Patagonia Atom Sling vs. Osprey Daylite Sling vs. The North Face Borealis Sling: Full Comparison and Verdict
Sling bags are a perfect accessory for a day trip which are all the rage at the moment. You can think of them as the middle ground between a backpack and your pockets. For enthusiasts of minimalism, a sling bag hits the mark where a backpack overshoots. They are easy to access and can store the necessities you need to carry when going out, such as wallet, keys, phone. Although your pockets may get the job done, some clothes lack practical pockets. There are many sling bags on the market to choose from, the most famous three are Patagonia Atom Sling, Osprey Daylite Sling and The North Face Borealis Sling. So which one should you choose? What's the difference and similarity between them? In this guide, I will be taking a closer look at Patagonia Atom Sling, Osprey Daylite Sling and The North Face Borealis Sling from their key features, customer reviews, designs and durability to find the best option for your individual needs. Let's start now!
Patagonia Atom Sling vs. Osprey Daylite Sling vs. The North Face Borealis Sling: Overview
1. Patagonia Atom Sling
Official Price: $65
Colors: Belay Blue, Husk Tan, Black, Sequoia Red, Joy/Pitch Blue, Burl Red,Forge Grey
User reviews: 4.6/5.0
Typical for Patagonia, the Atom Sling has been designed to shine in the great outdoors. This sleek and athletic sling backpack features eight-liters of storage. It is simple, durable, and can hold just enough stuff to keep the essentials close at hand.When you need to grab something from your pack, the single-strap design lets you rotate the Atom to the front for quick access. There is a simple main compartment that can be opened from the side.If you are traveling with a Kindle or Ipad, the large, zippered main pocket has a dedicated, padded tablet sleeve inside for easy, safe storage.
There is also a smaller zippered pouch on the front where you can keep
small everyday essentials. Plus, A convenient stretch-mesh pocket on
the shoulder strap accommodates a wide variety of phone sizes.
Adjustable exterior compression straps help to manage loads of various
sizes.You’ll also find soft, padded, and breathable mesh on both the
back panel and shoulder strap. Finally, the strong exterior fabric is
finished with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating to protect items
from light rain.
PROS | CONS |
Durable and water repellent | Quick-access pocket is a little small |
Two-compartment sling has just enough room for daily essentials | Zippers aren't lockable |
The main compartment has a padded sleeve inside for storing your valuable electronics | Shoulder strap can only be worn on the right shoulder |
Zippered external pocket for valuables or small items | |
A convenient stretch-mesh pocket on the shoulder strap accommodates a wide variety of phone sizes | |
Tuck-away front straps for carrying a yoga mat or an extra layer | |
Asymmetrical harness carries weight close to the body for all-day comfort | |
The 3D mesh fabric on the back panel and the shoulder strap provides good ventilation |
Where to Buy Patagonia Atom Sling?
patagonia.com (Cashback temporarily unavailable)
dickssportinggoods.com (1.5-2% cashback)
backcountry.com (3-4% cashback)
moosejaw.com (5-6% cashback)
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2. Osprey Daylite Sling
Official Price: $45
Colors: Tie Dye Print, Dream Purple, Wave Blue, Ash Blush Pink/Earl Grey, Green Canopy/Green Creek, Black
User reviews: 4.7/5.0
This smaller-sized, Osprey Daylite sling bag is a minimalist option that has its strengths in comfort and an active day. Built from tough Nylon and NeoSpacer mesh material, it is claimed to resist both drizzles and abrasions. Features include two zippered pockets, a front zippered mesh pocket stores smaller easy-to-access items, while the main compartment offers organization sleeves and a key-clip. It's tablet sleeve isn't going to fit an iPad pro or even a newer Air model. But it worked well with a Kobo eReader.
There's also a small mesh pocket on the strap for items you want to access quickly and a nylon loop for attaching water bottles. The Osprey Daylite sling bag has a low profile and tightening straps that make the sling hug your body it’s great for biking, running and scrambling around a canyon. The strap has enough padding to make the carry comfortable, but nothing overboard. The padding is soft and kind to clothing, though it can get sweaty on long excursions. You are able to conveniently “sling” the bag forward for easy access has been particularly handy, especially when shopping.
