tomtoc Urban Sling Bag Review
After two months of intensive testing, our team found the tomtoc Urban Sling Bag delivers exceptional comfort for right-handed users, though its device-focused design creates some accessibility trade-offs.
Our Verdict
Pros
- Great build quality
- Carries very comfortably crossbody-style
- Nintendo Switch fits with Joy-Cons attached
Cons
- All-black interior camouflages similarly dark items
- Non-ambidextrous strap design
- Device sleeve partly obscures compartment access
Technical Details
Disclaimer: We take the measurements of the bag provided by the manufacturer and compare them to the allowance listed on airline websites. This should be used as a guideline rather than a rule. Bags can change size as you pack them out, and every airline’s interpretation of compliance is different. Just because a bag is listed as carry-on compliant here doesn’t mean that the airline will interpret it that way.
Carry-on Compliance
View 144/145 Airlines
Like the Look
Polled on Instagram
- Capacity: 4.5l (8 in model) | 7L (11 in model)
- Weight (lb): 0.62 lb (0.3 kg) (8 in model) | 1.04 lbs (11 in model)
- Denier: 1260D double strand ballistic nylon
- Dimensions: 12.2 in x 5.9 in x 2.95 in (31 x 15 x 7.5 cm) (8 in model) | 14.17 in x 8.66 in x 3.15 in (11 in model)
- Notable Materials: CORDURA® Ballistic Nylon, Ballistic Nylon, YKK Zippers, Duraflex Hardware, Hypalon®
- Manufacturing Country: China
- Warranty Information: tomtoc Warranty Policy
Full Review
Throughout our extensive testing period, the Travel Gear Collective team evaluated how tomtoc’s premium material choices translate to real-world performance. While many manufacturers utilize components from industry leaders like YKK, CORDURA, and Duraflex, our testing focused on how tomtoc integrates these elements specifically for protecting digital devices.
For digital nomads seeking reliable protection, our testing revealed compelling evidence of tomtoc’s expertise in device-focused design.
Our field testing with the Urban Sling Bag revealed nuanced performance characteristics. While the sling excels in comfort and device protection, its specialized design creates distinct trade-offs in daily use. As a day sling, we found the ergonomics particularly refined for right-handed users, though accessing non-device items required strategic packing during our urban testing scenarios.
External Components
Our durability testing confirmed the CORDURA Ballistic Nylon’s robust performance. The sling’s distinctive dual-texture exterior isn’t a denier variation as initially suspected – our water resistance testing revealed a strategic DWR (durable water resistant) coating on the lower section, providing enhanced protection and abrasion resistance where it’s most needed.
Through repeated exposure to various environmental conditions, the printed branding demonstrated surprising resilience. After eight weeks of daily use across urban environments, the construction maintains its integrity without signs of deterioration.
YKK zippers performed consistently throughout our testing period, featuring Hypalon-style pulls accented with red bartack stitching. Their smooth operation remained reliable across hundreds of cycles in dusty and damp conditions.
The side nylon loops, while limited compared to the adjustable compression systems found on Bellroy’s or NOMATIC’s slings, proved adequate for basic accessory attachment. Our testing revealed they accommodate 2-3 fingers for quick carries, though their fixed design restricts volume adjustment capabilities.
The padded back panel incorporates a wide storage pocket and provides structural support that enhanced carrying comfort during our extended wear tests. Through various load configurations, we found flat items optimal for this compartment to maintain comfort.
The asymmetric strap mounting—right side and left top edge—creates an ergonomic carry unique to this design. During our testing with fully loaded configurations (4.5L capacity), the wide strap effectively distributed weight across the shoulder. The seatbelt-like material proved both durable and comfortable against skin and clothing.
While the large plastic buckle’s sound quality doesn’t match the premium materials elsewhere, our durability testing showed reliable performance despite the less refined acoustics. The mechanism maintained consistent function throughout our testing period, though we noted the loose tolerances during our evaluation.
Fit Notes
Left: Lauren Maternowski, Height: 5’6″ (168 cm), Torso: 16.5″ (42 cm) | Right: Eric Hergenreder, Height: 6’0″ (183 cm), Torso: 18.5″ (47 cm)
Through extensive ergonomic testing, our team identified the strap design as the Urban Sling’s defining feature. The unique mounting points—side and top attachment—create a natural angular positioning when worn crossbody. During our wear testing, this configuration eliminated strap kinking and prevented bag corners from creating pressure points against the body.
Our field testing demonstrated optimal positioning when worn on the left shoulder, allowing the sling to rest at an angle behind the back or horizontally in front for easy access. The bag’s orientation naturally aligns with the body’s movement, enhancing both comfort and accessibility.
However, our left-handed testers encountered significant limitations. The non-ambidextrous design forces right-shoulder carry into either a horizontal back position or angled front carry. The fixed buckle position further restricts adaptability for left-handed users.
