This Might Be the Perfect EDC Sling Bag for Travel

Not only does it look and perform great, but this pack’s sneaky ability makes it ideal for bringing with you anywhere.

Person taking passport out of Matador ReFraction Packable Sling

Published July 14, 2025

·

Updated July 14, 2025

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Few bags are as nimble and convenient for frequent flyers and commuters as the EDC sling (or crossbody, as it’s sometimes called). These packs offer more storage than typical pants pockets without being too much of an imposition to haul around.

Even so, there’s always room for improvement. For instance, Matador’s ReFraction EDC Sling offers all the same great features that make crossbody bags so speedy and convenient, while adding another that might make it the perfect option for travel.

Matador ReFraction Packable Sling — This EDC sling packs down to about a third of its full size, making it extremely travel-friendly.

Pack it up, pack it in

By all accounts, the ReFraction is a fully featured sling bag. It offers two liters of internal carry space and boasts the same overall styling typically associated with crossbody bags. But it has a sneaky secret.

The ReFraction packs into its own integrated, zippered storage bag, shrinking it to about a third of its full size. This makes it incredibly convenient for travel, as you can easily stash it in ways you simply can’t with other bags.

Person wearing Matador ReFraction Packable Sling on back — When opened, the ReFraction is a fully featured sling bag that can go toe-to-toe with the best of them.

Furthermore, it weighs just four ounces — about the same as a golf ball. So, not only does it squeeze down tight, but it also adds virtually no extra weight to whatever you pack it in.

While other, similar bags might offer the same weight savings, most aren’t designed to pack down so tightly. As this one is, it means it isn’t going to get creased or damaged in transit. You can collapse it and open it back up as often as you need.

Matador ReFraction Packable Sling packed up and held in hand — The ReFraction takes up about as much space as a pair of tube socks.

Made for EDC

Thankfully, the ReFraction’s packability doesn’t sacrifice its usefulness. In expanded mode, it is just as capable as other, similar bags, and it even excels in some ways.

It features a 100D nylon exterior with a PU waterproof coating, making it weatherproof. That material is mated to PU-coated YKK zippers to keep any liquids from seeping in.

Person grabbing iPhone out of Matador ReFraction Packable Sling — The stretchy zippered front pocket is ideal for stashing gear you need quick access to, like your phone.

It also has an adjustable shoulder strap with a durable quick-release clip, multiple pockets (including a stretchy front pocket with a zippered closure), zipper security loops, compression straps and more.

All that and more comes in a bag offering a serviceable two liters of storage, as mentioned. As you can plainly see, this isn’t just some gimmick that costs the bag a measure of utility; it’s a genuinely handy crossbody pack with a remarkably convenient collapsing feature.