Man, I remember my first Chrome bag purchase back in 2010 in SF. I remember getting a couple more over the years due to theft or giving one to a homie in need. My wife had her tried and true for almost a decade, living up to its 'bomb proof" advertising. We both had sold our bags at one point needing to upgrade to backpacks with more space and support than a messenger bag provided. I still love my Chrome barrage and use it daily. I've had that bag for 5 years (Possibly before the fall in quality?).

All this to say the after wanting to get a messenger bag for small daily trips; and receiving mine today; the dip in quality should have Chrome and Keen beyond embarrassed. Keen, is basically just a Private Equity firm now, right? Churning out slop disguised as a beloved brand. I shouldn't expect any less from a company that's boots fell apart after like 10 hikes. Sole just started to de-laminate from the upper. You're charging a $180 for a bag made overseas; a Temu version of a once great brand.

The buckle is hollow and weirdly light, feeling like the metal would "buckle" (no pun intended) if any force was applied to it. The internal sleeve is all bunched up and not smooth as their predecessors were. The stitching has been dumbed down in places that used to have double have only single stitching. The canvas even feels thinner and less resilient. It's wild to watch the quality of a product nose dive so hard. They must be taking engineering advice from Boeing.

I used to walk…

Purchased Chrome Citizen Messenger bag 24l on 9th March 2026. I have the inside already falling apart. I use it as my daily bag for work so walk with it maybe 20 mins per day. Never used on a bike.

I’m absolutely shocked that this $300 bag has already failed. On receipt I wonder if the interior was going to survive given how tough it is. Well here is the answer its failing on the creased areas because the inner does not flex.

For some context i've used a $12 TEMU sling bag that lasted longer.

Over engineered. Over hyped. Landfill.