9 Best 3 Point Slinger for Camera in 2023

The best 3 point slinger for cameras is as useful as the name is awkward. Cameras can be a pain to carry around, especially for hours at a time. A 3 point slinger for the camera does two things. It sits the camera’s weight comfortably on your shoulder and it keeps your hands free.

Our top pick provides security for your expensive camera, an ergonomic design, and immediate access. The Cotton Carriers Skout G2 is a superb way of keeping your camera close by.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best 3 Point Slinger For Camera

Cotton Carriers Skout G2 Harness

OCIM Camera Sling

Waka Adjustable Camera Shoulder Sling

What Is the Best 3 Point Slinger For Cameras?

There are different kinds of 3 point slingers in this review. And there’s a real spread of prices and features. Before we look at the detail of them all, here is a summary of our recommendations.

Our Top Pick

Cotton Carriers Skout G2 Harness

Super comfortable and secure sling
Holds camera steady, allows easy access
Ergonomic design hugs core
Camera can also be attached to belt clip

Best Value Sling

OCIM Camera Sling

Ultimate comfort, security, and speed
Thick and wide shoulder pad
Adjustable length for convenience
Universal compatibility with DSLRs

Best for Tripod Users

Waka Adjustable Camera Shoulder Sling

Can be used with tripod without removing fixing
Safety strap included
Storage pocket in strap for SD cards
Comfortable padded shoulder strap

Best Understated Sling

Altura Camera Sling

Ultimate comfort, security, and speed
Durable all-metal clasp and plate
Quick-release design, tripod compatible
Universal compatibility, fits most DSLRs

Most Stylish Sling

USA GEAR Camera Sling Shoulder Strap

Quick-access sling for hassle-free photography
Ultra comfortable DuraNeoprene shoulder pad
Durable metal screw-in plate ensures stability
Convenient built-in accessory pockets

Best for Heavy Gear

Foto&Tech Adjustable Padded Shoulder Sling Strap

Optimal comfort and secure fit for active photographers
Even weight distribution minimizes fatigue
Heavy-duty strap holds camera steady in any conditions
Universal compatibility with all DSLR brands

Best for Easy Adjustment

BlackRapid Curve Breathe Camera Sling

Ergonomic design ensures stability and comfort
Integrated underarm stabilizer for secure fit
Lightweight, breathable materials for coolness
Locking mechanisms provide ultimate gear safety

Best Dual Sling

BlackRapid Hybrid Camera Sling

Comfortably supports two cameras
Quick, easy access for fast shooting
Adjustable length with non-slip padding
Stabilizing strap prevents twisting

Best Leather Sling

LazaKay Genuine Leather Dual Camera Harness

Made in the USA from full grain leather
High-quality components
Secure stitching and riveting
Failsafe strap for peace of mind

How to Choose the Best 3 Point Slinger for Cameras

You’ll need to think about how you’ll use your sling. For instance, travel photography will have different needs from portraits. Choose the one that fits your needs and budget. Here are our recommendations and why we like them.

1. Cotton Carriers Skout G2

Brand	Brand Cotton Carriers
Works With Tripod?	Works With Tripod? Yes
Key Features	Key Features Unique locking system keeps camera secure
Best For	Best For Carrying large camera and lens combinations

The Cotton Carrier Skout G2 takes an interesting approach to the 3 point slinger. It doesn’t let the camera dangle on a strap near your hips. Instead, you clip your camera to a padded chest piece.

This chest piece has a slot that accepts the base plate mounted on your camera. The base plate itself is securely bolted to the tripod thread with a hexagonal bolt. You simply twist and slide the camera off the chest piece to take a photo. There is also a security strap, even though the camera locks into position on the chest pad.

There are some neat touches to the Cotton Carrier system. They sell all types of accessories, so you can use the same harness to carry your drone or binoculars. There is a lens pouch and the base plate has a tripod thread.

They even sell a quick-release tripod mount for their base plate. But they also make other carrying options. Using the same base plate, you can attach your camera to a waist belt. It’s an ingenious, but not cheap, solution.

I’ve been using the Cotton Carrier Skout G2 for a few months now. It has impressed me with how safe the camera feels and how easily it can be deployed.

2. Ocim Camera Sling

Brand	Brand Ocim
Works With Tripod?	Works With Tripod? No
Key Features	Key Features Safety strap and locking carabiner
Best For	Best For Anyone looking for a safe sling on a budget

The Ocim 3 point sling has one vital component for a sling at the budget end. And that’s a safety strap that attaches to the camera body and the slinger’s strap. This provides a great deal of reassurance.

