Troubadour Apex Sling Review: A Minimal Carry for Travel or Biking

In this review of Troubadour’s Apex Sling, a unique backpack alternative that’s great for travel and commuting.

I have a handful of sling bags in my travel bag collection, but none are quite like the Apex Sling. That’s because it’s a Troubadour bag: it’s modeled after the original Apex Backpack, from the Apex Collection, a set of backpacks and bags of the same theme of stylish and modern “everyday carrying.”

For my review that follows, expect to see my opinions on the features of the Apex Sling, the tiniest crossbody bag in the bunch, and who I’d recommend it for.

What is the Apex Sling?

In short, it’s a hands-free bag modeled after a backpack—the Apex Backpack, to be exact. So, if you were all-in for the Apex 2.0, Apex 3.0, Apex Mini or Apex Compact Backpack, you’ll be glad to see the Apex Sling as the little cousin.

If I had to describe the Apex Sling, it’s a petite day bag for your essentials, and it’s a step up from the average belt bag, crossbody bag or waist pack. It’s modern, sleek and minimal, and of course, what I like best is the hidden features for travel and theft-proofing that I’ll discuss in my feature highlights below.

Curious about Troubadour? You can head right to my Troubadour brand review to see what makes their products exceptional.

Main pros and cons

Find out what I think are the best benefits and also, the disadvantages, of the Apex Sling’s functionality.

Pros

• Highly functional: For its size, it neatly packs in a day’s worth of tech or travel gear, and helps avoid things jostling around if you’re in motion.
• Ergonomics: The single shoulder strap can be shifted to the left, or right, depending on which way I want to wear it! This is such a cool built-in feature.
• Signature Troubadour features: The Apex Sling packs in Troubadour’s best weatherproof zippers, strong fabrics, sustainability aims and of course, excellent eye-catching design.
• Pockets: With exterior and interior pockets, there is a place for everything, no matter how valuable, from my Chapstick to my AirPods. It fits an iPad Mini inside.

Cons

• Design: The one-strap sling style is not for everyone.
• Size: Of course, this is a mini and petite (5.5 liters in volume) style of a sling bag, for basics. If you were looking for a full commuting sling bag, this is not it.
• Washing: The Apex Sling is not machine-washable (most Troubadour products aren’t).

Main features I’m enjoying

Here, I’ll review the features that are obvious on the Apex Sling, and how I use them. Then there’s also one bonus feature that’s hidden—read on!

Cushioned strap (adjustable for wear)

The single cushioned strap on the Apex Sling is very supportive and comfy, just like the straps I’ve noted in reviews of mine for other best-selling Troubadour products like my duffel and leather backpack, which you can see more about at my Orbis Duffel Bag review and the Generation Leather backpack review.

The bonus factor that made me say, “Oh, wait a second!” when exploring the sling for the first time was the two loopholes on the bottom of the bag’s backside, that allow for switching the orientation of the strap connection.

I mostly tend to wear my sling bags slung over my right shoulder, but every now and then, a left-shoulder sling works out, and I want a sling bag that can do both, while not feeling too “righty” or “too lefty.” The Apex Sling is ambidextrous.

Exterior zipper pocket (with key holder + AirTag pouch)

Troubadour has been pro at elevating the game of accommodating new tech that travelers like to have. As I’m a traveler who frequently puts AirTags (one of the best travel accessories in recent years) in the bags I take on a trip, the AirTag pouch in the Apex Sling outside zipped pocket is very cool.

Second, the exterior pocket has a key ring for attaching your keys, so you’ll be able to find them every time. Whether it’s car keys, home keys or the key to your Airbnb on vacation, the Apex Sling will keep it safe in the very securely zippered compartment on the bag’s front.

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Grab handle

What’s so great about the Apex Sling grab handle? I’ll tell you: despite the tiny size of this day bag, it’s the same grab handle that I love about my Troubadour Momentum Backpack. It’s thick, yet looks highly attractive and well-designed with the best of the bag, and it is strong and functional.

If you’re wondering why it’s such a big deal to me, it’s because the grab handle is how I hang any of my Troubadour bags on the hook or doorknob in a public restroom or a restaurant bathroom when I am out and about.

Weatherproofed zippers

If you’re wondering about the value in a Troubadour purchase for travel, take it from me: the high-quality expert-level weatherproofed zippers on every bag make me grateful when it starts to drizzle or I get out of an Uber in the rain.

The main compartment zipper on the Apex Sling keeps water out, and keeps dryness in, during any unexpected weather event during travel or biking.

