Eagle Creek Explore Hip Pack 2L Review

The Eagle Creek Explore Hip Pack 2L is a small sling that packs a punch. It offers ample organization and utilizes quality materials and hardware. Still, we’re curious to see how we like it while using it every day. Suitable materials and solid organizational features are one thing, but how they come together is another. Let’s dive in!

External Components

The pack is crafted from 100% recycled waxed ripstop fabric. It has a patina, to begin with, and will develop more over time thanks to the waxed finish, which some users may enjoy and others might not want. We dig it, as you don’t have to worry about scratches making you not want to wear the sling. It’s supposed to look like that!

The zippers are from YKK, one of the best brands in the business. They work as expected, and we haven’t had any issues with them in two weeks of testing. They aren’t perfect at keeping water out, but they’ll handle general use fine.

The buckles and hardware are from Duraflex, which is another great shout. Duraflex is a reliable brand, and we’ve had no issues with their hardware on this bag or elsewhere; they have top-notch products all around!


There’s a bike light attachment loop on the pack’s front face, which is handy. It has a reflective stripe, though it isn’t enough to be used as a standalone safety feature. We recommend an actual bike or running light if you’re going to use it while getting after it or commuting.

Attachment loops on the left and right sides of the sling’s front face don’t get in your way when you aren’t using them, which is excellent for those who don’t often attach gear to the outside of their sling. They’re handy for attaching a collapsible water bottle, carabiner, or HeroClip.

A handle on top of the sling is a nice addition. It’s not very substantial, but this sling is just two liters, so we didn’t expect it to be. It works for our needs, even without padding or aeration. Plus, it stays out of the way when you aren’t using it.

The Eagle Creek logo is pretty large but not super noticeable, as the color choice blends in. Because of this, it isn’t very loud, and we dig that. Plus, it matches Eagle Creek’s daypacks and travel backpacks so that you can look sleek from sling to pack.

Fit Notes

The back panel is very well-padded and has ample aeration to keep things cool. Overall, it feels like too much for the sling’s size; however, we can’t complain about how comfortable it is. There’s a hidden pocket behind it, so whatever you stow there will impact how comfortable the sling is overall—pack wisely. More on that later, though!

The strap lacks padding and aeration, in contrast to the back panel. Still, we aren’t too upset by that, as this is just a two-liter sling, and we’ve found it pretty comfortable without it. If you wear the sling tight, it can dig in slightly, and you may experience this if you overload it with heavy gear, too. Still, for the most part, it is comfortable.

The sling has mini hip huggers, a small transitional area between the strap and the sling itself. They add comfort while wearing it in both hip-pack and crossbody modes.

Inside The Sling

Behind the back panel is a small hidden pocket that works well for flat items because whatever you stow will shape the back panel. Smaller (think standard-sized iPhone) devices work here; a passport or flat wallet will do well, too. Bigger phones and those with large cases will be tight or won’t fit at all.

The front pocket takes up the entire front face of the sling and has no organization. It’s a solid place to put snacks or other quick-use items that you don’t need an organization to stow. For example, small tech won’t do well here, but it’ll have a home in the main compartment.

Speaking of the main compartment, this is the most segmented portion of the sling. It has an incredibly wide opening; however, it has a gusset, so you can’t open it as wide as you might have been able to otherwise, which isn’t ideal. Still, you have an extensive line of sight to see and organize your gear, which works well. The segmentation is accordion-style, meaning there are a lot of different sections to throw gear into. Let’s start at the backside, close to the back panel.

First, a zippered compartment takes up most of the back wall. It’s a solid place to stow items you don’t want bouncing around the rest of the main compartment or the organization-less front pocket. Or, if your phone doesn’t fit in the hidden one behind all the padding and aeration, you can stow it here. There’s a key leash inside, which is handy for ensuring you don’t lose the ability to get inside your house while on a bike ride or a day out exploring.

Next, there’s a large open area that lacks segmentation. In testing, we stowed a battery bank here, but any larger item roughly that size will work.

In the center area, there are a plethora of pockets to sort your gear into. There are three small and two medium iterations, the former on one side and the latter on the other. Again, we’ve got a large open area in the middle, which, in testing, we used for a pair of over-ear headphones. It was a tight fit; however, we made it work, even with other large tech gear stowed inside the sling.

There’s one last storage area on the far side of the sling, similar to that near the zippered pocket on the opposite end. This works for similarly sized items, like a battery bank or USB-C dongle.

Overall, we really dig using this sling; however, it isn’t for those who like to do their own organization. Due to the segmentation inside the main compartment, you’d be hard-pressed to fit other organizers inside. You’re better off using the segmentation to your advantage, like a mini tech pouch.

Regarding price, there may be better options on the market. However, we can’t scoff at Eagle Creek’s choice of materials, hardware, or organizational decisions. They work, and that should be commended!