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Chrome Store
Category: Shopping Fashion Accessories Accessories [Edit]
580 4th St(between Freelon St & Brannan St)
San Francisco, CA 94107
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 820-5070
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 7 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
127 reviews for Chrome Store
Review Highlights
"I love my mini-messenger bag."
(in 24 reviews)
"My girlfriend got a new mini-metro and lap top case."
(in 6 reviews)
"Then I bought a pair of bike shoes from them for work."
(in 28 reviews)
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127 reviews in English
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Review from P R.
Walnut Creek, CA
Updated - 12/1/2011
5 out of 5 stars is not something that you just say about a place: it's earned.
Despite having top notch gear and a really great crew, I (initially) gave Chrome only 3 stars because I felt I was being etched out of a great deal. Well, Paul at Chrome went above and beyond to make things right. After reading my first review, he contacted me and adjusted the price on my purchase to reflect the sale they had going on. And, he was super friendly and professional about it. Simple fix, but goes a long way in my book. I'm just one customer and my review would have been eventually buried underneath a pile of all the other well deserved accolades they get, but they chose to take the time and make sure I was 100% satisfied. Thanks Chrome for going the extra mile.
Update on the gear:
Night Series Bag: If I knew Chrome bags were this comfortable to ride with, I would have bought one a long time ago. By and far the most effective messenger I've ever used. Seems like the more I stuff in it, the better it feels. I tested the reflective features with a flash light and my truck's headlight, but didn't see much? However, when I took a picture with flash, it lit up like crazy. I wonder what cars see when they trail behind me at night...
Chrome Cobra Hoodie: The one piece of clothing that you'll never part with. My girl tried it on and refused to take it off, but you've got to draw the line somewhere. Guess it's time to bring her in for the female version. Fits great, looks good and feels like you're wearing the softest sheep known to man. I purchased a Bosun Wool Jacket from Mission Workshop for almost $80 more, but it was nowhere near as comfortable as the Cobra so it went back to the shop.
Cheers guys and thanks again.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/24/2011
First off, these guys are great: friendly cool staff and helpful. And, the gear rocks: quality,… Read more »
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Review from Eric B.
12/2/2011
Happy Holidays Hosers! Or so says the Chrome Store Home Page.eh?
I have found Chrome Bags to be an acquired taste. My initial impression was that they were kind of ugly and heavy. That's before wandered into Young's on Telegraph Avenue and had a chance to look one of the back packs over and try it on. And just like Marian the Librarian, the glasses came off, the hair came down, and Chrome Beauty revealed itself. My most recent acquisition was a Nike Camera Bag that is certainly the most unique carrier in it's class that I've seen. Gotta love that Buckle!
Take off! To the Chrome Bag Store!
Take off! It's a beauty way to go. -
Review from ben s.
San Francisco, CA
11/13/2011
I brought my first Chrome bag when the SF store open... years ago, buckle came off and I brought it back in, it was repaired within one day and in the meantime the friendly and knowledgeable staff gave me a loaner bag.
Repaired on a weekend! My only complain about my bag... The Chrome buckle will rust (on the back side). -
Review from Inigo M.
San Francisco, CA
2/1/2012
Excellent build quality and materials, including shoes. Pleasant staff and a relaxed shopping experience. Very pleased we have a store in SF.
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Review from Carolyn M.
Pacifica, CA
2/5/2012
Service is outstanding! Super nice, honest, friendly and helpful staff. I love my custom bag, which was ready for pickup one day later! So cool that you can pick from a wide variety of colors and choices even down to the trim and buckle. The end result is gorgeous and I was so happy to hear they stand behind their bags with a lifetime guarantee. I will look forward to using my bag for many years to come!
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Review from Stephanie Y.
San Francisco, CA
1/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great, comfortable bags. My boyfriend and I were choosing a bag for a christmas gift and put in 20 lbs of weight. It felt like nothing. I also like how you can choose a right or left shoulder strap along with colors. We went with the medium size and it fits a 15" laptop easily.
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Review from gwynnie p.
San Francisco, CA
10/24/2011
Anytime I have a pleasant retail experience, that's almost worth 5 stars right there. Haven't we all come to dread shopping, because we dread what passes for an acceptable purchasing environment? DON'T GET ME STARTED.