It attaches to a strap eyelet on the camera. And there’s a sturdy metal locking carabiner on the sling. An underarm strap stabilizes the padded shoulder strap. The adjustable straps have locking mechanisms that prevent the camera from sliding around.

3. Waka Adjustable Camera Shoulder Sling

Brand	Brand Waka
Works With Tripod?	Works With Tripod? Yes
Key Features	Key Features Security strap and leave-on tripod plate
Best For	Best For Anyone on a tight budget who uses a tripod regularly

A tiny nudge up in price brings further refinement. The Waka camera strap has a small storage pocket in the wide padded shoulder strap. It’s big enough for a lens cleaning cloth or spare memory cards.

The adjustable straps connect to a plate on the camera. Then the plate screws into the tripod mount. But it has its own tripod screw socket. So there’s no need to remove the sling or its mount to use your tripod. You can even leave your quick-release plate on.

The Waka also has a security strap. On the downside, the clip that attaches the strap to the camera is not a locking carabiner.

4. Altura Camera Sling

Brand	Brand Altura Photo
Works With Tripod?	Works With Tripod? No
Key Features	Key Features Safety strap with locking carabiner
Best For	Best For Taller people looking for a sling

The Altura 3 point slinger is another product that gives you a zipped pocket in the shoulder pad. It’s not huge, but you can fit some spare batteries in there.

It has a substantial rubber-backed plate for attaching to the tripod screw. There is also a safety strap for peace of mind. There is a good range of adjustments. What the Altura lacks is a locking carabiner to attach to the camera.

5. USA GEAR Camera Sling Shoulder Strap

Brand	Brand USA Gear
Works With Tripod?	Works With Tripod? Yes
Key Features	Key Features Colorful shoulder pad, locking carabiner, and safety strap
Best For	Best For Anyone looking to add a dash of color to their kit

The USA GEAR camera sling throws some color into the mix. It also gets a lot of things right. The fixing plate provides a tripod thread. So you can leave it on and still use your tripod. It has a stabilizing underarm strap and the sling attaches with a locking carabiner. There are even two pockets—one for memory cards and an expanding one for other accessories.

The only thing I don’t like is that there is no quick release for the safety strap. This seems like a disappointing oversight. On the plus side, it’s designed to allow two slings to be connected together. So you can carry two cameras, or a camera and a spare lens.

6. Foto&Tech DSLR Adjustable Padded Shoulder Sling Strap

Brand	Brand Foto&Tech
Works With Tripod?	Works With Tripod? No
Key Features	Key Features 660 lb maximum weight rating
Best For	Best For Anyone using very heavy equipment

The Foto&Tech 3 point slinger offers no surprises. With a claimed rating of 660 lbs (300 kg), it will be strong enough for your camera. The safety strap connects with a lockable carabiner that attaches to the strap. This is a reassuring feature.

On the downside, the camera attachment is a simple screw-in eyelet. So you have to remove it to use a tripod. And the strap connects to it with a snap hook. There is no locking carabiner here. There’s no pocket, but there is a clip for a pen. The Foto&Tech sling could be useful to the right photographer. But otherwise, I think this just doesn’t quite make the mark.

7. BlackRapid Curve Breathe Camera Sling

Brand	Brand BlackRapid
Works With Tripod?	Works With Tripod? No
Key Features	Key Features Lightweight, breathable fabric
Best For	Best For Anyone looking for ultra-secure locking systems

The BlackRapid Curve Breathe camera sling is more than twice the price of any cross-shoulder strap we’ve looked at so far. But there’s nothing obvious to justify that additional price. Some users report that BlackRapid contributed to the repair cost when a harness failed and damaged their camera.

It is made of quality materials. The locking carabiner has a plate to prevent too much annoying movement. And the shoulder padding is breathable and durable. But there’s no safety leash, and the screw-in eyelet has to be removed to use a tripod. But these disadvantages come with the benefit of buying a known brand with a solid reputation.

8. BlackRapid Hybrid Camera Sling

Brand	Brand BlackRapid
Works With Tripod?	Works With Tripod? No
Key Features	Key Features Two-camera setup from one harness
Best For	Best For Anyone wanting to carry two cameras

The BlackRapid Hybrid allows you to carry two cameras on the same sling. It holds one on each side of your body. This is a popular choice for photographers who need to access two very different lenses at the same time. That’s the reason you’ll often see wedding photographers using them.

The advantage of this over the USA GEAR sling is that it feels less like a harness. It also means you can still carry your camera bag over the other shoulder. On some shoots, you could even leave your traditional camera bag at home. You can put your camera on one sling and a spare lens on the other.

