We recently had the opportunity to test out the new Patagonia Stealth Sling — a water-resistant 10-liter pack that perfectly meets many of the needs of fly anglers.
Patagonia has always made superior gear, but it seams they’ve never wanted to wow anglers with unnecessary accessories, gadgets, or features that might look good on a list or in a presentation but otherwise don’t really make a whole lot of sense. What’s more, often times unnecessary features can sometimes be a pain to deal with when it comes to bulk, items for line to catch on, etc.
While Patagonia’s minimalist approach has been nice over the years, the addition of new features to their new line of packs and bags is well-received. Pockets, dividers, and other features actually do make a difference. And when it comes to the new Patagonia Stealth Sling, there are several of those difference-making features.
Let’s first break down the aspects of this pack that we like the most:
- Lightweight
Ever have a sore shoulder from a sling after a day of fishing? Not fun — especially if there’s a second day of fishing and you go into it sore. This lightweight sling helps keep you comfortable plus offers a nice cushioned strap. - Mesh
Turns out mesh on the strap and back panel makes a difference. With other slings, I usually have a line of sweat across my chest and on my back where the sling sits. This is a lot of sweat to give up during a day. Additionally, when wet, the sling and back panel are the slowest to dry. (Never fun when traveling.) This mesh feels better, prevents sweat, and dries faster. - Dividers, D-Rings, and Magnets
Organization makes all the difference on the water. Time dealing with gear is time not fishing. This sling has a generous number of dividers and D-rings so that you can be organized and create a system that keeps you functional and fishing. Also, a waterproof removable zip-pouch is very nice for items like keys, a phone, a wallet, and so on. This is not a waterproof pack, so this is a great feature. Oh yeah, and the magnets are a nice touch. These allow you to have a place to briefly place metal items (like nippers and flies) while rigging up and needing both hands.
4. Net Sleeve
No longer do you need to deal with net problems. Zingers and other options tend to create
additional problems, especially with the net swinging around. This sling’s net sleeve keeps
your net in place and removes the need to think about your net. Instead, you can focus on
your fishing.
From the design features to how this sling feels to wear, Patagonia knocked this one out of the park.
The Patagonia Stealth Sling comes in Ink Black and Noble Grey and costs $159.
To learn more about the Patagonia Stealth Sling, please click here.
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Disclosure: Patagonia is in a professional relationship with the The Venturing Angler. Though potentially benefiting from this relationship, we do not post what we do not believe to be true. To read more, click here.