Introduction
Handheld gaming devices like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go, of course the Nintendo Switch and so much more have made it possible to play games literally anywhere and carriyng these gaming devices around usually entail having a backpack or a carry case. Most carry cases are purpose-built hard cases and can be quite utilitarian in design. For those that are seeking a more stylish and elegant bag, a lot of these just won’t do.
The good here is that most tech and sling bags would be good enough to carry even the large Steam Deck and we have just one of those bags but is purposely designed to handle a large device but still be compact enough to fit most bodies as a sling.
In this article, we take a look at the Grams(28) 156 City Sling bag. A premium leather bag made for not just your phone and wallet but also your new gaming device. Read on to find out more!
Packaging
The Grams(28) 156 City Sling arrives in black cardboard box with the congratulatory message on the cover and nothing else except the brand name Grams(28). Inside the package is the bag inserted in a cloth bag for protection.
There is an insert inside the bag to fluff it up during shipping but no other inclusion is provided except for the Grams(28) 156 City Sling itself and the packaging.
Bag Exterior
The Grams(28) 156 City Sling is made of premium-feel full-grain Italian leather. The company even lists down the material cost on the product page for your reference. The actual leather description is full-grain pebbled leather produced by Gruppo Mastrotto.
The shape is a standard sling bag with minimal styling on the exterior. We have a front and back zippers for storage.
The front pouch provides quick access to smaller items like your phone or pen. The internal is lined with the same material as the rest of the internal of the bag as we’ll see later.
The smaller compartment area at the back is for more secure storage like your passport or IDs.
Grams(28) uses a quick-release buckle on the adjustable strap forn the bag. Its a simple strap with no styling or contrast stitching.
The overall external design is understated with minimal styling. If you prefer minimalist styling, this bag will definitely fit your style. You can also ditch the strap and use it as large clutch bag/manpurse which is my personal way of using it.
Interior
The internal of the can hold up to 5.5L capacity, measuring 12″ lengthwise and with the bag height at 6″. Maximum thickness varies but the bag is 3″ thick packed but I highly advise not cramming the bag too much to avoid things protruding and ruining the leather.
The Steam Deck is currently the largest handheld PC gaming device we know of and it maxes out the Grams(28) 156 City Sling bag, filling it end-to-end. If you’re carrying a Steam Deck in this bag, don’t expect to have any more room for a full-sized headset as even a Sony XM5 won’t fit anymore. You can still have your phone and smaller gadgets like your wireless earbuds with case in there.
For other things, the ROG Ally and Nintendo Switch would be smaller and leave plenty more space. If you’re not carrying a gaming handheld, you can have a space for an 800ml water bottle, a Sony XM4 folded up or notebook.
User Experience & Conclusion
Let me start this off by saying that the Grams(28) 156 City Sling bag does not offer any shock protection whatsoever so if you’re looking for a bag that offers some sort of protection from bumps and drops, this is not the bag for you. But, if you’re more into just having stylish pouch for your ROG Ally, Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, then the Grams(28) 156 City Sling is definitely a fit for those that want to keep it more elegant.
Other than carrying your gaming gear, its a perfect every day bag for commute if you only need the essentials like a headphone, your phone, a powerbank and a notebook. You might be able to cram a smaller tablet in there as well.
The lining on the interior does a great job complimenting the exterior and the contrast in materials belies the functional nature of the lining to minimize scratches.
Overall, the Grams(28) 156 City Sling is an elegant, lightweight bag made of high-quality leather that would fit in the minimalist style of people that like to keep it simple. Priced at $280, it is a premium leather product but the as mentioned, the company is quite transparent on their material costing, While this may not sway many who feel padded bags are the go-to, I do admit I will never go out wearing a padded bag with ultrabright colors advertising my gaming device. That as well as the fact that these carrying cases are purpose-molded only to fit your device and THAT device only.
If you’re looking for an elegant bag for your daily tech and gaming handhelds, the Grams(28) 156 City Sling is a a great option for those that want a premium leather bag with a timeless, elegant design.
You can get it right now at the Grams(28) website here.