This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a commission if you purchase from these links.
Are you a minimalist when it comes to bags? I like having a bag that can easily carry the essentials that I can’t shove into lady-sized pockets. So while perusing the Dagne Dover website looking for backpacks, I came across the Dagne Dover Mara Phone Sling and was immediately intrigued. Could this be the perfect minimal daily bag?
Because I was already purchasing the Dakota backpack (review here!), I decided to take a chance and see how the Mara would hold up. I ended up using it for just about four months on an almost daily basis, so my review is based on quite a bit of time.
Pros
Small Size
Depending on the type of bag user you are, this could be a pro or con, but I’m assuming if you’re looking for a phone sling, you’re looking for something as minimal as possible. The Dagne Dover Mara fits that hard to find sweet spot, where it is incredibly small, but is still functional at holding more than just your phone and a chapstick. Packed to the brim, the Mara can hold my phone, credit cards, cash, chapstick, keys, and sunglasses. Not too shabby for such a small footprint!
Although I will note that shoving everything listed does result in a lumpy, slightly missshapen bag. Not an issue for me, but if you’re really set on the pristine bag aesthetic, you won’t be able to fit nearly as much.
Multipurpose Strap
I really like the strap on this bag. It feels nice (not itchy!) and is easily convertible in length. This means that the bag can go from being worn around the waist to being slung across the chest quite easily. Personally, I ended up using it mostly as a crossbody. It didn’t sit in the middle of my chest like all the cool Gen Z kids, but it would easily blend into the background so I wasn’t bothered by where the bag’s location while walking or maneuvering.
I also like that the strap can come off, which makes the Mara convert into more of a wallet. The interior of the Mara has three credit card slots, as well as a larger slot for cash and a loop perfect for chapstick, so it can function as a standalone wallet. When I needed to bring a larger bag, I could just remove the strap and toss the Mara into the larger bag without having to worry about swapping all the cards and cash.
Cons
Phone Pocket
This was the biggest con of the Dagne Dover Mara. The outer slip pocket was a tight fit for my phone, especially after I moved to the Pixel 7 Pro (similar in size to an iPhone 15 Plus for iOS users). This definitely cut back on the viability of the phone sling as a daily bag. I could put the phone in the inner zip pocket, but I have no space for sunglasses or keys. Squeezing the phone into the outer pocket required me to have both hands completely free to access the phone – one to steady the bag, the other to handle the phone. Not the most practical experience.
Waterproofing / Material
This ties into the last point. The Dagne Dover Mara is made of neoprene, so it’s water resistant. But, anything in the outer pocket will not be protected by that neoprene. So if you get caught in a sudden rainstorm, whatever important thing you put in that outer pocket will be soaked. And if you choose to put your keys in the zipper pocket and your phone in the outer pocket for easy access, you will have a bad day.
It also looks like the color has faded or become discolored over time? I only noticed it while taking photos for this blog post, so I don’t know what happened. I’m not sure if this is from that one time it got soaked and it didn’t dry properly? Or perhaps it’s faded from sun exposure? But look at the difference in color tone between the Mara and a zipper bag that came with the Dakota backpack purchased at the same time.
Dagne Dover Mara Verdict
I liked my time with the Dagne Dover Mara Phone Sling, but the small phone pocket and lack of waterproof phone protection ultimately led me to stop using it on an everyday basis. Its minimal form is nice, but with a larger phone the bag is just too minimal for me. I need to be able to easily access my phone and still store the basics.
It might make a comeback during the summer, when it’s more reliably dry here in Seattle, and when jacket pockets are less available for wallet storage. Unless, of course, I find another minimal purse in the meantime… (stay tuned for a review?!).
What has your experience been with the Dagne Dover Mara? Do you like it? Are there other bags you would recommend instead? Let me know in the comments!
If you liked this review, consider subscribing to the Ashley Reviews mailing list, so that you won’t miss out on any new content!
