Chrome Barrage Cargo Backpack Review - A Rugged Urban Commuter
The Chrome Barrage Cargo is tough-as-nails rolltop backpack for city commuting that ditches fancy technical features for a tried and true design that gets the job done.
As far as urban backpacks go the Chrome Barrage Cargo has everything you need: a seriously waterproof construction, a tough abrasion-resistant exterior, simple-to-use rolltop access and unique cargo netting for extra storage on days when you need more room.
In this hands-on Chrome Barrage Cargo Backpack review we will take a look at all of the details so that you can make a better choice deciding if this bag is right for you.
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Materials and Construction
When handling the Chrome Barrage Cargo you’ll quickly notice that it feels heavy-duty. Weighing in at 3lbs, it’s definitely not a lightweight backpack but the tradeoff is that the bag is built like an absolute tank with incredibly strong and abrasion-resistant materials.
This isn’t a delicate backpack that you’ll have to baby for fear of losing its integrity. Throw in to the back of a truck (or against a brick wall) and it will be just fine. To be honest, the Barrage Cargo feels heftier then a lot of the “military grade” tactical backpacks we have tried.
Waterproof Construction
Although not submergible, the Barrage Cargo is as waterproof as a daily urban backpack can get without turning into a full on dry bag.
The pack itself is made with a water resistant 1050D Nylon exterior and a thick tarpaulin liner on the inside that prevents any moisture from reaching the main compartment. The tarpaulin liner combined with the welded seams create a waterproof barrier that can protect the inside against heavy rains and nasty splashes from moving cars.
The bottom exterior also includes a black tarpaulin section for further protection if you were to ever unfortunate enough to set your bag down on a puddle.
We got our hands on the Limited Edition Swedish Camo version of the Barrage Cargo which sports a bright orange tarpaulin liner on the inside. Most other versions include a more subdued light gray color liner - keep this in mind if shopping for the Barrage Cargo in a different color scheme.
Serious Hardware
Chrome uses metal ladderlock buckles for the shoulder strap adjustments and their signature metal “seatbelt buckle” on the sternum strap.
Chrome Industries metal ladderlock buckle on the shoulder straps
The buckles on the rolltop and cargo net are made of a heavy duty plastic. Although we would have loved to see metal buckles used instead we have no doubts that the massive plastic rolltop buckle can take some serious abuse.
Pockets and Compartments
The Chrome Barrage Cargo has simple compartment placement that makes it quick and easy to store essentials without overwhelming you with lots of smaller pockets, zippers and flaps.
The bag is essentially made up of the large main compartment on the inside and various pockets and attachment points throughout its exterior.
Inside the Main Compartment
On the inside we can find an 18 liter main compartment that is large enough for daily carry or packing for an overnight stay. Here is where you can find a single unpadded sleeve pocket for storing a laptop, documents or other flat items.
14” laptop inside the main compartment sleeve
The sleeve can fit up to a 15.4” Macbook Pro and we found it to comfortably fit a 14” PC laptop. Due to its lack of padding, Chrome suggests that you also use a separate padded laptop sleeve when storing your laptop here. The one problem we found with that recommendation is that even a 13” Macbook with a padded sleeve becomes too thick to fit inside the pocket. Therefore, we found that the only way you can really use the laptop sleeve pocket is by storing the laptop bare.
The silver lining is that the sleeve pocket is suspended an inch or two about the bottom of the bag to protect your laptop from bumps and drops.
External Pockets
Most of your pockets can be found on the outside of the bag for fast access.
Two slip pockets can be found on either side of the Barrage Cargo backpack for storage of water bottles, an umbrella or bike U-Lock. We found that up to a 24oz water bottle can fit inside these side pockets.
A separate quick-access zippered pocket can be found on the front panel. This is a fairly large pocket that covers most of the front panel and we found it to be a good place to stash a small notebook, wallet and laptop charger.
The Cargo Net
The front cargo net is one of the Barrage Cargo’s most distinguishing features and what sets it apart from other rolltop commuter backpacks.
It’s the ideal size to hold a cycling helmet but we also found it’s great for many oversized items such as shoes or boxing gloves. Whether you are a daily city commuter or need a tough gym bag - you’ll be sure to find the cargo net more than useful.
Men’s size 12(US) shoes attached to the cargo net
What Fits Inside the Chrome Barrage Cargo?
The main compartment on the Barrage Cargo backpack gives you 18-22 liters of packing room depending on how much you “roll up” the rolltop. We found this capacity to suit most people who are looking for a daily use backpack for work, school or running errands. For travel, this capacity will give you enough room for 1-3 days of travel depending on how light you pack.
Keep in mind that you also have the external cargo net plus various pockets for additional storage.
INSIDE THE MAIN COMPARTMENT
Over-ear headphones
Small Camera Cube (8” x 7” x 4”)
1-inch binder
Light jacket
Tech Pouch (8.5" x 6" x 2.5")
13” Laptop
Comfort Features
The Chrome Barrage Cargo features a hefty one-piece shoulder harness that connects at the top instead of the typical two strap harness design. It is small construction details like these that really let us know the Barrage Cargo means business. This shoulder strap design provides a much stronger attachment point and minimizes the chances of failure at the top of the shoulder strap.
The molded foam back panel has built-in airflow channels to kee you cool and comfortable. We found that the back panel on the Barrage Cargo does not include a stiff frame sheet and as a result the back panel does have some give in it.
What this means is that if you were to pack the Barrage Cargo with clothing, the back panel can round to the shape of the clothes. Place a laptop or books against the back panel and the back panel with stiffen.
For additional support, Chrome includes an adjustable sternum strap that uses their signature seatbelt buckle. That little click you hear when you close the buckle is incredibly satisfying and definitely one of our favorite features on the Barrage Cargo by far.
Final Thoughts
What the Chrome Barrage Cargo lacks in specialty pockets and flashy features it more than makes up with its tough-as-nails construction.
This bombproof design is a breath of fresh air when compared to other technical urban backpacks that offer lots of interesting features but threaten with too many failure points over time. You just don’t get that vibe from the Chrome Barrage Cargo. Nothing about this bag made us think “uh-oh, I wonder how long this stitching will hold up…”
But who is the Chrome Barrage Cargo ideally for? We recommend this backpack to anyone who wants a reliable waterproof backpack for commuting and daily hauls. It’s utilitarian design might not be everyone’s cup of tea but if you are less than kind to your gear then we believe the Barrage Cargo is the perfect match thanks to its rugged construction and heavy-duty materials.
In conclusion we think the Barrage Cargo is a great buy if you know what to expect - a simple rolltop backpack that is built to last years and not just a few seasons.
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