Chrome Industries Barrage Cargo Backpack

Chrome's Barrage Cargo is a bit of a beast when it comes to a commuting backpack. It looks a bit like an extra from an urban video game with the cargo net and is made from super-tough 1050d nylon which should last forever. It has some great details, too, including a well-hidden side pocket, an EVA back panel, and the Chrome buckle, albeit in miniature. But it's certainly not easy on the pocket.

• Pros: Tough, well made, comfortable to carry, useful side pocket...
• Cons: Price

Chrome describes the bag as its "most rugged all condition backpack" and it's fair to say that it certainly feels extremely tough. The 1050d Nylon is often referred to as Ballistic nylon as it was originally used to make flak jackets in WWII, so it's very unlikely that anything you put in it or rub it up against on your daily commute will penetrate the material.

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As for being 'all conditions' – well, that depends on the style of commute you wish to subject it to. It's a heavy bag (more on that in a minute) and there is no hydration port or bladder sleeve so it's not for long adventures where you might need to carry lots of water. The cargo net might become snagged if you go for a quick blast through the woods on the way home, and it's just too good looking to get covered in filth for muddy mountain biking. So, not all conditions, but it is perfect for commuting on the road or on your gravel bike along lanes, bridleways, canal paths, and generally less muddy wooded trails.

My general requirements for commuting are pretty much the same as anybody else's I would think: I need a laptop sleeve, a 15in one not a diddy one, and I want to be able to access my keys and emergency stuff without having to empty the bag on the floor. I need the bag to be waterproof, and I need to be able to put a change of clothes, shoes and food in it as well. Externally, a pocket for a water bottle or a lock is useful as you really don't want to mix liquid with your laptop. The Barrage Cargo handles all this and much more with total ease.

It has a double skin construction with a fully welded and watertight internal liner made from 18oz truck tarpaulin to keep water out, which no doubt is partially responsible for the overall heft. Once the top is rolled over a couple of times the bag has proved completely impervious to the weather. I've also seen the liner tested in reverse at events with beer and ice floating inside, creating a somewhat unusual portable cool box, so I can vouch for Chrome's watertight welding capabilities.

The outside of the bag features a webbing net allowing multiple storage options for your helmet and kit. The cargo style net has an adjustable capacity to hold large trail helmets or just clothes, coats and beanies. The net style also allows multiple items to be attached to the bag in various locations.

The roll-top closure features a large plastic buckle with a long reflective seatbelt-style strap and needs only two folds to seal the bag, which is quick and easy to do.

The back panel is made from an ergonomically contoured EVA foam panel with just right amount of padding to be comfortable when fully laden, but thin enough so it can mould to your back. The straps are attached via a yoke to the top of the bag and feature quality reflective details and attachment rings.

Once on, the straps are well positioned, easily adjustable and feel right. At 1.4kg it is a lot heavier than my previous bag (around 780g), but you don't really notice the weight, it's that comfortable.

There are two external pockets for locks and bottles but if the bag is reasonably full they are very difficult to use. The pockets are not bellowed or expandable so only flattish items will slide in when the main bag is packed, which is fine for your D-lock but not your water bottle. The buckle immediately above the pocket makes stowage and removal of anything round like a bottle really awkward and needs to be undone to access the pocket. It's not a huge issue, and having it might be useful for security should you need it.

There is also an excellent hidden pocket along the righthand side of the bag which is ideal for getting to items without having to undo the whole bag. It's large enough for your wallet, phone, keys, mini-tools and suchlike.

Inside the bag, there is the usual laptop partition and, importantly, the sleeve doesn't go all the way to the floor so you can rest assured that your laptop will not clank if you accidentally drop your bag down. The EVA panel acts as a bumper and prevents your expensive electronics hitting the floor first even when lightly loaded, which is well thought out. There are no other features inside the bag, it's just a 22-litre watertight sack which you can fill with anything you wish.

So far, you might be thinking this bag is nigh-on perfect but unfortunately it's not quite full marks for the Barrage. And it's a frustrating omission which prevents that perfect score (well, that plus the price), and something that is present on just about every other bag I own: that of loose strap holders/keepers. When you ride along at any speed, the loose ends of the shoulder straps and the cargo net straps flap and buffet annoyingly. Really annoyingly.

I ended up interlocking the cargo net ones into the net to stop them flapping, and tucking the shoulder strap ones under the strap. But it shouldn't be necessary to do this; there should be extra loops to hold the ends still and tight. The sternum strap does have a 'keeper', but it is too loose and slips towards the buckle on every journey, so the strap ends up flapping anyway.

These are simple fixes that you could do yourself, but for £175 you definitely shouldn't have to. Come on, Chrome, this is a simple fix.

The second issue, and it's the elephant in the room, is the price. It's an expensive bag and although the quality is undeniably there, and Chrome's lifetime guarantee will look after any defects that might arise, it's a lot of money. 

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In comparison, Shimano's Tokyo 23 is £119.99 and Samvaer's City Camino is £109. And if you like the look of the Craft Cadence, that's £69.99.

For me, using the Chrome backpack has been an excellent experience. It is extremely comfortable to ride with, and although it is expensive the quality is obvious. It's large enough to handle all the kit you should need for work and its stylish super-tough construction will probably outlive the owner.

Verdict

Extremely comfortable to ride with, very well built and good looking, but it's expensive