There are lots of sling-style camera bags out there—too many if you ask us—but here’s a feature that adds something new to the mix: waterproofing. Developed by Camera Armor (the company that brought you those rugged silicone camera jackets to shield your DSLR from scratches), the new Seattle Sling bag includes a detachable dry-bag insert to keep your gear safe from water, sand, dirt and dust.

Better yet, the Seattle Sling’s padded inner box protects your delicate digital equipment from the occasional drop. The Seattle Sling is the first major photo bag from Camera Armor since Lowepro acquired the company in June and if this initial offering is any indication, the merger should continue to bear some interesting fruit.

In the past, we haven't been so keen on Lowepro’s waterproof “DryZone” bags, finding them too difficult to open quickly and too confusing to seal properly. The zipper-free Seattle Sling remedies that by silk-screening easy-to-follow directions with familiar icons right onto the dry bag so that you’re never left holding the. . .uh. . .bag during a sudden downpour. The dry bag will remain completely airtight even when fully submerged in water. To help keep the interior bag secure, heavy-duty locking buckles snap it into place.

The “sling” functionality of Seattle Sling seems fairly similar to other competing models on the market, with the single, adjustable shoulder strap featuring an extra side-cross strap for added stability. We’d like to see this bag also offered in a more traditional two-strap model but perhaps that’s something that's coming out down the line.

If you’re planning to do any photo shoots from a sailboat, during a raft trip, or in a rainforest (or even in Seattle for most of the year), you may want to consider slinging this attractive bag over your shoulder.

Cost: $149
Further information:
www.cameraarmor.us