Chrome Industries Apparel Review

Images: Timothy Arch

For the cycling aficionados out there, Chrome Industries will be a very familiar name. The San Franciscan company has been at it for over 20 years now, having debuted the world’s first messenger bag way back in 1994. Utilising recycled Cordura and military-grade canvas, that single-sided backpack cemented its place as an icon by the unique addition of a seatbelt buckle salvaged from an old car. The simple closure mechanism is now synonymous with Chrome’s made-in-the-USA messenger bags, which are regarded as some of the toughest in the world.

“We make simple, functional gear built with industrial-strength materials and features that work on the bike and in the bar. We make gear that protects people and their things from the elements without looking like you came from the mountains. Made for living in the city” – Chrome Industries.

These days, Chrome Industries have expanded their product line to include apparel, SPD sneakers, and bags for all other kinds of two-wheeled adventures. Their tagline is “Urban Utility & Mobility”, which is pretty self-explanatory. In essence, they build functional cycling gear that blends into the urban environment.

Ridden & Rated

Over the past 12 months, I’ve been testing a swag of different Chrome products to put their claims of cycling functionality to the test. Although Chrome’s roots are firmly imbedded in the heart of the city, much of their product line actually translates really well onto knobby tyres too. Here we take a look at some of those crossover products that I’ve been digging for both on and off the bike.

Chrome Union Shorts

RRP: $100 USD

Chrome Industries have been making cycling shorts for quite a few years now, but they’re not your traditional baggy or Lycra knick. Instead, Chrome takes a more casual approach to their shorts, with simple and understated styling that hides pedal-friendly functionality underneath.

Their latest Union short is apparently inspired by NATO military shorts and US Postal summer pants. As an Aussie, I doesn’t really know what that means, but I can tell you that these have become my favourite pair of shorts in my wardrobe.

The Union short is designed to be worn both on and off the bike. They come in 4 understated colour options, and you can get them in 6 different sizes from 28” through to 38”. There’s a single back pocket with a snap-button closure to keep your wallet secure while riding, and two deep front pockets ensure that your spare change and keys don’t end up on the road.

Made from 4-way stretch fabric, the Union is designed to be lightweight, breezy and flexible. It has a relatively slim fit, but they’re loose enough through the legs that you won’t find them restrictive while sitting down at a café or bar mid-ride. I’ve found them to be a perfect commuter short, and I can wear them all-day long at work where their subtle styling blends in without notice.

Once the clock ticks past 5:30pm however, the addition of some bib knicks underneath turn these into a versatile and understated trail short.

Bottom Line: A versatile short for commuting, after-work rides and casual wear.

Chrome Folsom Shorts

RRP: $120 USD

The Folsom is the tougher, more bike-focussed sibling to the Union short. It’s shorter in length overall, with an above-the-knee length and a slim fit that keeps them close to skin. Whereas the Union has a more breezy and open feel to the legs, the Folsom hugs your thighs snugly.

Despite the slim fit, Chrome have built them with a water resistant Everest 4-way stretch fabric, which provides heaps of flexibility whilst pedalling on the bike or playing off the bike. As with all Chrome shorts, they’re cut with a higher waist at the rear for coverage whilst leant over the grips.

They’re a little pricier than the Union shorts, but a closer look reveals why. All of the seams are flat-locked to reduce friction against your skin, and they’re also 3-needle reinforced for wear resistance. For those who are looking for long-term in-the-saddle durability, the gusseted double layer crotch provides extra reinforcement at the contact points. Other neat details include a reflective rear logo, belt loops and a U-lock holster on the rear.

All up, I found the Folsom shorts to be a really sweet option for trail riding. With a pair of padded bib knicks underneath, the slim-fit and 4-way stretch fabric makes them a really flexible short for moving over the bike, without fear of catching fabric on the nose of the saddle. Without any additional venting, they can get a bit warm during the peak of summer, but the fabric does dry incredibly quickly.

Bottom Line: A tough and subtly styled outer short for trail riding, gravel grinding, and commuting.

Chrome Merino Cobra Pullover

RRP: $140 USD

Merino. It’s like the Goji Berry of the fabric world. Natural, good for the environment, and good for your skin. Chrome certainly make good use of nature’s wonder material, using it for their sock range and also this beautifully supple long sleeve jumper.

The Cobra is available in 3 different versions: this Merino pullover, a Merino hoodie, and in a waterproof rain jacket too. The Cobra Pullover is the more classic option in the range, with a simple zippered collar and a subdued all-black aesthetic. As with other Chrome products however, there are a host of cool details camouflaged within.

Cut specifically for cycling, the Merino Cobra Pullover features a longer torso and longer arms than your average jumper. The cuffs also get built-in thumb loops to keep the sleeves snug while riding on cooler days. If you look hard enough, you’ll find a hidden zippered pass-through back pocket, and a small key-stash pocket just above the right-hand wrist. These are great for carrying valuables while hammering through the city streets without a backpack.

The neck collar is cut high to shield your skin from wind and rain, and the Merino wool features a mid-weight thickness for intermediate protection in the cold. In my experience, it’s the perfect pullover for commuting through the shoulder seasons. The Merino fabric breathes well, so you won’t get nearly as sweaty as you would with a synthetic jacket as you warm up on the bike. Plus, it offers plenty of effortless style once it’s time to lock up the bike and transition into the pub.

