My guest reviewer Seth G has been sent a Review: Camelbak Arete Sling 8 pack to test and review. His teenage daughter put the pack through its paces. Here are Seth’s thoughts on the pack.
The CamelBak Arete Sling 8 has been my daughter’s everyday carry on during our recent family trip through five countries. She wore it as her personal item on flights (paired with her larger CamelBak HAWG 30L packed with clothes for the three-week trip) and then used it daily for city exploring, hiking and a visit to the pyramids in Giza. If you’re looking for a comfortable, ultralight, adjustable sling that offers excellent versatility for travel and light adventures, this one is worth a closer look.
Features of the Camelbak Arete Sling 8 pack
- Lightweight and Breathable Materials
- 3D Vent Mesh Harness
- Carry Style: Convertible left/right shoulder sling with adjustable fit
- Stretch Overflow Pocket
- 1.5L Reservoir compatible stash pocket on shoulder strap
- 38 cm x 17 cm x 22 cm
- 270g
- 40% Woven Nylon,41% Woven Poly,4% Knitted Nylon
- Price: £ 59.99 (around £45 on Amazon)
Pros: What’s good about the Camelbak Arete Sling 8 pack?
Ultralight & adjustable: At under 300g, the Arete Sling 8 is light. Our daughter loved how easily she could switch it from left to right shoulder and adjust the strap tighter or looser for different activities and outfits. It stayed comfortable all day whether walking through busy cities or riding a camel.
Versatility & Real-World Use: This pack handled everything from quick city errands to longer adventure days. It was the perfect size for her water bottle, Kindle, light jacket, snacks, camera, and other essentials. She used it constantly as her daily “purse” while travelling.
Comfort & Breathability: The 3D Vent Mesh harness and back panel kept it comfortable even in warm weather. The sling design allows quick access without taking the whole pack off.
Packing & Capacity: 8 litres is surprisingly usable. It easily swallowed her daily needs and had room to spare for extra items on longer outings. The stretch overflow pocket was handy for shedding or adding a layer quickly.
Hydration options: We mostly used water bottles because of frequent airport and taxi travel, but the pack is ready for a 1.5L reservoir if you prefer hands-free hydration. The dedicated shoulder strap stash pocket makes the bite valve easy to reach.
Cons: What’s not so good about the Camelbak Arete Sling 8 pack?
The main downside our daughter noted was the lack of internal organisation. The single large compartment works well for stuffing things in, but she wished there were more individual pockets or dividers to keep smaller items (earbuds, sketching materials, wallet, lip balm, etc.) separated and easy to find.
As a minimalist sling, it can shift slightly depending on the load and activity. This is inherent to the sling design rather than a flaw – a traditional two-strap pack has an advantage here for heavier or more active use.
Conclusion
The CamelBak Arete Sling 8 is an excellent pack that can complement another pack or bag for international travel, or as a standalone everyday carry. It was the perfect travel companion for my teenage daughter – comfortable, versatile, and just big enough for daily essentials without adding unnecessary weight or bulk. Whether you’re looking for a personal item for your flight, a city explorer bag, or a light hiking sling, this pack was excellent. Highly recommended for teens, minimalists, and travellers who want one versatile piece that does it all.
Seth received this pack free of charge in exchange for an honest review. He writes about his family adventures and kit at www.sethgrotzke.com.