Exclusive First Look | Trakke Largo

We’re no strangers to Trakke here at Carryology. We’ve collaborated with them, we’ve interviewed founder Alec, and they’ve won carry awards. We’ve seen Cobra buckled bags, we’ve seen Dyneema, and even stinging nettle fabric. Trakke are innovators. There is a reason we get excited when that email drops into our inbox. “Hey guys, we’ve got something new we want to show you…” So without further ado, here is our first look at the Trakke Largo Sling.

Trakke aren’t new to the sling game. Their Banana Crossbody bag has been reincarnated through two versions in a variety of colors and materials, including a limited Dyneema run! It has been a staple of their collection and one that is well-loved by their customers, including many Carryologists. It seems only natural that they would evolve this line and introduce the bigger sibling.

I must state that the Trakke Largo (Scottish Gaelic for hillside) isn’t just a larger iteration of the Banana. It is a new design, and a very impressive one at that. But before I get into the finer details of its function – let’s talk about looks. Personally, I think Trakke’s USP is their balance of versatile form and function. We talk about fashion versus function quite a lot here at Carryology. Many brands try to combine the two with varying levels of success. Trakke, however, toe that line marvelously. Their choices of materials are equal parts heritage and modern. The profiles of their bags are elegant, and assimilate effortlessly, whether you are heading up the nearest crag or to the boardroom.

Personally, I find most slings to be urban-focused with sharp lines and bright accents. I don’t think I’ve really ever considered most slings to be elegant or timeless. However, the Trakke Largo, simply put, is a real looker. It will be available in Olive, Whisky, and Black – they all look excellent out of the recycled brown paper shipping bag, but they will only get better with time. I’ve been using my Largo for around two weeks now, and the Dry Finish Waxed Canvas is already showing signs of patina. I love that.

Now, good-looking bags (or slings in this case) are great. But, if it’s not functional, it may as well sit in your closet. I’m happy to report that the Largo is very functional and intelligently designed. I shouldn’t be surprised by this, Alec and his crew in Glasgow are function-focused. But still, this sling has proven to quickly usurp both some of my larger and smaller day bags. The 5.5L size is a Goldilocks size, allowing you to carry more than your basic EDC but not too large that you either overpack or have excess empty space.

It offers five slip pockets. In the rear section, there is one pocket large enough for a Kindle or small tablet, and two smaller pockets on the front of that – the perfect spot for a phone or point-and-shoot camera. In the lower section, you have two angled slip pockets, along with a key loop. On the wall of the larger rear section, you’ll also find a zipper pocket for your wallet, loose change, or anything else that you’d like just to be a bit more secure! In use, I’ve found this to be a thoughtful marriage of pocket placement, and one that allows you to engage with the bag quickly and easily.

The selection of pockets and their placement is complemented by the now instantly recognizable orange interior that one associates with Trakke. It’s a shade of orange I always enjoy using, and not just because I work at Carryology! It allows you to see all that you need, without needing sunglasses to look inside. The AquaGuard zippers add to the protection that the waxed canvas provides, and you can be sure in the knowledge that your items are safe from inclement weather!

The cotton webbing strap is subtle and comfortable and will fit a wide variety of body shapes and sizes, with a minimum length of 60cm and a maximum length of 105cm. The real star of the show here is the ambidextrous strap with the 50mm COBRA buckle. We know how satisfying it is to use one of these buckles, and it elevates this sling to another level. It is quick and easy to change the strap via the slotted loop – so whatever works for you! 

Another area where the Largo excels is its simplicity. The thoughtfulness of this design allows you to use it for a multitude of different loadouts. I’ve carried my full frame mirrorless camera, and a small selection of accessories comfortably. On other days I’ve carried lightweight jackets for both my wife and me on short hikes. It even housed my 36oz insulated water bottle with no qualms or discomfort.

I also liked how easy it was to pack into a backpack. The curved shape of the sling naturally allows it to nestle to the bottom of a backpack when loaded out. And it packs very slim when empty. I can see this being a great item to bring with you on a weekend away if you intend to only travel with a backpack. The Largo also maintains a nice silhouette when not full, thanks to the structure provided by the waxed cotton. 

From a comfort standpoint – sometimes I forget I’m wearing it. The curved shape of the Trakke Largo, much like the Banana, means that it conforms to your body, whether you are carrying it on your chest or your back. This is where I find many slings fall down – their boxy shape. That is not the case with the Largo. I found it very comfortable throughout my use cases – casual strolls, hiking, and traveling. 

It’s hard not to love the Largo. It appears like a natural evolution of all that Trakke have learned over the past 10/12 years. I always like that Trakke take the time to make products that work and don’t churn them out to “keep up” or because “X did this so we should too”. The Largo feels like an organic moment – in both the design and the execution – and it’ll be with me on many adventures to come.

Launches 29th 5PM BST (UK) at Trakke.