Oh yeah, so, I bought 2 pairs of knickers for the husband for his birthday. They play great music in the Chrome Store, ye olde punk rock. The staff is helpful, friendly and kind. Go in the morning, during the week, if you can for more attentive service. They can get a tad busy later in the day. -
Review from Marc M.
Walnut Creek, CA
Updated - 12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Love my new Niko Camera Bag!!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/20/2008
Even though Messenger bags are not my style, I give this place hella props for creating stylish and… Read more »
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Review from Chassity A.
Albany, CA
1/22/2012
I had received a chrome bag as a gift but could not decide if the colors were a good fit for me. I went into the chrome store and decided to customize my own bag. I was extremely impressed by the fact they make left hand specific bags, by the assistance and patience in helping me design a bag that really matched me, by the speed with which my bag was ready, and by the quality of the bag itself. I love my custom bag, the chrome store, and the service I received.
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Review from Michael M.
San Francisco, CA
9/10/2011
You don't have to be a twenty-something or a biker to appreciate quality. Chrome has it down. If you are looking for great quality in bags, clothing and shoes for that inner biker in you, come here. You will leave with a happy face, a great product and some surprising cash in your wallet.
Bike on down! -
Review from Thom H.
Daly City, CA
8/14/2011
This review is for the store not the products.
I called in to see if they had the size I wanted for a pair of pants so I could try them on before I bought them. Staff member supposedly checked and told me they had the size in stock. Caught BART and walked through the annoying weekend downtown crowds to the store. Surprise, surprise. The staff member supposedly read the size wrong and I was out of luck. I asked if they could order more and they said they were out of stock and had no way to tell when they would get more in. When you charge as much as chrome charges for stuff you could at least train your staff to read tag sizes. I'll just stick to the website next time. -
Review from Mariela D.
San Francisco, CA
My husband had been admiring messengers' Chrome bags for some time and decided to get one himself. We stopped in on a Friday and were surprised to be carded at the door. There was loud music playing and folks were standing around drinking (free) beer. Awesomeness. Apparently we happened to stop in during their sample sale.
The carry bags in all sizes and styles. You can customize your bag with add-ons, and we were told that they will even customize bags from SCRATCH right there in the store. That way you'll never see anyone riding down the street with a bag that looks like yours.
We opted for a red and black messenger bag with their signature chrome buckle. Everything here (pants, jackets, shoes, bags) is of obvious super-duper heavy duty quality. And the people are nice, too :) -
Review from Dustin S.
San Francisco, CA
12/3/2011
Great service. Great product. I bought a Chrome messenger bag about 12 years ago, when Chrome was in it's infancy. I still have, and use it everyday. No flaws. Just a bit dirty from the daily commute.
Today, I went in and bought a backpack, not because my messenger bag is flawed. Quite the contrary. I needed a laptop pouch since the messenger bag doesn't have one. I don't think they even made laptops back then.
I look forward to growing old with these two bags. You don't find products that take a beating like this. Their stuff is a bit pricey, but it's built to last.
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Review from Andy C.
Oakland, CA
6/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
While expensive these bags are built to last. i couldn't be more happy about the product i've purchased and used for months now.
the people in the shop seemed a little shy about helping me and while they seemed well informed i felt like i had to try to get information out of them instead of them providing it. either way they were really nice and gave me some good recommendations. -
Review from Larry Y.
San Francisco, CA
7/17/2011
Win. Just absolute win.
I personally love that such an indie, hipster place has gotten the chance to explode. They just recently expanded their shoeline and introduced the new Niko camera bag, which I decided to purchase.
However, the two things that give this place five stars are the fact they construct super-durable, weatherproof, ergonomic and super convenient messenger bags and backpacks, AND they guarantee them for life. When you throw in the second fact, I have to say, the price you pay, (including student discounts!!!) becomes money-well spent. I bought the original red and black mini-metro, was gifted the larger purple messenger bag and just bought a wallet and the Niko. I am completely satisfied with ALL my purchases. They suit my needs and then some. I am always surprised by the amount of random crap I can shove into my bag, especially when you have unexpected cargo. The shoulder straps are super comfortable and there is much to adjust in order to suit your body size and type.
