Orvis Ratings and Reviews

Top Rated Product

Guide Sling Pack

Carry everything you'll need and keep it out of your way. Built just like our best-selling original, only larger, the fly-fishing sling-pack style allows you to wear it over one shoulder, completely out of the way, but still have quick-and-easy access to all your gear. Store large capacity fly boxes, accessories, or packable rain jackets in the roomy main compartment and keep track of flies with the fly-drying foam patch. Forceps sheath and zinger attachment point feature magnetic anchors to keep tools in place. Constructed with an integrated water bottle holder. Adjustable shoulder strap, sternum strap, and tippet spool holder included. 20"H x 12"W x 7"D; 900 cu. in. Weighs 1.6 lbs. Imported.
Average Customer Rating:
4.457 out of 5
4.5
 out of 
5
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating Snapshot (35 reviews)
5 stars
26
4 stars
4
3 stars
2
2 stars
1
1 star
2
32 of 35(91%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Stories:
Customer Reviews for Guide Sling Pack
Review 1 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Fine product.,
May 13, 2013
By: FSBrazil
from Brazil.
"Everything needed for a day or two of fishing. But don´t carry heavy itens because it hurts a little bit after a few hours."
Review 2 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
New and Way Better,
May 9, 2013
By: FJS56
from Napa, CA
"I purchased the original sling last year and have used it a lot. Great bag, everything is in the right place—but too small for all my stuff. The Guide Sling is perfect. Some will say it seems big, but the reality is you always bring more then you think you will. I have used mine many times already, and my advice is go big. Want to take less, go ahead, the bag will not complain if half only full—but if you want to bring extra stuff you need this bag."
Review 3 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
2 / 5
2 / 5
Guide Sling Pack Review,
May 7, 2013
By: zdc001
from Delaware
"I found that the smaller sling pack has better features than the new larger guide sling pack, specifically:
The lack of a forcep holder next to the main pouch that is there on the smaller version.
The lack of multiple smaller pockets on the inside of the large compartment. The larger zippered pouches make it more difficult to store and use smaller items.
The Guide sling pack seemed to slip off my shoulder more often than the smaller one does. Unless I tighten both straps a lot which makes it more uncomfortable.
Bottom line is that I would not recommend it. I went back to using my older smaller version.
"
Review 4 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Looks Good!,
May 3, 2013
By: TheShakeyfly
from Worcester, MA
"This thing is well made, and has a wide open layout. I really like the way it looks, and it fits nicely. The Sternum strap is adjustable, and I like the way it clicks rather than around the waste like the old one. This one, you can do one handed which is really handy. The water bottle holder is finally on there so it makes it nice for the flats or other hike in and around situation. Mine came with the tippet spool holder. I didn't have to buy one. It comes with one.
The TWO things I really wish Orvis did, was 1) Make one of the internal pockets waterproof/resitant. I would like to place my wallet and car keys in a pocket and not worry if I take a dunk. 2) It would have been cool if you incorporated a strap or a "hole" for a net or net handle.
Awesome BAG. Really pumped I got it."
Review 5 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
3 / 5
3 / 5
Almost There!,
April 30, 2013
By: icb12
from All Over Alaska
"The Orvis Guide Sling pack is quite possibly the most thought out fishing pack on the market. It certainly is the best I've used to date.
The fishing specific features make this pack. The forceps holders, magnet sewn in, tippet spool holder, velcro inside large pocket, these are the features that make this pack super usable, super nice to fish with.
As good as it is; it could be better. My thoughts:
The tippet spool holder- when the pack is loaded to max capacity, spools of maxima ultragreen push hard against the pack and friction makes it a pain to pull tippet out. Make the loops bigger.
The nipper magnet sewn into the pack great, Awesome actually, but the reinforced section needs to be bigger, the magnet needs to be bigger and more powerful, AND there needs to be 2 of them for 2 zingers/retractors.
The water bottle pocket- GRRR!! IT'S TOO SMALL!!! Fill the pack up and you have to break a sweat to shove a 32oz Nalgene or 40oz Kleen Kanteen in there!! And if you DO manage to get it in there, it pushes so hard against the main pocket of the bag that it's cramming everything in there.
It's a day pack, you need to be able to carry a days worth of water. A 32 oz Nalgene is pretty standard I think.
Using the Pack- simple, I find that I have to loosen the main strap so the pack swings down lower and is easier to use and access, no way around that, and it's super easy and fast.
The sling itself could be slightly more ergonomic. There is a little bunching of the strap when it's tightened up. Can be seen in the design as well. Comfortable as is though.
Finally, I think it could be Bigger. It's designed to go on your back. a good day pack (backpack) is 1500-2000ci, why would a day-fishing pack be any less??
I'd like to see the same design and features in something that is 16-1800ci.
"
Review 6 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
better than a vest,
April 16, 2013
By: Beachhauler
from Staten Island ,NY
"Bought the Guide sling pack after using regular sling pack in the salt.
It has enough room to fit the stuff I carry in my vest, with more comfort.
Carries forcepts on the strap right where you need it. water bottle is secure on the bag and easy to get to, as is the acces to the pockets
"
Review 7 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Couldn't ask for more,
April 9, 2013
By: MattL
from Winooski, VT
"I purchased the original pack but ended up sending it back - it was just too small for what I needed it for. I did however liked how it felt, and liked the placement of everything on it. The new bigger version is perfect, and is also improved with the flip compartments with zippers. I now have room for a drink, lunch, camera with extra batteries, a few fly boxes, tippet, leaders, gloves, a hat, phone, extra spool and/or reels...even some of my jumbo boxes for pike flies!."
Review 8 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
you get what you pay for.,
April 6, 2013
By: heo9542
from San Diego, CA
"Orvis always delivers. I had originally bought the smaller sling but it was way too small. This sling has more than enough room for all my files, spare spool, tools, with room left over and the tippet holder is awesome. My only complaint is the camo. It would have been nice if it came in another color but I will deal."
