Lowepro StreamLine Sling Travels Light and Keeps Your Gear within Reach

Gear Diary is independently owned and operated. We receive compensation through advertising and from the companies whose products we review, usually in the form of the reviewed product. We test the products supplied to us, and the opinions expressed are our own.

Gear Diary is also reader-supported. When you buy through links posted on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

You can learn more by clicking here.

Gear Diary Lowepro SteamLine Sling 35

I always love it when Lowepro announces a new line of bags. They always add something new while building upon the time-tested and proven features and quality that makes Lowepro so popular with so many of us. Their new StreamLine series of bags is no exception, and the StreamLine Sling comes in at under $50.

Gear Diary Lowepro SteamLine Sling 51

When it comes to carrying my camera gear, I tend to choose a light backpack more often than not. Increasingly, I find a sling to be a terrific way to carry “just enough” gear when out and about for the day. We’ve looked at a few different sling bags from Lowepro; all are impressive and do the job quite well. Still, most are fairly serious looking bags and carry a price that, while not high, certainly is not inexpensive. The StreamLine Sling has a more casual look, and it carries a sub $50 price. That makes it a rather compelling offering in my opinion and, having used it for the past week or so, I’m quite impressed.

<
Features:
  • Multi-device design offers dedicated storage for 10″ tablet, smartphone, camera (mirrorless/CSC up to compact DSLR such as Canon EOS Rebel SL1) and personal items
  • Side-zip compartment provides quick access to camera by rotating sling to front
  • Tall, stretch-mesh pocket (offers convenient access to a water bottle or other personal item)

Don’t let the low price of this bag for you – this isn’t a cheap bag — it’s simply an inexpensive one. The bag is light and, while it doesn’t have a tremendous amount of padding and protection, it isn’t designed for that. The material used in its construction is thin yet sturdy, adding to the bag’s light weight. When I began using it, I quickly realized that the company certainly didn’t skimp on design when putting this together.

Gear Diary Lowepro SteamLine Sling 32

Since it is a sling bag, it has a single shoulder strap as well as a grab handle. The grab handle is a ribbon of material that won’t be ideal for carrying the bag as a briefcase, but is plenty good enough to grab it while on the go.

Gear Diary Lowepro SteamLine Sling 56

The shoulder strap has just enough padding and it said class, while plastic, looks and feels sturdy enough. I did appreciate two specific details – the extra padded material that ensures the buckle doesn’t rub against you wearing, and the small plastic Doohickey I point out in the video that keeps the most part of the web material from flopping around. That’s something every bag ought to have!

Screenshot 2013 10 15 10 45 22

A zipper toward the top of the bag opens to reveal a pocket that is ideal for a few small items.

Gear Diary Lowepro SteamLine Sling 29

An open pocket with elastic material on the side will work perfectly well for a water bottle, cylindrical speaker or other small items that don’t need to be kept behind a super.

Screenshot 2013 10 15 10 48 18

Along the side there is a long zippered pocket that opens to reveal the tablet compartment. Large enough for a full-size iPad, it also works perfectly well for my iPad mini. No, this isn’t a bag you’ll want to use if you need to carry a laptop.

Gear Diary Lowepro SteamLine Sling 47 001

A zipper along the top portion opens to reveal the main storage compartment. At first it didn’t seem large enough for even the small amount of year. I then realized that this pocket actually extends to the bottom of the bag, since the camera department only takes up one half to two-thirds of the lower portion. This interior space actually provides a nice snug extra area bottom portion of the bag or something like a pair of headphones. I was glad to see the company didn’t waste space by making the camera compartment run the entire width of the bag, and instead they opted to let this back portion become extra storage for the main compartment. Smart.

Gear Diary Lowepro SteamLine Sling 31

The opening for the camera compartment is along the side of the sling. Inside is just enough room for a small wireless camera and either an additional lens for a flash. One divider is included, and it can be moved to create the right fit for your particular gear.

Where this bag comes in especially handy is in its ability to wear the sling on your back and then flip it to your front. This place is the zipper camera compartment right in front of you. Flip the bag to the front, grab your gear, close the camera compartment, flip the bag back around, and you are good to go. That means grabbing your camera gear doesn’t have to slow you down for even a second. I like that.

Screenshot 2013 10 15 10 48 35

Fits:

  • 10? tablet
  • Smartphone & personal items
  • Camera (CSC up to compact DSLR such as Canon EOS Rebel SL1)

Screenshot 2013 10 15 10 55 54

If you carry a ton of camera gear or need a bag that offers a huge amount of padding protection, this will not be the bag for you. If, on the other hand, you want a bag that is light, has enough space for your essentials including a camera, lenses and tablet, and you want a bag that is inexpensive, then you are going to love this bag. As I noted, I used this bag for the past week or so, and it has served me exceptionally well. You can learn more order yours here.

MSRP: $49.99

What I Like: Light, inexpensive; Well-designed with a good amount of thought given to how someone might want to use it; Holds just enough without being cavernous or allowing you to overstuff it

What Needs Improvement: Minimal padding and protection for your gear; Feels lighter than most low pro bags which may lead some to consider it cheap rather inexpensive

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!


About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.

1 Comment on "Lowepro StreamLine Sling Travels Light and Keeps Your Gear within Reach"

  1. great review i seen your other review on the think tank turnstyle 20 they look about the same size which would you say will fit more stuff? i have a nex6 a couple hvlf60m flashes and triggers

Comments are closed.