My first bag is still in great condition and it was purchased over four years ago now. I still use it from time-to-time, but the larger metro is my favorite by far. I am completely satisfied and wish this company all the luck in the world. I will be back for future releases! -
Review from Christian U.
Mill Valley, CA
11/1/2011
Now that I own my third item from Chrome I feel like it's finally time to write a review of their store. With such a friendly staff and such great products, I feel I have no choice now but to write them a review.
My first bag I bought from them was at their old location. That one is a back pack. Biggest one they had at the time. I bought it for putting up posters for my theater company, but that bag is great for hauling a ton of stuff especially in the rain. Comfortable and huge, with great side slots that I can even slide a golf umbrella into in such a way so it sticks out the top allowing me to carry it while I bike. Other bags come and go, but that one is always useful to have around.
Then I bought a pair of bike shoes from them for work. I had read about them on a display at Sports Basement and figured I would try a pair on one time when I took friend from out of town there (she wanted to see what a real bike messenger bag store was all about). It happened that the shoes I wanted were on clearance sale for $25 but even if I had paid the $90 for them I would be totally happy. They really fit well in bike cages and fit much more comfortably to my feet for biking than running shoes did. It's not a bunch of hype, there really is a difference, and I love it!
Now to my third purchase. My friend had bought one of their phone cases and loved it so I went by to check them out and while I was there they were putting up a new display for their Chrome Salvage series bags. They only had 30 of them so they might be sold out by the time you read this, but these bags are made from WW2 army duffel bags (and some other WW2 army materials like tents, depending on which numbered one you got). Each one made was uniquely different with different things written on them by the guy who owned it or printed on them it by the army, but the design of the bags were all the same, based on Chrome's standard messenger bag design. Because they were all different the guy helping me, Erik, pulled out a half-dozen different ones to let me try on, and after an hour or trying on different ones with different wighted bean bags you can fill them with, I chose myself the perfect up-cycled bag!
Now I've owned messenger bags before. From Zo Bags in the 90's to custom designed by me Timbuk2 bags in the 00's, I always thought Chrome was just trying to be fashion with their built in padded strap and seat-belt buckle. Yet after riding it around for a couple of weeks, I'm sorry but I stand corrected: these bags really do feel different. Having the pad built in really does make a huge difference and that combined with how the straps are attached to the bag makes me want to wear the bag a lot more snugly than my older bags, thus keeping the bag on my back a lot better that before. Having the tightening strap right at the belt buckle on your chest is a perfect spot for it. If the bag slides I can pull it tighter with ease and when I arrive where I'm going I can loosen it just as easily or press the button that the whole bags just comes right off. I love it!
In the end I ended up getting that phone holder too, and even that is a genius design. I've bought things like that before and never ended up using them, but this one really works right! It's easy to open and close one handed and they way the Velcro on the strap is set up, you put it where you want it to sit on the strap and it stays there. This isn't just a bag with "bike messenger" written on the tag to sell bags, this really is a bag designed for bike riding. I'm really impressed. Great design, great function, and they look really nice. It's everything you could want in a bag for every day life.
Now that I'm a convert, I totally want to go to one of their Thursday night concerts they have in the store. http://www.chromebagss... Wow, what a great company! -
Review from Tierney H.
Oakland, CA
10/28/2011
Super friendly, very helpful staff!!!
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Review from Neil R.
San Jose, CA
7/24/2011
I went in the store and I was looking for one thing and that was a Classic Messenger which I saws online for about $80. However, I ended up getting the Mini Metro for $120 instead. In the middle of the store is a table and they setup mock model of everyday carry at various weights and size. It's a good way to determine, base on need, which bag is for you. I needed something that carry a 15in laptop and maybe a book or two. The Mini Metro was the right fit. Yeah it is $120 but the quality equaled the price.
After I purchase my new Mini Metro, I put it to use. It was able to gobble up my messenger bag I had on plus a Dickie jacket, and a 20oz water bottle. I adjusted the straps to my comfort and off I went. Instead of taking the bus back I decided to walk from 4th ST to Market. It was about 7-10 city blocks carrying about 1-2lb and I was fine. My right shoulder wasn't hurting and the bag held up nicely. It was firm but not overbearing.
