Bellroy Venture Sling 6L Review: Sleek and Upscale Travel Sling Bag

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 Upstate New York, and the entire design is something I want to be seen with in our travel photos (rather than one of my diaper bag fanny packs or my now-beat-up lululemon belt bag).

Bellroy balances that refined look with thoughtful organization, so I can walk through museums, tackle being with my young kids and still make it through airport security without looking disorganized. It’s a rare travel sling bag that feels elevated and hardworking at the same time. None of this is surprising because “upscale yet very functional” is what Bellroy does best, in my experience.

What stands out right away

• Dual zipper track: Instead of a single zipper that opens from the top, two zippers 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 hold my tiny travel-size sunscreen, lip balm and a things like travel-sized dental floss; the rear mesh sleeve can fit my passport. The exterior has a matte texture that looks more refined than other run-of-the-mill polyester belt bags.
• Strap hardware: The quick-release metal buckle is slim, strong and easier to adjust than on other less-expensive and cheaply-built travel belt bags. It’s honestly what packs the punch for me, and one of the features I noticed first when I took it out of the mailer.

Packing it for real trips

On a recent long weekend getaway with Dan, the 6L capacity held my phone, wallet, keys sunglasses case, snacks and a rolled-up scarf. I like that the structured walls keep things separated, so that I’m not hurriedly making a mess among the things inside as we board flights.

For a city date day with Dan, I carried my wallet, phone, AirPods, a compact travel umbrella and my set of granola bars I never leave home without. Everything stayed in place while we biked across NYC for coffee and a travel event. When we travel with our toddler and baby, I tuck in a pouch of wipes and a couple of snacks without the sling looking overstuffed.

When I need to be the one wearing our diaper bag fanny (the No Reception Club Sidekick) on day trips, Dan gets to tote the Bellroy Sling. And with it being a totally unisex item, he looks great in it. It’s adjustable to go from person to person, and I’m sure you can tell that Dan and I are very different sizes.

The body strap drops low enough for me to put over my puffer coat in winter, and I can also tighten it up to sit snug against my chest when I’m in the NYC subway or the train from our area to the city.

Where it falls short

• The structured walls limit how much depth you get. Keep this in mind if you want to take a few round or long items in there.
• 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. You could also take a collapsible water bottle that compresses when you’re done drinking (good travel hack).
• The quick-release buckle is gorgeously made, but takes a moment to learn. Nevertheless, it’s a cool “party trick” to show my friends when they ask about my Bellroy sling (I’m the friend with all the sling bags, LOL).

Bottom line

• 6L as the total volume is a sweet spot for day trips, fitting essentials plus something like a compact camera.
• The dual zippers and internal stretch pockets keep contents organized and easy to access, even when I’m chasing my toddler.
• The weather-resistant shell and classy hardware (I think this is the biggest takehome fact) make it feel like a dressed-up sling. It’s not for the messy types.

If you want a sling that looks as good strolling through a museum as it does hiking the trails, the Bellroy Venture Sling 6L deserves a spot on your gear list!

If you’re still comparing options, peek at the other favorites in my travel sling rotation. I’ve tested quite a few and always have reports to share.