Chrome Industries for Urban Biking Gear review
Chrome Industries for Urban Biking Gear review. Often times mountain biking turns into more urban riding for me and it’s nice to be dressed in cycling gear that doesn’t look like cycling gear. I am a fan of biking but I don’t want to look like I’m entering a race or heading out to train for the Olympics necessarily. So I tend to look for riding gear that doubles for casual. Chrome Industries has a few items I highly recommend that I think you should check out.
Lower Southside Pro in Grey SPD compatible
I ride clipless, so I’m always on the lookout for cool Shimano Pedal Dynamics compatible shoes or SPDs, that I can ride with that look good on the street and still perform. Check out the Lower Southside Pro’s. They feel great; I have a EEE flat foot and they seem to be made for me. They feel like regular sneakers for the most part, with a much stiffer footbed and more torsional rigidity for support. Breathable polyester quarters with full-grain leather; compatible with most 2 bolt clipless hardware. The oiled leather feels nice, it’s soft yet strong and the 3 eyelet holes help keep the heat dissipating, however “Grey” (pictured in the foreground) looks to me to be more of an earthy or smokey tannish-brown but they look great and offer me good support for city, casual and spirited riding.
available in Grey or Black for $120.00
Merino Cobra Hoodie
“If you’re going to own just one piece of Chrome clothing, this is it” The Merino Cobra Hoodie is a full zip, hoodie with extended arms with thumbloops, keystash pocket on the wrist, elongated torso so you can ride without IT riding up on you. The keystash pocket is great and has a keyloop inside but you can stash money or anything relatively small for convenience. The thumbloops are also nice for riding and easily pull your wrist out when you are ready to hang. The pass-through back pocket is super convenient and I find myself using it more than I expected I would. It holds quite a bit in a pinch. The Merino wool is warm and odor-resistant and super comfortable, I enjoy wearing this. The Merino Cobra Men’s Hoodie is a winner.
available for $160.00
Bravo Night Urban Rolltop Backpack
If you’re a city dweller and you like to ride, you might find yourself looking for a good day pack. The Bravo Night is an Urban styled rolltop night or daypack that securely holds your gear and supplies. It’s ridiculously sturdy and well constructed but still pliable, great for wet or dry gear and offers a 3M reflective panel for those times you ride or get caught riding after sundown.
The Bravo Night feels great on my shoulders, it’s ergonomic design and EVA foam back panel allow you to pack your gear and still feel comfortable with your pack on. It keeps me fairly agile and I don’t feel like the contents are pulling me in any direction. The sternum strap is more of a miniature seatbelt buckle, cool! Additionally it’s nice to know you can be safe and have reflective strips and panel without looking like a Con Ed employee. It’s all Black during the day and reflective at night!
You can feel the quality the moment you pick it up. It’s outer shell is made of weatherproof 1000 denier CORDURA Brand with 1000 denier military grade truck tarpaulin liner and weatherproof zippers, made to withstand the elements of the city. It will expand from 20L to 40L, put it this way you can carry a bag of groceries if you leave the roll-top up! It will also retain it’s relatively boxy shape fully expanded so you can neatly and easily organize items inside. The dedicated padded laptop front sleeve will hold up to a 15″ laptop. A divider layer holds a pocket for wires and a few pen slots. The outer most external compartment is a fully waterproof and zippered with weatherproof urethane coated YKK zippers. The cross-compression strap system is nice to carry your helmet, jacket, sweater, even hardware, or just to help you snug it all down.
available for $180.00
You can check out more in Urban gear from Chrome Industries
– chromeindustries.com
