Chrome Industries Warsaw Backpack MD Review

The Chrome Industries Warsaw Backpack MD is a durable, highly water-resistant backpack made for commuting. However, we’re curious if all that weight is worth it for travel and standard commutes to work across the city. Let’s dive in and find out!

External Components

The primary pack materials are 1050D nylon and 1680D ballistic nylon with a polyurethane backing. These are incredibly durable and highly water resistant, especially with the PU working in tandem with the nylon. They’re heavy materials, making this a heavier pack, though it’ll be able to handle the bumps and knocks of travel or your morning commute without issue. Or, if you’re a digital nomad, it’ll handle both simultaneously!

The pack utilizes YKK zippers and Duraflex buckles, which are two of the best hardware brands in the business. The YKK zippers are smooth, and the Duraflex buckles are snappy. The primary closure on the pack is a large buckle, so it’s essential that it doesn’t pop open when you don’t want it to, and this one doesn’t. If you have smaller hands, it can be challenging to use at first; however, after a few tries, you’ll get the hang of it. Additionally, a metal D-ring on the end of the main compartment buckle’s strap is handy for attaching extra gear or tightening the strap quickly.

Two compression straps on either side of the pack are handy for two primary reasons. First, you can make the bag smaller, which is convenient when cycling or moving quickly. A more compact daypack is easier to handle and allows you to reach your destination faster. Second, you can attach things here. Because they’re so robust, the world is your oyster. Think a compressible travel water bottle, a pouch or two, or a yoga mat.

A water bottle pocket on one side can be used in tandem with the compression straps. Smaller bottles don’t do well here because the material isn’t stretchy. Our 32-ounce Nalgene fell out of the pocket on one bike ride, which was a bummer. That said, it wasn’t clipped in via the compression strap at the time, which would have saved it from falling. It’s a 32-ounce Nalgene, so it survived to tell the tale. Additionally, you can stow more oversized items here with the compression straps, like a tripod.

There isn’t a ton going on externally here, but we don’t mind. This is a commuting pack; you don’t want bits and bobs hanging out all over the place to get knocked or stolen. Sleek and durable is the name of the game, and this pack accomplishes that!

Fit Notes

The shoulder straps are malleable, which we like for a pack like this. They aren’t going to constrict you when you get after it to beat a yellow light on your bike or are hustling to catch a train. If you’re a fan of density in shoulder straps, look elsewhere. They have padding and aeration, which are handy for comfort and breathability. You’ll still sweat, but it’s manageable and not swampy.

Both shoulder straps have a D-ring on the top, which is handy for attaching gear. The sternum strap is on a rail, so you can make micro-adjustments to find the perfect fit for you.

The back panel is well padded and has fine mesh to promote breathability. The padding is dense and solid for comfort, and there are channels for airflow to keep your back cool while out on a hot day. Similar to the shoulder straps, you’ll still sweat, but it isn’t as bad as you’d think it might be based on the pack size.

This pack is quite wide, especially for its size. It isn’t unmanageable, but it feels like a unit while wearing it, especially if you have a smaller frame. It isn’t uncomfortable; it simply feels different. We recommend that you try it on before purchasing!

Inside The Pack

The liner for the main compartment and a handful of external pockets is a 500D TPE Tarp, which is entirely waterproof. This bag isn’t waterproof, but because of the tarp, it’s highly water resistant, which is all most travelers and commuters will need. If you’re swimming to work, look elsewhere! However, this pack will serve you well if you’re cycling, walking, or taking public transportation. If you get caught in a torrential downpour, the external materials will get wet, but the tarp will keep the stuff you’ve got stowed inside dry. That’s all well and fine, but the bag will take a while to dry. It isn’t the end of the world, but if you have a quick turnaround time, the pack might still be wet when you’re off for your next adventure.

There’s a handy side pocket on the opposite side of the water bottle compartment. It takes up a large portion of the pack’s front face and is a solid option for stowing your phone, wallet, and other essential items. It is accessible while you’ve got the pack on, which we dig, so you can get to your stuff while on the go. The zipper is water resistant, and the liner is tarp, so your gear will stay dry here.

A hidden pocket near the zippered one is secured with a hook-and-loop fastener. This isn’t waterproof, but we’ve had no issues with water seeping in. It’s a solid place for sensitive items, like a passport or your phone. This one doesn’t have a tarp lining, so be careful what you put in there on a rainy day.

There’s a pocket on the bottom of the pack, too, which has the same tarp liner. This is a handy place to stow flat items, though we wouldn’t stow anything breakable here, as the pack will sit on it.

The main closure on the pack is a large flap that secures with the Duraflex buckle we mentioned earlier. There isn’t an additional closure for the compartment inside, so it’s essential to keep this buckle tight so none of your gear can sneak out, whether on accident or on purpose, thanks to a thief.

Under the flap on the exterior are some organizational details. These are handy, as the main compartment doesn’t have any segmentation. There’s an ID window, which you can use to stow your identification, payment cards, or transit slip. A large topless pocket here works well for larger accessories, like overhead headphones or a camera. Above that, there’s a zippered compartment lined with tarp, so you have an extra layer of protection from the elements. This is an excellent place for your wallet or other documents you know you won’t need on a particular day but want to keep with you. The pocket is also large enough for a small tablet, which is handy on public transit. On top of the organization, there’s another topless pocket, but this one is much larger. You can fit a full-size book, magazine, or a combination of smaller gear.


The main compartment is completely lined with tarp, protecting it from the elements. Though it might protect your gear from the rain, it isn’t going to organize them for you, as there’s no segmentation here at all. You’ll need to do that yourself through careful packing or using accessories like packing cubes or a tech pouch. Much of your smaller gear can go into the organizational features on the pack’s front face that we just went over, though you’ll likely have extras that won’t easily fit here. Secondary segmentation devices are essential to staying organized, though they aren’t always necessary.

We really enjoy using the Warsaw Backpack MD, but it’s worth noting how heavy it is. It weighs 3.6 lb, or 1.6 kg, which isn’t a light bag by any means. Still, this is a solid fit for those looking for a durable bag that’ll keep their gear dry on their next trip or while commuting to work!