Bellroy Venture Sling 6L Review: A Polished Travel Sling with Smart Access

I rotate through a handful of sling bags depending on the trip, but the Bellroy Venture Sling 6L keeps winning whenever I want to look put-together on travel days. I first packed it for a weekend in Montreal, and the matte Baida nylon instantly felt more refined than the techy slings I usually grab for playground runs with our toddler.

Bellroy balances that polish with thoughtful organization, so I can wander museums, tackle stroller walks and still make it through security without fishing around for my passport. It’s a rare sling that feels elevated and hardworking at the same time.

What stands out right away

• Dual zipper track: Instead of a single zipper that opens from the top, two zips meet in the middle. I can swing the bag to either hip, pop it open from my preferred side and avoid the “everything dumps out on the sidewalk” moment.
• Structured organization: Inside stretch pockets grab sunscreen, lip balm and a spare battery; the rear mesh sleeve hugs my passport. Outside, the Baida nylon has a matte texture that reads polished instead of tactical-athleisure.
• Strap hardware: The quick-release metal buckle is slim, strong and easier to adjust than ladder locks on sportier slings, so I can go from crossbody to shoulder carry mid-errand.

Packing it for real trips

On a recent long weekend, the 6L capacity held my mirrorless camera, sunglasses case, small tech kit and snacks, with room for a compressible rain shell. I love that the structured walls keep the camera from crashing into my sunglasses, even when I’m reaching in with one hand.

For a city date day with Dan, I carried my wallet, phone, AirPods, a compact umbrella and a slim water bottle lying horizontally, and everything stayed in place while we biked across town for coffee and a gallery visit. When we travel with our toddler, I tuck in a pouch of wipes and a couple of snacks without the sling looking overstuffed.

When I need to hand it over, the unisex design means Dan is willing to wear it. The strap drops low enough for crossbody carry over a chunky coat, and I can cinch it up to sit tight against my chest in crowded transit, which feels safer when I’m juggling a stroller and a latte.

Where it falls short

• The structured walls limit how much depth you get; overfill it and the zipper alignment feels tight, so I remind myself to pack flatter items.
• There’s no dedicated water bottle sleeve, so I use a soft flask or lay a slim bottle flat and pad it with a scarf.
• The quick-release buckle is gorgeous, but takes a moment to learn, so friends inevitably ask me how to unclip it the first time, and I give them the quick demo.

Bottom line

• 6L is a sweet spot for day trips, fitting EDC essentials plus a compact camera without the sling feeling bulky.
• Dual zippers and internal stretch pockets keep contents organized and easy to access, even when you’re wrangling little hands.
• Weather-resistant shell and classy hardware make it feel like a dressed-up sling you don’t have to baby on wet cobblestone streets.

If you want a sling that looks as good strolling through a museum as it does hiking a coastal path, the Venture Sling 6L deserves a spot on your shortlist, and if you’re still comparing options, peek at the other favorites in my travel sling rotation.