There are certain places that, when traveling, I am always on close guard of my belongings. I turn my daypack around to the front like I’m holding a baby and hope that my money belt is keeping place under my clothes.
Markets and busy subway stations are top culprits for my mental anguish, and I know that taking the time to worry so much takes my mind away from the moment/experience. Travel fail.
For these reasons, I was ecstatic to receive a Slingsafe 300 GII daypack in the mail from Pacsafe — a company known for making travel gear with protection in mind.
And I’m going to go out and say it before we even get started: Best bag I’ve ever had with me on my travels!
The exact Slingsafe 300 GII model has since been discontinued; the Citysafe CS350 backpack is the updated version, available in a slightly larger 19L size.
Pacsafe Slingsafe 300 Gii Review
Slingsafe 300 Gii Features
There are several small features that add heaps of value to the bag:
- Zipper clips to make it difficult for culprits to unzip your bag without you knowing
- Locking shoulder strap to secure bag to fixed objects
- Slash-proof exomesh structure
- RFID protection pocket to protect passport/credit card information
The 12L bag may look small, but I actually find the size quite spacious. I can fit a 13″ MacBook Pro, camera, phone, cable/chargers, book, notebook, sunglasses, water bottle, and plenty of extras. I would love for it to be another inch taller, but it still works out just fine as either a daypack or carry-on bag.
This is a woman’s bag, which is apparent when you see the inside liner color — mine is bright orange with dots — but my boyfriend still enjoys wearing the bag (as long as he doesn’t have to open it up).
Durability of the Bag
Update as of 2019: My Slingsafe 300 GII traveled with me on several big adventures over several years and held up without much wear and tear whatsoever. In fact, the bag is still in my arsenal nearly 7 years later – however, it doesn’t get used as often due to my luggage downsizing and evolving.
Of course a bag isn’t going to keep your belongings safe if you don’t keep the bag itself on you at all times, but it is a great addition to also using a money belt and some smart travel tactics.
- The exact Slingsafe 300 GII model has since been discontinued; the Citysafe CS350 backpack is the updated version, available in a slightly larger 19L size.
*Note: This Pacsafe bag was provided free of charge, but all words in this review are my own. I love this bag so much, I bought one as a Christmas present for HPL team writer Caroline, who also enjoys taking it on her travels.
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Ive had my eye on this bag for quite some time and this review and video have sealed the deal. Now to decide which color!
I have a neck pillow with a Velcro strap that I carry with me. Do you think it would be comfortable or awkward to have strapped to this bag, either on the top handle, or to any of the straps?
Glad my review could help! Since the bag is small, having it strapped on the top handle might be fine 🙂
I have a little Pacsafe handbag as well and love it. There is just enough room in there for a small camera, guidebook, waterbottle and a scarf. I love it for going out at night.
I got this for a business trip (I’m in agriculture) to Kenya. I LOVE this pack. Yes, it is a bit smaller than a normal-sized backpack, but do not let that deter you. It fit my 15″ laptop in the laptop pocket, laptop and cell chargers, a bunch of papers and legal pads, my quart-sized liquids bag (easier access than digging through my suitcase at every airport), a bag of snacks, camera, and a bunch of other stuff. My favorite part is that a full-sized Nalgene will fit into the outside side pockets. I also love the olive-green color; it’s neutral enough not to draw attention to yourself, yet on the inside, its this fun peach color!
Thanks for the great backpack suggestion, HPL!!
So glad you love the bag, Cathy! 🙂
What do you think about carrying this bag with a DSLR (lens on, plus one extra), large bobble, small-ish sketchbook, pencil case, small watercolor set (about the size of a small-ish sketchbook), iPhone, small translation dictionary, and a wallet?
Hi Julia! I think it could work! What do you mean by large bobble?
Thanks for the reply!
This (http://www.amazon.com/Bobble-Free-Water-Bottle-Ounce/dp/B003LTFRXM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1403803931&sr=8-2&keywords=bobble) is a bobble – it’s a waterbottle and it’s shape is a bit awkward, but it’s completely spill-proof.
I’ve been looking at day packs for a couple upcoming trips. Do you think this pack could fit into a larger backpack I’d be using as my main bag? I’d like something more secure than most of the compressable day packs I’ve found, but I’d really like to have something that I can still fit into a larger bag when traveling with all of my things.
Hi! I took advantage of the REI closeout and bought this in the berry color! I’m excited because I’ve had my eye on this for about a year!
My question is whether this bag is machine washable. Will the mesh or metal parts rust when exposed to moisture? Thanks!
I think the care instructions were to use a wet soapy cloth to wipe/wash the bag clean- not machine washable. The metal should be fine since it is made of stainless steel. Glad you got the bag! The REI closeout was a huge deal 🙂
I am going on a trip to Iceland (I’m not worried about getting robbed there) but also to other European countries and possible Morocco. I am aiming to do this all with my Osprey Farpoint 40L bag but I was wondering is this particular bag packable? Could I empty the contents out and fold it up and put it in my regular carry on as some budget airlines (such as Wowair) only allow one carry on item, no additional personal item?
It’s packable but not minimally as the bag has a tiny bit of padding to it. You can lay it flat and easily put it in your bigger luggage that way.
Here’s mine: http://bit.ly/1R2tRj9 and http://bit.ly/1GISodm
It can squish flatter with pressure. Folding gets bulky.
Super interested in this pack! I am traveling solo to Spain and the Czech Republic.. I plan on using a money belt – but was originally conflicted between a backpack vs. cross body (mostly in concern of carrying my camera). I will have my dslr on me at all times, and was wondering if you had any suggestions in regards to the best way to go about packing my camera in this bag (i.e., a slim, protective case that will protect my camera when it is stored). Thanks for your help!!
Hey Brooke!
Just found your site yesterday and I jeez I am learning a lot!
I becoming an ultra minimalist traveler and have been looking at many potential daypacks to become my only bag for my future 11-month trip to SE/E Asia.
So far the Tom Bihn Synapse 19 (have you checked out those yet?) and this Pacsafe Slingsafe 300 Gii stood out to me the most as they are both around 19 liters and are built with stealth quality. However, I am concerned about how thin the straps of this Pacsafe bag, as it may have insufficient padding, if you have ever experienced that? The max weight I will put in the bag is around 10 lbs.
Thanks!
Jessy
Hi Jessy! I have both of those bags. I think the Synapse would be more comfortable at that weight, but I will pack them both up later today and get back to you. It’s on my to-do list!