The Goldilocks sling bag that upped my international travel game

One of my absolute must-haves for traveling is a handy sling bag, and in 2022, I found my unicorn piece. Let me tell you all about my undying love for the Evergoods Civic Access Sling.

Travel has always been one of my core values: I took my first international trip to Germany in junior high, and readers, I caught the bug. Since then, I’ve traveled internationally any time I can: as of writing this post, I’ve collected 46 country stamps in my passport, lived for a year in Pakistan, and spent another year as a digital nomad traveling across Asia. As you read this, I’m back in Indonesia for another stint of extended travel and hope to explore a few new-to-me destinations along the way. 

So, when it comes to packing, I’ve tried a lot of things that have worked, and a lot of things that haven’t.  After a slew of international work trips in the early 2010s, I started to really focus on refining my carry-on-only travel game. No judgment here: I know this method of packing doesn’t work for everyone, but for me, it’s the only way to go, whether my trip is for 3 days or 12 months. With this in mind, choosing the right pieces is not only an art but a bit of science: I have a multi-tab excel spreadsheet packing list, I scour the internet for just the right packing cubes, and the bags I choose are just as important as anything that goes into them. For my handbag and quick access needs, I prefer a sling bag to a standard purse (as if there is such a thing) for ease of access, compartmentability, and security. 

So when we were preparing to head to New Zealand after a lengthy international travel drought caused by a combination of post-Covid restrictions, unresolved family medical concerns, and a depleted budget from building a house, I knew it was time to up my luggage game. I hadn’t traveled internationally in nearly four years, and the bags I’d taken before were more suited to business travel (suits and the like) than my new digital nomad-esque reality. These days, I’m always on the hunt for gear that will go with me from a hike to a happy hour, without immediately calling me out as a tourist. So, I wanted something sleek, adaptable, and à la Goldilocks, just the right size.

I’d had an eye on the small Bozeman-based company Evergoods for some time. Their mission to “create high-quality, crossover equipment — the technical refinement of outdoor gear with all the ease and appeal of everyday wear” spoke to my REI-loving heart. I ordered their sling in two sizes: the Civic Access 2L, and the Mountain Hip Pack 3.5L. 

It immediately became clear that for me, the 3.5L was too large, so I sent it back for a full refund. The 2L felt like it might be just a tiny bit small—I would have loved a 2.5L option—but I decided to give it a try. 

After two years of heavy use—on our New Zealand trip, as part of my carry-on only packing kit for our inaugural digital nomad year, and every day in my “normal” life since then—I can report back: I absolutely adore this bag and Evergoods was right—the 2L is exactly the right size. 

The smaller pocket has all sorts of smart inner compartments, from zipped mesh to four mini drop-in pockets of various sizes. When we’re on the road, it keeps my wallet and passport close, with plenty of space for my phone and my chopsticks (yes, I take them with me everywhere), and other small accessories.  

Evergoods describes the front pocket as having “volume for large items” and I am happy to report that while it distorts the shape of the bag a bit, I’ve even managed to get my Kindle paperwhite to fit. This pocket’s also large enough to hold a puffy down jacket or other compressible layer, sunglasses, airpods, a hairbrush, and other essentials you want to have on hand when you’re on the go. There’s even a key leash—a tiny attached carabiner so you can secure a car key or anything else with a small loop. Every time I open up my sling, I feel a bit like Mary Poppins with her magical carpet bag: it seems to grow to fit what I need to carry, without ever feeling too big or bulky.

The sling is also incredibly well made and stands up to heavy use: the custom nylon fabric is water resistant, and the zippers are sturdy, a small detail that I find makes a big difference. The thick straps and strong buckles make it resistant to slash-and-grab attempts. Depending on your preference, you can wear it as a sling or a fanny pack. I love the ability to slide it front to back on my body depending on where I am, what I’m doing, and what type of quick access I need to my belongings. 

If you have a traveler on your holiday gift list or an upcoming trip, you might find the Civic Access Sling to be just the ticket. (I can vouch for their larger products, too: my husband’s choice for carry-on travel is their Civic Panel Loader 28L, and it’s just as amazing as my sling bag with smart construction and storage features.  That size is no longer available, but they have a variety of other sizes in this model if a backpack’s on your wishlist. Since I love my sling so much, I tried out their backpacks for my primary backpack, but ended up going with a 30L from a different brand that holds everything that doesn’t fit into my sling.)

The sling bag is frequently out of stock, but as of writing this post, they’re expecting to restock in late November. I may be planning to order another one as a backup, although I do believe my original sling will last for decades. I suggest signing up for their email list to be notified if you want to make sure you don’t miss out. 

I am a raving fan of the Evergoods Civic Access Sling, but I’m always on the hunt for my next travel unicorn.

Do you have a bag or other travel accessory you can’t live without? I’d love to know more. Please leave a comment and share your favorite travel product! 

P.S. Check out our team’s Raving Fans series.

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