Chrome Industries Ruckas Sling Bag Review

You might be thinking this bag doesn’t look much like other Chrome Industries gear you’ve seen in the past, and you’re right! There’s no big buckle, it isn’t black and white, and there are a few features we’re used to seeing on Chrome gear missing here. However, we’re amped to give the Ruckas Sling Bag a try. Let’s dive in!

External Components

The external materials are 300D polyester dobby and 900D polyester. Both are recycled, which is an excellent shout if you aim to be a sustainable packer. At the time of writing, there are Natural (off-white), Black, and Oil Green colorway options. All three are sleek, and the green option, which we have at Pack Hacker HQ, offers a pop of color.

The zippers are from YKK and work as we’d expect them to. They feel right for the job and stay out of your way when you’re wearing the pack. The pulls are a paracord-like material with a knot on the end. They’re pretty easy to hang onto and aren’t loud or jangly.

The hardware and buckles are from Duraflex. It’s easy to open and close the strap, and adjusting the length is easy—nothing negative to report here.

There’s a heritage-styled logo on the front of the bag, which we dig. We’re typically used to metal buckles and rugged materials from Chrome. These materials have held up well durability-wise, but the design is a step in a new direction, and we’re here for it. As much as we love Chrome’s typical style, there’s nothing wrong with changing things up now and then.

The top handle is suitable for hanging the bag on a hook or other small protrusion; however, it isn’t great to hold. It’s too small to fit a larger hand and not big enough for an average-sized hand to be comfortable, either. You can hang the pack with this handle, but it isn’t a perfect option for carrying the bag.

Fit Notes

The strap is ambidextrous so that you can wear it comfortably on either shoulder. It secures with a hook-and-loop fastener, making switching from one side to the other easy. Theoretically, it could pop open after a while or when you’ve got a heavy load; however, we haven’t had this issue.

The strap has a fair amount of padding, with aeration to keep things cool. It has a large footprint but is relatively lightweight, so it isn’t too bulky or heavy. It’s comfortable and doesn’t get too warm, even in hotter weather.

There are two attachment loops on the front of the strap, so you can attach gear there if you’d like. From a carabiner to an extra pouch, it’s easy to add equipment here.

The back panel has ample padding but lacks aeration, so things can get warm. However, it’s comfortable enough for long trips, even if it does tend to get a little sweaty on hot days. In moderate weather, it’s not noticeable.

You can wear this pack on your front, too, but it’s a little cumbersome, especially if you have a more petite frame. This gives you quick access to your gear, but it looks silly and gets in your way. While wearing it on your back, it’s comfortable, out of your way, and still pretty quick to grab gear when you need it.

Inside The Sling

The interior lining is a 15D polyester material, which adds a pop of color to the inside so you can find your gear more easily. It’s a recycled material, too, which we love to see.

A pocket on the front of the pack has a fabric tab over the zipper, adding water resistance. There’s no organization inside, and it’s relatively quick to access while you’re wearing the pack. It doesn’t reach all the way to the bottom of the sling, so you can’t stow a water bottle here. However, it has ample space for a phone, wallet, sunglasses, or other medium-sized pieces of gear.

The main compartment zipper runs three-fourths of the way around the pack, and the opening is at a diagonal angle so you can access the lower portions of the space. It makes organizing more manageable, too.

On the lid, there’s one zippered compartment. Flat items do well here, from a passport to minimalist wallet or travel documents. Larger items don’t do as well here, as they bulge out of the pack’s front.

The side along the back panel has liner pockets for organizing your gear. A large liner pocket can accommodate a smaller tablet, Kindle, book, or notebook. The materials here have some extra padding to keep whatever you stow inside safe, but we still recommend using a case for additional protection.

Below that, there’s a medium-sized pocket and two pen sliders for more gear storage. These don’t have a dedicated use like the sleeve above; however, they’re handy for various items you’d typically bring along for the journey.

There’s a lot of open space here to stow other gear, too. A Nintendo Switch fits here, even with a case, with some room to spare. However, larger items don’t do well in this space, especially if they aren’t flat.

Aside from the design, the main thing we noticed that’s missing that we’re used to seeing from Chrome Industries gear is a key leash. It doesn’t change how you use the bag, but it’s important to note if that’s something you like to use.

Overall, we dig how well this thing carries gear and how comfortable it is. It has a unique design compared to what we’re used to from Chrome, but these changes are a fun switch from the norm!