Chrome Industries Mini Tensile Sling Review

The Chrome Industries Mini Tensile Sling is a compact, minimal-carry solution designed for those who value simplicity and functionality. With a 2L capacity, it’s small enough to be discreet yet roomy enough to carry most everyday essentials. Thanks to its construction and weather-resistant materials, we have no doubt this sling can stand up to the harshest of inclement weather. It features a unique aesthetic in three colorways, all of which sport an x-grid fabric design.

While it lacks any soft or protective lining inside, it does offer some nice organizational pockets. Some other thoughtfully designed features include a key clip and a rear quick-access or slip pocket. While the sling’s strap is fixed and non-removable, offering a minor degree of customizability, this sling still provides an ideal carrying experience for individuals who prefer a minimal and practical solution for carrying all their daily essentials.

External Components

The Chrome Industries Mini Tensile Sling is constructed with super water-resistant materials and PU-coated zippers that do not feel like they would disappoint should they get caught out in inclement weather. The material is quite tarp-like, giving it a solid structure that’s not very flexible, which can be considered a pro and a con. It feels pretty protective and does an excellent job of ensuring daily essentials stay safe from the elements like rain or snow. This also provides protection and durability but limits the space and capacity since there is no degree of stretch if you’re prone to overstuffing your bag with gear.

Despite the unique design and aesthetic, this specific color option is not our personal favorite. However, it does come in two other more muted options at the time of writing: Black X” and Grey X. The sailcloth fabric on this particular colorway adds a unique style that definitely provides a fascinating look. Black straps and accents across the front of the bag are purely for aesthetics, with no added discernible function. The zippers work well and are not as stiff as some PU-coated zippers we’ve tested, especially around the corners. The red pull tabs add a pleasing tertiary accent to the overall aesthetic that we dig. The bag’s material, design, and construction ensure a worry-free experience when it comes to weather and elements like rain or snow getting inside.

As for branding, the pack features an abundance of it despite its small form factor. There’s a prominent “Chrome” emblem or patch on the front, an interior branded slip attached to the large divider, and even the buckle doesn’t escape the “Chrome” branding.

One of this sling’s features is its simplistic and minimal approach to carry. The lack of attachment points, lash straps, or carry handles means that its capacity is entirely dedicated to the main compartment and rear pocket. While you have the option to carry it as a clutch, this might be more of a nuisance than a benefit since the strap is not removable.

Fit Notes

The form factor of this sling is quite appealing. Despite its small size, it is still spacious enough to accommodate most everyday essentials. For example, in our testing, it can comfortably hold a wallet, keys, a Field Notes Notebook with a pen, chapstick, gum, hand sanitizer, and tissues. Additionally, it can be conveniently concealed under a jacket without creating an unseemly bulge yet still remains easily accessible. Whether you prefer to wear it under or over your outerwear, this product offers a practical and versatile carrying solution.

Inside The Sling

Diving into the interior of the bag (all two compartments), it lacks any kind of soft or protective lining. That’s not a huge deal, but it’s something to keep in mind if you carry a lot of sensitive items like glasses or screens. Plus, the dark gray color of the interior doesn’t provide much visibility or contrast, which can make locating items inside the bag a bit challenging in dim light.

The bag’s only secondary compartment is a rear access pocket on the back. It is not exactly hidden and, in our practice, primarily used as an open slip pocket with the potential to be closed and/or secured. The pocket, which spans the entire width of the bag, has a simple dark grey fabric lining and lacks depth. It has a small garage where you can store the zipper, but this doesn’t make the pocket “extra secure” or “hidden” since the zipper and pull tab are still noticeably visible thanks to the tertiary red accented zipper pull.

In terms of capacity, an iPhone Pro Max just barely fits, but extracting it can be a bit challenging due to it often getting caught on the sides. Consequently, we’ve found it’s more convenient to use this pocket for quick access to items rather than storing items that need a smooth, quick retrieval. For example, we found it worked well just slipping the iPhone in and letting a corner or two of the phone stick out in scenarios where we needed both hands free for a short amount of time.

The main compartment makes up most of the bag’s capacity and features most of its organization as well. It features one large mesh organizational pocket on one side and two smaller mesh pockets on the other, with the remaining space functioning as a standard catch-all area. The internal organization is facilitated by a decently stretchy mesh material that provides some flexibility but tends to hang open when not in use. The dark gray and black interior does not offer much contrast or visibility, especially in dark environments.

However, a key leash made of standard nylon webbing is attached to the top of the compartment, providing quick and secure access. Although it is not particularly stretchy or long, the key clip is uniquely designed for smooth and easy removal of keys in a creative approach. The clip, made of durable plastic, facilitates one-handed use when removing keys, though attaching keys can sometimes require two hands. Besides the organizational pockets, there’s still a decent amount of space for additional items, albeit not much, thanks to its 2L capacity.

The Chrome Industries Mini Tensile Sling is a compact and practical carry solution for everyday essentials. Despite its small size, it provides ample space for items like a wallet, keys, and a notebook. Its unique aesthetic and robustly built construction, paired with its weather-resilient materials, provide peace of mind that your daily essentials remain protected. The interior offers basic organization options but lacks a soft or protective lining. Its strap is fixed and non-removable, which can be seen as a pro or con depending on personal preference. Overall, this sling is ideal for individuals who value simplicity, functionality, and a unique style in a small form factor.