Inside The Sling
Our systematic testing of the Urban Sling’s storage system revealed thoughtful organization with some notable constraints. The front pocket’s half-height zipper creates a relatively shallow space—our testing confirmed an iPhone 13 barely fits horizontally, with no overhead clearance for taller items.
The all-black interior, while sleek, created practical challenges during our low-light testing. Despite the wide opening allowing good illumination, we found dark-colored tech accessories frequently blended into the background, complicating retrieval.
Interior organization includes dual liner pockets sized appropriately for AirPods or similar items, though the absence of elastic retention required careful handling of smaller objects. The red key leash provides welcome contrast against the dark interior, with our testing confirming ideal length for door access while maintaining security through a quality clip mechanism.
Back panel access proved optimal for flat items during our travel scenarios. Passports, travel documents, and smartphones stored securely without creating uncomfortable pressure points. The hidden zipper design effectively prevented snags on clothing during access.
The main compartment’s dual-zipper system offers flexible access, though the consistent black interior presented similar visibility challenges as the front pocket. Our gaming-focused testing confirmed full Nintendo Switch compatibility in the rear sleeve, including attached Joy-Cons. However, we noted the sleeve’s partial padding offers incomplete protection compared to dedicated cases.
A significant finding during our load-out testing was the sleeve’s impact on main compartment access. Without front padding, the sleeve tends to collapse when loaded, partially obstructing gear access—a characteristic shared with the ALPAKA’s Go Sling Mini.
The dual mesh pockets effectively secured small tech accessories during our urban testing. However, maximizing the sling’s 4.5-liter capacity requires strategic packing, especially with the device sleeve occupied.
While comfort consistently impressed our testing team, accessibility emerged as the primary limitation. The Urban Sling demands intentional organization rather than casual loading, particularly when utilizing the device sleeve.
Usage Timeline
Initial Usage
Condition: Excellent
- Solid build quality
- Pretty spacious interior
- Interested to see if it holds its shape when not completely full
Condition: Excellent
- No loose threads and the material is still in great shape
- Really digging the harness system—it’s comfortable to wear and makes getting to gear easy
- Device pocket can impact packability
Author: The Travel Gear Collective Team
The Travel Gear Collective team combines expertise from gear designers, professional photographers, adventure guides, and sustainable travel specialists. Our rigorous testing protocols and real-world experience inform every review, ensuring practical insights for travelers worldwide.
Other Bags & Pouch Reviews
Table of Contents
tomtoc Urban Sling Bag Review
After two months of intensive testing, our team found the tomtoc Urban Sling Bag delivers exceptional comfort for right-handed users, though its device-focused design creates some accessibility trade-offs.
Our Verdict
Pros
- Great build quality
- Carries very comfortably crossbody-style
- Nintendo Switch fits with Joy-Cons attached
Cons
- All-black interior camouflages similarly dark items
- Non-ambidextrous strap design
- Device sleeve partly obscures compartment access
Technical Details
Disclaimer: We take the measurements of the bag provided by the manufacturer and compare them to the allowance listed on airline websites. This should be used as a guideline rather than a rule. Bags can change size as you pack them out, and every airline’s interpretation of compliance is different. Just because a bag is listed as carry-on compliant here doesn’t mean that the airline will interpret it that way.
Carry-on Compliance
View 144/145 Airlines
Like the Look
Polled on Instagram
- Capacity: 4.5l (8 in model) | 7L (11 in model)
- Weight (lb): 0.62 lb (0.3 kg) (8 in model) | 1.04 lbs (11 in model)
- Denier: 1260D double strand ballistic nylon
- Dimensions: 12.2 in x 5.9 in x 2.95 in (31 x 15 x 7.5 cm) (8 in model) | 14.17 in x 8.66 in x 3.15 in (11 in model)
- Notable Materials: CORDURA® Ballistic Nylon, Ballistic Nylon, YKK Zippers, Duraflex Hardware, Hypalon®
- Manufacturing Country: China
- Warranty Information: tomtoc Warranty Policy
Full Review
Throughout our extensive testing period, the Travel Gear Collective team evaluated how tomtoc’s premium material choices translate to real-world performance. While many manufacturers utilize components from industry leaders like YKK, CORDURA, and Duraflex, our testing focused on how tomtoc integrates these elements specifically for protecting digital devices.
For digital nomads seeking reliable protection, our testing revealed compelling evidence of tomtoc’s expertise in device-focused design.
Our field testing with the Urban Sling Bag revealed nuanced performance characteristics. While the sling excels in comfort and device protection, its specialized design creates distinct trade-offs in daily use. As a day sling, we found the ergonomics particularly refined for right-handed users, though accessing non-device items required strategic packing during our urban testing scenarios.
