Sling packs fall in between waist packs and backpacks in terms of storage and weight. While backpacks have plenty of room, they can get heavy. Long days on the river can leave your neck and back hurting if you’re not used to it. Waist packs are great for shorter outings with a minimalist approach. Unfortunately, they don’t have the room or the support to comfortably fish with heavier loads. I prefer sling packs for this reason. They offer a great compromise in storage capacity and weight distribution. You can even swing the pack around your shoulder for easy access like a waist pack.