There are various types of bag packs for fly fishing including slings, waist, chest, and hip packs. However, when in the water, the comfort and convenience brought by the fishing slings are unmatched by other bag types. You can have all of your essential fishing gear within the reach of your arm and that is a true game-changer.
The best fly fishing sling pack comes with easy accessibility, comfort, water protection, ample storage, and high durability. Whether you are new to fly fishing or an experienced professional, sling packs are for everyone.
If you ask for the best fly fishing sling pack reviews by our experts; then nothing competes with Fishpond Summit Sling Pack 2.0 and it stands at the top of the list. It’s durable, lightweight, breathable, holds lots of items, and is a great companion during a fishing trip.
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10 Best Fly Fishing Sling Packs in 2023
From these fly fishing sling pack reviews find out more about the best fly fishing sling packs and check what some of our favorite manufacturers have to offer.
1. Fishpond Summit Sling Pack 2.0 – Overall Best Fly Fishing Sling Pack
There are several reasons why this particular product became our best fly fishing sling pack. For example, it provides an excellent organization to store every item categorically in the pack. The total of seven pockets along with a bottom bottle holder makes storing numerous items easy.
Our anglers stores two fly boxes, one tackle box, a three-piece rod, two extra reels, and two soft drink cans in the bag. There was still some room left for items like a rolled jacket. It is impressive how there are multiple tags and attachment points for various tools.
The shoulder pad workstation is the highlight of this pack. It enables quick access to the items you need the most. It comes with water-resistant zippers to prevent corrosion from saltwater. Because of the padded mesh back and shoulder strap, it was super comfortable throughout.
- Integrated net sleeve
- Water bottle holder with locking chord
- Schematic pockets
- Expensive
Verdict
Indeed this product from Fishpond is the best fly fishing sling pack for prolonged hours without feeling any discomfort.
2. Orvis Sling Pack – Best Compact
Orvis has been a popular name in the fishing industry with its high-end products. This fly fishing shoulder bag is another example of the company’s exceptionality. What makes this bag unique among all other choices is its incredible 11 liters of storage capacity.
With tons of room in its main pocket, the bag could hold a hefty amount of supplies. From rods to reels, fly boxes to large tackle boxes, drink cans to snacks and so much more. Speaking of the secondary pouch, it is big enough for storing weights, leaders, rigging materials, etc. We could easily swing the bag in front and make it our workbench when needed.
This pack is a one-time investment that promises to last several years no matter how frequently you use it. The polyester yarn with TPU coating ensures durability. It is a fly fishing sling pack with a left-handed strap so that your casting arm isn’t interrupted. The massive storage and convenience make it the best fishing sling pack by Orvis.
- Very spacey
- High-quality zippers
- Shoulder pad workstation
- Could be a tad tight over the shoulder for taller people
Verdict
Keeping the price and features in mind, this product from Ovis serves as an incredible sling fishing backpack.
3. Simms Freestone Sling Pack – Best Premium
Not only the most expensive bag on our list today but probably among all of its competitors. There are numerous features that make it stand out and add to the overall cost. To start off, it comes in an ambidextrous orientation. That said, you can easily wear it opposite to your casting arm so you have an uninterrupted experience.
The capacity is magnificent, i.e., 15 liters. It is a lot more than the mighty Orvis Sling Pack hence, way more expensive than it. The bag is huge enough to store all the necessities such as fly boxes, tippets, clippers, reels, breakdown rods, camera gear, etc.
What makes it great is the dedicated net holder and four-way zipper entry. With this feature, we were able to access the bag from various points including the top, bottom, and both sides. As a result, access to everything in the bag was made super quick and hassle-free. For the price, one would expect this bag to be waterproof which it isn’t.
- Compression straps for rod storage
- Super comfortable padded shoulder strap
- Plenty of organizational pockets
- Not waterproof
- Extremely expensive
Verdict
This bag is for all the expert anglers out there who don’t want to compromise on the quality and need the best fly fishing sling pack. It will last years and years without any issues.
4. Fishpond Flathead Sling Pack – Best Sling Pack With Net Holder

Fishpond designs its bags with due care and lots of consideration. That said, all of its fly fishing bags have the right feature an angler looks for. Even though it is one of the priciest products on this list, people love investing in this one, and so did we. Despite being very lightweight, no one can doubt its durability.
For a proper organization of fishing items and other gear, the bag includes two dividers in the main compartment. This keeps the wet and dry stuff separated. Since it is important to keep yourself hydrated, the bag provides you with two big water bottle holders. Though some other models also have a net holder, the one in this pack is quite large and holds the net firmly.
