Chrome Industries Barrage Freight backpack review

Nylon webbing offers useful extra storage, while the overbuilt construction feels as though it will last

Image shows the Chrome Industries Barrage Freight backpack
(Image credit: Future)
Cycling Weekly Verdict

The Chrome Industries Barrage Freight backpack is extremely robust, waterproof and the front webbing is incredibly useful for transporting awkward loads. However, it is very heavy at over 2.3kg, the large pockets aren’t so practical for smaller items, and its great height makes it difficult to access items at the bottom of the bag.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Very robust construction

  • +

    Extra storage from nylon webbing

  • +

    Fits a 15in laptop

  • +

    Reflective detailing on main strap

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Very heavy

  • -

    Bottle holders aren’t compressive

  • -

    Webbing straps are long and trailing when not in use

  • -

    Tall design not friendly to those with shorter arms

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

The Chrome Industries Barrage Freight backpack is designed to be stylish and with plenty of capacity for transporting awkwardly bulky – and sometimes mucky – items such as shoes and helmets and waterproofs.

Chrome Industries has been making luggage solutions for the urban environment for over a quarter of a century, with a range that has been branching out into greater cycling specificity with more on-bike bags.

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Stefan Abram
Tech features editor

After winning the 2019 National Single-Speed Cross-Country Mountain Biking Championships and claiming the plushie unicorn (true story), Stefan swapped the flat-bars for drop-bars and has never looked back. 


Since then, he’s earnt his 2ⁿᵈ cat racing licence in his first season racing as a third, completed the South Downs Double in under 20 hours and Everested in under 12.


But his favourite rides are multiday bikepacking trips, with all the huge amount of cycling tech and long days spent exploring new roads and trails - as well as histories and cultures. Most recently, he’s spent two weeks riding from Budapest into the mountains of Slovakia


Height: 177cm

Weight: 67–69kg