Review 9 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Awesome Sling Pack,
April 5, 2013
By: tnwalkerbobo
"The Sling Pack is everything I was looking for in a compact way to carry all I use when fishing. It has great room for everything and then some but is not too bulky. It is great for hot weather fishing."
Review 10 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Awesome, baby!,
April 2, 2013
By: swackdog1
from Arlington, TN
"good bye vest, so long lanyard. i love this little sling pack. pockets, hooks, and do dads in all the right places."
Review 11 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Guide sling pack,
March 26, 2013
By: Quimby
from South Dakota
"Well constructed. Plenty of room. I will also use this for turkey hunting!"
Review 12 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Quality product,
March 25, 2013
By: Juju9
from Colorado
"The bag is high quality with ample room. I have been fishing with a chest pack for a few years and the chest forward freedom the sling pack offered is great. However, I have found it difficult to find a place to secure a net I suppose that is one of the drawbacks of this style."
Review 13 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Great Pack,
March 24, 2013
By: Jaco
from Chilhowie, VA
"I've fished with the original sling pack for several years so I wasn't crazy about the interior pocket lay out of the new guide sling pack, but after adding a few small gadgets I've adapted this pack to me and now love it. The extra space is VERY handy and the water bottle holder was a great idea. Plus the thing just looks legit so even if you aren't slaying the fish you look like you know what you're doing."
Review 14 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Nice Pack,
March 20, 2013
By: Tdbear
from Minnesota
"Overall this is a great pack.
I like that it is easy to spin around and get at anything in the pack I need. The tip-it spool is very nice and handy. For the price I wish they would have included the line nippers that are pictured. I do wish it was just a touch larger. Not so I could fit more stuff in it but so if would fit a little better when its full.
I used it last week for a few hours with a light rain and everything I had in it was damp and needed to be dried out when I was done. I'm sure i can spray it down with something and fix that. The pack is built well and im sure I will get many good seasons out of it.
"
Review 15 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Simply put.. AWESOME,
March 19, 2013
By: lespaul
from CT
"Wonderful sling with plenty of space for guides and anglers. Have not used it yet but looking forward tomdoongnso in Montana this summer. Appears to be what the hype offers. Looks smoking !!!!! Must have for guides. Looks like you can even bring a few cold beers in it so that's a sale to me ;),"
Review 16 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
3 / 5
3 / 5
Almost, but needs some improvements.,
March 18, 2013
By: JPort
from Maine
"I like this pack; it has a lot of potential and I will hold on to it. I love the space it offers and it has many great features. However, I think one area where Orvis dropped the ball is organization options. I wish one of the front compartments had small, separate pockets for organizing small items such as split shot, strike indicators, flotant, etc. I own a smaller sling pack from another company and it has a lot of these small, elastic-rimmed pockets that would be great in this pack."
Review 17 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
1 / 5
1 / 5
Poor Design,
March 15, 2013
By: Otch
from Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
"I am perhaps the most loyal Orvis fan out there. Unfortunately, however, I can't support this item. If you are right handed, your arm will always rub against the sling strap (it should be placed on the left side, or come in right and left hand styles). The same is true of the net hook placement - when the pack is on your back, the net hook is at the tip, right behind your left shoulder. So the net will swing with each arm movement, and hit your arm every time. Also, when you swing the bag in from, I don't think they connected the sling to the pack in the right places. The pack doesn't lie square on your stomach. It slant way too far to the left. It seems like the location where they attach the bag is too low on the bag."
Review 18 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
1 / 5
1 / 5
Guide Sling Pack,
March 12, 2013
By: Michael80004
from Denver, CO
"I certainly appear to be the minority here, but after several trips using this sling pack, I actually found it to be poorly designed. While it did have lots of space to carry all my items, if you are right-handed, you are going to notice the first time you sling it in front of you, that all of the built-in connections for your tippet spool an nippers are on the wrong side. I also had trouble with the pack either being too tight for pulling it to the front or too loose and it flopping around during my casting. It is also a bit challenging to reattach the sternum strap while still holding your fly rod. Overall, I found myself consistently returning to the stream bank and taking the pack off to get to my items, a fact that really defeats the purpose of the pack."
Review 19 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Could be great,
March 11, 2013
By: Roccster
from Sweden
"This bag has the potential to become really great. However there are alot of pros, and some cons.
Pros:
Large compartment that holds alot of stuff.
Excellent bottle holder, something that i have looked for.
Great magnet that keeps clipper in place.
I really like the fly patch that you can stick on top of the bag.
The holder for the tippet material is brilliant!
Cons:
Not enough small compartments to hold all the little stuff you want with you.
The bag sits quite high and when fiddling with your stuff you get tired in your shoulders.
But the biggest con is that the bag have to be carried on your right shoulder. This is the reason i sent it back. If your a right handed caster it feels really strange having a weight on that shoulder. Also the natural way to carry a shoulder bag is on the opposite shoulder.
So its a bag with great potential. If Orvis develops one for the left shoulder and boosts the compartnents with more sorting capabilities its a winner."
Review 20 for Guide Sling Pack
Overall Rating: 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Perfect Day Trip Bag,
March 5, 2013
By: Danimal3
from Maryland
"Awesome pack if you plan on spending the whole day on the river. You can pack extra layers, food and drink in this pack. Easy to get to extra tippet spools, fly boxes, tools, ect. without having to trudge back to shore or fumble with a smaller pack. Its a big pack without the bulk that feels intuitive and looks awesome."