Bag Profile: Chrome Vega

So here's a possible candidate for One Bag, One Month. The Chrome Vega.

I've had this bag for a while, and it's really grown on me. At first, I was kind of weirded out by its vertical orientation, which is quite unusual. Most messenger and shoulder bags opt for a horizontal placement, which can spread weight out over a larger area, distributing the force of gravity over a longer area. The benefit of this is that it is far easier to carry heavy loads.

I never really had fatigue problems with the Chrome Vega, however. In fact, the bag was quite comfortable, even though it looks like an ergonomic nightmare on paper. In part, this is probably due to the smaller size of the bag. It is about 2 inches taller than most medium size bags, but it is far less wide, and far less deep. This definitely restricts the amount of weight you can pack into it.

I was typically able to fit a good day's worth of stuff into it, but it definitely took a good squeeze. I typically carried an iPad, a pair of Toms, a hoodie, notebook, bike lock, and some food and drink for a fairly tight squeeze. Inconvenient, but it definitely made me pack intelligently. I had to figure out what I didn't need and eliminate it. Definitely better for the back than a carry-all. In fact, the capacity is absolutely PERFECT for use as a day-pack, if you're travelling or just exploring.

An interesting quirk (if that be the right word) of the bag is the strap system. It's not the rigid webbing of Timbuk2 bags, nor is it the strap pad that Chrome typically puts into their messenger bags. It's just straight up seatbelt webbing, with an attractive minimalist clasp to adjust length. I found this bag to be most comfortable high up while on the bike, and lower on the waist while walking. There is no side strap built in, so the added security of a higher placement definitely came into play. On hard sprints, I found the bag sliding forward and getting into the way.

In the end, however, I don't think this will be the bag I ultimately choose. My material needs now that school has started are significantly different, and definitely exceed my typical summer carry. The Chrome Vega is not a bad or poorly designed bag (I have those, too), but it's just the wrong bag for what I need to carry.