sling pack advice . . . .

[JadeDsantos]

Hey Guys

I wanted to ask if anyone has ever used a slingpack for their fishing trips?

I was looking at a few nice options, but wanted to ask the forum if anyone has any opinions?

Here are the ones I have found:

Simms
http://www.simmsfishing.com/headwate...ling-pack.html

Orvis
http://midcurrent.com/gear/review-or...de-sling-pack/

Patagonia
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...ling?p=48325-0

Cheers

J

[core fly]

I use a sling bag for my barbel fishing and its very comfortable.The only disadvantage is that you cant carry a lot of water with you as it will be too front heavy.I need lots of refreshments with me as i dehydrate quickly so I always have a backpack with drinks and hence like the bulkier packs with added backpack.But i guess you could buy a decent cycling hydration pack and sling bag fo0r cheaper than a top end pack so maybe thats an option

[Circus]

I like that a sling pack can be moved from your front to your back with ease, but beware of a sore shoulder/neck after a day if you are prone to that sort of thing or if you plan to do a lot of nymphing with a high arm.

Of the three you have listed, I would pick the Orvis one. Simms is just a backpack with one shoulder, Patagonia sling is too narrow and will hurt your shoulder within a couple of hours.

[William Ewels]

I don't like smaller/medium sling packs all that much - I've tried several - I don't see any advantage in a sling pack over a nice big bum bag that you can also rotate to the front when you want to access stuff. That leaves you cooler and with more freedom of movement. Well designed bum bags can take a lot of weight including a water bottle and some have quick access pouches for tools.

With a big bum bag for the most used items you still have the option to carry a day pack, or a big serious sling bag for stuff like SLR cameras. So many more options. Once you make a smaller sling pack the centre piece of your fishing gear it limits your options for carrying more stuff when required.

For a serious big sling pack I went for the Patagonia Stormfont Sling. It's quite large and I even use it as carry on luggage for plane trips.

[jmac]

must say i'm not sure which is the best but here's a review of the simms sling from gink and gasoline that makes a lot of sense.
if waterproofness is nb then i guess its fishpond or patagonia
http://www.ginkandgasoline.com/gear_...ter-sling-pack
I've ordered the simms one but have been waiting a long time already and it sounds like I'm going to have to wait longer still!!!!

[JadeDsantos]

Thanks for the advice guys, seems there are some mixed opinions on this. I am thinking I should rather same the money and purchase something like the Patagonia Headaters pack rather. Seems to be the right compromise for additional kit as well as a chest pack for quick access.

Thanks again guys!

J

[saflyfish]

Do xplorer sell slingpacks?

[saflyfish]

why not just buy a small backpack?

[karoo]

I just use one of those 35l kway backpacks. Its quite big but you do get smaller ones. Then it is "bladder-ready" as well. So you ca juat chuck in a lekker dop with some ice in and there you go!

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[Nepptune]

Jade - I used a buddies Sling Pack on a couple days when the missus and I were in Cayman a few weeks back while chasing Bones and Juvenile Tarpon and I gotta say its got me seriously thinking about buying one because of how comfy and easy to use it was...

of course you are limited by what you can carry with you, but that was part of the beauty as it forced me to cut down on the gear I took... for quick trips on the streams here in the WC, i reckon they are damn near a perfect option as I only carry one fly box anyway, 3 tippet spools, and very little else... not much need for a backpack to haul around all the other unnecessary things that always seem to find their way into my pack...

On the flip side one can't pack much else like a decent lunch, drinks, jacket etc.... so maybe not the best option for an EP4/5 mission, but pretty perfect for most of the SB, and the bottom EP beats if you willing to sacrifice a decent lunch and replace it with a few energy bars...

I'd always viewed sling packs as being not much sense, but have certainly rethought that after using one recently and will be having a look at getting one for sure... the version I used in Cayman was an Orvis one, this one I think: http://www.orvis.com/p/safe-passage-sling-pack/3h6p

Dre