ALPAKA Go Sling Mini V2 Review (2 Weeks of Use)

[@elsizzle2000]

Much respect for an honest, non fangirl review

[@halfpastblog]

Great bag. The buckle placement is a deal breaker. It should connect a few inches from the bag.

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for sharing your insights! 🤙

[@nameless_stranger]

Im torn between this and the tech case v2. Love the integrated key mod, but I also love the cable passthrough on the tech case v2.

[@TheGoodTheBadTheRowdy]

I've had mine too, replaced my old version. However I got green, and wish I had gone with black after seeing yours in movement haha. I will not be keeping and my wife is taking it. My gripes? Not into the placement of the buckle, wish theyd have moved it for this new version, close to end near bag, had some random kid pull the little tab when I was wearing it frontal, and on bus. Next, the compartment nearest to body, I wish they just made it larger for an ipad, as I would keep an ipad and kindle in there, wish theyd add 2/3 of an inch to that compartments thickness too. Just found new on secondary market, eagle creek wayfinder crossbody L sling, has large lined close to body pocket where I can keep ipad mini, and a kindle, among more items in that space. Seems they give more strap, cause I can wear comfortably around my poofy jacket, the alpaka I cant. i bought it for 12, just bought 2 more for 25, and 14 haha. Buying up extras for when I wear the one I am using out. wish alpaka would offer removeable sling options. and ones with out those magnetic locks. I still like many of their other stuff like their tech max I use as an organizer for rear pocket of new vertx ready pack. I use a red one to organize a medical kit, 2 tqs, packing, seals, etc.

[@NaoKeysVT]

If the bag had a bit more dimension and the strap was completely overhauled I'd be sold. It's so weird Alpaka is inconsistent with how they arrange their straps. I have the Nano and I love the strap. Buckle is out of the way, close to the bag. No dangly bits using those plastic loops.

[@SonTran23]

It’s 2024 why are companies still using an elastic bands as strap management

[@0irtgud]

Plus they don't even work properly, the elastic bands just slide to either ends of the strap lol

[@Brandon-0028]

Hey Lauren, great observation on the Fidlock buckle being against your back when traveling with a backpack. I had just been thinking of my love/dislike relationship with Fidlocks. From a UX perspective they are interesting . They are uncomfortable against the body (especially on the chest and shoulders) however on my MW Spar it works great half the time as a primary latch for the main compartment closure. It’s awesome that you can slap it closed to lock the latch magnetically, but it is sometimes fiddley to open the latch or have it inadvertently reconnect as you are getting into your bag one handed while it’s on the car seat next to you for instance. Overall I really enjoy the design of Cobra buckles better and opt for them when I can (despite their extra weight). I hope you all are well and doing great!

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for sharing all of this, Brandon! It sure seems like no matter what buckle a brand uses, someone will be unhappy. We're digging Cobra buckles, too! 😃

[@aramyth]

That clip location is a shame.

[@smaao]

Really appreciate this review❤

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for watching! 😃

[@william63]

Thanks for the great review. When is someone going to make a premium sling WITHOUT a metal/magnetic buckle? An absolute deal breaker.

[@WeiFinder]

I and many others love fidlock, but the position on this is wrong.

[@rcpanorama]

With your deep knowledge, what do you recommend: travel light, sling confortable on shoulder, 3 small mirrorless lenses, my camera goes in my hand. Secured for passport and keys. Battery, filters and SD card. PeakDesign 5 lt is fine and use it, the new 6 lt is too bulky, I just want another option with great quality.

[@therealjustinflowers]

Personally got this one in yesterday! Really digging the looks!

[@PackHacker2]

How are you liking it so far?

[@WeiFinder]

How'd you like it 3 months in

[@therealjustinflowers]

Personally it's my most used sling when I'm going out for the day. Gym, concerts, and general edc. Even awesome for concealed carry since it holds its shape well. The size is perfect for me. I also have the evergoods CAS, aer city sling, alpakas vertical sling v2, the lulu belt bag and tom bihns side hustle. If i had to get rid of them all and only have one, the go sling mini is the one. I will add one thing, the strap does have the tendency to unintentionally adjust over time, just due to the nature of the design, but it's not a total dealbreaker for me. It's very secure and might try out the stabilizer strap to see if it enhances the experience.

[@WeiFinder]

@@therealjustinflowers thanks for the reply!

[@sashinger5230]

Struggling with the sizing here. Still wish for a size between this and the Nano. Apart from that: I like their stuff!

[@PackHacker2]

Thanks for sharing your insights! 🤙

[@mishkoala]

Q: Can the mini V2 fit an 11 inch iPad? Based on the measurements, it looks like it should fit. But everyone slides an iPad mini in, which seems to have plenty of extra space.

[@johnoreilly9638]

Very informative - thank you 👍🏼 Would an iPad Mini and pair of Bose QuietcCmfort Ultra headphones fit into the main compartment?

[@SonTran23]

Which do you prefer this or AER DS3?

[@YosuaNangin]

Alpaka prioritize slimness too much to the point that interferes with the accessibility.

[@zerofivetwelve]

I agree. But in my personal opinion, when i compared to my AER and evergoods slings, the slimmer alpakas are actually nicer to wear bcos they fit nicer to my body when in use.

[@austinramsdail8528]

i’m genuinely trying to decide between this and the x pac tomtoc sling. i’d get the aer one but $100+ for a sling is just too much for me

[@houserhythm]

Might just be the fact that I didn't have it in my hands, but this seems like it barely fits more than my Go Sling Nano, even though from the outside it looks huge. I also dislike the buckle placement in the middle of the strap; normally when in very crowded areas I swing my sling to the front to protect from pickpockets, but with this the buckle then becomes exposed at the back and especially with the pull away opening it's so easy for someone to just grab your whole sling with one simple move. Again the Nano has a placement I much prefer, next to one of the attachment points between strap and sling, which makes it be right there on your chest when wearing the sling in front; the system also feels safer - it's a sliding magnet, instead of pull away, and it's also smaller.

[@sashinger5230]

Nope, this is way bigger.

[@Moosekeys]

Non detachable straps and center buckle with elastic strap keepers is criminal in 2024

[@itsawave3127]

Whats your favorite sling bag?

[@razaliibrahim9985]

Does the bottom has cushion?

[@amanohashidate1977]

can i fit a 11 inch tab there?

[@TheTrixman123]

You can but it’ll VERY VERY tight and no other items will maybe sunglasses and a cable or two or small Samsung ssd they have a bag that’s a for iPads 11 inch called the go sling

[@SparxCarnival]

Not a Fan. Don't like the Pilgram buckle. Prefer the padding on Aer. 6:40 The front pocket zipper is exposed which makes me nervous putting something like a phone in there as the glass could scratch on the exposed zipper. 1:20 "In General, it's pretty simple". Simple=Boring.