UPVOTED SLING BAGS

Juggling your gubbins can be tricky about town - so, on the hunt for the ultimate hands-free holder, Chris Rowlands clips himself into nine assorted cross-body carriers

The packable pocket

Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack 1L

A bijou bumbag is ideal for stashing travel accessories (turn the page for lots more of those). But what if you need to stash the sling itself? Enter this 1L looper from Patagonia. When your itinerary demands a switch to larger luggage, it packs down neatly into its own little pocket. Worn cross-body or around the waist, the pack is crafted entirely from recycled materials and weighs a mere 100g.

£32/patagonia.com

MID-SIZE MESSENGERS

The hardy hauler

Heimplanet Transit Line Sling Pocket XL

If your daily commute feels like an urban adventure, you need a bag that can handle the hustle. Enter the 3L Transit Line: built for daily durability, it's the Goldilocks option for getting your gear across town, with a pair of soft pockets, an aluminium buckle and a padded back panel.

£85/heimplanet.com

The patchwork pack

Cotopaxi Kapai 3L Del Dia

Sew your own sling and you'll end up with a patchwork hatchet-job that even Elmer the elephant would be startled by. For a more positive surprise, leave the stitch-up to Cotopaxi: made from factory leftovers, each Kapai sling is one of a kind. It even has a fleeced section to hug your phone.

£40/cotopaxi.com

The durable divider

AER Day Sling 3 X-Pac

If you want waterproof, tear-resistant fabric that's tough enough for racing sails, you need X-Pac. This 3L sling bag is clad in the stuff, giving it a shell that can go the distance. And thanks to an arsenal of pockets inside and out, it can keep your kit together all the way there.

£105/aersf.co.uk