Recently I acquired a Cotton Carrier Hyker Slingbag and have been using it regularly over the past number of weeks. This article shares my experiences with this very functional piece of kit.
As regular readers know, we already have a Cotton Carrier G3 Harness for 2 Cameras which I really like… and have been using on a very regular basis for quite a while. Most often when I’m out with longer telephoto lenses like the M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f/5-6.3 IS.
So… an obvious question would be why would we acquire the Cotton Carrier Hyker Slingbag? The simple answer is for added flexibility and functionality.
The G3 Harness is a great piece of kit when out with a main camera/lens, plus a smaller back up camera/lens. Being able to switch back and forth between set-ups quickly allows a photographer to respond to in-field situations rapidly.
There are times out in the field when more storage room is required. The big advantage that the Hyker Slingbag provides is an integrated backpack that allows a photographer to easily bring some additional gear, clothing, some food/water, or other items that are needed for a specific outing.
As you can see in the image above the Cotton Carrier Hyker Slingbag has a 3-point support system. I found this to be very comfortable and easy to adjust.
The underside of the backpack is nicely padded and spreads the weight of the contents very well making it comfortable to use.
The solid shoulder strap is also nicely padded. It has an additional adjustable strap that provides increased support… and is very easy to adjust.
The solid, well padded shoulder strap incorporates a large Velcro fastener. By reaching into a pocket the main strap can be loosened and adjusted quickly. This helps provide good support after lengthening the shoulder strap.
Padding on the underside of the Twist & Lock mount provides good comfort and support.
The Quick-clip fasteners on the straps provide secure locking and are easy to operate.
When the two adjustable straps are tightened the Hyker Slingbag fits snuggly and comfortably. Unlocking the left hand Quick-clip fastener is quick and easy to do.
This allows the bag to be easily rotated under a photographer’s right arm, providing good access to the main storage compartment.
Camera gear or other items stored in the main compartment can be retrieved quickly… without having to take off the Hyker Slingbag. This increases in-field functionality.
I can’t speak for other photographers, but I find it difficult to relate to 12 litres of storage space. So, I mounted my M.Zuiko 150-600 mm f.5-6.3 IS lens on one of my E-M1X bodies to see if that combination would fit into the main storage compartment of the Hyker Slingbag.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could get that camera/lens combination inside the compartment without too much effort. It was somewhat snug, but I didn’t feel that I was putting any kind of strain on the main storage compartment, nor did I have to force my camera/lens combination to get it inside.
You can see that there is a zippered pocket on the inside of the main storage compartment where additional batteries, memory cards etc. can be securely placed.
There is a pocket on the side of the Hyker Slingbag where a water bottle can be carried.
There is also a small, zippered pocket at the bottom of one side of the Hyker Slingbag. I was able to fit an M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter inside its protective zippered case inside this pocket. It was a bit snug, but doable.
There is also a zippered compartment where a laptop or tablet can be stored. This is supposed to fit up to a 13″ laptop. The zippered opening is about 27 cm wide (~10.6″). My wife’s iPad fit into the pocket easily.
I have an older 13″ Asus laptop (13″ horizontal screen measurement) which was impossible to fit into the zippered compartment. I don’t know if a newer 13″ laptop with a sleeker design would fit.
Realistically a photographer should measure the physical width of their laptop computer, not the diagonal screen size, to determine if it would slide into the physical width of the zippered opening.
I found the Hyker Slingbag very comfortable to wear, even with my E-M1X /M.Zuiko 150-600 combination placed in the main storage compartment. That camera/lens combination weighs 3,240 grams (~7.14 lbs.).
Being able to hike into a photographic location with a camera and long telephoto lens hidden from view can provide some added security when out in the field with expensive gear. Having both hands free to help navigate along trails and terrain, while camera gear is securely stored in the Hyker Slingbag, increases safety as well.
