thoughts on chrome barrage
I just got a Barrage backpack from chrome industries. I’ve looked at it many times, over the years, and never actually got one. I always like the look, the style, and the concept.
The biggest thing that held me back was the size. I always felt it was a tad too small to be my perfect, all purpose backpack. But I recently decided to go ahead and get one. Even if I don’t use it everyday, it’s still a very cool bag.
I’m writing this little post in the hopes that it will get in front of some chrome design folks, and they incorporate some ideas I have for how to make it awesomer.
One thing I noticed is that the most recent edition of this bag has the side zipper pocket improved. Previously the pocket (you can see the zipper pull on the side in that photo) was not supported inside, but kind of free floating. This led to some people thinking that the pocket went back, but really it was supposed to sit in front of the inner bucket. It’s hard to explain, but anyway, it’s improved in that now the pocket hangs from both sides of the bag, supported and not flopping around inside. Really, it’s hard to explain. Trust me, it’s better now.
Since we’re talking about the side pocket, I’ll say here that I’d like the zipper to be upgraded to a more water-resistant zipper. Perhaps the current one is resistant enough, but I also want the zipper to be slightly harder to open. Right now it’s too easy for somebody behind me to pull that open and get in there without me noticing. Plus, a beefier zipper will look & feel better matched to this bag.
On to the biggest issue: size.
This bag is a 22L bag, which is probably perfect for a lot of people. The problem, as I see it, is that it’s just a little too small sometimes. One of the very nice things about this bag is it’s slimness, and how it fits close to your back.
I think I know how to significantly boost the carrying capacity of this bag without sacrificing (too much) it’s nifty profile.
Currently the bag is 21" x 11.5" x 5.5" (I believe this is internal dimensions) yielding 1328.25 cubic inches, aka 21.76 liters.
The suggestion is to increase each dimension by 1", but also to create a tapered outline, where the depth increases slightly as we go up to the top of the bag. (In the sketch, I’ve drawn in with a 7" bottom instead of 5.5", but on further consideration, I think just an additional inch would do.) So, if we start with a 12.5" x 6.5" base and go up 22" to a 12.5" x 9.5" top, we’ll have a basic capacity of 2200 cubic inches, aka 36.1 liters (roughly).
The #1 downside to doing this is that the top flap must be longer to be able to close the top when the bag is full. As shown in the sketch, I suggest that the back be longer than the front to provide closure ability, but minimize the bottomless bucket effect that might come from having too long a roll top all the way around.
One thing that makes this design really work for the barrage is that the compression straps/cargo net (and the top strap) will help maintain the slim profile when full capacity is not needed. Most of the time, it won’t appear all that much larger (1" longer and wider) than the current design, but let the cargo net/compression straps out an inch on either side and you have a ton more capacity. Additionally, as the bag is overstuffed out the top, there’s a lot, lot more room than in the existing purely rectangular cuboid.
I like the big, single, reflective strap that holds the roll top closed. It’s simple and quick. Having the horizontal stays in the top to aid rolling, and the single strap works well. What I would like to see is an option to attach to the top of the cargo net. Being able to remove, and reattach, the strap to either the current position directly on the bag, or to the top of the cargo net, would make the cargo net far more functional. Also, as this new, bigger design should be a slightly higher-end bag, so I’m thinking options to have a magnetic fidlock buckle or cobra buckle, or even the traditional chrome seatbelt buckle. Having 2–3 options for the buckle/strap on this bag would not be a bad thing.
To aid closing the bag, there should sewn fold points on the side, and on the front of the flap. Since the opening on top will be so wide, having these fold points sewn a bit will not significantly impact accessibility, but will aid closing the bag.
For the side pockets, I’d like to see them deeper/longer, and have some expansion capacity. The big problem with “expandable” is that generally means elastic, which will wear out. There needs to be a solution/design where the elastic can be replaced, after it’s lost its stretch. I’m picturing a fold of fabric with gromets, and an elastic string of just the right length and stretchiness, so that it will collapse the pocket when empty, but allow for stuffing/stretching. And, if desired, the cord can easily be removed and replaced. (A pair of extras could be supplied with the bag with a note saying “replace the strings after 2–5 years, depending on usage” or something.)
Don’t change the laptop slot. I don’t want extra padding inside.
What I do want inside, if it can be done without compromising the waterproofness, is a single, medium sized zipper pocket on the front wall, inside the bag.
OK, I think that’s all I’ve got for suggestions on how to improve the Barrage backpack. I can only hope that somebody at chrome actually reads this and makes this a reality.