PROS | CONS |
Solid construction ensuring durability | Can loosen and bounce while in use |
Zippered front stretch-mesh pocket with dual U-zip access | Tablet sleeve isn't going to fit an iPad pro or even a newer Air model |
Large zippered main compartment withinterior organizer and key clip | |
There's another small mesh pocket at the strap for a quick snatch to a small item | |
You can attach another item using a carabiner on the lash point at the strap | |
Anatomically shaped single shoulder strap is made from breathable and soft NeoSpacer mesh | |
Spacer mesh-covered EVA foam breathable back panel | |
Left or right over-the-shoulder ambidextrous fit and carry |
Where to Buy Osprey Daylite Sling?
osprey.com(6.5-8% cashback)
dickssportinggoods.com (1.5-2% cashback)
walmart.com (3.5-4% cashback)
moosejaw.com (5-6% cashback)
3. The North Face Borealis Sling
Official Price: $59
Colors: TNF Black/TNF White, Gardenia White Dark Heather/Gravel, Boysenberry Light Heather/Fiery Red, Fawn Grey/Pink Moss, Gravel/TNF Black, Misty Sage/Grey
User reviews: 4.3/5.0
The smaller cousin to the crowd-favorite Borealis backpack, this sling can carry smaller essentials comfortably and boasts the Borealis’ much-loved bungee storage system. At 6 liters, it's a nice size for day trips and has five different pockets for organization and storage. The main zippered compartment is a good size for larger belongings.The interior sleeve protects your tablet and/or phone from banging up against anything else, while keys stay in place with a clip and inside the zippered mesh pocket. The cool fleece-lined outer side pocket makes a great place to stow larger phones or other similarly fragile items.
There's also a quick-access zippered pocket built onto the strap, which is a handy place to stash your phone when going hands-free during a commute. You will love the water bottle pocket sitting on the right side for your favorite drink. The exterior bungee can secure a rain shell or another item that is light and you'd rather not keep on the inside. Adjustable shoulder strap is padded for extra carrying comfortThe sling style features just one strap, wear it across the body and when you need something quick, just circle it around your body.
PROS | CONS |
Main compartment includes a mesh pocket and key hook | Water bottle pocket too small for most bottles |
Dedicated sleeve for a tablet or large phone | Non-ambidextrous strap design limits carrying styles |
Side fleece-lined zip pocket holds small essentials | |
Adjustable padded shoulder strap with phone-sized zipper pocket | |
Side water bottle pocket with stretch-mesh panel | |
External bungee-compression system offers organization options for bulky items | |
Comfortable, padded top grab handle | |
Non-PFC durable water repellent (DWR) finish sheds moisture |
Where to Buy The North Face Borealis Sling?
thenorthface.com(1.6-2% cashback)
scheels.com (4-5% cashback)
journeys.com (4-6% cashback)
moosejaw.com (5-6% cashback)
Patagonia Atom Sling vs. Osprey Daylite Sling vs. The North Face Borealis Sling: Full Comparison
Patagonia Atom Sling | Osprey Daylite Sling | The North Face Borealis Sling | |
Dimensions | 13.5 x 9 x 3 inches | 14 x 8.5 x 5 inches | 7.28 x 4.72x 12.99 inches |
Weight | 12 ounces | 8 ounces | 10.6 oz (300 g) |
Pack Capacity | 8 Liters / 488 Cubic inches | 6 Liters / 366 Cubic inches | 6 Liters / 366 Cubic inches |
Material | Body: 630-denier 100% nylon (50% recycled/50% high-tenacity); Lining: 200-denier 100% recycled polyester | Main: 150-denier recycled ripstop polyester packcloth; Accent:
600-denier recycled polyester; Bottom: 150-denier recycled ripstop
polyester packcloth | Solid: 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish Heather: 300D heathered recycled polyester with non-PFC DWR finish |
Laptop Compartment | No | No | No |
iPad/Tablet Compartment | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Waterproof | DWR (durable water repellent) finish | Yes | DWR (durable water repellent) finish |
Gender | Unisex | Unisex | Unisex |
Sustainability | Fair Trade Certified™ sewn, Contains recycled material | Contains recycled materials, bluesign® approved | Recycled polyester with non-PFC DWR finish |
Features | Padded Back Panel, Front Access Pclets, Tablet Compatible, Padded Straps | Organizer Panel, Water-resistant, bluesign Approved | Adjustable, Compression, Handles, Organizer Panel, Water-resistant, Water Bottle Pockets |
Materials & Durability
The body of the Patagonia Atom Sling is made from 630D nylon (50% recycled/50% high-tenacity), while it’s lined with 100% recycled 200D polyester. For additional abrasion and weather-resistance, the bag is finished with both a polyurethane and DWR coating. It was durable enough to withstand the harsh and dusty landscape.
