MODERN DAYFARER Sling 2L Review

Upon first glance, the MODERN DAYFARER Sling 2L looks like it cares more about looking sleek than actually carrying gear. Look a little closer and you’ll notice that’s far from the case, as it includes thoughtful organization and a seamless carry system. Still, will we wish it had more to offer externally, or will its minimalism win us over? Let’s dive in and find out.

External Components

The sling is crafted from 100% recycled 420D Velocity Nylon, which looks professional. It is also durable and water-resistant, making for a sturdy pack you can rely on in most weather conditions. Though the fabric isn’t very structured, the design, strategically placed plastic strips, and thicker areas make it feel strong and rugged.

There are no zippers on the pack’s exterior, which offers a unique user experience. There’s just one compartment that closes using two magnetic snap buckles. They’re snappy and easy to use, though we have to admit, it took us longer to get used to them than we initially thought. They usually work well, though if you have an odd-shaped load, it can take a few tries to snap them both properly. The flap folds over naturally, so it’ll be mostly closed, even if you fold the snaps improperly.

The strap has a FIDLOCK fastener, which works well and looks sleek. It’s crafted from metal and plastic and is durable, which is a good shout from a longevity perspective.

There isn’t much happening around the outside, which we appreciate from a minimalist perspective. However, if you prefer to attach things to the outside of your sling, you may feel it lacks the extras you need for travel. We dig the look and feel of the main compartment, which adequately handles our gear, but we’ll talk more about that later.

Fit Notes

A thin layer of padding on the back panel adds comfort and structure to the pack. You mostly feel the external fabric while wearing the sling, but it depends on what you stow inside. Overall, it feels thick and comfortable enough for the task at hand.

The strap has a medium width, which spreads out the weight of the sling’s capacity. There’s no padding or aeration, but we still found it comfortable, as this sling isn’t large enough to get that heavy. If you stowed it full of tech or rocks, you may feel the strap start to dig in.

In testing, we wore the sling all day on three occasions, balancing youth soccer games, bicycle rides, street fairs, and professional soccer games, and it handled itself well. The strap remained comfortable, the padding on the back panel was adequate, and the design made it easy to switch from front to back carry.

If you haven’t used one before, the FIDLOCK fastener takes some getting used to, though we appreciate its locking mechanism while you’re wearing the bag. Still, our testers typically put the sling over their head instead of using the fastener. However, this is true for most slings, not because of the FIDLOCK.

Overall, the MODERN DAYFARER Sling 2L is comfortable, but some users may prefer more padding.

Inside The Sling

As mentioned, this pack has just one compartment and no zippered closure. To open it, you pull up on the top flap. It doesn’t take much, but we never had it pop open in the wind while cycling, so it does take some human interaction. That’s not to say it couldn’t in extreme conditions, but it didn’t in our testing.

The main compartment has enough organization to keep your carry systematic. On the front side, there’s a small zippered pocket. In testing, we stowed a monocular here for bird watching and pretending that we don’t need glasses at soccer games when there was a corner on the opposite side of the field. It works well for stowing small items you don’t want bouncing around the main compartment, like your keys, SD cards, or other small tech items. There’s a key leash on the front side of the sling, too, which is handy. It’s very short, so it doesn’t get in the way of your gear, but you must take your keys off to open a door.

On the back wall, a flat compartment works well for stowing your phone or a small book. It has some padding, so whatever you stow here will be somewhat protected from the outside world and the rest of your main compartment gear. There are two mesh pockets here, too, which work well for a small wallet, AirPods, or other smaller gear.

There’s an open area between the organization on the front and back walls, which is large enough to fit a small pair of over-ear headphones, an Instax Mini with a few packs of film, or a cased Nintendo Switch, though that monopolizes space.

Overall, using the MODERN DAYFARER Sling 2L is an incredibly positive experience. It isn’t a super versatile sling for travel purposes, but it’s an everyday carry powerhouse that works well for folks traveling without large or specialty items. It’ll fit everything most travelers need for the day and look sleek while doing it, and we appreciate that!