Lately, I’ve been leaning more and more toward sling-based EDC. As a tech-savvy husband and father of two, I constantly find that I need more space than my pockets can hold, but I don’t always want to take my entire backpack. The cross-body sling (or fanny pack, as it was once called) has become the perfect middle ground. It forces you to think about what you’re carrying, while still giving you more flexibility than a standard pocket setup. I wanted to share some of my favorite and standout tech accessories that I carry with me most days—whether I’m hopping between meetings, running errands, traveling, or just getting work done, wherever I am. This is my ideal crossbody strap for everyday wear.
Be sure to check out our EDC video where I mention more than just the items in this article.
Of course, we have to start with the curtain itself. Over the past few months I’ve used a dozen different straps, from small leather ones to larger folding ones to nylon ones and everything in between. The UAG hinge is the perfect middle ground between size, capacity, weight and materials. It has a capacity of up to 1 liter, which keeps things to a minimum, but surprisingly, it can store more than you think. Here are the key specs:
- Capacity 1 liter
- Durable, waterproof nylon construction
- Adjustable strap with secure buckle
- Double zipped compartments
- Concealed AirTag pocket and built-in key clip
What I really like is how practical it is on a day to day basis. It sits comfortably across the body, doesn’t bunch up when you walk, and has just the right amount of structure to protect everything without feeling too stiff. The main pocket is lined with microfiber to help protect items like your iPhone. While the second chamber has several pockets for different sizes and shapes.
The UAG Sling sells for $49 on Amazon. It doesn’t try to be more than it is and you can tell it’s extremely well built.
This is one of the most unique pieces in my sling and easily one of my favorites. I actually saw this item at CES in January 2025 and fell in love. This is an ultra-small SSD drive that is designed for iPhone photography and video recording. The Planck SSD plugs right into the USB-C port and your phone instantly gets external storage that works seamlessly with ProRes and Log recording. This is what you get:
- Up to 2 TB of storage
- Transfer speed up to 1050 MB/s
- Supports ProRes and Log recording
- Ultra compact and weighs only 10 g
What makes it special isn’t just how small it is, but how fast and frictionless the experience is. It works with the case on, is instantly recognized, and lets you record hours without worrying about internal storage limits. The Planck SSD starts at $189 and works with any computer, phone, camera or game console.
There are currently thousands of different MagSafe batteries. They all charge your device at a certain speed, and the main differences are in size and built-in portable stand. But the Kuxiu B10 Magsafe pack has a feature that I have never seen before. It has double-sided MagSafe magnets. This allows you to magnetically attach the battery to the phone and also attach other MagSafe accessories to the other side of the battery. So simple, yet so brilliant! Here are the main specs to consider:
- 5000 mAh capacity
- Qi2 wireless charging up to 15W
- USB-C cable charging up to 20W
- Ultra thin aluminum body
- Secondary MagSafe ring for additional accessories
The Kuxiu B10 is also only $38! I cannot recommend this battery more highly.
This was a pleasant surprise. I recently reviewed the M4 Snap-On and loved it. It’s an ultra-compact controller for your iPhone with Bluetooth support that turns your iPhone into a legitimate handheld gaming device without having to commit to a bulky grip or a full controller. It’s also modular, so you can easily fit it into any size EDC. Here are some key specs:
- MagSafe modular snap design
- Bluetooth connection
- Works with iPhone, iPad, Nintendo Switch and more
- Integrated stand
- Battery life approx. 12 hours
At only $49, this thing is amazing to take with you. I used it for hours on a recent flight and it made the flight go by extremely quickly. It also comes in fun, nostalgic Game Boy-themed colors like atomic purple
Since the UAG strap has a secret AirTag pocket and Apple just updated AirTags, I felt I had to put them here. They are so helpful in tracking your bags. Now that Airtags have been updated, they’re even better at the things that matter. The speaker is louder, the range is longer, and you may even find that your AirTag now syncs with your Apple Watch! Right now you can get a 4-pack for just $69 from Amazon instead of $99 from Apple!
Final thoughts
As I mentioned at the beginning, I feel that the sling bag is the perfect middle ground. It allows you to bring more than just your phone and wallet, but still requires you to be intentional about the products and accessories you bring. Each of the products mentioned have been added because they benefit the way I use my iPhone, whether it’s shooting video, consuming content, playing games, or just extending battery life. Be sure to check out my video above to see all the other goodies that fit comfortably in the UAG strap!
What do you think of these products? Would you get them? What items do you never leave home without? Let’s discuss below!
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