A Traveler's Review: WANDRD Roam (Rogue) Sling

Quick Summary of the WANDRD Roam Sling

If you are short on time, here is a quick summary of the pros and cons of using the WANDRD Roam Sling for travel, and a link to check the recent discount on the bag below.

Why Did I Choose the WANDRD Roam Sling bag?

After realizing that I can no longer carry a heavy backpack like I used to, I spent months and months looking for a camera sling bag that will carry my most essential camera gear. The purpose of the sling bag is to be my lightweight setup that I can easily switch to when I want to go for a little stroll around a city.

My current camera gear setup includes the Sony a7R V as my main camera, the Sony 16-35mm F2.8 GM II lens, the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens, and the Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II lens for my travel lens selection. I also have other accessories such as a tripod, teleconverter, and more that I often use.

With this setup in mind, I had to find a sling bag that can carry my camera and at least 2 lenses, all at once, which narrowed down the option to 2 sling bags: the McKinnon Sling 8L and the WANDRD Roam Sling 9L.

I bought the McKinnon Sling 8L bag first because it was cheaper and a bit more discreet than the WANDRD Roam Sling 9L. Although I like the bag's build quality and compact size, I had a hard time fitting some of my setup, such as having the 70-200 lens mounted on the Sony a7R V or having the 24-70 lens mounted on the camera and a spare 16-35 lens, for example.

I also found the versatility of the McKinnon Sling 8L to be a little lackluster due to its limited pockets and lack of versatility. With the McKinnon Sling Bag, there is no way for me to carry a water bottle, which is extremely important for a day out while traveling, without sacrificing the main camera compartment.

So when I got back from that trip, I decided to bite the bullet and bought the WANDRD Roam Sling 9L, which is pricier and bulkier, but it can fit way more camera gear. It is extremely versatile and, all in all, solves all the problems I had with the McKinnon Sling. Here are the reasons why I love the WANDRD Roam Sling bag:

What I Love Most About the WANDRD Roam Sling

Extremely Versatile

One of the best features of the WANDRD Roam Sling compared to its competitors is its versatility. The camera comes in 3 sizes: 3L, 6L, and 9L. With the 9L, I can pretty much go with any camera setup I want without having to cram them in like I had to with other camera sling bags.

I can customize the main compartment to fit whatever setup I want. Attending festivals in Bhutan? I can carry the Sony a7R V mounted on the Sony 70-200 F2.8 GM II lens in my sling bag, no problem. Want to walk around Tokyo and shoot street photos? I can have my camera mounted with the 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens and a 16-35mm lens as a spare, fitting perfectly.

I can remove the strap to store the sling bag inside my other backpack, which is something I cannot do with the McKinnon Sling. I can also carry other gear I might need with the WANDRD Roam Sling, such as a water bottle or a tripod, using the pouch at the bottom. Additionally, I can even carry both items using the bottom pouch and the front attachment straps, which is not possible with any other sling bag.

And to take its versatility to the next level, WANDRD has also added the ability to carry a laptop with the bag without sacrificing the main compartment, which is unheard of for a sling bag of this size. Let's expand a bit more on the laptop carrying feature in the next section.

Can carry a laptop

I often find myself wanting to bring my laptop to a café and work for a bit on my rest day while traveling. I always dislike having to carry my heavy daypack since I don't have another bag specifically for my laptop.

Thanks to the WANDRD Roam Sling, I no longer have to deal with this inconvenience. Now, I can use the back compartment to fit my 14-inch laptop while also carrying a camera with me in case I stumble upon photo opportunities.

The back compartment is one of the most ingenious designs I have ever seen. It is a foldable pouch that can be expanded downward to carry a laptop, and then you can secure the laptop with a strap that goes over it. The pouch can be zipped up when not in use, which is awesome.

You can fit up to a 16-inch laptop with the 9L version, and although you can buy a laptop sleeve designed specifically for the WANDRD Roam Sling, you do not have to. You can pretty much fit any laptop case you already have, which is convenient.

It is easily secured, doesn't feel wobbly, and allows me to use the sling bag more for everyday use than just for camera gear. If you are looking for a versatile sling bag that can carry a laptop, the WANDRD Roam Sling is the best option out there.

Lightweight

The WANDRD Roam Sling bag is definitely built to last with its water-repellent, weather-proof materials, and yet they still manage to make it weigh only 0.79 kg (0.74 lbs), which is extremely impressive.