When worn out in the field the Twist & Lock mount provides support for a large, heavy camera/lens combination while still allowing for very fast access. I use this clipped in, horizontal position for my E-M1X and M.Zuiko 150-600 when I’m actively photographing birds, and also want to reduce the risk of arm fatigue.
When pointed downward the camera/lens combination is locked into place. The Hyker Slingbag also comes with a tether strap to provide additional gear safety.
There are carry straps positioned on the top and side of the Hyker Slingbag which make it easy to move around when not being worn.
I quite like the compact design and portability of the Hyker Slingbag, and its capability of holding a large camera/lens combination like my E-M1X/M.Zuiko 150-600 birding kit.
The Hyker Slingbag has very good weather resistance, being made of water repellent Nylon N400d, and utilizing YKK zippers and UTX buckles. A rain cover for the bag is also supplied.
A great bonus is that the Hyker Slingbag comes with a Lens Bag Insert.
The Lens Bag Insert can be attached to the Hyker Slingbag, or a belt, with a Velcro locking tab. This allows a photographer to bring some additional camera gear or other items wit them.
The Lens Bag Insert measures 10 x 10 x 23 cm (4″ x 4″ x 9″). I could fit my wife’s E-M1 Mark III with her M.Zuiko 14-150 mm f/4-5.6 II attached, inside. The width of the E-M1 Mark III was a bit snug.
I did some additional testing to find out what could be stored in the Lens Bag Insert. With body/lens not attached the bag can hold an E-M1 Mark III along with 14-150 f/4-5.6 and PRO 7-14 f/2.8.
Other lenses like PRO 12-40 and PRO 45 mm f/2.8 would also fit unmounted with a camera body (without a grip). When the dividers are removed, the largest lens that will fit is the M.Zuiko 100-400 f/5-6.3. There is no room for a camera body, or another lens, when storing the 100-400.
Undaunted I continued my testing to find out how large of a lens I could fit into the Lens Bag Insert, when that lens was attached to a camera body like the E-M1 Mark III. Did the M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 mm f/2.8 fit?
Yes. With the dividers removed, I discovered that my M.Zuiko PRO 40-150 f/2.8 mounted on an E-M1 Mark III would fit inside the Lens Bag Insert.
Nature and bird photographers may find it handy to have a body like the E-M1 Mark III fitted with the PRO 40-150 f/2.8 in the Lens Bag Insert, while having another body fitted with a lens like the 100-400 or 150-600 in the main compartment of the Hyker Slingbag.
Overall, the Cotton Carrier Hyker Slingbag is a terrific piece of kit that provides me with additional storage space and functionality when needed. I’ll still be using my Cotton Carrier G3 Harness for Two Cameras regularly… but it’s great to have the Hyker Slingbag option available. For example, when going to the zoo with a long telephoto zoom lens, and wanting to carry lunch with me, the Hyker Slingbag would be ideal.
The Hyker Slingbag comes in three versions for camera, binoculars or drone. For more information on the Hyker Slingbag you can visit the Cotton Carrier website.
Technical Note
Photographs were captured handheld using camera equipment noted in the EXIF data. All images were created from RAW files using my standard process in post. This is the 1,462 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.
How you can keep this website advertising free
My intent is to keep this photography blog advertising free. If you enjoyed this article and/or my website and would like to support my work, you can purchase an eBook, or make a donation through PayPal (see Donate box below). Both are most appreciated.
You may enjoy bird photography, and if so our 188 page eBook Handheld Bird Photography may be of interest. It is available for download for an investment of $14.99 CDN. The best viewing experience of this eBook will be at 100% using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Sometimes all we need as photographers is a bit of inspiration. We hope you can find some of that inside Finding Visual Expression II.
Finding Visual Expression II is available for download for an investment of $11.99 CDN. The best viewing experience of this eBook will be at 100% using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
You may be interested in all of the 30 concepts covered in both of these related eBooks. If so, you may want to also consider Finding Visual Expression.