The 150-denier recycled ripstop polyester packcloth are the main material for Osprey Daylite Sling, the accent use 600D recycled polyester. It’s all bluesign® approved and includes a PFC-free durable water repellent, so it’s great for sustainable packers. You’re probably not surprised this sling is durable with top-notch craftsmanship—this bag is from Osprey, after all.
The solid of North Face Borealis Sling is made of 210D recycled nylon ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish. The Heather is mades of 300D heathered recycled polyester with non-PFC DWR finish, while the print and mélange is made of 600D recycled polyester with non-PFC DWR finish. This multi-purpose bag is durable for all your on-the-go adventures.
Capacity and Storage
The Osprey Daylite Sling and The North Face Borealis Sling have the same capacity and storage: 6 liters/366 cubic inches. For carrying heaps of stuff, 6 liters is not much to work with. The Patagonia Atom Sling is a little biger with 8 Liters/488 Cubic inchesinches capacity and storage.
Pockets and Compartments
The Patagonia Atom Sling has two parts: one roomy compartment on the back with two large zippered compartments, and a smaller zippered pouch on the front where you can keep small everyday essentials. The main compartment has a padded sleeve inside for storing your valuable electronics. There’s convenient stretch-mesh pocket on the shoulder strap which can accommodate a wide variety of phone sizes. With the adjustable exterior compression straps, you can also carry a yoga mat or an extra layer.
The Osprey Daylite Sling has two main storage pockets along with a sleeve on the strap for sunglasses or small sunscreen. The larger pocket is actually two pockets in one. The large pocket is roughly 13 inches long and 7 inches wide. There is also a zippered interior pocket in the large pouch that has a key clip inside. The front pocket is an excellent spot to stash items you’ll want to grab quickly.
The North Face Borealis Sling has a front quick-grab pocket. The interior is lined with soft fleece to prevent damage to easily-scratched items like smartphones and sunglasses. There’s also a zippered pocket on the strap itself designed to fit a phone. The main compartment has its own pockets for getting gear organized. Towards the back is a tablet sleeve, on the front side is a zippered mesh pocket that goes about halfway down the length of the pack. There’s also a built-in key leash.The North Face Borealis Sling also boasts the Borealis’ much-loved bungee storage system and a water bottle pocket sitting on the right side.
Comfort
The Patagonia Atom Sling is comfortable carry, you can also adjust the fit quickly and easily on the go. There have been multiple times I have forgotten I have it on. This can be credited to the soft, breathable mesh on both the back panel and shoulder strap. The air channels on the back panel also help with airflow, mitigating that dreaded swamp back effect that can happen on hot days.
The Osprey Daylite Sling felt like a regular two strap pack on your back. The Sling distributes the weight really well and when adjusted properly fits in the same spot on the back as a normal pack.
Equipped with an adjustable shoulder strap, the North Face Borealis Sling delivers a reasonably comfortable carrying experience. Customers like the comfort of the backpack. They mention it's super comfortable to wear on their back, and it'd be very comfortable to carry around all day. They also mention that the North Face Borealis Sling doesn't rub on their shoulder.
Verdict
Patagonia Atom Sling, Osprey Daylite Sling and The North Face Borealis Sling are all durable, comfortable to carry and can hold just enough stuff to keep the essentials close at hand. Sp which one should you choose may depend on your actual demand.
For example, if you want to carry iPad pro , the Patagonia Atom Sling is your way to go. Because the Osprey Daylite Sling and the North Face Borealis Sling's tablet sleeve isn't going to fit an iPad pro or even a newer Air model.
If you want to carry it on the left shoulder or on the right shoulder, switch at any time, only the Osprey Daylite Sling has this function.
If you want to bring something extra, both the Patagonia Atom Sling and the North Face Borealis Sling offer bungee storage system.
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