Interior organization

In the inside main cavity of the Apex Sling, I found a mesh zipper pocket for tech and accessories on the front panel, a mini tablet sleeve on the back panel, a flat organizer pouch for cards and a water bottle slip holder. That’s right: Troubadour bags have started getting designed with the water bottle sleeve holder inside to keep the look super minimalist on the outside.

Unfortunately, it’s only for small standard water bottles, not larger wider sport bottles.

Bonus feature: hidden secret valuable stash pocket

As I explored my Apex Sling for the first time, I came across the single most exciting feature: a hidden zip pocket on the backside of the bag, right behind the logo that’s placed on the back panel. I’m not sure why the Apex Sling product page isn’t advertising this nor showing photos of its utility!

I’m excited about this pocket because it can fit a phone, wad of cash, a few cards or even just a piece of jewelry I take off and want to keep there until I go home for the night. It’s ideal for avoiding pickpockets during travel.

Ideal uses

Given that the Apex Sling is a unique sort of bag (and has waterproof fabric!), here are a few uses I have for it.

Travel & sightseeing

This is the perfect bag for a light travel carry of leaving your hotel room for the morning, taking essentials like sunglasses, a water bottle, keys, wallet, phone and a granola bar, and looking put-together and chic. It’s also a petite yet functional personal item for a flight, if you can pare down your essentials to its volume and capacity.

Commuting by bike

For years in NYC, I’d see people commuting with sling-style bags, whereas I was always using a backpack. If you commute by bike and you want to have a quick sling at the ready for slinging around to grab sunglasses, some cash, a bite of a snack or your hat, the Apex Sling is awesome for that. Of course, you’d have to have your work laptop in another bag like a laptop backpack or laptop tote, secured to your bike basket or maybe also on your back (with the Apex Sling on your front!).

Everyday use

I have been using a daily belt bag for quite some time now, ever since I wrote and edited our list of the best fanny packs for travel, and many of these function like sling bags. The Apex Sling is an elevated version of a basic belt bag, based off the style and use of a real backpack. It’s just mini. It’s great for everyday errands, going out for a bite or even going for a light hike before work.

Critiques & what I like less

Like I mentioned in my pros and cons above, here are a few places where the Apex Sling falls short, and you may want to consider these:

One-strap design

It’s true that this is not for everyone. I’m not even sure if it’s for me, as I’ve mostly been a “backpack person” all my life, and I like having the dual support of two straps on my back supporting the weight of what’s in my pack. The bottom line is that you can try out the Apex Sling, and do the 100-day return option if you still have the original tags.

The size

At 5.5 liters, remember that you can’t fit a laptop, even a small one, in the Apex Sling. So it’s therefore likely not going to be your next commuter bag, unless you also travel with a laptop tote like the Troubadour Apex Tote, or a larger laptop bag. It fits a (small) tablet.

Not machine washable

The Apex Sling is spot-clean only. Luckily and for now, it only comes in black, a color I like to have travel bags in, so that scuffs and marks don’t show.

Worth it?

The more I learned about the Apex Sling, the more I saw what a useful travel and day bag it is for someone who has the need for it. What I mean to say is that people who have no interest in sling-style bags can’t really be convinced to immediately love them and want to buy the Apex Sling.

So for you, if you’re already a sling-forward type of person, the Apex Sling is a top-notch choice for your new bag for essentials. As I read more reviews of it, I see how people who already use the Apex Sling appreciate its size and versatility for everything from hiking to biking and traveling. And I too think that is what it is best for.

At the current price, you may think of having pushback that it’s a steep price tag for a tiny bag. What I’ll say for that is this: like all Troubadour products, it’s made with incredible craftsmanship and you’re investing in a bag that does its job, performs excellently (from the zippers to the comfort) and looks fantastic. It’s undoubtedly one of the best travel sling bags I’ve used.

Where to buy the Apex Sling

It’s best, in my experience, to get all Troubadour products from the Troubadour site directly. That’s so your purchase can be protected by the Troubadour Five-Year Warranty, which has helped correct one of my Troubadour bags that came with a strap sewn on incorrectly! The company fixed the issue and sent me a new one, because it was a manufacturing defect.

Shopping on Troubadour’s online store also gets you free shipping over $100, and 100-day returns like I discussed above, so take advantage of that!

Comparison with the Apex Mini Backpack

It is easy to confuse the Apex Sling and the Apex Mini, as they are both part of Troubadour’s Apex line, and they’re the smallest (and cutest) of the bunch. To see a full comparison between these two petite backpacks, head to my Troubadour Apex Mini review.

Learn about Troubadour’s sustainability

Like all Troubadour products, the Apex Sling is part of Troubadour’s environmentally-friendly production practices. I could explain it on my own, but your best bet is to read about the commitment to green practices at the Environmental Impact page.