Lo & Sons Aoyama Review

We’ve spent the last couple of weeks testing the Lo & Sons Aoyama, and we’re walking away surprised by how versatile this little sling-meets-shoulder-bag actually is. Lo & Sons has built a reputation around creating travel-ready bags with clean aesthetics and thoughtful organization, and the Aoyama fits that mold while adding a fashion-forward twist. Whether we were running errands, bouncing between estate sales on the weekend, or wearing it to a slightly more polished event, the Aoyama adapted to each setting without feeling out of place. That’s not something we can say about every bag in this category.

What really grabbed us during testing was how much the carry style changes the look and feel of the bag. The nylon version—our test unit—is shiny, structured, and easy to maintain, compared to the sheepskin leather version that feels soft, vintage, and more slouchy. The functionality is the same for both, but the overall vibe shifts dramatically depending on which material you choose and how you configure the strap. That’s rare for such a compact bag, and it’s a big part of why the Aoyama—at least the variant we tested—stands out.

External Components

Right out of the gate, the Aoyama keeps things minimal. There’s no loud branding, no exterior clutter, just a clean silhouette with a single side zipper and a wide, adjustable strap. The only visible logo is on the strap, and even that feels subtle compared to the bolder branding we’ve seen on similar bags. If you want something understated, Lo & Sons absolutely delivers.

We tested the nylon model, which is water-resistant, PFC-free, and extremely easy to wipe clean—rain droplets, dust, and random grime never stood a chance. The material feels premium, but it definitely has a shiny nylon look. If you gravitate toward softer, lived-in aesthetics, the sheepskin leather version will probably be more your speed. The sheepskin option slouches in a way that feels vintage and casual, while the nylon creases more sharply, giving off a slightly more structured, modern vibe.

The hardware consists of bright, shiny gold zippers. They work well and feel durable, but they are visually bold—almost too bold for those of us who prefer more muted tones. Depending on your colorway, the zippers may vary, but on our test unit, they immediately draw the eye. That’s either a fun pop of flair or something you’ll spend time trying to hide, depending on your style.

The strap is where the Aoyama really shines. It’s a thick, closed-loop nylon webbing strap that adjusts easily without leaving excess tail dangling off the edge. You can convert it between three distinct carry modes: crossbody sling, shoulder carry, or handheld purse. All three are surprisingly functional and genuinely change the overall character of the bag. Crossbody mode feels practical and active. Shoulder carry leans into purse territory. The handbag configuration is downright chic—and honestly gives off a bit of high-fashion energy. For a bag this simple, that’s impressive versatility. Granted, Pack Hacker’s forte lies in the practical rather than the subjective, but we’re confident most people will agree with us on this.

At just over a pound (16.8 ounces or 0.48 kg), the bag feels light and comfortable even after long days. Nothing about the exterior screamed “technical travel bag,” yet it handled messy errands, outdoor markets, and daily commutes without showing signs of wear. That balance between durability and polish is one of Lo & Sons’ strengths, and the Aoyama follows suit.

Fit Notes

Because the Aoyama relies so heavily on that convertible strap system, fit is a huge part of the experience. On users with smaller torsos, the full strap length works great in crossbody mode, sitting at hip height without feeling bulky or bouncing around. Tightening it still allows for crossbody wear if you prefer a higher carry, and the adjustments glide smoothly without that tug-and-fight struggle of some slings. Shoulder carry also feels natural, especially when the strap is tightened and the bag is pulled higher under the arm. Nothing digs in or rubs uncomfortably thanks to the strap’s width and soft webbing texture.

Switching between modes is quick, though not instant. You do have to detach and reattach the strap segments. Still, it’s intuitive enough that we swapped modes on the fly during errands without breaking stride. Handheld mode is surprisingly comfortable because the shorter configuration creates a balanced loop that’s easy to grip. Across all carry styles, the bag feels stable, lightweight, and adaptable. The only place it gets slightly tricky is when the nylon material creases sharply rather than slouching softly, which may affect how “smooth” the bag looks, depending on your body shape and how tightly you pull the strap. It’s not uncomfortable—just a style consideration.

Inside The Sling

The Aoyama’s organization is simple yet intentional. You’re working with two main areas: a side quick-access pocket and the main compartment, with some internal organization baked in.

The side pocket is the star of the show for fast access. It’s deep, substantial, and easily fits an iPhone 13 Pro Max with room to spare. We tossed our wallet, keys, wireless earbuds, lip balm in here throughout testing. What’s great is how quickly you can reach this pocket when you wear the bag on your front—you just slide a hand over, unzip, and you’re in. It does share space with the main compartment, so overstuffing one can affect the other, but during testing, we never filled the bag so aggressively that this became a problem. The biggest drawback is the gold zipper: it’s flashy and very visible, and our tester sometimes concealed it by positioning the pocket against her body.

The main compartment opens wide and stands upright thanks to the structured nylon exterior. Unlike slouchier leather bags, the nylon Aoyama doesn’t collapse when you set it down, which makes loading and unloading easier. Inside, Lo & Sons uses a purple liner with their signature subtle bird pattern. It may sound small, but a bright liner makes a huge difference—far fewer “black hole” moments when digging for small gear.

There’s more organization inside than you’d expect for a small bag. Along one wall, a large mesh pocket makes a great catch-all for keys. The bag includes an extremely long key leash—long enough to unlock your door without needing to remove the bag. However, we found the leash a bit unwieldy when used inside the main compartment because gear stacked on top tends to tangle with it. The mesh pocket solves that problem by keeping keys corralled without force-feeding them into other items.

Behind that mesh pocket is a zippered pocket that works well for “once in a while” items like bandages, a compact, hair ties, medications, or anything you don’t want floating loose. It’s roomy without adding bulk and genuinely adds value.

You also get a set of card slots on the back wall. We didn’t use them much during testing, but they’d be handy for hotel keys, transit cards, or IDs you need occasionally but want to keep organized.

On the opposite wall is the one part of the bag we weren’t wild about: the set of three tall, skinny pockets. One is a pen slot (which works great), but the two mesh pockets next to it are tall and narrow enough that small items—such as lip balm, lipsticks, and tiny adapters—sink to the bottom and become hard to grab. We kept wishing for at least one shorter pocket in this zone for quick access to toiletries. Instead, we ended up storing a stick of lip balm in the side pocket, which worked but added a small risk of it falling out whenever we quickly unzipped the bag.

As for space, the main compartment holds more than you’d expect. Gloves, a small reusable cup, small trinkets, and daily essentials all fit without making the bag look awkwardly bulky. Even when half empty, the nylon version maintains a slouchy-structured shape that feels intentional rather than saggy.