In this Urth Dolomite 5L sling review, I’ll be sharing how this compact camera sling performed during my recent trip to Japan. Before travelling, I was looing for a lightweight camera bag that could carry my everyday photography setup, feel comfortable on long days exploring, and pack down easily inside my suitcase for the flight out.
Urth kindly offered to send me the Dolomite 5L Camera Sling to test on the trip. It was a bad I had already been considering, especially as I wanted something practical but low profile for busy places like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Alongside the sling, they also gifted me a few Urth filters to expand my Magnetic Filter Kit.
As with all of my reviews, Urth have provided the bag, but have not contributed to the review. All opinions are purely my own.
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- Urth Dolomite Sling: Our Verdict
- Urth Dolomite 5L Sling specs
- First Impressions
- Where to buy a Urth Dolomite Sling?
- Packability
- How is it to carry?
- Organisation
- What I carried in the Urth Dolomite 5L Sling:
- Colour Options
- Access & Security
- Who is the Urth Dolomite 5L Sling best for?
- Is the Urth Dolomite Sling waterproof?
- Has the Urth Dolomite Sling replaced my Vanguard VEO Range 21M?
- Camera Sling Essentials
- Urth Dolomite 5L Sling Final Thoughts
Urth Dolomite Sling: Our Verdict
Pros
Cons
Urth Dolomite 5L Sling specs
A quick overview of the key specifications before I get into the full review.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5L |
| Weight | 340g |
| Dimensions | 17.5cm x 30cm x 10cm |
| Main material | 600D recycled nylon with DWR C0 weatherproof coating |
| Lining | 150D recycled PET |
| Pricing | RRP £99 |
| Colours | Onyx, Sand, Moss and Stone |
First Impressions
I had seen the Urth Dolomite Sling at recent photography shows, and it seemed perfect for my upcoming trip to Japan. I was looking for something lightweight, soft materials to make it easier to into a suitcase, but also low profile so I wouldn’t knock into anyone on bustling streets of Tokyo.
My first impression was that the Urth Dolomite 5L Sling fitted that brief almost perfectly. The Dolomite Sling uses similar materials to the Arkose Camera Cube Insert I reviewed at the tail-end of last year. It feels premium and offers enough protection for your cameras, so there was no dispute I’d be bringing it with me.
Where to buy a Urth Dolomite Sling?
If you want to sling that is both practical and stylish, check out the link to Amazon below.
Packability
For the flight to Japan, I needed to carry more camera gear than the 5L sling could comfortablyhandle on its own. Instead, I removed the internal dividers, packed the sling flat in my suitcase, and kept my camera gear in the Urth Arkose Camera Cube inside my Fjallraven backpack.
This is where the Dolomite 5L sling makes sense as a travel bag. It may nit be big enough to act as your own camera bag for a full trip, but it works really well as a lightweight day bag once you arrive.
How is it to carry?
The first day I overslept, and packed my bag in a panic. Making it way too heavy and filled to the brim. But after that day I learned my lesson, and packed with intention. After that I never had an issue. Of course after 8 hours of carrying any bag, any person’s shoulders will start to feel a little bit sore. But the great thing about a sling is it’s easy to shift shoulders, or bring it to the front to shift the weight.
The next size up, the Dolomite 8L Sling, includes extra padding to help with heavier loads. I would have liked to have see a little more padding on the 5L version too, especially around the section that rests against your shoulder. The 5L is designed for lighter setups, but if you’re carrying it for a full day, a little extra comfort would make a noticeable difference.
For short city walks and half-day shoots, it was very comfortable. For full travel days, I had to be a little more selective with what I packed.
Organisation
The Dolomite 5L Sling comes with two internal dividers. I managed to fit in my Sony A7CII with a Sigma 28-70mm attached, alongside my Sony 16-25mm Lens. This left me with enough space for a few small accessories, such as a slim power bank, spare batteries, memory cards, or DJI Osmo Pocket accessories. The dividers are easily movable though so customise it to how you see fit.
You also get an internal and external zippered pocket. The internal pocket was perfect as in Japan tourists are required to have their passport on them at all times, so I kept it there safe. The External pocket I often kept the Sharge Icemag 2.0 power bank as it was slim and didn’t bulk it out too much.
