Chrome Soyuz Review

Likes
The Chrome Soyuz is a ridiculously durable and completely waterproof laptop backpack. Its design employs a large triangular shaped (larger at bottom) main compartment with a small opening and rolltop closure. A side access zippered sleeve holds a seventeen-inch laptop between the main compartment and a smaller front compartment, which houses several medium sized pockets. The very front of the bag has two deep large pockets that hold everything from a cell phone to sunglasses or a U-lock. Our testers found the front pockets to be very accessible and well-designed. Velcro defines the Soyuz (it’s everywhere) and makes the front pockets the best part of the bag.

As for looks, the Soyuz is clean and sleek. It’s surprisingly thin for its volume (26L), a feature that’s keep load closer to your back- making it better for biking. The super durable 1000 denier Cordura with “truck tarp liner” makes for an indestructible bag, and a very insulated one, too. Our testers found the main compartment to be a great cooler for beach trips; we could pour loose ice cubes over our drinks and four hours later the water hadn't leaked out.

As for comfort, the bag is much better suited for tall people than short people. So, too, is it better for men than women (the sternum strap is poorly placed and only minimally adjustable).

Dislikes
The Soyuz’s clean exterior conflicts with its complicated and chaotic interior. Our testers found this bag to be difficult and sometimes embarrassing to use. The most noteworthy aspect of the Soyuz is its rolltop closure (a unique feature among the seven backpacks we tested), which makes the main compartment fully waterproof, but not submersible. Although a rolltop may be more durable than traditional crescent shaped zippers (North Face Surge) we found it to be LOUD and a barrier to accessing items quickly. One tester described opening the main compartment as, “like opening the jaws of a roaring lion.” (It’s neither quick, nor easy, and most assuredly not quiet.) Another said the rolltop closure was, “totally unnecessary an obnoxious.” The general consensus was that the main compartment is too loud for a professional office or classroom environment.

The depth and shape of the main compartment is another drawback. Its shape tapers from the top down, gradually becoming larger. This is problematic for two reasons: one, the opening is small and can barely accommodate a six-pack. Two, when carrying a backpack you want the weight to be up high on your back, not down low. The Soyuz’ design forces the weight to be at the bottom, which is simply bad. The bag’s length and rolltop closure also make it very tall; there’s not enough room to look at and reach for what you want at the same time. You much peer down the deep well then reach for what you want, repeating if you miss. Moreover, the bag’s thin profile is exceptionally good at crushing soft objects. Bananas, bread, and chocolate tend to arrive home mushed, compacted or broken.

Unlike all other bags, backapack and messenger, the Soyuz puts the laptop compartment in front of the main compartment, as in farther away from your back. If you have a gigantic seventeen-inch laptop this can be more comfortable for biking, but it makes the laptop more vulnerable to impact from the sides, bottom and pressures from the other compartments. Packing the main compartment demands strategy. If not done properly the bag can be clumpy and uncomfortable. Moving to the laptop compartment to the back (like in the Cilo Gear City Pack) would help address this.

While we really like the accessibility of the front exterior pockets, they lack one important feature- zippered pockets. The current rendering of the Soyuz has only one zippered pocket and it’s small and on the bottom of the bag’s exterior- making it prone to passing pickpockets. Storing small items can be challenging. Storing small items of value is simply not secure (too much velcro). Separately, those seeking an external side pocket should look elsewhere for the Soyuz has none.

Best Application
The Soyuz is best for tall men with a large laptop who live in a wet climate, bike to work, but don’t buy groceries on the way home. This is not a versatile bag; we found it ill-suited for school and/or the typical office job.

Value
If we had a “Worst Buy Award” this would take it for the laptop backpacks. When assessing the Soyuz’s value one tester said that a $20 bag from Wal Mart would be better for her than the $180 Soyuz.