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Chrome Industries Citizen Messenger Bag First Look

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Chrome Industries

Chrome industries makes some very interesting messenger bags. They are styled for high visibility and built for durability but there is something very compelling about them. I recently bought a coupon from Gilt City redeemable at Chrome Industries. So what to buy?


My initial thought was go for what they do best, a messenger bag. Specifically the Citizen. But ballistic nylon and the like are not exactly my thing so I kept looking. The Niko sling is also very pretty but I don’t use the Lowepro Slingshot I have. I was also tempted by the Mini Metro but my Medium Filson Field bag already covers that size quite handily.

Then I stumbled on a Chrome’s limited release waxed poly collection which promises the utility you are used to from Chrome but the look and feel of waxed canvas. I am intrigued. My current daily carry is a waxed cotton polyester hybrid from Fjallraven. It does a great job of repelling light rain and it looks great. I did a 2 month write up on it.

I have been to the Chrome Industries Portland store and I tried the regular Citizen on. It’s big and it’s bold. The thing I like the most about it is how high it sits on your back. The buckle is both very convenient and kind of annoying. I almost bought it then but what would I do with a screaming yellow messenger bag.

I swear that they had several color options only a few days ago but I hemmed and hawed and now brown is all that is left. Still the brown is a beautiful bag so I took the plunge on Chrome Industries Waxed poly Citizen.

I’ll write a review once I have lived with it for a little bit. If you have a chrome bag and have something to say about it please leave a comment or shout out on the social media channel of your choice.

  • Nick

    Just recently got a citizen as well (black on black with chrome metal buckle, identical to the picture in the article). I don’t mind the original material build because ballistic nylon and the like is exactly my thing, utilitarian as holy hell. The black looks professional enough to get away with carrying it to a semi formal office and get away with it. The brown canvas version is definitely classier, and I am super interested in the feel of the canvas.

    Things I like: The carry of it. The way it rides more up and down longways on the back and the ability to adjust the strap with one hand is fantastic. I love the release mechanism, lifting the pull to get slack and swinging the bag around to access it without taking it off just feels good. The padded strap is fantastic, I have added a phone case to the velcro strapping to the pad.

    While most people count the one main large compartment as a downside, it is one of my favorite features. I could add an organizer if I want to, but can also use the whole damn thing to carry groceries if I bike to the store. I am an illustrator and like to travel with my studio, so I pack my bristol board and other paper in a cheap laptop sleeve that doubles as padding. My pens, brushes and inks fit perfectly in the side pockets with some everyday pens and sharpies in the pen slots of the front.

    Things I could take or leave: I don’t really use the stabilizing strap, unless I am actually on a bike.

    I feel like I should mention that I don’t live on my bike (I ride maybe once a month at best), and I am sure some people would call be a poser for having what is the definitive bike messenger bag, but it is everything I am looking for in a everyday carry bag.

    I had wanted one for about a decade and am super late to the show, but I am loving the bag and can see me using it day in and out for years.

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