Overall if have the money I say get one. This bag will probably last me for a while. -
Review from Kevin F.
Los Angeles, CA
7/7/2011 1 photo
Recently, my girl friend and I were in San Francisco on holiday and we made our first visit to the Chrome company store. The staff was very helpful. Great Experience!
In fact, my girl friend was wearing the Chrome Hip Pouch, which had a stitched seams come loose--and they fixed it on the spot!
There was actually an employee sitting at a sowing machine--right there in the retail showroom--and he deftly took that sucker apart and repaired the offending stitch and put the pouch back together again, better then new.
We happily dropped $400-bucks on more cool Chrome stuff and rode off. -
Review from M P.
San Francisco, CA
10/5/2011
This review is based solely on the stuck up hipster woman that rang me up. I almost returned my bag in the same trip. The products are dope, durable, and we already own two but avoid the store or steer clear of the pretty brunette with tattoos. Look for a blonde, attractive male who sometimes wears a hat. Super friendly and helpful.I LOVE THE BAGS!
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Review from Arnold Z.
Berkeley, CA
Updated - 9/7/2011 2 Check-ins Here
While I was vacuuming the living room, I sucked up the pit strap an the heat from the vacuum melted part of the strap. I went to the chrome store in SF an I was told its not covered by the manufactures warranty. But he was willing to replace it for free! What a nice guy!!
Listed in: Born to Shop
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/30/2010
I bought chrome bag from another store that carry's there bags in Berkeley. I noticed that the strap… Read more »
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Review from Javi V.
San Francisco, CA
2/17/2011
If there is something I know about is backpacks: I have an expedition one, two alpine ones, a day pack, and a regular go-to-work backpack.
So I went to the store, curious to see all the hype. Well, I have to say that I don't like the design to begin with. All of them are quite ugly, but that's not the point. The problem is the price/quality ratio. It is non sense. The prices of these bags are higher than my alpine packs! One of them, which happens to be a TNF (booo, booo, booo) I use for everything you can imagine: backpacking, climbing, grocery, carrying furniture (yes, I've done that). I've pinched it with climbing axes, crampons, knifes... There it is, 90% ok. No chrome bag in the store would resist that and they're 30-40% more expensive.
So you have two options if you have spare money to spend in a bag that is not worth the money:
1) You're a hipster: get a Chrome.
2) You're chic: get a Louis Vuitton. -
Review from Andrea L.
San Francisco, CA
6/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Very functional, stylish products and great customer service. I went here to buy a messenger bag for my hubby for Father's Day and everyone was extremely helpful with explaining the different styles and colors. They even make some messengers for lefties!
I ended up getting the large metropolis in classic black, which he loved. This is his first Chrome bag, so we cannot vouch for the quality yet, but it looks like it's made to last. They also have some pretty cool clothes and shoes. -
Review from Marcus L.
San Francisco, CA
10/1/2011
It's pretty empty as in people, only the employees are there. This does has good customer service. Looks nice and fancy and all that. But they should stop making things weird. It's just weird. The lady that helped me even gave me a special color which was the last one and pretty cool. This place got high tax. It was like from$12-16. For tax. Whoa.
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Review from Stephanie F.
Long Beach, CA
4/15/2011
I've been a fan of Chrome bags for a few years, but I had never been to the store until this week. (I got my bag online, and I love it!) I was super stoked when we went in here and the guy behind the counter was really nice and helpful.
I really wanted to buy a new bag, but I couldn't justify it since the one I've been using for the last few years is still in perfect condition. My girlfriend got a new mini-metro and lap top case. (they're awesome, and I'm a little jealous)
I'm far from being a backpack pro. I only have like 2 backpacks (a yoshi one and one for snowboarding), but that means I use my chrome messenger bag ALL THE TIME and it has never failed me.
Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I believe all the bags are handmade in America. If you take into consideration the durability of the bag, and the $8 an hour they're paying their employees to sew these things, then I would definitely consider the price as reasonable.
If I was gonna shell out $130 for a bag, I would hope that it is was awesome as my Chrome bag. -
Review from Dustin K.
Palo Alto, CA
8/15/2011
The staff are made of pure awesome just like their bags.
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Review from Mr. M.
