Perhaps the most popular medium for carrying our personal or impersonal things will be a backpack. Especially when we are talking about trips, walks, etc. Nowadays, we have many types of backpacks. There is something they have in common - two shoulder straps. WRONG! That is not true anymore as these days we can have bags and packs with one strap (sling) only. Although such bags/packs may seem somewhat clumsy and unusable, the opposite is true. They have many advantages that we will reveal in this article. 

Forget the past 

In the past, all the backpacks really had two shoulder straps. It was advantageous because they fit well on our backs and in general, there were no troubles with them. Then came the sling bagpacks. However, as we all remember, they were not the best concepts at first. Our backs hurt, the sling wasn´t comfortable and we were just disgusted by this "breakthrough idea". As we all know, we can not stick to the past, we must move on and give a chance to the latest offers. It is almost unbelievable what companies, such as Maxpedition, have achieved in this field. Nowadays shoulder bags offer advantages that we do not even dream of with the classic ones.

So we´re curious

What are the advantages of backpacks that are missing half of basic carrying system? We might be surprised, but it's not just that they are starting to be used around the world. A highly appreciated advantage is, for example, the possibility of accessing the backpack while walking. When we are walking, we can easily release stabilization strap and simply turn your backpack onto your abdomen. In this position we can pull out the compass, map, snack, simply anything and then turn the backpack back. Another advantage is the swapping of the shoulders. As soon as one shoulder starts to hurt , we will simply swap the sides. These advantages, however, are not common for all the backpacks. There are still some backpacks on the market that are hurting our backs, etc., simply they are not good. How do we find out ? 

Is it enough ?

Practically it should be sufficient to stick to renowned brands that guarantee quality. Standard design, which led diagonally over the shoulder to the side, are no longer the rule as well. There are new, more sophisticated designs, that don´t pull us back, but rather help to distribute the load from the back to the hips like standard backpacks. If we want to be sure of the quality, pay attention to the shoulder strap. Compared to standard straps, It must be much wider to ensure better distribution of the weight. And the proper padding provides comfortable carry. As with the classic backpacks, also the shoulder bags have stabilizing straps that hold them to move with the body and not for themselves.

Wisdom, mainly wisdom 

When making a selection, in addition to already mentioned things, we also need to pay attention to the material, internal organization, etc. Material should be nylon and its modifications (600D and higher). The best option is ballistic nylon 1050D with coating, which provides better durability and water resistance. As already mentioned, pay attention to internal organization as well. However, it is important to realize, that shoulder bags are not intended for longer marches, but they are rather packs for work or shorter trips.