Patagonia Stormfront 20L Sling Backpack for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

This bag is great, I use it to store my large bug boxes and leader. I’ve had this thing submerged completely and all my gear was bone dry. Comfortable, perfect size and looks like pure stealth.

First of all, I didn't field test this bag before returning, but thought I'd write a review to explain why- The stormfront is built like a tank, first and foremost, and I have no doubt that it will keep gear dry in the harshest conditions. I was psyched to receive this bag and really wanted to like it but it just doesn't seem to cut the mustard for me. First of all the opening is quite smaller than what I'm used to- coupled with the black interior it made seeing into this bag nearly impossible. I'm used to working out of my pack to rig, change flies etc. and the inside of this bag just seemed ridiculously dark to me which is also exacerbated by the lack of organization. I knew this bag didn't have many pockets but thought the couple that it did have might be a little more functional- the small interior pocket is only good for small flat items like a license or a few leaders and would be overcrammed by most folks keychains. The outside pocket is roomy from side to side but lacks much depth- again, perfect for leaders and licenses but hard to see into for making heads or tails of frequently accessed items like spooled rigs, leader material, indicators, etc.. I really liked the ergonomics of the sling itself and appreciated the minimal bulk of the shoulder strap and the ease with which is spins around to the front. Unfortunately the strange location of attachment points or lack thereof made me question how I would actually fish out of this bag in the quick and efficient manner I've grown used to with my current sling pack. Another feature that stuck in my craw is the upper pull tab that is supposed to assist the opening of the zipper is not aligned to the axis of pull causing the user to have to pinch the bag to open the zipper- while not a great big deal, it just seems like dumb design to include a useless pull tab on the stiffer end of the zipper when the lower tab works just fine. I think this would be a good pack for someone who uses it more like a backpack and less like a fishing vest (like a cyclist) but mostly seems like a product only incidentally intended for fishing- In hindsight, I think the light gray bag would be a better choice than black (orange is a non-option for me) but for the time being I will stick with my ziploc bags and my rain soaked pack.

Not that it is a big deal with the overall pack, but they make it seem like the outside pocket is waterproof, if not water resistant with the zipper, I am looking the pack over and trying it on, going through all the compartments when I see these tiny factory made holes at the top and bottom, opposite of the zipper side of the external pocket. Why? It doesn't really make sense, if it is raining any water would go in the three top holes and leak into the contents in that pocket, granted, if enough water gets in there the three holes at the bottom would allow it to drain out. I love the bag, but I might use some tenacious tape to cover over those holes from the inside. The zipper looks like it was made to keep water out, not waterproof, but water resistant. having six holes on the pocket is just asking for water to get in there if there was any sort of rain, or it got splashed. Look at the picture with the guy showing the right side of the pack, zoom in, you will see the two sets of three holes top and bottom. It will be my daypack for Europe and I will use it on the SUP for day use, hauling snacks, drinks, my phone and my wallet. The outer pocket is the only thing that has me scratching my head on what the designers were thinking. * I spoke to patagonia customer service and they said tenacious taping those holes would not void the warranty and the gal thought it was actually a good idea.*

This is an awesome bag. It is absolutely waterproof and super tough. The only downside is that it lacks much organization in the main pocket.

Great for a day out on the river, waterproof and easy to use.

I recently purchased a few months ago a Stormfront sling for myself after buying one as a birthday gift for my friend. Just had it stolen from me a couple days ago... but this sling has been used and abused during the few months that I've had it! Never once did it leak water and always kept my gear dry! I wish that it had better internal organizer inside the bag rather than just the little mesh pockets but for a waterproof bag that is pretty hard to make. I wish my bag was not stolen but now I've got a new one! This is hands down the best fly fishing pack on the market!

Bought this sling for one of my friends for his birthday and he loves it! The sling is totally waterproof besides the smaller pocket which is water resistant. Its a little big but not to big to becoming annoying while fishing. Wish it came with the rod holder straps so that you don't need to find ones that fit. Overall a great sling and something i will get myself in the future.

This is a good bag It is large and things can get lost in it. Being waterproof is nice especially when you take a splash. I tend to leave all my gear in the bag so I can just grab and go. You can leave a rod strapped to it and it does not get in the way.

This is luxury fly fishing. The luxury of ample room to carry nearly anything you might need on a day of fishing, the luxury of real waterproof protection, luxury of quick access and luxury of a floating safety device (don't quote me on that). It's a cadillac. The list of bags I went through totaled 7 before I got to this one. Fishpond, Orvis, Simms I tried them in sling packs, vests, 1/2 day packs, full packs, waist packs, etc. Even if I'm heading out to a well known spring creek and just take one box of flies I take this with me because it just carries a lot of other things easily. I don't always fish sketchy waters when the CFS is up, but I feel a little better knowing this thing will keep me afloat should I take a spill long enough to get my footing. The main zipper closes quickly (the pull strap is placed perfectly to provide the right leverage)—just keep it lubed. The inside pocket/zippers are ample for small things. In the main pocket I carry 4-5 wheatly boxes, bottle of water, light rain jacket, headlamp, knife, bug spray…the list goes on. It's withstood rocks, mud, water and snow. I do have some suggestions for Patagonia…reverse the direction to tighten down the strap, pull up vs pull down. Consider a brighter color—I'd hate to lose this on the river. For users, open it up and dry it out every once and a while if you end up putting wet stuff in there.

This bag is jive free. Not for those that carry those lazer GPS carbon knot drag slag iron doo hickers. Chill with your gear. Less. Everything is perfect- ergonomics, zippers, color, feel, noise. Can be used as an air pillow.