As part of my search for a great camera sling bag that I can travel with and switch to whenever I do not feel like carrying a fully loaded camera backpack, I came across the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling, an 8L sling bag from Nomatic that was co-designed with Pete McKinnon of YouTube fame, for the purpose of creating the "perfect" sling bag for photographers.
Did they succeed in this endeavor? Well, let's find out in this review. If you are considering buying the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling for your next trip, this review is for you. Without further ado, let's take a look at the pros and cons of the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling and why it might be a great bag for you.
- Quick Summary of the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling
- Why Did I Choose the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling?
- What I Love Most About the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling
- What I Hate Most About the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling
- The Verdict: Great Sling Bag For Small-Medium Setup
- Further Reading for Resources
Quick Summary of the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling
If you are short on time, here is a quick summary of the pros and cons of using the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling for travel, and a link to check the recent discount on the bag below.
- Excellent build quality
- Quick-closure mechanism
- Comfortable padded strap
- Bright-colored interior
- Not very flexible
- Barely fit a full-frame setup
- Can't take off straps
Why Did I Choose the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling?
I chose the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling because I needed a bag that accommodates my current full-frame setup with the Sony a7R V as my main camera. The bag must be able to fit this camera when it is mounted with either the Sony 16-35mm F2.8 GM II lens or the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens, with one as a spare.
Additionally, I also wanted a sling bag that can accommodate this camera when mounted with the Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II lens, which I occasionally use when shooting events. Given the substantial size of these lenses, the Nomatic McKinnon Sling caught my eye with its 8L capacity, aligning perfectly with the size range I was looking for.
Also, the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling bag was often on discount, and I found a pretty great deal at my local camera shop for less than 100 USD, so I decided to pick it up and give it a go. How was my experience traveling around Kazakhstan with it? Here are what I love most about the bag:
What I Love Most About the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling
Excellent build quality
The build quality of the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling is top-notch. The bag comes in a black-matted finish with a clean aesthetic that doesn't grab unwanted attention. It is built using water-resistant materials of Nylon and Polyethylene, comes equipped with high-grade zippers, and is well-padded all around.
The bag is very comfortable to carry and handle, thanks to its well-structured frame that doesn't compress easily and, in turn, helps protect your valuable camera gear. The frame also makes zipping the bag a joy with an easy one-motion flick of the wrist.
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.
It's one hell of a functional and stylish sling bag that complements how you dress very well, whether you're dressed up or down. The build quality and design are truly exceptional, they really nailed it with this one.
Quick-closure mechanism
One of the most innovative features of this bag is the quick-closure mechanism. The main compartment lid comes with an elastic strap, allowing you to easily close and secure your camera compartment with a hook, eliminating the need to zip up and down the camera bag every time you want to switch lenses.
It is extremely convenient, and I often find myself using it when I travel. Never once did I feel like my camera gear would accidentally fall out when using this mechanism, which goes to show how well-built it is.
If you are the type of run-and-gun shooter who frequently finds yourself switching between lenses or simply prefers not to carry the camera around your neck all the time, you are going to love the quick-closure mechanism of this bag.
Comfortable padded strap
The Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling likely has one of the most comfortable shoulder straps I have ever used. The entire bag strap is well-padded with comfortable material, making carrying the bag a delightful experience.
The bag also comes with a cross-body stabilizing strap accessory, which you can use to hook onto the shoulder strap. It helps stabilize the bag on your body as you move around, preventing it from sliding forward.
Bright-colored interior
Another cool feature of the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling, and something extremely simple that I wish more camera bags would incorporate in their slings, is the brightly-colored interior that improves visibility inside the bag.
Most camera gear comes in black, and when you place it inside a black-colored compartment, it becomes increasingly challenging to locate items. Imagine dropping your SD card in your bag, it would take much longer to find it when everything is black.
On the other hand, if the interior were in light colors like the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling, you would notice it instantly. If you prefer a sling bag with a bright-colored interior, the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling is a great option.
What I Hate Most About the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling
Not very flexible
After using it for one of my trips, I found the sling bag to be not as flexible as other sling bags like the WANDRD Roam Sling. With the Nomatic McKinnon Sling, you cannot carry a water bottle with you, which, for me personally, is extremely essential for travel.
While there are tactical hooks at the bottom of the bag for carrying a tripod, it's important to note that the bag doesn't come with the accessory strap required to use it. You would have to pay extra just to purchase the straps and add the ability to attach a small tripod, which, in my opinion, is not ideal. For a camera bag, such features should come as standard.
The bag does come with a few pockets, but due to its structured frame, it can be challenging to store larger items, such as a bag of filters, without them protruding or, worse, preventing the compartment from closing entirely.
If you are looking for a versatile and flexible camera sling bag that can adapt to the changing situation when you travel, this bag is not it. You would be better off with the WANDRD Roam Sling, which can carry both the water bottle and a tripod at the same time, as well as a 15" laptop, which is unheard of in a bag this size.
Barely fit a full-frame setup
As I mentioned earlier, I needed a bag that could accommodate my full-frame setup. Although I can fit the Sony a7R V mounted with the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens inside the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling, there is barely any room left for my spare lens.
Not to mention, I had to force my camera in when it was mounted with my Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II lens just to fit inside the main compartment, which made me uncomfortable. The bag doesn't stretch at all due to its sturdy structured frame, preventing you from cramming items in when needed.
The bag capacity is probably more suited for those using a crop-sensor camera or a very compact full-frame setup, where you can probably fit a camera body and 2 small lenses, but that is it. For a regular full-frame setup like mine, I think going with the larger, more flexible WANDRD Roam Sling is the better way to go.
Can't take off straps
Another peeve I have with this bag is that you cannot remove the strap, which makes storing it a bit of a pain. I often store my sling bag inside my backpack as I travel around the world and only use it after I arrive at a place.
Taking it in and out of my backpack, with its dangling strap getting caught inside, is definitely annoying at times. If you are like me and often store your sling bag and only use it occasionally when you travel, you might be better off going with another sling bag like the WANDRD Roam Sling.
The Verdict: Great Sling Bag For Small-Medium Setup
The Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling is indeed a great choice for those seeking a minimal, discreet, and beautifully designed camera sling. With excellent build quality that ensures longevity, this bag is easily accessible with just one hand.
The sling bag is certainly on par with other competitors in terms of design and build quality. Is it the best camera sling bag for you? Well, I believe it all boils down to capacity and whether the bag can accommodate the setup you have in mind.
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. The 8L capacity should be more than enough for most use cases.
However, if you have a large camera setup with a regular-sized full-frame camera and you want to carry at least two F2.8 zoom lenses, you are better off going with something bigger, like the WANDRD Roam Sling, the bag I ended up choosing over the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling.
Also, if you want more flexibility, such as the ability to carry a water bottle, a tripod, and even a laptop, you are going to love the WANDRD Roam Sling more. You can check out my review of that sling bag here.
To check the latest price and discounts on the Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling, click the link below:
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Further Reading for Resources
Looking for more articles to help you with your travel, whether it be camera gear or clothing? Here are a collection of articles you might like:
- 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.
- Now, if you are looking for a camera sling/shoulder bag instead of a full-fledged camera backpack to travel with, here are the 11 Best Camera Sling/Shoulder Bags For Travel.
- Looking for the most versatile camera sling bag? Check out: A Traveler's Review: WANDRD Roam (Rogue) Sling.
- 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.
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