Just like the Simms Freestone pack, you can also wear it over both shoulders based on your preference. Some of our crew members needed extra stability of the bag when loaded. Luckily, this pack comes with an additional cross-body strap to help with that.
- 10 liters of storage capacity
- Magnetic pocket on the exterior
- Slim and lightweight
- Pricey
- Neither water-resistant nor waterproof
Verdict
All in all, finding the best fly fishing sling pack with lots of storage, durability, net holder, and convenience is not made easy with the Fishpond Flathead bag.
5. Orvis Mini Sling Pack – Best For Women
Looking for a decent bag that occasional female anglers can also carry? This mini pack from Orvis is a great choice. As the name suggests, the bag is smaller than its competitors and has 5 liters of storage space. It is still sufficient enough for women who spend a brief time on the water.
Considering the overall size and capacity, this bag should’ve been priced low which it isn’t. As we swing the bag in the front, it becomes an instant workstation for us. Our anglers loved the docking stations on the front, this ensured exceptional convenience.
The female anglers from the team utilized the space and stored quite some amazing stuff in it. This includes an extra reel, fishing line, pocket flashlight, sunglasses, clippers, lip balm, keys, and a mobile phone. Unfortunately, there isn’t any dedicated holder for the water bottle so you have to fit it inside the bag.
- Made with recycled yet durable materials
- Padded straps
- Tippet caddy in the front
- No water bottle holder
- Unsuitable for longer fishing trips
Verdict
Looking for a good-quality women’s fishing backpack? The Orvis mini sling pack is a great choice with superb sturdiness.
6. Kylebooker Sling Pack – Best Budget Friendly

When it comes to finding the best fly fishing sling pack, all that an angler wants is good capacity and long-lasting durability. This impressive bag has a total of seven pockets for easy organization – a lot more than many high-end choices such as Simms and Orvis.
On the front, the bag has an extra pocket for the water bottle, D-ring for a landing net, and our favorite, a built-in fly patch. However, the backside has a net pocket, D-ring for the tippet bar, and velcro for another fly patch.
Even though it is priced low, the bag comes with a breathable back panel and padded straps. Because of this, we not only enjoyed comfort but stayed fresh throughout the trip. The strap is highly adjustable and easily fitted our 5’11” member without any issues.
- Lots of attachment options
- Decent storage
- Easily accessible
- Not very heavy-duty
Verdict
This one from Kylebooker is the best fly fishing sling pack that can take some water splashes and still manage to work amazingly.
7. Piscifun Tackle Bag – Best Sling Pack With Rod Holder
An affordable sling pack with a dedicated fly fishing rod holder? Sounds dreamy. Piscfun has some very good fly fishing bags at a reasonable price and decent features. This one is designed to provide maximum convenience to the fishers as well as hunters.
Apart from all of the features, its main highlight is the two robust belts designed to hold fly fishing rods. This feature is not common even in some of the most expensive sling packs such as Simms Freestone and Fishpond Flathead bags. We could easily place our long rods with the help of these rods without any inconvenience.
What makes it even more outstanding than other choices is the internal waterproof pad and external water-resistant fabric. This is something all the pricey options mentioned above lack. The compartments are however small but we could still store all the main fly fishing gear.
- Highly adjustable shoulder strap
- Very durable
- Waterproof interior
- Small pockets
Verdict
When it comes to buying the best fly fishing sling pack under a fair price and with impeccable features, the Piscifun tackle bag is unbeatable.
8. Simms Tributary Sling Pack – Best Ambidextrous
If you like sharing your sling pack with family and friends, this ambidextrous pack would be an amazing choice. Even though it is a slim pack, its shape mimics that of a backpack. Unlike the Piscifun tackle bag, it doesn’t have multiple pockets for detailed organization.
The bag comes with two pockets in total including the main compartment and an exterior pocket. Speaking of the storage capacity, it is quite fair and we dumped in it fly boxes, tackle boxes, reels, sunscreen, drinks, and a rolled jacket.
This bag is designed to fit everyone, thanks to the adjustable shoulder strap with comfortable padding. While rotating the bag is easy to access the items, there are no attachment points on the strap.
- Water-resistant
- Nicely made for longevity
- Rotates to the front easily
- No water bottle holder
- Lacks attachment points for tools
Verdict
If you are down for reasonable storage size, durability, and comfort, this sling bag from Simms is an ideal choice.
9. Teton Sling Pack – Best Entry-Level
For a relatively reasonable price, this pack offers features of many high-end choices. For example, it is extremely light in weight, making it effortless to carry the loaded bag. Moreover, it has three pockets with high-end YKK zippers that help categorize the items.
