Traveling with the Chrome Industries MXD Link Sling Bag

While packing for a three week overland trip out west to explore the Rockies, I knew I needed to bring my MacBook Pro for work. As well as an iPad for navigation and all the related cords, plugs, pens, etc. Prefering to keep everything in one place but not take up much space was the challenge. Fortunately, Chrome Industries had just what I needed. The MXD Link Sling Bag. Originally designed for the crowded streets of Tokyo, this low vis bag had just enough room to carry all my electronic goods.

MXD Link Sling

“Built from high-quality 840d nylon, the MXD Link combines toughness with style. With three quick access pockets in front and a zippered compartment that fits a 13” MacBook Pro, the MXD Link is the ideal bag for those who can take their work anywhere and crush it in style.” ~chromeindustries.com

I like to keep all the small loose items organized and the MXD Link Sling has three zippered outer pockets to handle this task. One pocket has slots for pens and other stabby things. Another pocket has a soft padded inner slot for reading glasses or something that requires a little added protection. And the third pocket features a mesh divider and a key lanyard. These pockets held all my essential peripheral items and were easy to get to, for the most part. Some of the zipper pulls were hard to grasp since the pockets are mounted so close together. But I managed.

What I like about the MXD Link Sling are the two large main sleeves. The largest of the two accommodates my 13″ MacBook Pro with its UAG case. The soft padded material that lines this pocket is just one more layer of protection against the daily bumps and scratches. This particular pocket also features a “U” shaped zipper to allow easier access than a straight zipper. The second large compartment located right next to the laptop sleeve takes a different approach. Also padded, this nylon lined pocket features a straight zipper and a secondary inner pocket. Perfect for my iPad that I use to navigate with the GAIA GPS app plus a pad of writing paper.

Video Review

Although the intent of this Overland trip was to stay off the roads and camp in some great locations, a couple of hotel stays were scheduled into the itinerary. So hauling the valuables out of the FJ and into an apartment was a daily occurrence while in Ouray, Colorado. The MXD Link Sling made life easier as I could just throw the sling bag over my shoulder and carry these essential electronic items while freeing up my hands to haul a duffel bag and camera case.

Final Thoughts:

Chrome Industries got this one right for the most part. The construction is top notch and the pockets are pretty well thought out. For a low profile messenger style bag to haul a small laptop and essentials, this is clearly a solid choice. I did however, find myself constantly fumbling with the zipper pulls on a couple of the exterior pockets. Two of the pockets are located closely side by side and the pulls can be difficult to grasp. The third pocket has about 1.5″ between it and the other pockets. Making the zipper much easier to grasp. At $120, the MXD Link Sling is in the upper price range of this segment but the quality materials and construction make it worth the money to me.