Reviews You Can Rely On

Chrome Mini Metro Review

This is a rugged and stylish messenger bag that's great on a bike but is on the heavier and bulkier side
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chrome mini metro messenger bag review
Chrome Mini Metro
Credit: www.chromeindustries.com
Price:  $125 List
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Manufacturer:   Chrome
By Penney Garrett & Lyra Pierotti  ⋅  Jan 15, 2020
67
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Comfort - 25% 7.0
  • Packing & Organization - 25% 6.0
  • Electronics - 15% 5.0
  • Ease of Use - 15% 7.0
  • Wear & Tear - 10% 9.0
  • Volume to Weight Ratio - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The Chrome Mini Metro has a lot of qualities that a true messenger bag aficionado will love. It has a classic design and is durable and comfortable while providing easy access to the contents. In some ways, with an increasingly competitive field of products, the Mini Metro doesn't quite keep up — mostly in regards to space and padding for electronics. It also lacks some organizational features that other bags in this review offer. However, if you prefer a low-fuss and bombproof bag without a lot of bells and whistles to get in your way, this could be the ticket. While it may not be the best choice for a business person, the book-obsessed, or those that require something ultralight, it's super fun, stylish, and great on a bike.
REASONS TO BUY
Durable
Weatherproof
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy for size
No top grab handle
Less versatile

Our Analysis and Test Results

When you hear the words "messenger bag", it's very likely that you may picture a Chrome bag. Iconic in the bike commuting world, this is a classic bag with bomber weatherproofing and stellar durability.

Performance Comparison


chrome mini metro messenger bag review
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Comfort


When loaded thoughtfully, the Mini Metro is one of the most comfortable bags in this review. It has a wide and well-padded shoulder strap and hugs close to the body for an ergonomic feel. It is exceedingly easy to adjust, and the cross strap is very well positioned to secure the bag on a long bike ride or brisk walk. This bag truly moves with you, wherever and however you go.

There are a couple of scenarios, however, where some users might find it to be less than ideal. The fit gets awkward if you load too full with books or other pointy objects — it's easy to have things start stabbing you in the back because of the lack of padding. Additionally, some smaller users find the Metro to be a bit big and bulky, which appears to be a common theme among Chrome bags — they're hefty by design. This has to do with the durable double-engineering — a definite pro when it comes to wear and tear, but also something that adds weight and mass.

chrome mini metro messenger bag review - the mini metro messenger bag doesn't have padding on the backside...
The Mini Metro messenger bag doesn't have padding on the backside, so don't stuff it full of books!
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Packing & Organization


The Mini Metro has an impressive packing economy that allows you to fit proportionally more in less space. But beyond that aspect, this bag loses some points in this category. There is no added protection for a laptop, no key clip or easy-access external pocket, and not a lot of organization features. There is, however, a sewn daisy chain on the shoulder strap (complete with reflective trim) for mounting bike lights or clipping carabiners. Overall, this is a true messenger bag, simple and pure, no-frills, not a lot of pockets, and certainly nothing on the outside to get hung up on in stop-and-go traffic or busy subways. For the right kind of commuter, it can be perfect, but if you require a lot of pockets and don't have your own padded laptop sleeve, you may be disappointed.

chrome mini metro messenger bag review - the mini metro messenger bag has a handy reflective daisy chain for...
The Mini Metro messenger bag has a handy reflective daisy chain for clipping keys or lights to your front. Notice also the excellent overlapping front flap which provides solid weatherproofing.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Electronics


If you're going to be transporting a laptop in this bag, be sure to purchase a laptop sleeve accessory. As is, the Metro is a bit below average in regards to electronics storage compared to other models. There is no padding, only 2-3 pockets that will hold a tablet or phone cords, and only one that will hold a larger computer charging cord. However, if you already own a laptop sleeve and prefer to store your cords and smaller accessories in their own pouches, this won't be an issue.

chrome mini metro messenger bag review - it can handle some electronics, but it's advised to pick up an...
It can handle some electronics, but it's advised to pick up an additional laptop sleeve accessory.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Ease of Use


The sleek and simple design of the Mini Metro, along with its modest size, makes this bag relatively easy to use. Some other features are sacrificed to achieve this, but not everyone is looking for a heavily-pocketed or feature-rich bag. The front flap is secured with large swathes of Velcro and two adjustable plastic buckles. The Velcro is bomber but — be warned — it makes opening the bag very loud and not very professional or discreet for meetings or library sessions.

The seatbelt buckle on the strap is easy to adjust (though the cross strap is more awkward), and the bag cinches to comfort easily and quickly. The buckle releases fast when you hit the button, so if the bag is heavy, it can be hard to hang on to when it releases. The strap design also makes it challenging to sling this bag over one shoulder for quick transport because of the angle and the fact that it puts the buckle directly on top of the shoulder bone. And there's no top grab handle, so options for carrying in any way but fully strapped in can be tricky. This is a bag optimized for long bike commutes or long walks through busy urban areas, not for the stop-and-go of in-town errands or a busy office day.

chrome mini metro messenger bag review - the metro has several useful pockets under the main flap.
The Metro has several useful pockets under the main flap.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Wear & Tear


If you value durability, this is the bag to get. On their website, Chrome says: "To maximize durability and weatherproofness, every Mini Metro is made twice. The inside liner is made with 18oz truck tarpaulin. The outside is made with abrasion-resistant 1050 denier military-grade nylon."

Rugged and durable, this bag is built to last a lifetime. It performs very well in the rain, with overlapping flaps on the corners to seal it shut. The fabric is highly water repellant, and the commercial-grade, five-bar seatbelt webbing and old school, heavy metal seatbelt buckle is practically bombproof.

chrome mini metro messenger bag review - the mini metro messenger bag is highly durable and waterproof.
The Mini Metro messenger bag is highly durable and waterproof.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Volume to Weight Ratio


At 2.39 pounds, this bag is on the heavy side. Chrome claims that the Mini Metro has a 20.5-liter capacity, though, in our tests, we struggled to fit more than about 14 liters. Due to the metal buckle and double engineering, it's heavy for its size.

chrome mini metro messenger bag review - while it's heavy for its size, the space feels very usable in most...
While it's heavy for its size, the space feels very usable in most practical applications.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Value


The Mini Metro is on par with messenger bags of this size. It's competitively priced but fills a different and more specific niche than some of its price-tag peers. No surprise, its value increases with use as a bike commuter bag — that's what it's designed for and where it excels.

Conclusion


The Mini Metro is distinct and fun, and — if it fits you well — ergonomically superior to many other bags on the market. It will last a lifetime if you take proper care of it thanks to a double-engineering method that essentially layers two bags into one. This is not your ultralight, Jack- or Jill-of-all-trades bag, but if it suits your needs, it will surely please you for years — and miles — to come.

chrome mini metro messenger bag review - this stylish bag is optimized for use on the bike, thanks to an...
This stylish bag is optimized for use on the bike, thanks to an angled shoulder strap.
Credit: Lyra Pierotti

Penney Garrett & Lyra Pierotti