This is a pretty cool little sling pack. It’s got some vivid, yet subdued, color options and it’s made in the USA. The color I got is Sequoia and I was surprised to find that it is waxed- meaning it’ll offer some water resistance.I love the way this sling looks- it’s like a little crossbody backpack. It’s about as far from a “fanny pack” as a sling can be and I think that’s what makes it look great. I own several small sling bags from Patagonia, AER, Mission Workshop, Tom Bihn, and Chrome, and based on LOOKS ALONE, this is by far my favorite. It’s got the external bungee cords which let me strap larger items to the outside of the sling- meaning that this 16 liter sling can hold a bit more than 16 liters if any of the items can be strapped to the outside of the pack.As for the downsides, there’s not a lot of “bang for the buck” here. This Duluth bag has no padding and no internal organization. The strap is just a couple layers of canvas attached to a nylon strap- again, no padding. It’s easy to find cheaper sling bags that offer more features. But then again, this sling pack is made in the USA by craftsman who are earning a livable wage. With that in mind, I can justify the cost of this sling.If I had it my way, this sling would be significantly smaller- maybe 10 or 12 liters instead of 16. Why? 2 reasons….1. A smaller pack would leave less of a sweat mark on my back during summer.2. It would be even lighter and more comfortable because I would be less tempted to carry LOTS of items in it. Especially considering the thin shoulder strap which doesn’t quite lend itself to carrying heavier loads.This sling also lays relatively flat (like a messenger bag) which is both a good and a bad thing. The flatness helps to keep it out of the way and allow the wearer to be more maneuverable. This makes it great for navigating crowded areas like conventions, buses, or Disneyland. The bad thing is that if you put an unusually shaped object into this sling, it may not fit, or, you may feel it poking against your back. I use this sling mainly for carrying my phone, snacks, chargers, and a windbreaker strapped to the outside and it excels at that. But if I’m carrying a larger water bottle, for example, I have to be extra mindful for how I pack it or i may feel it poking into my back. I kind of wish Duluth would have added a padded back panel but I suppose if I get creative when packing the sling, I don’t really need padding.As the title to my review says, I rate it 4 stars, but I can understand someone trying it and rating it 1 or 2 stars. Or even 5 stars. It all depends on what your needs and priorities are. And for me, the fact that it’s USA made counts for a lot. Also, the fact that it looks NOTHING like a fanny pack gives it bonus points.