Chrome Mini Metro Review

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.