San Jose, CA
2/7/2011
Get a Free bag from the SF store! Associate left the sensor on my bag and told me to "just smash it with a hammer, it's no big deal"!!?!
Save the drama, buy on line!!!
Dude buying from this store is awful!! I love Chrome, they make amazing products so I am happy with the bag. The service in their store is awful though. First the associates seem like they hate life and have no interest in engaging you. Once you are ready to purchase they could careless, it's like give me your money and get out.
BEST PART!!: They left the sensor on my bag and i called to ask what do I do? He says to me word for word
"it's no big deal just smash the sensor with a hammer or go to a store that has this type of sensor and maybe they can take it off"
I didn't even get an apology or anything. As a retail manager I am embarrassed for this company. -
Review from Marc A.
I'll admit I have bag envy... My once was hip "work bag" just isn't cool anymore. So when I heard Chrome was having a Everything Is 30% Off Sale, how could I resist?!?!
Killer quality bags that are handmade right here in SF. These bags take king a beating and bounce back without a scratch. Stuff your gym shoes, a cold six pack and some work papers inside and you could still fit a small yapping dog in this darn bag. Am I a fan? Hella yes! Go getcha one. NOW! -
Review from jonathan h.
San Francisco, CA
8/8/2011
Great bag for the price i love the weatherproof/waterproof design..i just got my mini messenger bags in grey/black silver buckle,After many muni rides to and from downtown i saw a few people using the chrome mini and medium messenger bags..So one afternoon i decided to check out the retail store downtown, once i looked over the bag i knew i had to have one...I like the simply design and the material used is top notch, the store lay out was good easy to find gear...
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Review from Deana I.
5/30/2010 1 Check-in Here
Absolutely love them!
My boyfriend bought a messenger bag a while back ago and have been more than satisfied with it's durability, quality and style. He never stears me wrong so I ended up buying one too. I became an instant fan, I ended up buying a over-the-shoulder bag. I was so over my designer labels, and sick of expensive purses so Chrome was the answer to my prayers. It can be rained on or abuse the crap out of it, and it will still look fine. Plus, the all black design makes it work appropriate. I don't have to worry about getting robbed because I'm carrying an expensive purse.
My Chrome bag offers what my designer purses couldn't. -
Review from Gary V.
San Francisco, CA
7/14/2011
last week i went a little crazy on some retail therapy and bought a few things from the Chrome website. first of all, the wite is really easy to navigate. not a shit ton of animation that just slows things down. quick, easy, and to the point. show the products, make it easy to purchase.
well, unfortunately the jacket i bought didn't fit just right. (the Anza). i got the large and while the sleeves and length were all ok, when i tried to get into bike riding position i found that it was really tight around my upper back. i didn't wanna play "fat man in a little coat" so i called about an exchange. luckily i live in SF now, so i was able to just go into the store and do the exchange.
upon entering the store, i could tell i was gonna be happy with it. first thing i see is someone making a backpack right there. how cool is that? show the customers up front how things are done. awesome. i was also greeted by 3 people within seconds and it wasn't the pushy/fake type of greeting we see in a lot of retail stores. the "hello's" seemed genuine.
the exchange went without a hitch. i was even able to get a new set of laces for my shoes, even tho they don't actually sell them there! (thanks for the help!)
i looked around the store a bit more after i was done at the counter and liked how easy it was to get around. no clutter, no hard to see racks. just displays that are interesting to look at and easy to maneuver around. they've even got a few vintage bikes in there. always a plus.
obviously i like this company, the products, and now the storefront. i'll be back soon. -
Review from Brandon W.
San Francisco, CA
10/3/2010
Ordered a Chrome bag one night after getting tired of my "man purse" giving me back problems. Got it the very next day via Godspeed (5 stars to them as well). This is an amazing back. I ordered the small and it has enough room for a small child to fit in. No more back problems. Would recommend this bag to anyone.
I had to speak with individuals over the phone from this store that day and they could not be anymore helpful and kind. Chrome rocks my balls! -
Review from Len S.
San Francisco, CA
10/6/2010 1 Check-in Here
Hello my name is Len and I'm a chromaddict.
"hi Len!"
I'll admit it. I'm totally addicted and verkakt in the head over chrome. It started five years ago, a little taste, a 30th birthday present from friends, a citizen messenger bag.
