Anyone who commutes by bike needs a safe and secure solution for carrying cargo with them. Some choose pannier bags, others opt for the more modern approach of bikepacking bags, but one of the simplest ways of handling this challenge is to choose one of the best cycling backpacks on the market. It’s workable no matter what kind of bike you have and it can be a multi-use purchase that not only serves a purpose when you’re on the bike, but also in a wide variety of other situations.
One of the biggest names in this space is Chrome Industries. Born in the American urban landscape in the mid-’90s the brand is iconic and stylish. Over 25 years later carrying one of their bags stills feels like a wink, a nod, and a badge of being a part of a certain culture. That said, it’s not just marketing and status that gives the brand the staying power it has. Chrome Industries grew from a counter-culture icon to a mainstay in the industry because the products last forever and fundamentally work. Change is the only constant though, so while Chrome enjoys a history of good products, do its newest pieces stand up to the reputation set by those older products? We put the Chrome Industries Bravo 3.0 to the test to see just that. If you are looking for a cycling-specific backpack keep reading to see if this is the right one for you.
Design and aesthetics
There are two colour options for the Chrome Bravo 3.0 and as is the norm, they aren’t simple names. Instead of black or green, there’s Blckchrm and Olive Branch but, for once, this is more than just clever marketing. While Olive Branch uses a Bluesign-approved 1050D nylon fabric, the Blckchrm is the premium option and uses a different fabric. 1050D nylon is durable and stylish but the 22x fabric of the Blckchrm steps it up a level.
It is a technical material that’s lighter, stronger, and more water resistant than knit nylon. In the past, Chrome bags used an inner tarp liner. That’s the design of the Barrage Cargo backpack we’ve previously covered and while it works, it adds bulk. It’s also a design that allows the outer to hold water even if that never actually makes it through to the interior. The 22x material keeps water from soaking in to start with and it’s also got a subtle, but distinct, diamond pattern.
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