Leather Bags
Crossbody vs Sling Bag for Men
A crossbody bag hangs at the hip and a sling bag sits on the chest or back. Our leather crossbody and sling compared on size, weight, pockets and security.
At a glance
- A crossbody bag hangs at the hip. A sling bag sits on the chest or back.
- Our crossbody is the smaller and lighter of the two.
- Our sling is deeper and has zip pockets for a passport.
- A sling worn on the chest is the easier bag to keep in sight.
Leather Sling Bag for Men, Light Brown, 36cm £54.99 · Free UK delivery Shop A crossbody bag hangs at your hip on a long strap worn across the body. A sling bag is a slim single-strap bag that sits on your chest or back. Pick a crossbody for the lighter carry and a sling to keep travel items in front of you.
What is the difference between a crossbody bag and a sling bag?
A crossbody bag rests at the hip. A sling bag sits on the chest or back. Both cross the body on one strap.
Our crossbody is the smaller and lighter bag. Our sling is longer, deeper and shaped like a triangle. The table compares the two.
| Crossbody bag | Sling bag | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £29.99 | £54.99 |
| Size | 20.5 x 16 x 3cm | 36 x 21.5 x 5cm |
| Weight | About 280g | 550g |
| Material | First-layer cowhide (supplier stated) | Genuine leather (supplier stated) |
| Pockets | Front flap pocket, zip pocket | Snap flap, zip pockets |
| Carry | Shoulder strap with metal hooks | Worn across the chest |
What does the small crossbody bag hold?
The small crossbody bag is the compact option, with a front flap pocket and a zip pocket. The supplier gives no capacity.
Its size chart shows the bag beside a 7.9 inch tablet. That gives a sense of scale before you order.
What does the sling bag hold?
The sling bag holds a passport in a zip pocket, as its photos show. The supplier gives no capacity or pocket count.
The shape is a retro triangle and the strap crosses the chest. It is deeper than the crossbody. The product photo shows the triangle shape and the flap.
Which is more secure, a crossbody or a sling bag?
A sling worn on the chest is easier to keep in sight than a crossbody at the hip. You can see the zip and the flap at all times.
A crossbody sits at your side. Turn it to the front in a crowd or on a busy train. A sling worn on the back is out of sight. In either bag, keep cards and a passport in a zip pocket.
Which is easier to reach into while moving?
A crossbody at the hip is the easier bag to reach into while you walk. Your hand falls on it without moving the strap.
A sling on the chest is close too but sits higher. A sling on the back has to swing round first. Stop before you swing it so nothing falls out of an open pocket.
How do you wear a sling or crossbody bag?
Wear a crossbody bag with the strap across your chest and the bag at your hip. Wear a sling bag with the strap across your chest and the bag on your front or back.
Adjust the strap so the bag sits flat against your body. A bag that hangs low swings as you walk. Keep the heavier items nearest your body.
What are the leather bags made of?
Both are leather as listed by the supplier: the sling genuine leather with a nylon lining, the crossbody first-layer cowhide with a polyester cotton lining. In the photos the light brown sling looks soft and slightly distressed with contrast stitching. The crossbody is coffee brown.
Neither listing states a water rating. Keep both out of heavy rain. Wipe each with a barely damp cloth and dry it away from heat.
What other small bags are there?
A messenger bag or a tote suits you if a crossbody or sling is too small. The messenger bag has a document pocket. The tote is the larger bag at 31 x 34.5 x 10.5cm.
Our messenger bag costs £69.99 and weighs about 626g. It has a zip top, a zipped inner pocket, a phone pocket and a document pocket on one adjustable strap. Our tote costs £34.99. It is PU leather with two top handles, a zip top and zip pockets inside and out. Our guide on what PU leather is explains how it differs from animal leather.
The product photo shows the front of the tote with the outside zip pocket.
What about delivery and returns?
All four bags ship free to UK addresses in 7 to 12 working days from our international warehouse. You can return any of them within 30 days if it is unused and in its original packaging.
Which bag should you choose?
Pick the crossbody for a light carry. Pick the sling for travel documents you want in front of you. Pick the messenger for papers or the tote for a bigger load.
| If you want | Pick |
|---|---|
| The smaller, lighter bag | Crossbody bag |
| A chest bag with zip pockets for a passport | Sling bag |
| Phone and document pockets on one strap | Messenger bag |
| Handles and a zip top | Tote bag |
| The lowest price | Crossbody bag |
The sling costs £25 more than the crossbody.
Find more men’s shoulder bags in Leather Bags.
Small bags compared in this guide
| Product | Price | Why it is here |
|---|---|---|
| Leather Sling Bag for Men, Light Brown, 36cm | £54.99 | A light brown leather sling bag in a retro triangle shape, worn across the chest. |
| Small Leather Crossbody Bag for Men, Coffee Brown | £29.99 | A compact coffee brown leather crossbody bag with a front flap pocket and a zip pocket. |
 Men's Leather Messenger Bag, Brown Cowhide Shoulder Bag | £69.99 | A brown cowhide messenger bag with a zip top, phone and document pockets and an adjustable strap. |
| Men's PU Leather Tote Bag, Brown, 31 x 34.5cm | £34.99 | A brown PU leather tote with two top handles and a zip top. |
Questions answered
Can a sling bag be worn on the back? +
Yes, a sling strap lets the bag swing round to your back. Our sling listing describes it as worn across the chest.
Is a sling bag the same as a chest bag? +
Yes. A chest bag is a sling worn on the front. Our sling is listed as worn across the chest.
Is a messenger bag a crossbody bag? +
Yes, a messenger bag is usually worn across the body on one long strap. Ours has one adjustable strap.
Is a sling bag good for travel? +
Yes, a sling worn on the chest keeps a passport and phone in front of you. Our sling photos show a passport in a zip pocket.
