Slings - carrying light
Instinct Pro Camera Sling
The Instinct Pro Camera sling comes in black 420D Nylon and
black or white X-pac Ripstop VX21 fabric that is light, durable, abrasion and
water resistant. Unlike many other bags using X-pac only at the front Instinct
use it on all sides including the back and wings. It has YKK AquaGuard (StormGuard) zips and aluminium
buckles. The interior is bright blue 210D polyester. It
is intelligently thought out 7 litre camera sling that can be used cross body,
as a shoulder bag or with the stowaway wings as a waist bag. There is a grab
handle so it could also be carried brief case style with the straps removed or
as a camera cube inside a travel backpack.
Purchased for £98 and £3 postage (including VAT @ 20%) in May 2021.
https://instinctbackpack.com/collections/all/products/white_x_pac_pro_camera_sling_bag
31 x 19.8 x 12 cm that compresses down to 7 cm depth. 650 grams (420D) and 550
grams (X-pac). This is very light for it's size.
It is supplied with two foldable Velcro dividers (above, top right) that include small pockets to
hold filters. These are stiff and large, 9 cm across, 10 cm to the fold and 8 cm
above. Although light the pair are the volume of a large power bank.
The internal zip pocket has a pair of pockets 12 cm across, 8 cm deep and
another behind it. These can hold several cards or a Victorinox SwissCard. The
back pockets have small elasticated pockets that will hold a Sony NP-FW50
battery or SD card. The zipper, opening left to right has a keeper on the left
that covers much of the zip pull and shortens the gap to access the pocket.
These pockets saddle the point where the front of the bag narrows and folds to
zip up so can prevent the closure of the main compartment even with small items
inside.
On the outside of the sling is a large pocket with YKK AquaGuard zip. To the
outside are two pockets 11 cm across and 7 cm deep and have some depth e.g.
holds a thin minimalist wallet. On the side towards the centre are a pair of
elastics for pens and either side pockets 11 cm across x 10 cm deep. The large
full width of the sling pocket has a full depth of 20.5 cm, 5.5 cm above the
zip.
The cut of the front provides a small depth to these pockets but the expansion
is to the inside of the sling. Depending on what is placed in the pockets the
main space in this front pocket will accommodate any mobile phone.
A tripod can be strapped underneath. These do not unclip.
The buckle allows for effortless loosening.
The bottom straps hold a gorilla pod. They will accommodate a MeFoto tripod but
adding 1200 grams to a 4964 grams of gear is better in a back pack than sling.
The straps don't have buckles so the head or feet of a compact tripod might not
slip through them. You can undo the strap, but that takes more time and effort
when you want a quick solution. Elastic keepers help keep the excess strap neat
and tidy.
It has a water bottle holders on either
side which can be secured with the side compression straps. These hold my 500 ml
or 330 ml (the white bottle) and might fit an even larger (taller) bottle or
flask. Fully packed out (below) this is 4900 grams.
The Instinct Pro Camera Sling has space for an
11" tablet, mirror less camera with two lenses. With the Dell Venue 8 Pro,
it's case and flat keyboard, in place, a mobile phone (Sony XA1) in the front
pocket there is room for a Sony Nex 7 with 16-50 mm power zoom and an 18-200 mm
power zoom. To remove the tablet without struggle some space has to be created in the main part.
The depth has space for more items, even the solar panel
battery pack, but makes access harder.
The numerous pockets are small - flat, lacking depth and
will not take a normal wallet, coin purse, earphone, mouse or 50 ml sanitizer
bottle. The two front pockets manage to take wallets or cases if they are very
close the size of a credit card.
The main zipper has a pop button loop which can be clipped around the waist
wedges straps to deter thieves. The three zippers are single zip. Dual pair of
zips allow for left or right size closure and can use TSA padlocks for greater
security. This loop fastener is also seen in the original Peak Design Everyday
Sling.
The Instinct Pro Camera Sling is 29 cm across, but tapers
to a 17 cm base. The top 10 cm also narrows to 8 cm from 15 cm depth. It stops
it being boxy but looses 3 litres of volume and makes packing more of a
challenge. Mirror less cameras don't need the depth and so the space can be used
up by stacking. However this makes access more cumbersome. At least there is
some room for wallet and wired earphones in the main compartment. The camera
dividers can only be easily used when the tablet pocket is empty. I can not see
a situation when I would want to use them.
The materials do not feel premium. Perhaps because the X-pac is stronger and
lighter than other materials. Choosing the white X-pac over the black adds to
that impression. Many people believe the white will look dirty in a week and
never clean up - not the case according to long term users as it is easily wiped
down and washed.
The extensive padding is a more rigid stiff type and internal lining feeling
hard compared to other bags. This allows the sling to retain it's shape even
when empty.
The grab handle is soft but still feels substantial and a welcome addition.
Buckles are plastic but feel strong. The side straps that can clinch it down
also secure a flask that is taller than the sling.
The back is a thick soft material with foam padding. The wings when not used as a
waist pack can be tucked away inside. Not intended to be a pass through or to
store anything the shoulder strap could be tucked away neatly inside and then carried
brief case style. The padding is thick and soft making it comfortable on your
back.
The padding of the shoulder strap is sufficient to make carrying the stuffed
out sling comfortably. It is quick to attach but cumbersome to remove. The G
hooks have spring clips which prevent them accidentally slipping out. Adjustment
to length is from either G clip. It is possible to shorten one end to position
the padding over a shoulder cross body and roll up the excess strap and store in
the elastic keepers. Although quick to deploy and reposition it could be
improved, no less than having a quick release buckle.
The Instinct Pro Camera Sling holds all the items shown above. In addition the
solar panel power pack fits in the other side pocket and the Joby Gorilla pod fixed
with the straps at the bottom. An impressive amount weighing 5636 grams.
An easier carry, just a wallet, mobile phone, earphones, camera with lens and
tablet it is 2194 grams.
At £98.33 plus VAT it is more expensive than the highly rated Peak Design
Everyday Sling 6 litre at £71.39 plus import and carriage. The Everyday sling is
heavier at 780 grams (Instinct Pro Camera Sling is 550g). Everyday Sling is 34 cm narrowing to 27
cm (compared to 29 cm to 17 cm). 24 cm (to 22 cm) high and a depth of 13 cm
narrowing to 11 cm at the base (15 cm down to 8 cm). So wider, less tapered,
taller but thinner. The Moment Rugged Sling is similar but more boxy and perhaps
easier to pack gear for less rounded comfort to carry.
Reviews
Instinct Pro Camera Sling Bag Review - Traveling Salseros
Instinct Pro Camera Sling Bag Review | Carryology
The Instinct Pro Camera sling is similar to
- the
Moment Rugged Camera Sling which is 6 (99 USD) or 10 (150 USD) litres and
has a Stability Strap.
- the
Everyday Sling | Peak Design 6 litres (71.39 GBP plus shipping and VAT) and
10 litres (107.11 GPB)
Last updated 23rd May 2021