“I’ve got a flat, let’s walk to the pub!”

Bottom Line: A versatile and comfortable all-weather riding top for commuting.

Chrome Kursk Pro 2.0

RRP: $95 USD

Aside from their legendary messenger bags, Chrome is also best known for its urban SPD shoes. When Chrome first launched them, there was nothing like it on the market. If you wanted to use clip-in pedals on your city bike, your only option was to use racey-looking road bike slippers, or heavy-duty mountain bike treads. Striking the balance between style and substance, Chrome’s Pro shoe range combined the platform of an SPD mountain bike clip-in system with casual urban style.

The Kursk Pro 2.0 is the most popular of their range, and it remains as the classic in the line-up. Chrome recently updated the Kursk shoe with their new Flexplate midsole, which employs a dual-density construction to provide stiffness under the pedal cleat area, with flex throughout the toe for comfort whilst walking.

Getting setup is easy. Just unbolt the rubber cap from the underside and bolt on your cleats. The cleat is recessed into the sole, so you can cruise around off the bike without fear of any accidental tap dancing. The soft rubber outsole is textured for grip, and a reinforced toe box adds protection for your tootsies.

I use the Kursk shoes for a wide variety of riding, from daily commuting through to light trail riding. The lace-up design means they’re easy to snug down comfortably over your feet, and a small elastic guide helps to secure excess length away from your chainrings. Without a dorky Velcro strap or an unsightly buckle however, I do get more heel slip in these than with my other cycling shoes.

That said, they are comfortable to walk around in, and if Chrome cut them higher over the heel, it would detract from their off-the-bike appeal. The Flexplate midsole works as advertised, providing sufficient give through the toe area when pounding the pavement. I’ve also worn them on a few Saturdays at the bike shop, when I turned up to work only to realise I’d left my regular shoes at home.

I reckon the Kursk Pro 2.0 shoes are most at home during after work rides cruising through the city, where you’re spending just as much time on the bike as you are hopping from bar to bar. Their discreet style blends in with nary an eyebrow to be raised, as until you lift up your heels, no one has any idea that you’ve got cycling shoes on. I’ve even got away wearing these at some pretty swanky establishments, which is more than I can say for my bright blue mountain bike shoes.

Bottom Line: Super cool urban cycling shoes with bar-hopping appeal.

Chrome Mirko Sneaker

RRP: $85 USD

Chrome don’t just do SPD shoes though. In their words, they also produce “The best city sneakers in the world”, which is a bold claim indeed. I’m personally a fan of Vans sneakers myself, but when I first received a pair of Mirko kicks from Chrome, I was keen to see whether they would live up to the hype.

The Mirko is part of their new Forged Rubber series, which use a unique construction technique to join the rubber sole to the canvas upper. Each shoe in the Forged Rubber range is handmade, one by one, on a 70-year-old machine that Chrome salvaged from Slovakia. This machine heats the rubber sole to 150-degrees Centigrade, and then fuses it with 30psi of pressure to the upper. This process is an alternative to gluing the two components together, and Chrome state that even at the flex points, the sole will not delaminate over time.

For those wondering, the sole is made from 100% natural rubber, and the upper makes use of 12oz fire hose canvas. They use a simple lace-up design, with a reflective logo on the heel and an antimicrobial sock liner.

The Mirko’s feel like a good city sneaker should, but with a little more support throughout the sole. I’ve used them with flat pedals on my pub bike, though the relatively slick outsole is best paired with textured metallic pins – cheap plastic pedals won’t grab as well.

The longer I have the Mirko’s, the more impressive they become. Compared to Vans sneakers and the like, the outsole is barely showing any signs of wear. Where I’d normally start wearing through the outside of the sole, the Mirko’s are still relatively flat, which must be down to the quality and rebound properties of the natural rubber Chrome is using.

As for the Forged Rubber story, I gotta say that I’m convinced. I’ve experienced zero delamination, even around the ball of the foot where the fabric would typically start to come away from the sole on lesser shoes. For this reason, they’ve been great shoes for wearing in the workshop, where I spend a lot of time crouched underneath bikes in the workstand. The extra cushioning and support through the midsole also delivers a higher degree of anti-fatigue than a comparable pair of sneakers, and the Canvas upper has been bomber. My only durability issue has been a busted lace, but $5 for new threads got me sorted there.

Bottom Line: Solid city sneaker that is ideal for bike shop types and mechanics.

Chrome Crew Socks

RRP: $16 USD

Last but not least are Chrome’s legendary Merino wool socks. Available in Ankle, Crew and OTC (Over The Calves) lengths, these US made socks are purpose built for all-day riding comfort. They’re a bit thicker than conventional cycling socks, which adds a little extra warmth and cushioning.

Teamed up with the Kursk Pro 2.0 SPD shoes, these socks are ideal for both pedalling and off-the-bike excursions. They use a seamless knit toe for less chafing, and they’re also articulated with left and right specific cuts.

Bottom Line: Comfortable socks with good cushioning and thermal regulation.

Contact: www.chromeindustries.com