External Components
Our durability testing confirmed the CORDURA Ballistic Nylon’s robust performance. The sling’s distinctive dual-texture exterior isn’t a denier variation as initially suspected – our water resistance testing revealed a strategic DWR (durable water resistant) coating on the lower section, providing enhanced protection and abrasion resistance where it’s most needed.
Through repeated exposure to various environmental conditions, the printed branding demonstrated surprising resilience. After eight weeks of daily use across urban environments, the construction maintains its integrity without signs of deterioration.
YKK zippers performed consistently throughout our testing period, featuring Hypalon-style pulls accented with red bartack stitching. Their smooth operation remained reliable across hundreds of cycles in dusty and damp conditions.
The side nylon loops, while limited compared to the adjustable compression systems found on Bellroy’s or NOMATIC’s slings, proved adequate for basic accessory attachment. Our testing revealed they accommodate 2-3 fingers for quick carries, though their fixed design restricts volume adjustment capabilities.
The padded back panel incorporates a wide storage pocket and provides structural support that enhanced carrying comfort during our extended wear tests. Through various load configurations, we found flat items optimal for this compartment to maintain comfort.
The asymmetric strap mounting—right side and left top edge—creates an ergonomic carry unique to this design. During our testing with fully loaded configurations (4.5L capacity), the wide strap effectively distributed weight across the shoulder. The seatbelt-like material proved both durable and comfortable against skin and clothing.
While the large plastic buckle’s sound quality doesn’t match the premium materials elsewhere, our durability testing showed reliable performance despite the less refined acoustics. The mechanism maintained consistent function throughout our testing period, though we noted the loose tolerances during our evaluation.
Fit Notes
Left: Lauren Maternowski, Height: 5’6″ (168 cm), Torso: 16.5″ (42 cm) | Right: Eric Hergenreder, Height: 6’0″ (183 cm), Torso: 18.5″ (47 cm)
Through extensive ergonomic testing, our team identified the strap design as the Urban Sling’s defining feature. The unique mounting points—side and top attachment—create a natural angular positioning when worn crossbody. During our wear testing, this configuration eliminated strap kinking and prevented bag corners from creating pressure points against the body.
Our field testing demonstrated optimal positioning when worn on the left shoulder, allowing the sling to rest at an angle behind the back or horizontally in front for easy access. The bag’s orientation naturally aligns with the body’s movement, enhancing both comfort and accessibility.
However, our left-handed testers encountered significant limitations. The non-ambidextrous design forces right-shoulder carry into either a horizontal back position or angled front carry. The fixed buckle position further restricts adaptability for left-handed users.
Inside The Sling
Our systematic testing of the Urban Sling’s storage system revealed thoughtful organization with some notable constraints. The front pocket’s half-height zipper creates a relatively shallow space—our testing confirmed an iPhone 13 barely fits horizontally, with no overhead clearance for taller items.
The all-black interior, while sleek, created practical challenges during our low-light testing. Despite the wide opening allowing good illumination, we found dark-colored tech accessories frequently blended into the background, complicating retrieval.
Interior organization includes dual liner pockets sized appropriately for AirPods or similar items, though the absence of elastic retention required careful handling of smaller objects. The red key leash provides welcome contrast against the dark interior, with our testing confirming ideal length for door access while maintaining security through a quality clip mechanism.
Back panel access proved optimal for flat items during our travel scenarios. Passports, travel documents, and smartphones stored securely without creating uncomfortable pressure points. The hidden zipper design effectively prevented snags on clothing during access.
The main compartment’s dual-zipper system offers flexible access, though the consistent black interior presented similar visibility challenges as the front pocket. Our gaming-focused testing confirmed full Nintendo Switch compatibility in the rear sleeve, including attached Joy-Cons. However, we noted the sleeve’s partial padding offers incomplete protection compared to dedicated cases.
A significant finding during our load-out testing was the sleeve’s impact on main compartment access. Without front padding, the sleeve tends to collapse when loaded, partially obstructing gear access—a characteristic shared with the ALPAKA’s Go Sling Mini.
The dual mesh pockets effectively secured small tech accessories during our urban testing. However, maximizing the sling’s 4.5-liter capacity requires strategic packing, especially with the device sleeve occupied.
While comfort consistently impressed our testing team, accessibility emerged as the primary limitation. The Urban Sling demands intentional organization rather than casual loading, particularly when utilizing the device sleeve.
Usage Timeline
Initial Usage
Condition: Excellent
- Solid build quality
- Pretty spacious interior
- Interested to see if it holds its shape when not completely full
Condition: Excellent
- No loose threads and the material is still in great shape
- Really digging the harness system—it’s comfortable to wear and makes getting to gear easy
- Device pocket can impact packability
Author: The Travel Gear Collective Team
The Travel Gear Collective team combines expertise from gear designers, professional photographers, adventure guides, and sustainable travel specialists. Our rigorous testing protocols and real-world experience inform every review, ensuring practical insights for travelers worldwide.