That was five years ago. The depths of my affliction are deplorable and you should pity me and give the folks at Chrome a pat on the back for successfully keeping me addicted.
I own socks, knickers, a jacket, and two other bags. The Soyuz is now my regular business travel backpack. It holds a laptop, a book, a few pens and doesn't knock people over when I turn around. Kudos on that!
My girlfriend has a Vega that until recently was her every day purse. She now owns a mini-metro. Lawrd have mercy on her soul. I bought myself, as it's been five years since my last messenger bag, a Berlin. I went with the pro series. Ok, if you need to kill, hack to pieces and store a grown man's body, you can't go wrong with the Berlin! Seriously. The storage capacity of this bag is unreal. The compression straps sorta shrink it, or at least help stabilize the load. The extra cross strap keeps everything secure and takes off the weight when you have a heavy load.
I rode to the allemany market and did a week's shopping and stuffed it, no wait, fit it into the bag with room to spare. I rode it home and granted it was heavy, but manageable.
My one gripe is that the website is regularly out of stuff and the folks that run the site seem to be a different business unit from the store, it's at times confusing where to get stuff as items on the site are in store and vice versa. -
Review from Katherine F.
Seattle, WA
8/9/2010
I took my cousin in here because he likes cycling. They don't have this brand everywhere and the style is really unique. The bags are well made of high quality materials and they carry the bright colors necessary to make sure you are seen on the road when biking, walking or whenever. Also the strap is a lot more comfortable than other brands because it's wider at the shoulder. It also helps keep the bag in place when in use. The bags are also pretty stylish for a messenger bag.
I would have given them a 5th star if it were not for the following 2 things.
1) Most all their traditional shaped messenger bags don't have laptop pockets. They sell separate sleeves that you can buy, but you might as well just use the one you probably already have. The bag is of heavy duty material, but doesn't have that much padding.
2) A lot of the employees seem high. He checked my cousin's student ID for 10% off, then forgot to add the discount. It later took an additional 10 min for him to figure out how to slowly reverse the transaction. The guy also forgot to take off the security tag and so we had to drive all the way back there. You might think that accusation seems harsh, but when we walked in there, a different guy said, "i don't need to see your receipt, you are like the 5th person to come in today with a security tag on their bag." Haha. Cool....
Anyway, great bags, great store! -
Review from Vivek N.
San Francisco, CA
4/15/2010
The good:
What an awesome promotion it was...send in an old pair of shoes to get a brand new pair of Chrome Kursk's! It was my first experience with this brand, and it was off to a great start. Additionally, I got my new pair in the mail within a few weeks. I was really impressed with the turnaround as I knew they probably got a boatload of shoes. With my interest in Chrome piqued, I looked at their website and decided to go into their store to look at, touch and feel their products.
The not so good:
I went in with my brand new, unworn pair of Kursk's to find another pair of shoes that I felt would work for my needs a lot better, so I asked if I could pay the difference and get the pair that I wanted. This is where my experience starts to take a nosedive.
I was not asking for an improbable, far fetched and hypothetical scenario, so Im not sure how much I appreciated being told, that if the 6000 customers who were sent shoes came back requesting exchanges it would be really tough. The saleswoman/manager proceeds to tell me without being prompted, if the size was not right that I could gift the shoes to someone else (really, was that necessary)?. I felt offended and instantly felt my positive first impression start to sour.
Instead of her explaining the hassle that an unrealistic scenario could potentially cause, if she accommodated my request for the pair of shoes that were in her hands, it could have probably turned this Timbuk2 backpack wearing customer to seriously consider Chrome for future purchases. In addition to one additional pair of Chrome shoes on the streets of SF as opposed to in a box in a dark closet.
To be fair:
The woman who refused me my choice of shoes was polite, but it seemed more passive aggressive to me for no real reason. In my interaction with her the whole time I thought I expressed appreciation for the promotion and for the quick turnaround, so I should not have come off as ungrateful. And having made it to the store looked closely at their products, I was very impressed with the quality of the shoes and backpacks. I left feeling that they had products that were far superior than their competitor Timbuk2, but felt like they could learn a LOT from Timbuk2 customer service. -
Review from Hans T.
