After years of bicycle commuting, I’ve realized that on most days I didn’t need an XL messenger bag. As invaluable as it may be at times, I just don’t carry a whole lot to work and back. What’s more, I prefer the secure feeling of a double strap backpack—especially when I need to take my laptop along. Enter the Chrome messenger pack.

I’ve had the Dually for going on three years now. Chrome has changed the design ever so slightly over the years, but the fundamentals remain the same. The smallest model in the line, the Dually measures 16” x 15” x 6” and boasts about 1000 cubic inches of cargo capacity. In layman’s terms, I can fit a complete change of clothes—and a 13” laptop. Not too shabby.

Construction-wise, the Dually features the same bombproof materials found on their messenger bags. Cordura is a highly abrasion-resistant fabric, and the 1000-denier variety used by Chrome is the industry standard. The bag is lined with waterproof truck tarp material and the whole bag is stitched together with nylon thread. Unlike standard issue messenger bags, Chrome’s messenger packs feature a padded EVA foam back panel. (Newer models are molded for improved airflow, whereas mine is simply covered in a breathable fabric.) The new models feature the same padded shoulder straps, only now they offer two-sided Velcro accessory mounting, complete with D-rings.

Design-wise, the messenger packs borrow heavily from Chrome’s messenger bags. The liner is “independently suspended” which eliminates seams and improves weatherproofing. The bags feature an assortment of pockets—some are zippered, some are Velcro-fastened and some remain open for easy access. I’ve never been at a loss for places to stash my gear with the Dually, which is a testament to its smart design.

I’ve taken the Dually halfway around the world, and commuted thousands of miles through all types of conditions. The material barely shows any wear, inside or out. Oftentimes the vinyl-coated liner will crack, but after three years mine’s just got a few wrinkles—hardly anything to worry about.

The only failure I’ve experienced was a broken plastic buckle, which leads me to the nitpicking segment of the review. When I contacted Chrome directly about the buckle, I was assured a replacement was on the way. After a couple months, I wrote again, and received the same cheerful response. Sadly, I’ve still not received a replacement. Thankfully, the bag still works fine without a buckle. And I presume that if I had bought the bag through my local bike shop I could have pestered them for a replacement on the spot.

Another nit to pick is the absence of a good place to attach a blinky light. Sure, sewing a tab on would create more seams that could leak water, but that didn’t stop Chrome from stitching on a rubberized logo. I’m also left wondering if there isn’t a way for Chrome to redesign the next incarnation of the bag so that the corners don’t poke up so high above my shoulders. It could just be me, but when I look back over my shoulder, I feel my vision is ever so slightly impaired by the fabric jutting up. It also seems that the corners channel road spray down into the bag on especially rainy days. Perhaps their Roll-Top model is the answer to my qualms?

At $120, the Dually is not cheap, but you get what you pay for. The bag looks great, performs as promised and lasts longer than expected. Visit www.chromebags.com for more information.

This entry was posted by Urban Jeff on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008 at 12:01 am and is filed under Product Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.