9. LazaKay Genuine Leather Dual Camera Harness

Brand	Brand LazaKay
Works With Tripod?	Works With Tripod? No
Key Features	Key Features Genuine leather, full harness
Best For	Best For Anyone wanting the style of leather with the practicality of a sling

The Lazakay camera harness also allows you to carry two cameras. And you can do it in style. It’s a US-made leather harness with quality stitching and other hardware.

It’s easily adjustable to fit your body type. And it comes with a matching hand strap and SD card holder. There’s also an adjustable, removable chest strap to help with stability.

As well as attaching to the usual strap locations, there is a D-ring attachment for securing a safety strap to the tripod mount. This is good for peace of mind. But it’s impractical if you want to frequently switch to a tripod.

What to Look For in a 3 Point Slinger For Cameras

There are a number of things to think about before choosing a camera sling.

Your Camera

The camera you use is the first and most important consideration. A Canon EOS 1DX DSLR will need a strong, more substantial camera sling. But that’s not necessarily the case for smaller DSLR or mirrorless cameras.

The Level of Comfort

One problem with the neck strap that came with your camera is comfort. A DSLR camera is heavy. And they rarely come with padded straps.

All of the 3 point slings in this review have a wide, padded shoulder strap. This is important. Especially if your camera is heavy or you are leaving your camera bag at home.

The Level of Security

I once tested a camera sling that attached to the tripod mount with a simple screw-in attachment. It was too easy for that fitting to come loose in the course of a long day’s shooting. And chances are you wouldn’t know! That is until several thousand dollars worth of metal and glass crashed to the ground.

So check how the sling is connected and what the safety features are. Perhaps the most important security feature is the failsafe strap that would catch your camera if the main one fails. And a locking carabiner will always be more secure than a non-locking one.

Adaptability

Check if the sling strap can be adapted to take extra lenses. See if it can hold a second camera. Check if it fits both tall and short people. You will probably use it as well as your camera bag. So you need to check that they won’t interfere with each other.

There are lots of different variations of 3 point slings, so you’ll have to decide which design fits your needs best.

How Do You Attach It to Your Camera?

Most serious cameras have at least two different ways of connecting a strap. The original strap attachment points are typically on the “shoulders” of the camera. And there’s a tripod thread on the bottom of the camera.

Some might have an additional point. The battery grip on my Canon EOS 5D III has this little gizmo for attaching a strap. I use it for a hand grip, but a camera sling would work just as well.

Attachment point on a Canon camera for a strap — © Trevor Marshall

Conclusion: The Best 3 Point Slinger For Cameras

The camera strap that came with your camera probably isn’t very comfortable. And one problem with a big camera bag is that you want to bring all of your gear with you everywhere.

One solution is to use a 3 point slinger like the ones on this list.

If you are on a tight budget, then the USA GEAR camera sling seems to have all the important features. You get security, comfort, and convenience at an affordable price. And you can still use your tripod.

The 3-point sling that impresses me most is the Cotton Carrier Skout G2. It has all the plus points and significantly more flexibility than the others. It’s not a cheap solution, but it offers options and solutions for a wide range of situations.

Our Top 3 Choices for The Best 3 Point Slinger For Camera

Cotton Carriers Skout G2 Harness

OCIM Camera Sling

Waka Adjustable Camera Shoulder Sling

What Is the Best 3 Point Slinger For Cameras?

How to Choose the Best 3 Point Slinger for Cameras

1. Cotton Carriers Skout G2

1. Cotton Carriers Skout G2

2. Ocim Camera Sling

2. Ocim Camera Sling

3. Waka Adjustable Camera Shoulder Sling

3. Waka Adjustable Camera Shoulder Sling

4. Altura Camera Sling

4. Altura Camera Sling

5. USA GEAR Camera Sling Shoulder Strap

5. USA GEAR Camera Sling Shoulder Strap

6. Foto&Tech DSLR Adjustable Padded Shoulder Sling Strap

6. Foto&Tech DSLR Adjustable Padded Shoulder Sling Strap

7. BlackRapid Curve Breathe Camera Sling

7. BlackRapid Curve Breathe Camera Sling

8. BlackRapid Hybrid Camera Sling

8. BlackRapid Hybrid Camera Sling

9. LazaKay Genuine Leather Dual Camera Harness

9. LazaKay Genuine Leather Dual Camera Harness

What to Look For in a 3 Point Slinger For Cameras

Your Camera

The Level of Comfort

The Level of Security

Adaptability

How Do You Attach It to Your Camera?

Conclusion: The Best 3 Point Slinger For Cameras

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