When Chrome reached out and asked us to review their Barrage Cargo Backpack, I jumped at the chance. Having tested and reviewed the Pike Backpack last year I had high hopes for the Barrage. Chrome pride themselves on making incredibly durable and ultra-high quality bags. This is absolutely the standard that I’ve come to expect of them and I’ve not been disappointed.

Pitched as a sizeable bag for lugging around whatever you need, the Chrome Barrage Cargo fills a gap in my bag collection. I’ve got small bags for quick rides out, hip packs to get rid of the load on my shoulders, camera bags, bags for hiking long distances and the list goes on. What I didn’t have, until I got to test this, was a bag for ‘stuff’. One that can adapt to whatever is needed. The Cargo is that bag and has found its way towards the front of my selection on a daily basis.

Whilst I continue to use the Pike as my daily bag to take to work – because of its internal organisation – the Barrage is the bag that’s always there when I need it. Heading out for a quick spin on the gravel bike and need to take some food and a spare layer? Barrage. Out on a walk with the other half and need to carry a picnic (as well as all of her spare layers). Barrage. Heck, I’ve even headed out on an evening stroll with some water, a jacket and a bin liner to clean up some of the local footpaths. Yep, Barrage Cargo was the one.

Aside from the incredible detail that Chrome have put into this bag, there are some obviously brilliant things I specifically wanted to include in this review. Firstly, the roll-top fastening makes the bag as compact or spacious as needed. Having that versatility to pop down to the shops and pick up my groceries has been ace. The cargo net on the front does a similar thing in the way that it expands to suit your needs. However, I’ve found it’s even more handy for things that you don’t want inside the bag mixing with all your other stuff. Bin bags full of other people’s rubbish, as a start.

On top of that, the bag comes totally sealed and waterproof. It’s impressive lining has held off a run under the shower (it’s not rained very heavily here during testing… although it did start chucking it down when I was unable to get out on the bike and give it a go). The bottom of the bag has an excellent extra covering to stop the bottom wearing away when it’s chucked on the floor in a moment of haste.

View the full selection of Chrome Industries Bags Here.

The bag itself is very comfortable. The back is padded with air channels to stop it getting too sweaty. The shoulder straps are nice and wide complete with loops to hang extra things on if you’re in need of more space… not that you should need it with ample space inside and with the cargo net! They’re slightly padded too which is wonderful when on the bike. They don’t dig in at all and the seatbelt style chest fastening helps to lock everything in place without being too much of a faff to open and close.

The Chrome Barrage Cargo is a great bag, there’s no doubt. Its durability and size provide unparalleled versatility. It sits nicely on the back and every little thing is well thought out. The lack of waist strap means that I wouldn’t recommend this bag for mountain biking (other than flatter pedalling), however if you’re looking for a commuter bag, a bag to fill with adventure stuff, a bag with a fully waterproof inside then this is for you. I can see this being great for bikepacking adventures, or trips down to the beach on a fat bike. It’s certainly become my go-to all rounder bag and has had plenty of use already.

Full Spec:

• STERNUM STRAP WITH MINI BELT BUCKLE FOR LOAD DISTRIBUTION
• ERGONOMIC SHOULDER STRAP DESIGN WITH EVA FOAM BACK PANEL FOR FIT AND BREATHABILITY
• ADJUSTABLE EXTERNAL 5-POINT CARGO NET SYSTEM
• EASY ACCESS SIDE U-LOCK/WATER BOTTLE POCKETS
• ABRASION-RESISTANT 1050D NYLON EXTERIOR
• WELDED-WATERPROOF 22OZ TRUCK TARPAULIN LINER
• INTERIOR SLEEVE FITS UP TO A 13″ MACBOOK PRO (LAPTOP SLEEVE RECOMMENDED)
• ROLLTOP CLOSURE ACCOMMODATES A RANGE OF LOAD SIZES

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Review written by: Lewis – #TotalMTB Photography and Videography
Instagram: @Pedal_Slip
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