Chrome Soyuz Laptop Bag
The Chrome Soyuz is your top of the line waterproof laptop bag that fits 11 or 15 inch laptops with plenty of room for extras like keyboards, text books and beverages.
Ease of Use, Performance: 20/25
Look & Feel: 23/25
Features 23/25
How much I enjoy 24/25
Total: 90/100
The Chrome Soyuz is a fantastic waterproof laptop bag that fits smaller 11 and 15 inch laptops in the side pocket or the main roll top closure compartment. The Chrome Soyuz is a well made pack that it definitely a top of the line bag that works very well with plenty of space for stuff and is even waterproof.
The Chrome Soyuz has the main waterproof compartment that is lined with urethane fabric to be waterproof and closes with a roll top closure that holds tight with a Velcro seal. The side laptop compartment is also waterproof and uses a urethane covered zipper with tight sealing urethane outer protection over the zipper and a pocket for the zipper to recess into at the closed position.
The Soyuz also has a front compartment separated into two front pockets, a main pocket with several smaller pockets for letters, calculator and pens or pencils for the usual laptop bag pocket assortment. But there is nothing usual about the Chrome Soyuz from its 1000-denier Cordura and urethane material to its comfortable molded back panel and padded straps.
The Chrome Soyuz has an ergonomic EVA compression molded back panel that is quite comfortable to have against your back when you’re wearing the pack. The padded straps have underarm quick release buckles that are simple to adjust along with breathable fabric under the straps.
The straps also have a Velcro strap to hold belt loop pouches or packs like cell phone or camera pouches securely on your Soyuz pack straps. The pack also has a chest strap to hold the pack securely on your back while wearing for a very comfortable pack that holds a lot.
The pack easily holds a laptop in the side pocket along with extra files or folders in the separate side compartment and holds a regular 11 or 15 inch laptop in the main compartment at the same time if you have the need. You can also hold several text books or other objects in the main compartment but a 17 inch laptop is a bit of a tight squeeze but you can fit one in.
The Soyuz is not really made for the larger widescreen laptops but it does fit one in if you need to on occasion but if you’re looking for a fulltime 17 inch laptop bag you should look at another of the Chrome choices. The Chrome Soyuz has plenty of room whether it’s going to class, getting to work or off to the gym and can fit five full text books all thicker than an inch and a half.
The Chrome Soyuz works well as an all around backpack, school bag or computer pack with the main compartment fully waterproof but the front compartment may get some water inside. I did the very unscientific shower test of placing some papers inside all the compartments and the front pockets did get a little water in.
The main compartment and the side compartment remained watertight during the impromptu shower but the small front compartment and the front zippered compartment did get some water inside. Keep valuables that may get ruined in the main compartment and other not so important things like snacks and beverages in the smaller ones.
The main compartments waterproofing goes both ways, you can keep beverages on ice in there and not worry about the other areas getting wet as well. This handy tip came from the Chrome website that shows a couple of their bags in use as a cooler, kind of ingenious if you ask me.
The Chrome Soyuz is an ingenious design just like those waterproof rollup bags used on canoeing and outdoor sports to keep gear dry and it works here as well. While the smaller compartments may not work as well in a full downpour like I gave it in my shower light rains will be no match for the Soyuz and I think even more generous rains may not be much of a worry.
The bag did dry quickly and was almost dry in minutes thanks to the Cordura nylon that also withstands plenty of abuse and is strong as well as shedding water well. The bag is durable and will work well as a backpack for years as the straps are one piece across the attachment point on the top of the bag for a good sturdy strap to bag security.
I found this is one of the most common points that backpacks start to tear and rip at, the seam where the straps attach to the bag and the one piece design gives a longer stronger seam. The Soyuz is a well made back pack and fits comfortably on your back without getting in the way of your elbows while wearing for a great pack.
The design of the wedge shaped bag allows a more comfortable pack as well as making it easily packed away under seats on airplanes or in overhead compartments. The pack is also well padded for your laptop so you have no problems with protection not only from water but from occasional bumps and jars.
The Chrome Soyuz is a great laptop bag and works well whether you’re using it for a school bag or as an all around pack for your gear. I highly recommend the Chrome Soyuz as a great laptop bag but it does come at a bit of a hefty price of about $180, but you do get a top of the line well made waterproof laptop bag.