Chrome Industries has just released a new line of bags called the Knurled Welded line. Of the four bags in the line, two are two strap packs and two mount to your bike racks. These bags were designed to be all-weather commuting bags, and Chrome managed to
find a way to make them even more waterproof than their other bags which is fairly impressive.
So
what exactly does "knurled welded" mean? Well in regular waterproof
bags the seams are always the weak link. You can't sew something without
punching little holes in it, and little holes aren't exactly great at
keeping water from getting places. Chrome and most other bag companies
have found clever ways to make the seams all but completely waterproof
anyhow, but the knurled welded approach is different. Waterproof fabric is always made of some sort of melt-able material. Knowing that, think about a grilled
cheese sandwich. How many times have you tried to peel one of those open
after it's been cooked and the cheese is all melty? It isn't coming
undone, at all. That thing is
fused closed, and no matter how hard you
wish you could reposition the slice of tomato in there it's not going
anywhere. If you think
about it, Grilled Cheese Science makes the perfect waterproof seam and
that's exactly what Chrome has done with these bags. Not only did
they cook and fuse the seams together like a good old fashioned grilled
cheese, they made them slightly textured (or knurled) so they can't pull apart
even when a lot of lateral force is applied. Smart and smarter. Add a
roll-top and you've got a bag you could fill with iPhones and throw in a
river without concern. Ok maybe
some concern just because, you know, they might sink.
The attachment system for the rear rack was really straightforward and only minimally fussy to install. Once I got it on there it didn't rattle at all and getting the bag on is really easy but also visibly quite secure. Slap it on and it will silently and securely carry your stuff wherever you go. The tote designed to sit on your front rack is even easier, you just clip it in place with two quick release buckles and you're done. No sweat.
We've got all four bags in store so you can investigate the pretty clever rack attachment system in person. Chrome does it again. Seriously, what crazy utilitarian thing will they make next?