I'm a huge camera bag fan, and even though I love my fully functional camera bags that can hold all of my travel camera gear, sometimes I just want a nice and small camera bag that can hold a few lenses and that I can quickly carry over my shoulder for a few hours of street photography.
Enters camera sling/shoulder bags, small camera bags that go across your body or shoulder, allowing for easier access than backpacks. They can store a camera body, a few camera lenses, and other small travel essentials.
These camera sling/shoulder bags are a great alternative to camera backpacks to have when you travel, as backpacks can be quite cumbersome, not stealthy at all, and most of the time, a bit of an overkill for street photography.
Within this article, you will find all the information you need to pick the right camera sling/shoulder bag for your travels and a complete list of the 10 best camera sling/shoulder bags. Without further ado, let's first look at the criteria that make a camera sling/shoulder bag great for travel.
Quick Summary: The best travel camera sling/shoulder bags to buy
What to Look for in a Camera Sling/Shoulder Bag?
Bag Capacity
One of the first things to look for in a camera sling/shoulder bag is the capacity. Depending on the camera format you are using, whether it is APS-C or Full-Frame, the sling/shoulder bags' capacity should be able to carry your camera along with a few lenses.
Since sling/shoulder bags sacrifice capacity for portability, you are going to have to first consider what camera you are using, lenses you can't live without, and other travel essentials you might need when you are out and about, i.e., water bottles, tripods, etc.
Once you determine the minimum items you need, you will then have to find a sling/shoulder bag that can fit all of those items. Anything less than that is out of the picture.
Thankfully, many camera shoulder/sling bag manufacturers nowadays offer multiple size options to fit your needs, so be sure to look out for them when you are shopping for new camera sling/shoulder bags.
Look & Style
Like with travel backpacks, when you are looking around for a sling/shoulder bag, you are going to have to find the ones that have the look and design that fit your wardrobe and look great on you.
This is especially important for sling/shoulder bags, as I consider them to be wearable items, just like a shirt or a necklace. If you are traveling with one, you will likely be taking photos of yourself carrying the bag most of the time.
Think of it as part of your clothing when you are considering purchasing a camera shoulder/sling bag. If you are the type of person who enjoys wearing your favorite shirts that make you look great while traveling, be sure to also choose a sling/shoulder camera bag that has the desired look and style you are aiming for.
Comfort
Sling/shoulder bags aren't known for their ergonomics, and when you combine that with the heavy camera gear you are carrying, it becomes important that the camera sling/shoulder bag you are buying is comfortable enough for you to carry it for hours on end.
Look for a camera sling/shoulder bag that comes with a padded back panel, and make sure that the straps are made of good material, well-padded, and comfortable to carry.
Since the weight of your bag is focused on only one shoulder, it might be worthwhile to look for a shoulder/sling bag that comes with a stabilizer strap to help with weight distribution. All in all, be sure to consider comfortability before investing in a camera sling/shoulder bag.
10 Best Travel Camera Sling/Shoulder Bags to Buy
1. Wandrd ROAM Sling
The Wandrd ROAM Sling is probably the most versatile sling bag on this list, with its ability to carry all sorts of things, from attaching a tripod and a water bottle all the way to carrying a 15-inch laptop.
No other camera sling bags on this list can carry a 15-inch laptop. With Wandrd ROAM Sling, you can buy an additional 15-inch laptop case and attach it to the outside of the bag while still retaining the interior space for your camera gear.
It has great build quality with a well-padded back panel, great for comfort, and an awesome top-lid design that allows you to quickly open the bag and have quick access to your camera gear.
It also comes in three sizes: 3L, 6L, and 9L. Additionally, you can choose between a 13-inch or 15-inch laptop case if you wish to carry your laptop with you. Wandrd ROAM Sling is an extremely well-designed sling bag, and if you are looking for a bag that can adapt to your needs, you won't find a more versatile sling bag than this one.
2. Nomatic McKinnon Sling
The Nomatic McKinnon Sling is another great option if you are looking for a well-built camera sling with a minimal and discrete design that you can take with you on your travel. The bag comes in only an 8L capacity but thanks to its design, the bag looks and feels way more compact than its true capacity, which is great.
This sling bag features an innovative mechanism for swiftly opening and closing the main camera compartment without the need to zip it up and down each time you want to access its content. The bag is equipped with a durable elastic strap that allows you to easily hook and unhook the main compartment lid, which is extremely useful to those who often find themselves changing lenses a lot.
The main compartment is well-padded with durable material that doesn't compromise the interior space, ensuring you can make the most of it. The best part is that the main compartment lid was designed to pop open and stay open without needing to be held, allowing you to easily operate using only one hand.
