I’m relatively easily pleased. A lot of reviews do a great job of highlighting the pros and cons of products and services. I can get all excited about something, then see a review that highlights a downside I go “back to the drawing board”.
I also like nice things, aka, expensive. So when I spend my money I don’t want to have buyer’s remorse based on the quality or functions of the item. I tend to overthink purchases so much that recently, while doing my usual OCD research into new earphones, my wife got sick of it and just purchased me the AirPods Pro 2. And, lo and behold, they have been fine and I immediately stopped looking at alternatives. Who knew? 🤷♂️
I also have items that, once bought, I pay them no more attention other than using them. This means they are functional, meet my expectations and do the job I purchased the item to do.
So, I can be easily pleased and the Bellroy Sling fits that description. It does its job, no more, no less. It has immediately become part of my day both work-wise and, most likely leisure-wise.
So, for others who may be “easily pleased” and don’t need all the technical stuff and just want the question, “Yes, but does it bloody work?” this is for you!
The Bellroy Sling
I purchased the 7 litre sling for AUD149. It’s well made and the zips are great to use with a very solid and comforting mechanism, meaning they don’t feel cheap or about to break. They may “free up” over time with more use but I like them the way they are.
Inside
The sling has two compartments with some pockets with each. Both compartments are quite large and I can fit a surprising amount in, should I need/want to.
One compartment has a zipped pocket with a softer inner lining that holds my glasses. The way I wear the sling, with the leather Bellroy logo facing out, the glasses are closest to my body which adds further protection from being bumped into or hitting something inadvertently. This compartment also has a key chain to hold your keys. The length is short and some have commented it is too short. I don’t find that, I just need access to the keys, which this provides.
See? Easily pleased.
The other, outer compartment, has two “pouches” rather than zipped pockets to hold smaller items. Super handy. I’ll talk about what I carry shortly.
The Strap
This is one area I was concerned about, as the strap has a magnetic connection. All the reviews I saw said the magnet was strong but I was doubtful. I shouldn’t have been. It takes a bit of force to separate the magnets so I’m very happy with the mechanism. In every day life, if the magnets separated, it would have to get jagged on something pretty hard, and that obviously, lets me know it’s happened and I can take care of it. No issue, don’t even think about it.
The strap can also be lengthened and shortened to your hearts desire. I’m 5’10” or 178cm and I have room to spare to lengthen it further and also shorten it if I want to.
What Going On Inside?
One thing I need to mention is that I got this to replace my backpacks. I rarely carry my laptop anymore and if I need to I will still use them. But my work set up is pretty flexible so I’m rarely lugging it around.
In the outer compartment I carry odds and ends:
- my work pass
- a tab of paracetamol (just in case)
- iPhone cable
- Ruler (I like to be neat but I’m using physical notebooks less and less)
- Pens (Uni-Ball Jetstream 250 Rollerball Pen 0.7mm – Black)
- Airpods Pro case
The inner compartment (closest to me)
- Sunglasses
- Notebook (Leuchtturm1917) or
- Ipad mini 6
- 500ml water bottle
- House/work keys on keychain
I don’t jam it full of stuff as that would defeat the purpsoe of a minimalist carry (for me, you do you!).
A note on protection for the iPad mini. I often forget the iPad is in there and just sling the bag down. It’s not onto anything too hard and it’s not a whack on the floorboards we have but just so you know, the mini is fine and the sling does provide a level of protection, not the level of a padded laptop bag though. 👍
In Summary
As I said above, this does the job in such a way that I don’t “notice” it. Which is exactly what I am after.
There are smaller and larger slings, based on your preference.
I may be easily pleased but I need tools that get the job done without too much fussing and fighting. This does that for me. Couldn’t be happier.
Go here to check them out. No affiliation. Bellroy don’t know about this article and have no idea who I am.
Thank you for reading! 😊
My purpose in writing on BillJamesWallace.com
- Personal Development — writing helps me articulate my own thinking. I find trying to create an “argument” for a perspective on paper, quite revealing and at times challenging and I can be more critical of my own thoughts. I frequently find myself thinking: “Why DO I think this?”
- Developing Others — to help people make better choices by helping them think critically and realise their potential. We are often blinded by beliefs and thinking given to us by others.
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