There’s a moment in every fly fisherman’s journey where a fishing pack becomes essential. Maybe it hits you when you're a hundred yards upstream and realize your water bottle, spare fly box, and tippet spool are all in the truck. Or you’re knee-deep in a riffle, untangling a mess of leader while digging through a vest pocket under a rain shell, and the hatch is on fire. Eventually, every angler rethinks how they carry gear.
Fly fishing packs come in a few designs: backpack, sling, hip, and chest. Each solves different problems. Choosing the right one often depends on where you fish, how far you hike, how much gear you need, and your personal preference.
Below I take a look at the four designs, what they’re best for, and a few things to think about before you spend your money on one.
Backpack: Built for the Long Haul
Best For: Long hikes, half- or full-day fishing commitments where you’re carrying extra layers, rain gear, food and drinks, multiple fly boxes, a camera, or survival gear.
Why It Works:
Typically offers more volume and carries more gear than any other design.
Distributes weight evenly across your shoulders and back.
Great for hiking into remote waters or walking miles of river.
What to keep in mind:
You need to take it off to access your gear.
Often too bulky for quick morning or evening trips.
Can generate extra body heat and sweat from back contact.
Sling Pack: Quick on the Draw
Best for: Short to mid-length outings and situations where quick access matters.
Why it works:
Swings to the front for easy access without needing to take it off. Swings to your back when not in use.
Lower-profile, offering some storage that’s easier to manage than a full sized backpack.
Designs often have net storage options.
What to keep in mind:
All the weight sits on one shoulder, which will cause discomfort and muscle strain when worn for a long period of time, in particular when full of gear.
Offering more storage than a chest pack, but ultimately has a limited capacity in comparison to the backpack.
Can shift around while hiking or wading unless you have enough adjustment straps that are kept taut.
Hip Pack: The Waistline Workhorse
Best for: Shorter hikes and when you want your shoulders free and your gear easy to reach.
Why it works:
Sits on your hips and reduces upper body fatigue.
Gear is easy to access without removing anything.
Often easier to keep organized than a sling or chest pack, due to many compartments and storage pockets
What to keep in mind:
Lower gear capacity.
If not snug, it can slide around your waist.
Limits how deep you can wade unless it is fully submersible.
Chest Pack: Minimal and Right There
Best for: Quick trips or a minimalist approach.
Why it works:
Keeps your essentials right in front of you.
Generally lightweight with styles that distribute weight across shoulders.
Provides complete freedom of movement
No need to take it off to grab gear.
What to keep in mind:
Your line can snag on it, especially if you are still developing good line control.
Can feel bulky in front and restrict airflow on hot days.
Not suited for carrying much gear.
Bonus Options: Combo Systems and Submersible Packs
Some brands now offer modular designs, like a backpack that pairs with a chest pack. A hybrid setup gives you flexibility and lets you build your system based on the day’s plan.
Submersible packs are a great choice if you wade deep or fish in unpredictable weather conditions. Unlike water-resistant packs, these are fully waterproof, usually with roll-tops or TIZIP zippers.
You might want one if:
You regularly wade past your waist.
You fish through all kinds of weather.
You carry phones, cameras, or other gear that can’t get wet.
Just know they tend to cost more and don’t always have the best interior organization.
So Which One is Right for You?
There is no one-size-fits-all. The best pack is the one you forget about once you're fishing. It holds your gear, stays out of your way, and never becomes the reason you lose a fish.
Ask yourself a few questions:
How long am I typically out fly fishing?
How far am I walking?
How much gear do I actually use?
Do I need waterproof protection?
Am I carrying a net, and do I want a pack that helps with that?
Truth is, you might end up like me. You’ll have a collection of packs in the gear closet. One for long days. One for short ones. One that’s waterproof. One that isn’t. Maybe one that looked great in the catalog but never really worked, and yet somehow still hangs there.
Good luck in your pack search!