Last year, Nick threw me a Slogan Outdoors rubber sling and said, “Hey. This guy says this is the best sling ever. Try it out.” As you’ve come to expect, we take every bold claim with a healthy dose of skepticism around here. And we take a double shot when someone uses the superlative. A year later, after miles of walking, jogging, bending over, climbing and general abuse, I’m on board. This is the best rifle sling ever made . . .
The Slogan Outdoors UltraFlex Rifle Sling is one of those, “Hey why didn’t I think of that?” affairs. No fancy sliding buckles with thirteen straps going in every direction. Just a single piece of thermoplastic (feels like rubber to me) made into a loop with two mounts on either end. Simply attach it to your rifle, adjust it so it sits fairly tight and you’re off. Installation takes all of thirty seconds and adjustment might take three minutes more.
Once installed, you have a sling that can be worn three ways. First, as a traditional shoulder carry like you’ve done since you started carrying rifles. Second, you can split the strap and put one end over the other side of your head. Now your rifle is place diagonally across your back and your hands are free to use for other duties. Third, you can also split the sling and wear your gun like a backpack. This is most helpful if you’ll be covering some ground and need both hands, but also want your rifle centered on your back with the weight evenly distributed.
The secret to the UltraFlex’s success lies in the thermoplastic (or rubber) material that they use. It has enough give that it creates some tension against your body to keep your long gun in place. It’s also slightly tacky so that it gets a good grip on your clothing. This is especially apparent when slinging the rifle over one shoulder as it still manages to stay in place no matter how aggressive your movements.
I’m not prone to making outlandish claims, but I’ve tried a fair number of rifle slings over the past few years and not one has come close to matching the UltraFlex for usability and durability. It is one hell of a sling and I feel confident giving it a five star rating. Lest you think I’m joking, I’ll be buying one for all my regularly used long guns.
Specifications: Slogan Outdoors UltraFlex Rifle Sling
- Color: Black
- Material: Thermoplastic Rubber
- Style: 2-point Sling
- Width: 1-3/4″
- Country of Manufacture: USA
- Price: Varies
Rating are subjective and based on a five star system
Durability * * * * *
Mud, sand, water, and a Smörgåsbord of harsh chemicals haven’t been able to make it look any less “new.” Additionally, I’ve been pretty hard on it over the last year and the buckles are still staying put. I anticipate it will last for years to come.
Comfort * * * * *
My Ruger M77 tips the scales at about eight pounds fully loaded. Slung off one shoulder, I can carry the rifle for miles, but in the modified backpack position, I can carry it all day long. The UltraFlex has a enough give that it bounces slightly with your walk, but still stays flat to your body.
Fitment * * *
If you have standard swivel mounts on your long gun, ignore this paragraph because the UltraFlex fits fine. However, if you wanted to use QD mounts, you have to call Specialty Outdoors and get a custom sling made. I’d really love to see future revisions come with more fitment options.
Overall Rating * * * * 1/2
No joke, this is the best rifle sling I’ve ever used. I’m going to talk to Specialty about the QD mounts so I can use it on my AR, but otherwise it is perfect. Light, functional, and easy to use. And at <$40, it is a deal.