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Details
- Price $119 at aersf.com
- Material 1680D Cordura® ballistic nylon exterior, 840D nylon face
- Capacity 9 L / 549 cubic inches
- Weight 1.3 lbs / 0.59 kg
- Dimensions 15.0" (w) x 10.3" (h) x 4.0" (d) / 381 (w) x 260 (h) x 102 (d) mm
Overview
Aer has built its reputation on doing one thing very well: beautifully designed, technical-focused bags that feel overengineered in a good way. The Tech Sling 3 fits squarely into that philosophy. It’s designed for people who carry real gear without wanting to lug around a full backpack.
At 9 liters, this is a compact workhorse aimed at commuters, conference-goers, and anyone who wants a self-contained tech setup they can grab and go. Think of it less as a casual sling and more as a sideways briefcase.
For this review, I have the third iteration of the Tech Sling in X-Pac. This is my virgin experience with the Tech Sling, so I might not be provide comparisons.
Style
The aesthetic of the Tech Sling is harmonious with Aer's design philosophy. It's clean, structured, but details like the X-pac face and shape gives it a tasteful edgy vibe.
The front is almost void of details, with Aer opting to keep it clean. Even with an external zippered pocket on top, Aer kept it close to the top to minimise distractions to the front.
In the bottom corners, there are pleats to help with the oblong shape.
The side profiles has a little more going one but flows well with the shape of the sling. You can see the seam of the base going up to the sides.
The Aer logo tag with a matte silver logo is on the wearer's left side profile. An interesting detail is how they left the top of the brand tag rounded and unattached to the bag.
The size is perfect for a hydro homie like me, who carries a 1 litre bottle around. While it is in the larger tier when it comes to fanny packs, it doesn't look nor feel big due to how compact and put together it is. I'm 6 ft and about 200 lbs so this might be subjective depending on your size.
Material
The materials are exactly what you expect from Aer, because they have been so consistent in that department. The exterior uses 1680D Cordura ballistic nylon with an additional 840D face fabric and a durable weather-resistant coating. Everything feels dense, stiff, and confident. This bag holds its shape no matter what, which gives it a very clean, professional look.
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Hardware is all premium; renown YKK zippers, Duraflex buckles, and a soft woven recycled nylon lining inside. The only thing I wished they would have done is to swap out the buckle for Fidlock magnetic ones. As I write this, I contemplate back and forth as I've mentioned that Fidlock buckles to come off when unintended as well.
Well, I am not a bag designer, just a guy on the internet that complains about gear and I stay undecided on this. I want the ease of a Fidlock buckle without any chance of unintentional unbuckling. Too much to ask? Maybe. But I know if any brand can do it, it's Aer.
Organization
This is where the Tech Sling 3 shines in its simplicity.
Inside, you get a padded laptop pocket that fits up to a 14-inch laptop, fully lined and well protected. In front of the laptop pocket is a full-width shorter slot with three smaller slots on the front of it that looks perfect for adapters or cables.
Across these rows of slots is a smaller zippered pocket that fits my iPhone 14 Pro Max in the NOMAD Rugged Case, with the RORRY Portable Charger attached, perfectly. Inside the pocket, there is a hidden pocket for an AirTag.
For daily carry, it handles a surprising amount. In my case, it comfortably fits:
- A portable fan
- Tissues
- Water bottle
- Chargers and accessories
That said, there’s only one external quick-access zipper, which feels limiting for a bag this size. I keep my Rorry charger in there, but I often wish there were a second external pocket for items I need to frequently reach for.
Usage
While the strap is adjustable and reversible for left or right shoulder carry, the shoulder pad itself is fixed in position. That means you’re forced to choose between having the perfect strap length or having the shoulder pad actually sit on your shoulder. Unless you’re one of the lucky few whose body proportions line up perfectly, you won’t get both. However, I can see the reasoning to be that it would be much more irritating to have the shoulder pad move around, so this way is the lesser of two evils.
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Even though there’s a loop to manage excess strap, I’ve found it can still shift around as you move through the day. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s noticeable and you have to adjust it back in place each time if you are OCD.
The Tech Sling 3 is extremely structured. That’s great for protection and organization, but when fully packed, it becomes harder to zip around the corners. I pack my 12.9 inch iPad Pro with a cover that holds my Apple Pencil on top and that was the limit.
In terms of weather resistance, the exterior materials do a solid job. However, despite the durable fabrics (and X-Pac versions being even more resistant), the zippered pocket on the inside can still get wet. I noticed this after a cold water bottle transferred condensation on to it.
Conclusion
The Aer Tech Sling 3 is a capable, thoughtfully-designed sling that prioritizes structure, protection, and organization above all else. It carries a lot, looks clean, and feels built to last.
That said, the fixed shoulder pad and stiff structure are double edge swords. If the strap doesn’t align with your body, it will bother you. And if you overpack it, access can feel clumsy.
Otherwise, the Tech Sling 3 delivers if you want a compact, professional tech bag that behaves more like a mini briefcase than a casual sling and is a fan of Aer’s design language.
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