4/23/2010
I've only purchased Chrome goods thru their website and am beyond impressed with how the bag/schpantz/shoes have held up.
I've had my Metro bag for about a year and I still consider it getting "broken in."
Knickers are damned superb and I wear them all summer long.
The shoes, which I just got FOR FREE from their gracious Turds for Gold program, are awesome.
It's a bit on the pricey side but it will last a long time. -
Review from Eve O.
Oakland, CA
8/30/2010
The first piece of 'sporting gear' I ever owned was a pair of brown gap khakis that I cut off at the knee in the middle of an 8th grade track meet because I forgot my uniform - come on, it's impossible to run in pants.
I proceeded to wear those cutoffs for every track meet, cross country race, and climbing competition I was in for the next 15 years just so I could prove to my mother that hacking my brand new school clothes to pieces really was for the greater good.
Well, I still have them. And they've been my bike riding apparel of choice until recently, when on two completely separate occasions some lady in her Volvo, frantically waving me down from the window of her car to ask for directions, thought I was a dude. I guess with the helmet and the bag and the sunglasses and the gloves and the ratty, 15-year-old pair of knee length brown cut-offs, that conclusion really isn't so far fetched.
Whatever, I'm not bothered... except I kind of am. So I figured I'd finally invest in some sort of non gender-neutral biking gear. It wasn't until I embarked on my quest that I realized unless you want something pink or floral (not my thing), or wanna rock the entire spandex racing outfit (hell no), there are precious few options available to you if you're a girl. Which seems bizarre and impossible, and yet it's true.
Low and behold, Chrome started making girl pants. Normal, non-obnoxious patterns and colors! Materials I won't destroy after one week of use! Cut to actually fit! Yeah, you'll pay for it, but Chrome repairs, replaces, and generally guarantees the hell out of everything they make (provided you don't do something stupid, like cut off the legs).
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm so happy about this, and after about six months of constant wear, I still have no complaints.Listed in: Sporty +
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Review from Richard T.
Los Angeles, CA
11/13/2006
Oooh! Ooh! Oooooh! I found the PERFECT backpack here. I'm saving up for it right now cause it sho' ain't cheap... I mean, it's not as expensive as those Louis Vuitton or Prada thingys some of you like - but lets see your Coach bag go 20 feet underwater and have the contents survive. yeah beyotches. Thought so.
I took a star off for practically being ignored when I asked questions about some of the merchandise. What's up with that?
***1/10/2006 UPDATE!!!****
So i got the bag I wanted before my trip to the South Pacific and it performed like a true mother effin' rock star. I took that thing under a waterfall, up and down the side of a volcano, aboard countless wet and scary boat rides and everything inside (including my change of clothes, dslr camera AND a handycam) remained bone dry. So awesome you guys. Was it worth the US$162.00 I spent on it? MOST DEFINITELY. It's great too, the thing looks big, but is carry on sized for easy air travel. I really like the fact that it only has ONE zipper that I have to deal with. Such a hot looking bag. There isn't enough I can say about it. Oh, and just in case you're curious, this is the bag i got: http://www.chromebags.... in black. So pimp. I'm very happy with my purchase :) -
Review from Monica S.
Irvine, CA
7/9/2011
I am from out of the area and went by the store while visiting family nearby during the holidays. The stitching on my large Citizen bag had started coming loose and I was hoping to get it fixed. They repaired it quickly with no questions asked and mailed it back to me right away. Fast and friendly service!
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Review from Roger G.
Berkeley, CA
2/19/2007
My Chrome metro bag is the perfect bag for commuting on my motorcycle and bicycle. Absolutely leak-proof in all weather.
At one point, my straps came fully undone and I couldn't figure out how to loop things back correctly. They quickly replied to my email with instructions and photos of how to remedy the situation. Very cool folks.
My only complaint about the Metro bag is that there aren't enough pockets and partitions. Perhaps this isn't an issue for bike couriers, but since I'm actually just a commuter poser, I long for a place to keep my laptop separate from my lunch and raincoat.
If you are ever given the task of delivering a severed head, Chrome should be at the top of your list. They are built with a heavy bodybag-like liner that would be great for holding ichor and gore. Easy cleanup! Just hose it out.
Highly recommended.
