Moment Rugged Camera Sling Review

Slings, made poorly they can be your worst bag, made well, they can become a big part of your lineup. Sometimes you don’t need a full pack, sometimes you just want to carry a few items and not have a big pack on your back creating sweat and unneeded bulk. There have been few that I have used and been fond of, but the team over at Moment has really created an amazing product. There are times when the minute you take a bag out of the box you know that it is either well made or not. The Rugged Camera Sling is a well-made bag.

The NorthPak material is born from sailcloth. The polyester not only tends to be stronger and more water resistant than nylon, but will not fade. The cloth is a 100% recycled material, with much of the plastic for the polyester coming off of nearby beaches. The water-resistant YKK zippers help secure your gear from the elements. The interior of the bag is light, high-vis colors. This helps to be able to see items that might have fallen into the bag.

The organization is well thought out. There is an external front pocket that can hold your phone, keys, wallet, or any other items that you might need to access quickly. The interior has a top admin pocket. This has expandable pockets that can fit batteries, cables, and memory card wallets. As well as a larger drop pocket for any other items. The main compartment is divided into two sections, the main gear and a tablet section. I do not use a tablet in my workflow, but the pocket is sized to hold an iPad Pro 11″.

The bottom of the bag has two straps to secure a jacket or tripod if needed. So there are plenty of ways to carry the items that you want to bring with you. The top of the bag has a low profile webbing handle that is sturdy and while not 100% necessary on a sling, it is really nice to have.

Who It Suits

The creative on the run, the creative who wants to run slick and not stick out. The person who wants a well built sling that can take a beating and come back for more. A sling that is comfortable, easy to access, and not too bulky. I was able to fit a mirrorless camera with a lens, a full frame DSLR and my DJI Osmo Pocket in a case or a Mavic Pro Drone fly more combo with a small mirrorless camera in the main compartment. All of which give me the ability to create some rad content while not carrying a big pack. This sling could also work as a decent cycling commuting piece as long as you do not need to carry a laptop. 

Who It Doesn’t

This bag is made for creatives and carrying their gear. While one could use it as a style piece, the internal organization in the main compartment might not fit one’s needs.

The Good

The construction of this sling is high caliber. The minute that you pull this bag out of the box, you know that it will not only protect your gear, but will last you for a long time. In my opinion for the price you are paying this is one of the best deals out there. The NorthPak fabric is not only sturdy, but cleans off any dirt extremely well.

I took this bag out to Moab for a weekend (if you have ever been to Moab you know that dirt can be found for years in your gear) and while this bag got dirty, I was able to wipe it off and it looks new.

The “harness” system on this bag is legit. Most slings tend to flop around and are not the most comfortable on your back. But the padding on the back and curve (aka the halfpipe) helps create a comfortable and stable situation.

One of my favorite parts about the construction of this bag is that the strap and the backing of the bag have a mesh that is not attached to the padding. This allows for good airflow and cooling while wearing the sling. 

Not So Good

There are not too many bad things to say about this bag. It is well thought out and well built. While testing I had two very small thoughts on it.

1. The zipper for the main compartment. When trying to zip it closed it kinda snags on the “corners”. At times this makes a quick zip and get away hard. Not sure how to fix it, maybe a slight decrease in the angle, but I’m no designer.
2. When full, the bottom back corner can nudge into your side. When doing things like climbing or adversive movement this can push into your ribs a bit. This is nothing that would keep me from using this bag.

Verdict

If you are looking for a solid camera sling, look no further. The team over at Moment has created a well thought out and designed bag. From the zippers to the materials and the internal layout, this is a very useful bag for creatives.

Matt Ritscher is a Colorado-based adventure and wedding photographer. Check out his work here.