My daypack is also made of waterproof materials, and it's heavy as hell even when empty. So, I was pleasantly surprised by the weight of the WANDRD Roam Sling bag when I first handled it. Definitely a welcome change!

Plenty of storage space

The WANDRD Roam Sling bag also has a ton of storage space with its spacious main compartment, where you can fit any full-frame mirrorless camera setup you can imagine.

The bag also has a front inside compartment with several pockets for your camera accessories, a front outside compartment for quick access items, a zipped top lid compartment for other quick access items, and a laptop pouch at the back that can also be used as a compression bag to carry a lightweight jacket. Yup, I had to do that in Japan, and it worked surprisingly well.

Not to mention the ability to carry a water bottle in the bottom pouch and attach a tripod with the front straps. Whatever you need for a day out while traveling, the WANDRD Roam Sling can carry it all.

What I Hate Most About the WANDRD Roam Sling

One-way main compartment zip

One of the first things I noticed about the WANDRD Roam Sling, after switching from the McKinnon Sling, was that it only comes equipped with a one-way zip on its main compartment, which is not very convenient.

When I am out and about in a foreign country, I prefer to quickly zip up my bag to avoid attracting unwanted attention. However, I always have to zip it all the way every time. If it had a 2-way zip, I could open just two-thirds of it, take out the gear I need, and quickly close it with one motion.

You can't do that with this sling bag, especially since the bag shape is rectangular instead of curved like the McKinnon Sling. I often find myself closing the main compartment two-thirds of the way because I don't want to keep doing it whenever I need to switch my camera gear. This can be rather risky, depending on the country I am traveling in.

Quite Pricey

The reason why I went with the McKinnon Sling first is because I found the price of that bag to be reasonable. It costs less than a full-fledged camera backpack, which makes sense as it can do half the things a large daypack can do.

The WANDRD Roam Sling is priced at $160 USD retail, which is almost as high as some camera backpacks, making the price hard to swallow for most people. However, you are truly getting your money's worth with its high-quality build and incomparable versatility that rivals that of a camera daypack. I just wish it were a little cheaper.

The Verdict: My Favorite Camera Sling Bag Ever

After testing several other camera sling bags, I found the WANDRD Roam Sling to be the best sling bag out of all. The sheer versatility of the bag alone makes it stand out from the rest of its competitors with its ability to carry not just a water bottle but also a tripod and a laptop, all together. That is just unheard of in a camera sling bag of this size.

The build quality is top-notch, the variety of pockets and compartments allow you to adapt to any situation you might find yourself in when traveling, and it comes in a variety of sizes and colors from which you can choose. If you are looking to get the most out of your camera sling bag and can afford it, the WANDRD Roam Sling bag is the best option for you.

To check the latest price and discounts on the WANDRD Roam Sling, click the link below:

Check Price

Want to take your photography game to the next level? Here are some resources to help you upgrade your work and photography gear:

Lightroom Presets: If you are looking for a quick way to make your travel photos look like mine, you should check out my newly released Lightroom Preset Collections.

Camera: Sony a7R V, the highest resolution full-frame camera out there, is my go-to camera when I travel. All of my recent photos and videos are all from this beast.

All-Around Travel Lens: Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens is the lens I mounted on my camera the most. The lens covers most of the ranges I need for travel from wide to telephoto. If I have to take only one lens with me on my travel, it would be this lens.

Ultra-Wide Lens: Sony 16-35mm F2.8 GM II Lnes: An ultra-wide lens I often use to shoot expansive landscapes and capture massive architecture I stumble upon while traveling.

Telephoto Lens: Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II lens is one of the most versatile lenses to have. It is great for picking out details in landscapes and capturing wildlife when combined with the Sony FE 2x teleconverter.

Portrait Lens: Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Lens is the most compact and lightweight 85mm F1.4 lens out there. It's sharp and produces stunning bokeh for subject separation, perfect for portraits and street photography.

Drone: DJI Mavic Mini 2, a perfect drone for those who travel light. It weighs less than 250g and smaller than an iPhone when folded and can capture 4K video as well as 12 megapixels RAW photos. More than enough for its size.

Bag: Langly Alpha Globetrotter is a camera bag I use to carry all these lenses as well as other essentials when I'm traveling.

Further Reading for Resources

Looking for more articles to help you with your travel, whether it is 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.
• 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.
• 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.