Chrome Metropolis 40L Messenger LTD

Chrome Metropolis 40L Messenger LTD — the legend returns for Chrome's 30th anniversary

The Metropolis is the biggest buckle messenger Chrome has ever made, and for many couriers it was the bag: a 40-litre box on your back that swallows a day's deliveries, a week's groceries or everything you need to disappear for a weekend. To mark 30 years since its first bag, Chrome has brought it back as a limited edition, faithful to the original silhouette and quietly updated for today.

You can access it without taking it off: swing it round, lift the flap and the whole compartment opens wide. There is no clever trick here, just a huge, honest space built to be used hard every day.

Weather protection

The shell is 1050D recycled nylon with a 500D TPE tarp, and the main compartment is lined in the same waterproof 500D tarp, in red so you can find things at the bottom. A deep flap closes over the top and keeps the rain out on the ride. It is weatherproof rather than sealed: in a long, heavy downpour, a rolltop such as the Chrome Barrage will do better.

Carrying system

• Reversible shoulder strap for left or right carry, new on this edition
• Iconic seatbelt buckle, swappable with Chrome LG buckles
• Reflective webbing on the front for visibility at night

Organisation

• 40-litre main compartment with a wide opening
• Two-layer zippered pocket and slot pocket, ideal for a U-lock or tools
• Room for a large laptop in the main compartment; use a padded laptop sleeve for protection

Specifications

• Volume: 40 litres
• Dimensions: 38 × 68 × 17.5 cm (H × W at the top × D), 50 cm wide at the base
• Shell: 1050D recycled nylon and 500D TPE tarp
• Liner: 500D TPE tarp, waterproof
• Closure: flap with swappable seatbelt buckle
• Water resistance: weatherproof
• Limited edition for Chrome's 30th anniversary
• Warranty: Chrome lifetime warranty against material and workmanship defects

Frequently asked questions

Is 40 litres too big for daily use?
It depends on what you carry. If your day means a laptop and lunch, the Citizen Messenger in 24 L is more comfortable. The Metropolis is for people who really haul: couriers, commuters who shop on the way home, or anyone who wants one bag for everything.

Does it have a laptop sleeve?
The Metropolis is built around one large open compartment, which easily takes a big laptop. For protection on the ride, we recommend putting it in a padded Chrome Laptop Sleeve first.

Is it waterproof?
The waterproof tarp liner and deep flap keep your gear dry in ordinary rain. The flap is not sealed, so in sustained heavy rain a welded rolltop bag will protect better.

Can I wear it on my right shoulder?
Yes. Unlike the original Metropolis, this edition has a reversible strap that can be set for either shoulder.

Will it stay available?
It is a limited anniversary edition, so quantities are restricted. If you want one, don't wait too long, and ask the team at L'Hirondelle Bike Shop in Meppel about availability.