Am I a photographer? No. Do I travel a lot? Not really. But oh boy how I appreciate your honest reviews. I especially like that you provide alternatives as well. Keep up the good work man!
I've been using grip sling ever since i bought it on their kickstarter campaign and it is awesome. The strap is soo comfortable and easily adjusted although... you might want to buy yourself a carabiner to put through the end of the strap, otherwise the strap will go through the dangle stopper. Even when the bag was empty the whole carrying system would come undone but it is a simple and cheap fix (you can put a reflective tape or something on the carabiner to make more use of it). The bag fits just enough things to go through the day. Ipad compartment is nice to even carry some of documents and the inside zippered pocket is great for wallet/multitool etc. Outside pocket with key holder is nice to hold spare keys (i keep the zipper passed through the securing loop so that even though i have important things in there it feels really safe).
I like the bag with the camera pocket and good for young tall and strong people, not like me 65+ and over and 163cm, and weaker person than when I was young. Heavy backpacks or sling bags are tiresome to carry for long hours. the sling strap is not as comfortable as the backpack strap. I have a Peak sling 5L, , a Pgytech 6L with full gears feel heavy), recently bought Go sling V1, has Pgytech 3L, and many others. Every bag has negative things that bother me. order the Alpaka Tote backpack and will get it in 2-3 days probably love it for my mobile phone, gopro video gear carrying in that backpack.
Can’t remember, but have you reviewed the Greenroom136 Mission Attaché yet? It’s a great option as an alternative IMO. The stabilization strap option also allows for a secure carry…and it’s comfy enough to carry for an urban commute. Zippers are jingly though without the optional zipper pulls.
Man Black Ember always has me interested in the way their stuff looks outside but the organization layouts they have just ruins it for me. This sharp dinga ling pull tabs on their zippers can probably poke ur eye out too😅. Hey Aaron. Ive tried backpacks and slings from Bellroy, Pakt, Aer, Alpaka, Wandrd so far. Bellroy to me always has the best materials🤤 so soft and stretchy. Alpaka and Pakt have the best organization. Pakt magnets are crazy good. Aer has ok to good organization but some of their cloth pockets are not stretchy cloth 🤮 . Wandrd is yeahhh.... Oh and Timbuk2 sling you should review. Anyway enjoy your stuff brother cant wait to buy your bag and tell you how much i like it😎
I would buy this in a heartbeat if it had decent internal organisation. Not even class leading, just somewhere to dump some cables, a power bank, earbuds, wallet etc
@@literate-aside Black Ember has always taken a more minimalist approach to their main compartments, but I agree that a few more pockets would have been ideal
I loved this sling but as soon as I got it I thought this flaps (Imean the part where the strap is cnnected to the "pouch") are going to be a problem. I used it for a month and they were really worn out looking folded and not even a year of use and one finally broke. For the Grip Sling v2 it only needs a better connection for the strap. To replace it, I have bought the Bellroy Venture Sling after watching your review and it's great!
I bought the Ember Grip Sling. Used it for about a month. Discovered so many cons with user experience. Sold it away and replaced it with the Aer Day Sling 3 Max. It was the best decision I’ve made. To my surprise, the 6L Aer could fit more than the 8L Ember! What an irony. I guess it’s due to the hard-case construction of the Ember sling. Putting in and taking out items are really a pain in the *** 😂 You should’ve chosen the Aer Day Sling 3 Max as one of the alternatives, man!
I wish I wasn't worried about getting mugged where I live. Seems like a pretty cool sling. I did recently order the Tom Bihn's sidekick that I want to use as also a tech pouch in my backpack. The size seems perfect for what I need and the brand is subtle and ugly unless you know about it and the material. Hopefully doesn't disappoint.
I think TB does a solid job of being premium in function, without looking expensive in its form. Please let us know what you think about it after testing for a few weeks!
