TomToc vs Alpaka: The EDC Sling Upgrade

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If your sling keeps drifting to your side or bulking up with tech, a vertical layout might fix it. After a year with the TomToc Compact EDC sling, switching to the Alpaka Vertical Sling changed how my essentials ride and how fast I can grab them.

What you’ll get:

  • Key differences between horizontal and vertical slings
  • Fit notes for iPad mini + foldable keyboard
  • Cable and battery tips to save space
  • Practical carry tweaks to improve access

Tools & Materials

Fit and carry: horizontal vs vertical

A horizontal sling can feel bulky when you add rigid items or a tablet; it tends to shift off-center and requires constant re-adjusting. The vertical Alpaka sits forward more naturally and makes better use of pocket clips on a pen, flashlight, and multi-tool. If you rely on clipped tools, vertical orientation keeps them upright and accessible.

Strap length and comfort

Short straps limit front carry and encourage the bag to slide to your side. A longer strap on the Alpaka improves front positioning and reduces the need to constantly pull the bag back. If you’re a larger frame or wear layers, prioritize adjustable length before anything else.

Power and cables: shrink the footprint

Downsizing from a 10,000 mAh brick with only USB-A to a smaller pack with USB-C out cuts bulk and cable count. Pair it with a compact multi-tip cable so you can swap between USB-A to Lightning, USB-C to Lightning, and USB-C to USB-C without packing three cords. Keep one full-length USB-C for wall charging; stash short adapters upfront and long cables in a secondary pocket to balance the load.

Tablet and keyboard: a tight but doable carry

The iPad Mini fits the Alpaka’s back sleeve, even with a full load, but it’s snug. A foldable Bluetooth keyboard can ride too—ditch its case to free space. If the zipper gets tight, move low-use items (extra cables, pry bar) out or to the front pocket, and place frequently used items (wallet, flashlight) where you can reach them without reshuffling.

Practical packing tweaks

  • Remove rarely used tools first to win space fast.
  • Use the vertical slots for clipped tools so they don’t tangle.
  • Test close-and-draw: load the bag, zip it, then practice pulling the wallet and flashlight; if anything catches, relocate it.

The switch from TomToc to Alpaka makes sense if you want front carry comfort and better access to clipped tools, plus the ability to squeeze in an iPad Mini and a foldable keyboard. Aim for fewer, smarter cables and a compact USB-C battery to keep the load tidy.

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