Chrome Niko Pack Review
First Impressions
The Niko Pack — made by the urban warriors at Chrome — is part of the company’s complete line of camera bags. We reviewed the Niko Sling earlier this year and liked its simplicity and small size. The Niko Pack sits at the exact opposite end of the company’s product line and delivers 23 liters of capacity vs. the Sling’s three liters. The product’s rigid rectangular shape definitely made a strong first impression. Honestly, we weren’t quite sure we liked it but with use, the Niko Pack’s utility won us over.
Features
The Niko Pack is a heavy-duty rigid sided camera bag. The company constructs the exterior from a combination of tough 1000 denier nylon and weatherproof vinyl. Zippers are also weatherproof and frankly, a little difficult to open and close.
Specs
Weight: 3 lbs 6 oz
Capacity: 1400 cu in/23 l
Materials: 1000 denier nylon exterior, 600 denier nylon interior
On the exterior of the Niko Pack, you’ll find a number of lash points. There are two seatbelt-style straps that wrap the sides and front of the pack. Use the sides for attaching lens cases and other items that won’t fit in the interior of the pack. The front of those straps close with hook and loop, and can be used for securing a tripod, jib or other items. There are two additional small lash points on the front rear of the product.
The main camera storage compartment features a unique almost clamshell-like opening. Inside you’ll find an area that’s completely customizable with hook and loop dividers. We were able to easily haul two camera bodies and several lenses on recent shoot. On the inside of the compartment’s lid, Chrome places six pockets for smaller items like SD cards, cords, cables, extra batteries and such. Five of those pockets have see-through fronts.
Under the top of the pack, Chrome locates a laptop sleeve and small storage area. The company says the sleeve will accommodate a 15-inch Macbook Pro. I found it tight with my 13-inch Macbook Air quite tight in that space. There’s also room for a lightweight jacket or other medium-size accessories.
Fit
With its rigid rectangular exterior, I thought I’d find the Niko Pack to be uncomfortable to wear for long periods. The opposite was true. The pack was comfortable with a padded back and shoulder straps. The Niko Pack was the lightest and smallest in our test and didn’t require a waist belt for hauling heavier loads — which is a good thing since one isn’t included with the product. The included sternum strap kept the pack in place when walking and hiking.
Final Verdict
The Niko Pack from Chrome is not your typical outdoor shooter’s backpack. The rigid sides and material choice give it a much more urban in look than others in the category. We found it very capable of hauling moderate-size loads and liked the clam-shell style camera compartment. Check it out at chrome.com.