You mention the PD sling but this sling just oozes Peak Design but softer with a better front pocket and a nice keyholder. I love my PD slings and think they are a better option for cameras but also for tech, because of the shell. But this one is nice also.
Seems to be less of a sling and more of a lower riding side/crossbody bag. Like a camera bag, messenger or satchel. That’s a better form factor for heavier type stuff that need open access like cameras. In my head slings ride more against the chest or back and sling from one side to the other. I like that padding for this size/volume.
I’d love to but we literally have 50+ bags in line to be reviewed and more coming in everyday. If you shoot them an email making this request hopefully they’ll send us something 💪🏻
Great review! However, I didn't hear you say ( I might have missed it) one of the most important things about the bag, and Black Ember bags in general: Weatherproof. And that weatherproofing includes those zippers. For me who lives in the PNW this is a much-desired function. Thanks again, Cheers!
![Best Sling Bags 2024 [don’t buy one before watching this]](/img/n.gif)
Do you want to help me build a game-changing backpack? 👉🏼 nomadsnation.com/building-a-backpack
Am I a photographer? No. Do I travel a lot? Not really. But oh boy how I appreciate your honest reviews. I especially like that you provide alternatives as well. Keep up the good work man!
Appreciate that dude!
I've been using grip sling ever since i bought it on their kickstarter campaign and it is awesome. The strap is soo comfortable and easily adjusted although... you might want to buy yourself a carabiner to put through the end of the strap, otherwise the strap will go through the dangle stopper. Even when the bag was empty the whole carrying system would come undone but it is a simple and cheap fix (you can put a reflective tape or something on the carabiner to make more use of it). The bag fits just enough things to go through the day. Ipad compartment is nice to even carry some of documents and the inside zippered pocket is great for wallet/multitool etc. Outside pocket with key holder is nice to hold spare keys (i keep the zipper passed through the securing loop so that even though i have important things in there it feels really safe).
Great to hear your experience - cheers!
Love this bag. Well designed, fits my samsung s9 plus tablet and my steam deck.
Nice!
I like the bag with the camera pocket and good for young tall and strong people, not like me 65+ and over and 163cm, and weaker person than when I was young. Heavy backpacks or sling bags are tiresome to carry for long hours. the sling strap is not as comfortable as the backpack strap. I have a Peak sling 5L, , a Pgytech 6L with full gears feel heavy), recently bought Go sling V1, has Pgytech 3L, and many others. Every bag has negative things that bother me. order the Alpaka Tote backpack and will get it in 2-3 days probably love it for my mobile phone, gopro video gear carrying in that backpack.
let us know what you think about the tote after testing for a few days
Purchased and so far really like it. Well made and maybe the best looking sling I own.
glad you like it! it is very beautiful, no doubt about that
Can’t remember, but have you reviewed the Greenroom136 Mission Attaché yet? It’s a great option as an alternative IMO. The stabilization strap option also allows for a secure carry…and it’s comfy enough to carry for an urban commute. Zippers are jingly though without the optional zipper pulls.
Have not reviewed anything by Greenroom yet - hoping to soon
Man Black Ember always has me interested in the way their stuff looks outside but the organization layouts they have just ruins it for me. This sharp dinga ling pull tabs on their zippers can probably poke ur eye out too😅. Hey Aaron. Ive tried backpacks and slings from Bellroy, Pakt, Aer, Alpaka, Wandrd so far. Bellroy to me always has the best materials🤤 so soft and stretchy. Alpaka and Pakt have the best organization. Pakt magnets are crazy good. Aer has ok to good organization but some of their cloth pockets are not stretchy cloth 🤮 . Wandrd is yeahhh.... Oh and Timbuk2 sling you should review. Anyway enjoy your stuff brother cant wait to buy your bag and tell you how much i like it😎
love your analysis! Hoping to review a Timbuk2 bag soon
I would buy this in a heartbeat if it had decent internal organisation. Not even class leading, just somewhere to dump some cables, a power bank, earbuds, wallet etc
@@literate-aside Black Ember has always taken a more minimalist approach to their main compartments, but I agree that a few more pockets would have been ideal
I loved this sling but as soon as I got it I thought this flaps (Imean the part where the strap is cnnected to the "pouch") are going to be a problem. I used it for a month and they were really worn out looking folded and not even a year of use and one finally broke. For the Grip Sling v2 it only needs a better connection for the strap.