If you have a small-to-medium camera setup, such as an APS-C camera or a compact full-frame camera like the Sony a7C series, and you want to carry it with two other compact lenses, this sling bag is ideal for you. Hit the link below to check out the price.
3. Peak Everyday Sling
Peak Everyday Sling is the classic recommendation for a sling camera bag, and for good reasons. The Peak Everyday Sling is probably one of the most feature-rich sling bags out there, and you can take advantage of its integration with other Peak products like the Peak camera clip, etc.
Peak Everyday Sling has a simple yet modern design that complements any type of clothes you wear. It is built like a tank with water-resistant material. It comes in 3 sizes: 3L, 6L, and 10L, all of which have spacious interiors capable of fitting a considerable amount of camera gear for a sling bag.
It also has one of the most comfortable straps out there, using the same material and easily adjustable strap mechanism as the popular Peak Slide Camera Strap that the company is known for.
All in all, the Peak Design Everyday Sling is a great option for those who are either already invested in the Peak Design ecosystem or simply looking for a feature-rich sling bag that looks great with everything. Hit the link below to check the current price of the Peak Everyday Sling bag.
4. Moment Rugged Camera Sling
The Moment Rugged Camera Sling is one of my favorite sling bags because of its great modern design that stands out from the generic-looking modern designs the other camera sling bags have on this list. It comes in two sizes (6L and 10L) and three colors. I especially like the Olive colored one.
Moment Rugged Camera Sling is also extremely well-built with great material, a big padded body strap that allows it to mold around your body a little bit better than other sling bags, and it also comes with a stabilizer strap to help with weight distribution.
One of the best things about this sling bag is its choice of colors inside the bag. Moment decided to go for a brighter color scheme inside, which makes it so much easier to see what's in your bag without having to randomly search for the items you need, like other sling bags.
For those who are looking for a modern-looking sling bag with great capacity that can fit 3 lenses, is comfortable to wear, and has a standout design, I highly recommend checking out the Moment Rugged Camera Sling with the link below.
5. Compagnon Element Sling
Compagnon Element Sling is another beautiful and well-built sling bag from Germany that I really like. Its roll-top design, comfortable and durable water-resistant material, and large comfortable strap make this bag the best all-around sling bag out of all.
The Companion Element Sling comes in one size, 18L, with an expandable 12L rolltop that allows you to carry not just your camera gear but also your clothes and other travel essentials as well.
You can carry a ton of camera gear with this bag, as it fits not just a camera body but also the holy trinity of lenses, as well as a drone, a 15-inch laptop, and more. You won't find any other shoulder bag that can fit this gear in one go, and if you are looking for a shoulder bag to go on a short trip, this is the one to buy.
6. ONA Bowery Camera Bag
Now, if you are looking for a shoulder bag instead of a sling bag with a traditional vintage leather design that both men and women can wear, there is no better option out there than the ONA Bowery Camera Bag.
I definitely have a soft spot for these rugged-looking leather-designed bags, and this one doesn't disappoint. It is one of the best-looking shoulder bags out there, and it comes with a removable camera insert that can fit a small APS-C camera body and a lens.
For those of you who are looking for a camera shoulder bag that looks like a regular designed bag and is using a smaller format camera system like APS-C, you are going to love the ONA Bowery Camera Bag. Since it is made out of authentic Italian leather, the bag is on the more expensive side of things, so be sure to hit the link below and check the most recent price before deciding.
7. ONA Prince Street Camera Bag
Now, if you like the look and style of the previous ONA Bowery bag but you are looking for something with more capacity, the ONA Prince Street Camera Bag is a larger version of the ONA Bowery Bag with a larger interior that can fit 3 full-frame lenses or a mirrorless camera and 2 lenses, as well as an 11" laptop or an iPad.
Best of all, it comes in this beautiful double strap design that I love, and I actually think it looks even better than their Bowery bags. The leather is durable and beautiful, and you can expect it to look even better as it ages.
For those of you who like the vintage design and prefer a more rugged, Indiana Jones look when you travel, the ONA Prince Street Camera Bag is the best option for you. Be sure to click the link below and check the recent price of the bag.
8. Langly Bravo Mirrorless Shoulder Bag
Langly Bravo Mirrorless Shoulder Bag is a newly released camera shoulder bag by Langly, one of my favorite companies, that focuses on creating a lightweight shoulder bag with a great modern design, capacity, easy access, and perfect for everyday use.
The shoulder bag comes in this magnetic Fidlock Slider Buckles that provide easy access to your camera gear yet can be easily and quickly secured. It also comes in this Nylon fabric material that is waterproof, extremely durable, and looks amazing.
