SLNT Faraday Bags Reviewed: Are They Really Killing the Signal?

Hands on review of SLNT Faraday bags in 2025. Field tested for signal blocking, GPS and Bluetooth isolation. Here’s what actually stops your phone from leaking location.

Your phone is betraying your location. Here’s how I tested the gear that claims to stop it.

I don’t take free gear lightly and I don’t write puff pieces, but when SLNT sent me a few of their flagship bags to test, I said yes for one reason:

Faraday bags matter, but most are trash.

SLNT has a reputation. Used by the military. Trusted in the privacy world. They are referred to as the “Rolex” of signal blocking gear by more than one operator I trust. Additionally, I’ve personally used their phone sleeve for years.

So this isn’t just a “first impressions” piece. This is a tactical breakdown.

What I Tested and Full Disclosure

SLNT sent me two of their Faraday dry bags for free to put through the ringer: the SLNT Faraday Dry Bag 5L (with insert) and the SLNT Faraday Laptop Dry Bag. No payment involved, but I did ask for a backlink. The links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a small commission. My review is honest. If it sucks, I’ll tell you. I call it like I see it whether they like it or not.

First Impressions

You can feel the quality immediately. The material is smooth, waterproof, and tough. Branding is minimal, just black on black SLNT lettering so you don’t look like you just left a DEFCON cosplay meetup. Which I appreciate.

Both use a roll and clip enclosure system which I’m not going to lie, it takes a second to get it right. I kept getting the clips rolled up in the material and it took a few practice tries, but once I figured it out it became muscle memory and really does locks up tight.

The 5L dry bag surprised me. Thought it’d be awkward. It wasn’t.

• Rides easy on the back.
• Weighs almost nothing.
• Rolls into a natural carry handle, which is a nice feature.
• Molle loops + external pocket = modular.
• Looks like any other outdoors bag. Doesn’t scream “tech nerd.”

For grab and go situations or staged kits, it nails it.

Looks great. Clean lines. Waterproof. Enough space for a laptop and some extras.

But:

• No handle. You’re stuck grabbing the strap. Not having a handle where it rolls over so you can just grab it and carry it is a missed opportunity.
• Strap positioning feels off, maybe just me, but it didn’t ride right on the shoulder. Felt awkward no matter how many times I adjusted the strap.
• Interior is just one big cavity. No organization. No inner pockets.
• Fine for minimal EDC. Not great for anyone who needs modularity or carries lots of tech.

Maybe I am being unfair but this was obviously designed for a narrow niche use. Perfect if you are a commuter who doesn’t want to get their papers and computer wet getting on the train. But if you are a student with a lot of books or a traveler crossing time zones it just isn’t big enough.

But Does It Kill Signal?

I didn’t bust out RF lab gear. There are already plenty of teardown videos and spectrum tests on SLNT and other brands that you can go take a look at. But I did want to stress you can and should do a quick and dirty home test. Even with high end equipment that you trust, wear and damage can compromise them and they should always be tested before taking out in the field.

1. RFID / NFC

• Door fob? Dead.
• Car fob? No ignition, even while sitting in the seat.

2. Phone Signal

• Sealed phone inside. Called it. No ring.
• No texts. No notifications.
• Took a full minute after opening for the phone to catch up.

3. Bluetooth

• Streaming music test with bluetooth headphones connected.
• As long as the bags were unsealed, some signal squeaked through the open fold.
• Once clipped shut, silence. Zero bleed.

This matters and is something you have to be careful with. Almost every faraday bag on the market blocks signals, but many often leak at the seams or at the point of enclosure. I was slightly irritated with the triple roll and clasp design of these bags but am now realizing that SLNT probably had a very good technical reason for it.

4. GPS

• Started navigation. Sealed phone in bag. Left.
• Checked 15 minutes later, map frozen where I started.

Dead signal across the board. Exactly what you want.

Field OPSEC: Real World Use

Signal blocking is only half the game. If you look too tactical, like you’re transporting plutonium, you’ve already lost.

So I traveled with them.

Travel Use

I took both bags on a work trip to help some clients with their setups. Used the dry bag as a go bag. Laptop bag carried a backup ThinkPad, paper notebook, and some light cables.

• No stares in the airport.
• No TSA glances.
• Didn’t look military. Didn’t look tactical.
• Just another traveler with gear.

With both bags being carried on my shoulder and pulling a rolling suitcase, I didn’t gather many looks while walking trhough a hotel lobby.

Coffee Shop

I did not get a second look with the laptop dry bag. I just looked like every other commuter or student in there. Laptop bag blended right in, but the dry bag did collect some looks.

Probably because I was dressed business casual and the bag looked like it just wandered in from a campsite.

Lesson: blend your gear with your clothing. Don’t wear city shoes and a survival pack.

Urban Streets

Same pattern:

• Laptop bag = invisible.
• Dry bag = slightly noticeable curiosity.

If you’re staging dry bag use for city OPSEC, match your gear to your aesthetic. Rugged clothes. Neutral posture. Keep the costume consistent.

Verdict: Who It’s For

SLNT Faraday Dry Bag 5L <–BIG SCARY AFFILIATE LINK

• Use it if: You need a ready to roll kit for light gear.
• Pair with: Offline map, burner phone, USB OS stick, backup yubikey, and emergency cash.
• Perfect for: Car trunk kits, outdoors work, small footprint EDC.
• Bonus: It’ll survive rain, dust, and likely a few drops off the truck.

I really didn’t expect to like the dry bag. It has a small size, odd buoy shape, and wasn’t sure what the right application was. I was won over by it and the 5L size was perfect for me. This is the perfect grab and go bag. Have it staged in a trunk with cash and burner phone and you never have to worry. Everything is safe, sealed from weather, and easy to grab and carry if you are traveling light. I could see this being very useful for all sorts of outdoor activities like camping or boating just due to the form factor and waterproofing. The signal blocking is just a bonus.

Check my go bag guide for what to put in it.

SLNT Faraday Laptop Dry Bag <–BIG SCARY AFFILIATE LINK

• Use it if: You commute with a laptop in bad weather and need signal control without drawing attention.
• Pair with: Minimal gear. This isn’t a carry all.
• Perfect for: Urban professionals, minimalist threat models but have a need for secure laptops.

This bag would work well if you are a daily commuter, especially if you live in the city and need to keep rain and whatnot off your computer. But if you’re a student with a lot of notebooks or a heavy traveler and need quick access to your headphones and other tech gear this not going to work for you. It’s just not big enough. It really needs additional pockets and storage. I get that it wasn’t designed for that activity but just seems a very narrow niche that this bag fits.

Final Thought

SLNT’s build quality is no joke. These bags aren’t for flexing. They’re for real world defense.

They won’t fix your OPSEC. But they will reinforce it if used right.

Your job? Keep the gear clean. Keep the use sharp. And test, always test.

-GHOST
Written by GHOST, creator of the Untraceable Digital Dissident project.

This is part of the Untraceable Digital Dissident series — tactical privacy for creators and rebels.
Explore more privacy tactics at untraceabledigitaldissident.com.