In this review, I am going to describe first-hand why the Concept Global Travel Sling Bag 2.0 is not what I thought it was going to be. And that’s probably going to be because I had some preconceptions, and this minimal travel sling crushed them after I used it for travel.

If you’ve seen this small essentials-only travel bag, you might think it looks like others of its kind. But to me, the main things are that it has an anti-theft locking mechanism, it’s hyper lightweight and it has an ergonomic design that impressed a pro traveler like me.

This review will detail why you would want it for your next trip, and, if it’s for you. Let’s take a look.

Thank you to Concept Global for partnering with me on this travel bag review; all opinions and experiences regarding use are completely my own.

Key Takeaways

  • I’ll tell you why this sling bag for travel actually surprised me, from the design to the features that help prevent theft.
  • Find out who it’s for, from travelers who enjoy hiking and activities, to senior citizens who are looking for a convenient sling bag to avoid backaches.
  • Why it’s not a ‘regular’ bag: it’s packed with features that protect against pickpockets and it’s slim enough to fit under your travel layers.
  • My critique: there’s one thing that more mature travelers should know about it regarding how the zipper lock works (or if you want it to work quickly)
  • Why you’d want it: see if everything in this review speaks to you about if the Travel Sling Bag 2.0 is actually a good idea for your travel style.

See it right now at the Concept Global website to explore all the features and any current promotions the brand might be running!

A summary of the Travel Sling 2.0

I originally looked at it and thought, okay, I know it’s very lightweight. I know it has a few zippered compartments. I know it has a buckle to close it.

Here’s what I didn’t know, though. It’s made for travel because it has anti-theft features I’m likely not to use on a day to day when I’m going out to the supermarket. Here’s why it’s a travel product for people who want to secure their valuables but also have them handy.

It has a buckle that locks. Slide the locking slider, and pickpockets can’t unbuckle it in passing. It has a locking clip with a small carabiner that locks onto the compartment zipper. It’s pickpocket-proof.

And the design: it’s more ergonomic by far than a regular crossbody bag, which is built like a circle and slings around your body. They’ve always made me ache a bit and feel uneven. The Travel Sling 2.0 has a strap that actually contours your body, which is novel and helpful.

It’s a travel sling that can replace a belt bag or a waist bag, and it’s slim enough to go under a jacket or even a shirt. I even consider it to be a modern ‘money bag’ for travel.

Travel Sling Bag 2.0: Who it’s for

It’s for a few groups of people, namely:

  • People who like to hike or be active while traveling. The ergonomic belt design actually sits on your body correctly.
  • Travelers in theft-prone crowded destinations: Wear it under your shirt or jacket, and it’s a money belt that also holds your phone, with the buckle lock and zipper lock against petty theft.
  • Senior citizens: a lot of travelers 55+ want to have all their essentials and valuables in an easy-to-wear lightweight sling bag, and this one won’t give you a backache like a hefty belt bag that creates unevenness in shoulders.
  • Parents who travel: juggling children and their needs is hard enough, so getting mugged would be dreadful during a trip. This sling bag holds valuables like phone, cards and money, and can go under your layers.

If you plan to take a trip to countries with crowded cities, make sure to have a bag like this included in what to pack. You can head to our expert travel packing lists to see what we bring, too.

Why it’s not a regular belt bag

I’ve reviewed belt bags and fanny packs for travel at length. I have my favorites, and yet: the traditional crossbody bag has always made my shoulders, and therefore my body, feel uneven. Maybe I’m sensitive, but I find that a loaded-up belt bag makes one shoulder hurt, and for a lot of them, I have to keep adjusting them while I’m out sightseeing or in transit.

So the Travel Sling Bag 2.0 is different, and it’s all in the belt and buckle design. It goes around your back, but loops comfortably around your side. It’s not just an elliptical shape. It sits in one spot without shifting during motion, and for me, that’s a plus during hiking, walking briskly or dashing through an airport.

I’ve even reviewed other best sling bags for travel and so many of them get the ergonomic design wrong.

Then there’s the anti-theft aspects:

  • Cut-proof strap
  • High quality zippers
  • Locking mechanism for the main zipper
  • 3-point locking buckle
  • Hidden back pocket for flat items (cash, cards)

Concept Global’s Travel Sling Bag 2.0 is not a regular travel belt bag or sling bag at all. It’s better.