Finding Visual Expression is available for download for an investment of $11.99 Cdn. The best viewing experience of this eBook will be at 100% using Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Our other eBooks include Images of Ireland, New Zealand Tip-to-Tip, Nikon 1: The Little Camera That Could, Desert & Mountain Memories, Images of Greece, Nova Scotia Photography Tour, and a business leadership parable… Balancing Eggs.
If you click on the Donate button below you will find that there are three donation options: $7.50, $10.00 and $20.00. All are in Canadian funds. Plus, you can choose a different amount if you want. You can also increase your donation amount to help offset our costs associated with accepting your donation through PayPal. An ongoing, monthly contribution to support our work can also be done through the PayPal Donate button below.
You can make your donation through your PayPal account, or by using a number of credit card options.
Word of mouth is the best form of endorsement. If you like our website please let your friends and associates know about our work. Linking to this site or to specific articles is allowed with proper acknowledgement. Reproducing articles, or any of the images contained in them, on another website or in any social media posting is a Copyright infringement.
Article and images are Copyright 2025 Thomas Stirr. All rights reserved. No use, duplication or adaptation of any kind is allowed without written consent. If you see this article reproduced anywhere else it is an unauthorized and illegal use. Posting comments on offending websites and calling out individuals who steal intellectual property is always appreciated!
Hi,
What is the difference between Hyker slingbag and Bevis top shelf camera bag ? I am confused which one to go for. There is huge price difference between the two as well. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks
Hi Asha,
Unfortunately I have no experience with the Bevis product line, so I cannot comment.
Tom
Hi again Tom I have found the Hyker Sling bag to be brilliant, I take the EM1-X and 100-400 on the front and a folding seat in the bag. Also the current heat madness we have the holder on the side helps for my drink too.
It’s definitely my favourite bag and that’s saying something!
Great to hear that you are really enjoying the Hyker Sling Bag. I must admit that the more I use mine, the more I enjoy its flexibility and comfort.
Best always,
Tom
I will be trying out my Hyker bag as soon as the 100-400 arrives to take it’s weight and of course a monopod in the bag hopefully.
It’s very convenient to use the bag and it will help me get out and about easier. My Neuropathy is absolutely hell currently but I am determined to get out with my walking stick
Hi Mark,
You will enjoy the 100-400 as it provides very good reach and image quality… plus it will take the MC-14 or MC-20 teleconverters. I used my Mc-14 on a very regular basis with the 100-400… as long as I had enough light as it makes the aperture f/9 on the long end. BTW… I keep the image stabilization on the M.Zuiko 100-400 turned off as I find that the IBIS on my E-M1X works very well by itself.
You may want to ask the folks at Cotton Carrier if they have a specific accessory for tripods/monopods. The backpack portion on the SlingBag isn’t that long/wide so I don’t think a typical monopod would fit inside. I’m not certain of that… so it would be good to ask the folks at Cotton Carrier if your monopod would fit, and if not… if they have an attachment that would work for you.
Tom
Your statement that the Hyker shoulder strap is “very easy to adjust” makes me wonder if you actually tried. To break free the Velcro requires pushing your hand into a very tight opening (and I have relatively small hands). I finally had to use a long thin piece of wood to slide between the Velcro pieces. Not especially convenient in the field. This aspect of the design needs work.
Hi Joe,
Yes, I did have to adjust the strap… and actually quite a bit. I have large hands and I had to use my three middle fingers to loosen the Velcro incrementally… then press it back down to lock it in place. I found this very easy to do. The strength in my arms/hands/fingers may be more than some folks.
Tom
I have got the exact same bag Tom !
It’s a brilliant combination as I often walk with a stick and it just doesn’t get in the way I absolutely love mine now.
No stress or strain on my body and carries everything and all my lenses too
Hi Mark,
Even though we’ve only had our Hyker Slingbag for over a month or so… I’ve also come to enjoy using it very much indeed. As you mentioned… it is a brilliant combination.
Tom