A compact every day bag that’s also great for travel and outdoor adventures.
Back to Basics
Whether I’m out for the day or traveling for days I want a lightweight, durable bag for my phone, wallet, a small notebook, and a few other essentials. The slim, lightweight Chums Rover Cross-Body Bag has been ideal for me.
I really appreciate the zippered opening that almost covers three sides of the bag, allowing me to open the Chums Rover Cross-Body Bag wide when I’m putting something in (or retrieving something from) one of the inside pockets. The first sleeve-style pocket, made of gold material, runs the length of the bag, with a horizontal opening. That’s where I stash my large iPhone (it’s large and heavy in its Otter case that has a large clip on the back of the case) for protection and easy access. Both sides of the bag, and the bottom of the bag, are padded.
The other inner pocket, made out of a stretchy grey mesh, opens vertically to keep the space in the bag compact. I usually put a slim notebook and a pen in that pocket. With the side pockets full, there is still room in the Chums Rover Cross-Body Bag for my small Flowfold wallet. There’s a flat, zippered pocket on the outside of the bag where I keep my lip balm and stash my parking stubs and receipts. On the back of the back there’s a another flat, vertical opening mesh pocket for loose papers or a map.
Versatile Style
The Chums Rover Cross-Body Bag is 9″ long x 6″ high, with an inch-wide flat adjustable shoulder strap and four D rings on the back of the bag. The strap has sturdy stay-shut clips on each end that are simple to remove and reconfigure into the three ways I like to carry the bag: over my shoulder, across my body, and around my waist. (There are actually six ways to configure the straps!)
I like having these options since there are times I want the bag closer to my body for security or for quickly accessing my boarding pass and ID.
Bottom Line
The Chums Rover Cross-Body Bag is exactly the right size and style for me. I actually prefer small bags like this over larger bags because I can’t overpack them. When I keep it simple with this bag I can go from my errands to fishing off the dock to swimming in the lake. No need to change bags for every activity.
I like how Chums uses contrasting colors for the zipper pulls and inner pockets so I can quickly locate things. I also appreciate being able to change the strap configuration when I want to carry the bag a different way.
Colors: I tested the solid black bag, but it is also available in black with a decorative fabric panel on the front of the bag and in a loden color with a mushroom motif patterned fabric on the front of the bag. Nylon lining.