Features I use (and why)

While out hiking, sightseeing or traveling by plane or road trip, a few features that I typically use are the following:

  • Back hidden pocket: It’s a great spot for wads of cash and all my cards. Takes the place of a wallet.
  • Front compartment with zipper: My phone goes in here, along with lip balm, travel-sized sunscreen, hand sanitizer and a small granola bar. Despite the petite size, this all fits.
  • In high-theft destinations, I use the buckle lock and the zipper lock. No pickpocketing incidents to report!
  • Strap adjustment: if I’m wearing the Travel Sling Bag 2.0 over a jacket, I adjust the strap quickly. Under my layers, I make it tighter against my body so it doesn’t jostle.

See it right now at the Concept Global website to explore all the features and any current promotions the brand might be running!

Comparison to other hyper minimalist belt bags

There are two ways in which the Travel Sling Bag 2.0 stands out against other minimal belt bags (and I’ve tried a good bunch).

First, you’ve got the ergonomic design. Most belt bags, even the lightweight pocket-sized ones, don’t focus on the stability of how the Travel Sling 2.0 sits on your body and sits in just one spot, without moving around and having to be adjusted. That’s the value add for me, and it’s what I’ve experienced while wearing mine.

Second, the anti-theft properties. There are a lot of travel sling bags out there that claim to be anti-theft, and it’s because they’re made of slash-proof material. While that certainly helps the cause, the fact is that not all pickpocketing is bag slashing. Oftentimes, it’s strap-cutting, zipper-opening or buckle tampering. With the features of the Travel Sling 2.0, there’s the cut-proof strap, the double-zipper lock, the hidden back-side zippered pocket and the buckle lock.

So, other belt bags haven’t stayed on my torso in one place like this one has, and for that reason, I’m thankful for the lack of soreness after a day out hiking or adventuring with it.

Comparison to other products from Concept Global

Concept Global focuses on the Travel Sling 2.0 as their most famous bag and style. Their other sling bags are mostly variations of it, like the Leather Sling Bag and Sling Bag Pro. Both also follow that ergonomic strap design I mention above. If you have a bad back, I recommend these because they alleviate pressure around the shoulders.

The Crossbody Bag 2.0 is more of a fanny pack and waist bag. I tried this one too. It can be worn at the waist and follows a traditional belt bag design with the regular strap style that allows front slinging, back slinging or waist-style wearing. It also has the buckle lock and zipper lock as well as RFID protection. I got it in the 2.5 Medium size and it fits a massive amount of things while I’m on the go.

Critique and things to know

My single critique of the Travel Sling 2.0 is that the locking mechanism for the zipper specifically may be challenging for elderly travelers who have less tactility in their fingers. Locking the tiny clasp against the zipper pull might get slightly frustrating. For this reason, I still recommend this travel sling bag, but for elderly travelers, you may have to skip the zipper locking if it takes too long to be convenient.

Why you’d want it

You’d want this travel sling if you’re looking for a cross between a belt bag and a money belt. That’s how I see this product, and that’s how I’m framing it. To me, it’s a travel sling for your essentials, and it’s one that doesn’t slide around, so it’s ideal for movement, being active during travel and wearing under your layers because of its slim design.

You’d want it if you want a comfortable hands-free belt bag that really sits at the right spot on your body without causing aches. And you’d want it for the RFID protection of your cards, the buckle lock, the cut-proof strap and the zipper lock, all of which aid in how to protect against pickpockets during travel.

Should you get the Travel Sling Bag 2.0?

If you have sensitivity in your back like I do, and regular belt bags felt saggy or uneven, I think this is a bag worth trying.

It’s also worth picking up for your next trip if you’ll be in crowded destinations like Barcelona, Rome or Paris, just to name a few. You will feel empowered with this bag, knowing that it’s holding your valuables while you’re out, and that you can even put it under a sweater or jacket, totally concealed. For me, I think that’s the biggest value: that it’s a modern take on a money belt, especially with that back hidden pocket and all the anti-theft measures.

How to get it

The Travel Sling Bag 2.0 is best picked up at Concept Global’s website, where you get free shipping on all orders over $90, the CG 99-day guarantee (if it doesn’t work out, you can return it) and guaranteed delivery. There’s also a 2-year warranty on all Concept Global travel products.

Keep in mind that if there are any promotions run for Concept Global products (like buy-1-get-1), you’ll find them at the website, not at other retailers.

You have nothing to lose, and you’ll definitely keep your sanity if you were worrying about theft or comfort during travel.

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