Gear Hunters: Sling Bag Showdown:-Aer Day Sling 3 vs Tomtoc T21 vs Alpaka Go Sling Mini

[@Xaphino]

This dude literally doesn’t have any of the bags on hand

[@MelaninWarriorz]

My guy it's called research says it in the title..pay attention before commenting smart guy

[@mfinresearch6462]

Here’s the thing having all the bags is never my intention. I buy these bags to use and to keep. I don’t want to get in the habit of buying and returning bags for the sake of a video and I don’t get sent anything to try. My goal is to one walk folks through what I am looking at in a bag to help them make similar decisions and 2 show the bag I purchased (you would know that if you made it to the end to see the bag that is in my hand). I also hear other’s people’s experiences with other features of the bag see previous comments. Thanks for watching

[@ibeeeg]

I am torn between all three slings. Like you, I want to keep the cost below $100 so I pause on the AER especially since they only have a 14 day return policy. I am leaning heavily towards the Alpaka but I am wondering about the straps connector. I will be wearing the sling in the front of my body and will also be carrying a back pack from time to time - will the strap buckle be nuisance? It doesn’t seem that the buckle can come closer to the bag? I think that might be a deal breaker for me as I do not want to feel a buckle digging into my back. Any thoughts on this? If will dig into my back then I think I will need to go with the Tomtoc. Would love additional thoughts from you now that you have the Alpaka. Thanks.

[@mfinresearch6462]

I have the sling and a backpack with me right now. I tested it out to see. I didn’t wear it longer than 5 minutes but I load both bags heavier than I would normally carry it to see if I could sort of stress test it. The buckle seems big but it sits between your shoulder blades and I couldn’t get it to create a hotspot. It could vary with the backpack but it seems okay. Hope that helps let me know what you decide.

[@Gizapowerplant]

Excellent comparison, I went with the Alpaka as well. Thank you!

[@mfinresearch6462]

Thanks always a good choice!

[@patrickchampagne7894]

I appreciate your work to walk us through the myriad of aspects when comparing very similar products. One aspect that for me is crucial, thus deal breaker is regarding carrying w/ strap on R shoulder, bag on L side. Tomtoc strap has one end attached at top. So if worn the way I wear a sling, pulling it to front of body, bag is upside down.

[@mfinresearch6462]

Thanks for the comments. That is a great point. I've been lucky that most of my slings have been ambidextrous over the years so I haven't given it much thought. I will definitely keep that in mind in future review.

[@jeffreytroiola570]

Excellent no nonsense video! Thank you

[@mfinresearch6462]

Thanks glad you liked it

[@sonnywong378]

Aer do have a sling bag similar design to Tomtoc bag Aer day sling 2 also have a xpac edition.

[@mfinresearch6462]

Sometimes I think Tomtoc is influenced by Aer's design. I definitely a fan of all three brands.

[@MulliganAl]

I've owned products made by all three companies and they're all good at what they do within their given price range, but I like more premium products so Aer is tops in my book, followed by Alpaka. My Aer City Sling has seen over 30 countries and still looks new which is why I'm also getting the Day Sling for my X100VI, hopefully it will fit my Leica as well when I grab it and go out shooting for the day.

[@mfinresearch6462]

Thanks for the insight. I really like the idea "they're all good at what they do within their given price range". That really sums it up. I've had slings from all three now and I agree 100% with your assessment.

[@jouwenlee7829]

Thanks for the analysis of the 3. I would go for AER, not ideal buckle like Alpaka at least it is easy accessible and not at the back if I am placing my sling in front, or sitting down with buckle compressing my back when leaning on something. Thanks.

[@mfinresearch6462]

You definitely can't go wrong with Aer I love their stuff and it lasts forever. I heard another review stating that I think the perception is worse than the buckle in real life. I'm using another sling right now so I had to test and see. Normal sitting didn't seem to be an issue. The only time where I could make it an issue was when I pressed it against a corner, got on the floor to test it, or was deliberately pressed in a chair. That might not be the same for everyone since body types are different. I don't think I encountered the situation since if I am sitting I usually rotate it under my arm. Thanks for the feedback I will definitely look out for it on the next sling with a buckle like this.