To replace it, I have bought the Bellroy Venture Sling after watching your review and it's great!
Love the Venture and glad you like it!
I bought the Ember Grip Sling. Used it for about a month. Discovered so many cons with user experience. Sold it away and replaced it with the Aer Day Sling 3 Max. It was the best decision I’ve made. To my surprise, the 6L Aer could fit more than the 8L Ember! What an irony. I guess it’s due to the hard-case construction of the Ember sling. Putting in and taking out items are really a pain in the *** 😂 You should’ve chosen the Aer Day Sling 3 Max as one of the alternatives, man!
It’s definitely a more complicated UX than the Aer Day Sling 3 - good call!
I wish I wasn't worried about getting mugged where I live. Seems like a pretty cool sling.
I did recently order the Tom Bihn's sidekick that I want to use as also a tech pouch in my backpack. The size seems perfect for what I need and the brand is subtle and ugly unless you know about it and the material. Hopefully doesn't disappoint.
I think TB does a solid job of being premium in function, without looking expensive in its form. Please let us know what you think about it after testing for a few weeks!
Hey Aaron, any chance this will fit a 13in macbook? ☺️
Don’t think so but you might want to double check with BE customer support
You mention the PD sling but this sling just oozes Peak Design but softer with a better front pocket and a nice keyholder. I love my PD slings and think they are a better option for cameras but also for tech, because of the shell. But this one is nice also.
Very PD-esque in some ways, but also different (and better) in other ways
Seems to be less of a sling and more of a lower riding side/crossbody bag. Like a camera bag, messenger or satchel. That’s a better form factor for heavier type stuff that need open access like cameras. In my head slings ride more against the chest or back and sling from one side to the other. I like that padding for this size/volume.
Well said sir
Hey Aaron - can you please, please review the Stuart & Lau line up? Particularly their tote backpack and capstone backpack. Thanks
I’d love to but we literally have 50+ bags in line to be reviewed and more coming in everyday. If you shoot them an email making this request hopefully they’ll send us something 💪🏻
Great review! However, I didn't hear you say ( I might have missed it) one of the most important things about the bag, and Black Ember bags in general: Weatherproof. And that weatherproofing includes those zippers. For me who lives in the PNW this is a much-desired function.
Thanks again, Cheers!
Great call!
Can you fit surface pro 11 ?
don't have one of those, I'd recommend asking Black Ember customer support
hey Aaron, whats up buddy!
heyo!!
Sold.!
🤠
I am a larger guy, 6'3" 300 lbs, will this thing fit me ??
Can’t say for sure but I think so. Might be best to double check with BE customer support
Can it hold MacBook air 13 ?
Don’t have one so not sure. I’d recommend asking Black Ember customer support - be sure to let us know what they say!
My only con is that it doesnt have a back zipper compartment
A con for me as well - those compartments go a long way on slings
A Little bit 🤏more careful with headphones 😂
Nah their indestructible 😂
Is it monsoon resistant? Me, typing here during a torrential downpour. 😅
I wouldn’t test it for multiple hours in a torrential downpour, but black ember products are known for having solid water resistance
@@Nomads.Nation Sounds good enough. Thanks!
i really hate how the strap attachments look and function. Alpaka kinda eating their lunch now
It is a bit over complicated for sure
If I need to buy other shit for this to work as a camera bag that's a hell nah
id like to think that they made it a la carte and lowered the price for non-photographers such as myself, but can't say for sure
@@Nomads.Nation Makes sense