Simms Freestone Vest vs Simms Tributary Sling Pack: Vest or Sling

Updated September 2026

Both are trusted Simms carry systems in the same price band, but they organize gear differently. The Simms Freestone Vest offers 22 pockets with everything accessible from the front, at the cost of extra weight and warmth. The Simms Tributary Sling Pack rotates a single strap to the front for lighter, cooler days on long hikes to the water.

This comparison contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and partner of other programs, RiffleDge may earn a commission at no cost to you.

At a glance

Spec	Simms Freestone Vest Check price on Amazon	Simms Tributary Sling Pack Check price on Amazon
Price	$120-$135	$125-$135
Our rating	4.7 / 5	4.5 / 5
Best for	Anglers who prioritize pocket organization and want everything accessible from the front without rotating a pack.	Anglers who want a trusted, mid-priced sling from Simms for regular day trips without the Thunderhead premium.
Storage style	22 pockets, everything accessible from the front	Single rotating strap with rod holder, tippet port, and fly patch
Weight and comfort	Heavier; can run warm on summer days	Lighter for long hike-in approaches; water-resistant, not fully submersible

The Freestone Vest wins on pocket organization while the Tributary Sling wins on hike-in weight, at essentially the same price.

The two options in depth

4.7 Editorial score AvantLink

Simms Freestone Vest

A workhorse 22-pocket vest from one of the most trusted names in fly fishing, with a tippet caddy, magnetic docking stations for tools, and loop velcro for wet fly storage.

Best for Anglers who prioritize pocket organization and want everything accessible from the front without rotating a pack.

22 pockets cover every fly box, tool, and consumable configurationBuilt-in tippet caddy and magnetic docking stations for nippers and forcepsSimms brand durability with abrasion-resistant fabric that holds up through brush Heavier than a sling pack for long hike-in approaches

$120-$135 Check price on Amazon

4.5 Editorial score AvantLink

Simms Tributary Sling Pack

An updated everyday sling pack from Simms at $130, balancing a hiking-comfortable single strap with enough organization for a full day on the water at a mid-tier price.

Best for Anglers who want a trusted, mid-priced sling from Simms for regular day trips without the Thunderhead premium.

Durable water-resistant fabric from a brand with a long track record in wading gearSingle-strap design rotates to the front for access without removing the packDedicated rod holder, tippet port, and fly patch built in Not waterproof in the way the Thunderhead is for deep wading situations

$125-$135 Check price on Amazon

Which should you buy?

Buy the Simms Freestone Vest if you want every fly box, tool, and spool of tippet organized and reachable without rotating a pack, and you fish long days where quick access matters more than shaving weight. Buy the Simms Tributary Sling Pack if you hike in to reach water and want a lighter, single-strap setup that still carries a full day's gear, understanding it is not built for the deep-wading waterproofing of the pricier Thunderhead line. Many anglers who fish both close-in water and longer approaches end up owning one of each.

Related guides

Common questions

Is a sling pack faster to access than a vest?

In practice they are comparable, since the Tributary Sling rotates to the front the same way a vest's pockets sit in front already. The vest wins for anglers who want everything visible at once, while the sling wins for anglers who prefer a slimmer profile and are comfortable rotating one pack to reach gear.

Can the Simms Tributary Sling Pack replace a vest entirely?

For most day trips, yes, since it carries a rod holder, tippet port, and fly patch alongside its main storage. Anglers who carry more fly boxes, extra spools, and full rain layers may still find the Freestone Vest's 22 pockets more practical for a fully loaded day.

Which is better for hot summer fishing?

The Simms Tributary Sling Pack runs cooler since it does not cover the torso the way a full vest does, and the Freestone Vest can feel warm on summer days compared to mesh-back alternatives. Anglers fishing hot months often prefer the sling for that reason alone.

Is the sling pack waterproof for deep wading?

No, the Simms Tributary Sling Pack is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, unlike the submersible Fishpond Thunderhead line built for deep-wading dunks. Anglers who regularly wade past their waist should budget for a submersible pack instead of either the Freestone Vest or the Tributary Sling.