[@PTR2K]

One thing I will say about Aer is their warranty service (from my experience) is incredible. I had my bag for around 2 years (maybe longer). Mine developed a tear in the cup holder compartment on the side of the bag. It did not impact the function in the slightest but I raised it with Aer in case it developed any further. They instantly without any hassle asked me for my details and told me they would send a new bag out to me. So now I have 2 Aer Travel Pack 3 X-Pac bags with one sitting in the bag untouched for whenever I might need it in future. Great company in my opinion but obviously I can only speak from my own personal experience!

[@mfinresearch6462]

Thanks for the info. It is a great data point. I never hear much on the warranty claims for Aer products. My two aer bags are almost as good as new after all this time.

[@PTR2K]

@@mfinresearch6462 I believe mine was just a flaw with the stitching but I would definitely buy from them again. The fact they didnt even ask for the old bag back I thought was great too as the original still functions fine!

[@JohnArbuckle-tz9rg]

If the girl offers you a drink just switch it with her and jokingly say: you try the poison first. Then see what happens lol

[@mfinresearch6462]

Gotta admit I'm a little lost on this one.

[@erictang6385]

Appreciate this video, I was stuck between the Aer and the Alpaka and this helped me make my decision (Alpaka). Thanks for the help!

[@mfinresearch6462]

Glad I could help! I think you’ll enjoy it.

[@AlinaTrevino-bg7js]

tomtoc standard fabric is 9.45oz versus the heavier aer day sling 3 xpac: 13.79oz. I just pulled out a kitchen scale and measured each. I'm going to keep the tomtoc. cheaper, lighter, fits better. aer seems over built, clunky. It does have more capacity, but if I need capacity, I'm going to carry the larger version of the tomtoc sling which I also ordered.

[@mfinresearch6462]

The fact that you pulled out the kitchen scale!!! I love it! I would have done the same thing. Funny thing going in I planned on getting the tomtoc but I liked the Alpaka a little more. I do love the value of the tomtoc and I definitely have my eye on the larger tomtoc sling. Let me know what you think about it. Thanks for watching!!

[@shiveringisles3509]

Tomtoc is bigger too at 4L vs 3L, it also has a more secure Duraflex buckle instead of Fidlock. The only thing Aer DS3 wins is the extra organization inside and the smaller details. Tomtoc also hugs your back and feels more compressed while Aer DS3 bulk a little and is not as snug a hug. Aer DS2 is more the same size as the Tomtoc. Edit: Bought an Aer to try, the fidlock is actually more secure than I expected, never disengaged for me. The capacity is still smaller than Tomtoc but on the bright side it has more organization and looks more stylish and modern. It has a gusset that can be flattened when unused, so it handles nicely for stuff between 2-2.5L without over packing it because the compartments all somewhat share space. It can be used as a light carry like the City Sling or when needed can expand to hold a 16oz bottle + mini umbrella at most cases.

[@mfinresearch6462]

I’m with you the biggest downside for the aer was the fidlock for me. I would never trust that on a sling. The tomtoc does seem pretty cool. It was the reason for the comparison. I am looking at the larger size in the future. Thanks for your perspective 🍻

[@panda1412.]

I ended up getting the tomtoc, but i feel its a little too small for what i wanted. It needs to fit my mini 3 drone and controller. What would you recommend that would fit it?

[@mfinresearch6462]

I’m not big on drones but I would feel pretty safe in assuming you could stick with the larger slings from each of these brands. I think 10 liters should be good. You could also consider chrome industries, peak design, or a small edc backpack with good access while wearing it like evergoods. Hope that helps let me know what you decide. Good luck!!

[@panda1412.]

@@mfinresearch6462 I took a risk with a Kickstarter project from alpaka, it's called the vertex

[@mfinresearch6462]

Nice!! I looked at it and wanted to get it but I didn’t really have a need for it. Let me know if it works