We stored fly boxes, reels, tackle boxes, and clippers, in one compartment. Whereas, items like keys, wallets, shades, and sunscreen were in another. The bag lacks a bottle holder which was one downside but the separate pockets offered great separate storage.
The outermost compartment flips down and becomes an instant workstation. It comes with a foam fly patch that allowed us quick access. We loved how the foam fly patch can not only be velcroed inside but on the outer side of the pocket too.
- Tear-proof fabric
- Comes with a net holder
- Great for everyday fishing
- No bottle holder
Verdict
It is safe to call this product the best fly fishing sling pack because of the features and price point.
10. M MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Sling Pack – Best Value For Money
Less in price but loaded with features, the M Maximumcatch sling pack offers excellent value for the money. It is because the bag is water-resistant which is a property found in very few sling bags.
Identical to the Kylebooker sling bag, this one also features an innovative design and comes with lots of attachments for tools. From extra holders to built-in fly attachments, a water bottle pocket to a landing net holder, and D-ring for a tippet to a hidden spring clasp, there is so much more.
That said, this bag conveniently holds a vast variety of stuff. Another feature that makes it a superb choice and great value is the breathable liner at the back with mesh. It prevents your back from sweating and optimizes comfort.
- lightweight
- Nylon waist strap for stabilization
- Schematic pockets and attachments
- The waist belt might not fit people with larger girths
Verdict
Nothing is better than finding the best fly fishing sling pack for a perfect price that is stacked with all the useful features an angler wants.
Buying Guide
Finding the best sling packs for fly fishing depends on some important factors. You must know what you will be paying for. Make sure to consider the following things before purchasing.

1. Storage Capacity
On a fly fishing expedition, there are several important things that you need to carry as an angler. The bag must be large enough to accommodate all of the fishing equipment such as fly reels, fishing lines, fly box, tackle box, fly fishing tippet, leader, etc. Moreover, it must also have a separate compartment for items like your mobile phone, wallet, keys, etc. You can also hook your wading staff with the best fly fishing sling pack with a retractor.
A sling pack’s capacity is determined in liters. Generally, one with more than 10 liters of space is extremely spacious and can hold about four full-sized fly boxes. Usually, sling packs are not large enough to carry your fly fishing waders or wading boots. For them, a separate bag such as best wader bag is recommended.
2. Accessibility
Not only do you need ample storage but easy accessibility too. When in the water, you won’t have the time to place the bag somewhere and find items. That said, it must have easy-to-reach pockets so you have taken things in and out without taking the pack off.
3. Organization
A bag with various compartments and holders is a lot better than those having a single large pocket. One main compartment along with various small pockets helps you to stay organized.
It allows the anglers to store items categorically in different zippers. Doing so prevents spending time finding things dumped altogether in one pocket.
4. Waterproofing
A waterproof fishing sling pack is designed to keep all the essentials safe from getting wet, the fabric used doesn’t allow the water to penetrate inside the bag even if you are half or fully submerged in the water.
5. Comfort
Many anglers rather overlook this factor which gives them shoulder, neck, and back strains later. Since you would be spending long hours out in the water, make sure to invest in a fish sling bag that comes with padded straps. Furthermore, the strap should have a good degree of adjustability.
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FAQs
1. Waist pack vs sling pack for fishing: which is better?
best fly fishing hip packs are ideal when you spend less time with the bag. These have a lesser capacity as compared to the sling pack. Whereas a sling pack comes with lots of storage and its strap ensures comfort for longer fishing trips.
2. Fly fishing sling pack vs vest: which is better?
Sling packs are designed to carry all of your fly fishing essentials in one place while offering you easy access. You can store fly boxes, water bottles, reeks, rain gear, and so much more in it. These come with padded shoulder straps that evenly distribute all the weight.
Vests, on the other hand, have multiple pockets for small essential items but they cannot store larger items. However, these give you the ability to access anything without bringing the bag in the front. The final choice comes down to your personal preference and type of fishing.
3. Can I put my fishing rod in the sling fly fishing bag?
Not all but some sling bags are capable of holding fishing rods. Typically, storing a breakdown rod is a lot easier than a single-construction one. You can also find some sling bags with tube straps as dedicated storage for these rods.
Conclusion
Every angler in search of a storage pack that doesn’t feel heavy on the back and shoulders must go for sling packs. There is a wide range of these bags in the market however, finding the best fly fishing sling pack depends on its features.
It must have sufficient storage capacity and high durability. In our experience, we found the Fishpond Summit Sling Pack 2.0 as an exceptionally brilliant choice. It has everything a fly angler needs without breaking the bank.