The Langly Bravo Shoulder Bag comes in 4 different buckle colors, and it can carry a mirrorless camera body with 2 extra lenses, a water bottle, and a monopod on both sides. Additionally, you can carry other accessories in its front zip pocket.
If you are looking for a great design camera shoulder bag that is durable and can withstand all kinds of weather while keeping your camera gear safe and secure, the Langly Bravo Shoulder Bag is definitely worth your consideration. You can check the recent price of the bag with the link below.
9. Billingham Hadley Pro Canvas Bag
The Billingham Hadley Pro Canvas Bag is probably the most timeless camera shoulder bag on this list. With its iconic Billingham double strap design, it gives off a retro yet modern look at the same time. You can be sure that no matter how much time passes, the Billingham Hadley Pro Canvas Bag will still look fantastic and won't be dated at all.
The new 2020 version of the Billingham Hadley Pro Canvas Bag also comes with many tweaks and features that help make your life a little more convenient, with removable straps - both the shoulder straps and the double front straps - and comfort all around.
The bag also can carry a lot more than it looks, with its deep interior allowing you to carry a DSLR camera and even a telephoto lens vertically, which not many camera shoulder bags can do.
If you are looking to invest in a camera shoulder bag that won't age and will last you for 10-20 years, the Billingham Hadley Pro Canvas Bag is the best option for you. Click the link below to check its price.
10. Rofozzi Leather Camera Bag
Now, if you are a woman and are looking for a camera shoulder bag that looks more like a designer purse which you can easily carry around while you are out and about or when you are wearing a dress, the Rofozzi Leather Camera Bag is the bag for you.
It comes in this beautiful, timeless leather with several side pockets and pouches for travel essentials. It has a camera compartment that can fit a mirrorless camera body and an extra compact lens, and it is removable, allowing you to adapt the bag to your needs.
Most camera bags are designed for function over form. For women who love photography and want to look great with a dress while carrying a camera shoulder bag, there is no better option than the Rofozzi Leather Camera bag.
11. Wotancraft Pilot
Wotancraft Pilot is an extremely lightweight, travel-friendly camera shoulder bag from Taiwan. It is designed specifically for travel photographers, with several extra side pockets to store all the camera accessories you might need. The bag can fit 1 camera body and 3 lenses, and you can also strap a tripod at the bottom.
The bag, including camera dividers and the strap, weighs only around 1.15 kg, and considering the water-resistant exterior, I'm surprised they were able to make the bag that light.
It also comes with this awesome-looking rugged design in Khaki Brown and black, with 2 sizes: 7L and 10L. If you are looking for a lightweight camera shoulder bag with good capacity and a unique-looking design, Wotancraft Pilot is a bag you should definitely consider.
Want to take your photography game to the next level? Here are some resources to help you upgrade your work and photography gear:
Further Reading for Resources
Looking for more articles to help you with your travel, may it be camera gear or clothing? Here is a collection of articles you might like.
- Looking for the most versatile camera sling bag? Check out: A Traveler's Review: WANDRD Roam (Rogue) Sling.
- For a smaller setup, the Nomatic McKinnon Sling is a great camera bag to check out. Here is A Traveler's Review: Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling 8L.
- Finding a great camera bag you can travel with is not as easy as it sounds. If you are looking for one, here are the 10 Best Camera Bags for Travel, Backpacking, and Hiking You Should Buy.
- Looking for a good-looking and functional camera strap to buy? You're going to love the Langly Tactical, Premium Leather, and Paracord camera straps. Check out my review here: A Traveler's Review: Langly Camera Straps.
- You can't travel without a great daypack, and if you are looking for one, check out:7 Best Herschel Supply Bags For Travelers.
- Ever wondered what a full-time travel blogger like myself carries in my camera bag? Check out: What's In My Camera Bag in 2025?
- Looking to buy a new travel camera but not sure where to start? Check out our camera guide on 10 Best Travel Cameras to Buy.
- Bought a new camera and not sure which camera accessories to buy? Check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
- Looking to go on a short trip and want a backpack that has enough capacity but is small enough to use as a carry-on? Here is Why You Should Check Out the Herschel Supply Buckingham Backpack - A Traveler’s Review.
- Traveling light with camera gear is all about balancing between what you need and what you want. Here are the 8 Best Tips For Traveling Light With Camera Gear.
- If you like hiking and going on adventures for weeks on end, you are going to need a bigger backpack. Here is Why the Osprey Atmos AG is the Best Hiking Backpack To Buy.
- If you are into making travel videos, here is my ultimate advanced filmmaking gear guide.
- Planning to go on your first-ever hiking trip? Here is How to Pack for Hiking and Camping.
- Technical hiking gear doesn't have to be ugly. Here is a guide to hiking gear that actually looks good on you.
- For more resources like this, visit my Resources page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.