What I carried in the Urth Dolomite 5L Sling:
- Sony A7CII
- Sigma 28-70mm lens attached
- Sony 16-25mm lens
- Urth Night Filter
- Urth Black Mist Filter
- Passport
- Sharge Icemag 2.0 Power Bank
- DJI Pocket Osmo with case
- Small extras like a USB C Cable or memory cards.
I wouldn’t use this sling for a larger camera body unless I was content with one lens, or if I wanted to bring a larger drone. For that, the 8L version would make more sense.
As tourists in Japan are expected to carry their passport, the internal zip pocket became one of my most-used features during the trip.
I used the external zip pocket for my Sharge Icemag 2.0 power bank, which worked well because it was slim enough not to make the back of the sling feel bulky.
Colour Options
The Sand colour ended up being a great choice for travel. It looked clean, worked well with most outfits, and felt more stylish than a typical black camera bag. I used it almost daily in Japan, and it picked up a surprising number of compliments.
Urth uses the same colour palette across much of its bag range, including Onyx, Sand, Moss and Stone, so it’s easy to match the sling with other Urth accessories if you own them.
Access & Security
I always find slings to be a lot more secure than backpacks when travelling. They are far more unassuming, sit closer to the body, and if you are in a busy area or somewhere known known for pickpockets, you can easily swing the bag around and wear it on your chest.
You can also access the Dolomite 5L sling without taking it off. With a backpack, I often feel like I need to find a quiet spot to put it down before getting my camera out. With this sling, I could simply rotate it to the front and access everything while keeping the bag on me.
That made it feel safer in busy places like train stations, markets and crowded streets, while also making it much easier to grab my camera quickly. Or even if I needed a rest, I could out my camera away knowing it would be really easy to grab again if I saw a potential moment to capture.
Who is the Urth Dolomite 5L Sling best for?
I found the Urth Dolomite 5L Sling best for street photography or mirrorless users. Pack this right and you can fit a days worth of kit inside it. A body, two lenses and some accessories are perfect.
I have friends who use smaller, fixed lens Fujis. These were perfect as they even left enough space for a smaller drove too, like DJI’s Neo 2. These slings are designed for photographers who want to remain mobile but also have some versatility too.
Is the Urth Dolomite Sling waterproof?
I didn’t get caught in heavy rain while using it, so I can’t fully judge its wet-weather performance. However, the recycled nylon outer and DWR C0 weatherproof coating gave me enough confidence for light rain and everyday travel use.
Has the Urth Dolomite Sling replaced my Vanguard VEO Range 21M?
Before using the Urth Dolomite Sling, my smaller camera bag was the Vanguard VEO Range 21M. I bought the Vanguard for a similar reason: I wanted a camera bag that I didn’t have to set down in public every time I wanted to switch lenses.
Both bags have a similar capacity, although the Vanguard feels physically larger and more structured. Given the choice between the two, I would honestly stick with the Urth Dolomite Sling.
Camera Sling Essentials
The materials feel more premium, it sits closer to my body, and I found it easier to adjust in a way that put less pressure on my shoulder. It also looks more stylish and much less like a traditional camera bag.
The last point is one of the biggest reasons I prefer it. I would happily take the Dolomite Sling out without a camera inside, and most people probably wouldn’t realise it was designed as a camera bag first at all.
Urth Dolomite 5L Sling Final Thoughts
After taking the Urth Dolomite 5L Sling across the world with me to Japan, it has quickly before one of my favourite compact camera bags, It’s lightweight, stylish, easy to access, and discreet enough to use in busy cities without feeling like I’m carrying an obvious camera bag.
The 5L capacity does mean you pack with intention. If you carry multiple lenses, a larger camera body, or a lot of accessories, the 8L version may be the better choice. But for a compact mirrorless setup, a spare lens and a few travel accessories, the 5L fits the brief perfectly.
This is a bag I can see myself using on many more trips. I already have more adventures planned, including an upcoming trip to Vegas. And I can see the Dolomite Sling being perfect for the activities I have in mind.
If you are a travel or street photographer, and you want a sling that is as stylish as it is practical, the Urth Dolomite 5L Sling is very easy for me to recommend.