I purchased a  Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW sling-style backpack from Amazon a few weeks ago.  So far, I’ve been quite impressed with the design and usability of the bag.  Read on for my review of the bag.

Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW Review

by Justin Yunke on 3/27/2010

Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW Rear

Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW Top

For those not familiar with the “sling” style of bags, they’re designed to be rotated around your torso such that you can get into the bag without taking it completely off of your shoulders.  A single strap comes across your chest very similar to a seat belt in a car, and you can rotate the bag from your back to your chest to conveniently get into the side flap.

Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW Side

As shown in the above picture, a U-shaped zipper track opens the bag from the side.  There are two plastic backpack buckles that keep the pack from completely opening unless you disengage the buckles, as shown here:

Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW Side/Open

Inside the bag are movable dividers that can be shaped to fit around most common components, i.e. lenses, bodies, batteries, etc.  The dividers are connected to each other and the bag’s internal walls using standard hook & loop fasteners.  I have found that the default arrangement is pretty close to what I’ll likely use; having a “T”-shape on the side allows me to place my Nikon D200 (with the MB-D200 battery pack and 17-50 Tamron lens) in for easy retrieval and storage.

Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW Side (2)

A list of all of the compartments and their intended uses exists at the product website.  There are several nooks and crannies for lens cloths, business cards, and other miscellaneous items.  The outer zipper pocket is similar to most backpacks, as shown here:

Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW Outer Pocket

If extra support is needed beyond the “seatbelt” diagonal strap, an additional support strap is tucked away in its own compartment on the side where it connects to the diagonal strap.  I have found that the diagonal strap is quite snug and comfortable without the use of the support strap.  When I tested the additional strap, the bag felt extremely secure against my back.  I think for long hikes this would help keep the weight firmly in one place.  However, note that with the support strap connected, the bag cannot be rotated to the front — it feels just like a regular backpack.

Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW Hidden Add'l Support Strap

On the bottom of the backpack is a wide, zippered pocket containing what looks like a parachute with the texture of a rain coat and the color of a weather balloon.  This is what gives this backpack the “AW” (All Weather) designation.  The cover, which is itself connected to the bottom of the bag, covers the entire backpack and holds tightly from its elastic edges, similar to an over-sized shower cap.

Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW Cover

I appreciate that both the support strap and cover are attached to the bag (so I won’t lose them) and are neatly stowed away when not used  (so they don’t get in my way).

As of this writing, I’ve spent up to three hours with this backpack filled completely with camera gear and it never became uncomfortable.  This fall, I will be traveling to Austrailia and New Zealand for three weeks and will be putting this bag to its test.

One issue I have found with using this sling-style bag is that the type of shirt or jacket I wear changes how efficiently this backpack can be moved from my back to my chest.  For instance, a thinner sweater or t-shirt provides little resistance, but a thicker hooded sweatshirt wants to move with the bag, so I have to tug it all the way around in small bursts while adjusting the sweatshirt.  I believe a wind breaker or other thin and “slippery” jacket might be recommended if the backpack needs to be opened often.

Overall, I’m very pleased with this purchase and will consider Lowepro again in the future.