Note: For a higher resolution image of the above, click [HERE].
Road Tested | Chrome Ivan Roll-Top Part 1 & 2
We’ve had this backpack for some time, so thought we’d roll parts 1 & 2 of the road test together. We can’t promise that this will make the review twice as good, but we’ll try…
The Ivan is one of three sizes in Chrome roll-top backpacks – there’s also a smaller Pawn, and the larger Sultan. They are all built the same way, just with a different scale applied.
This is a great bag, and also one that helped kick-start a new style of backpack. So here goes with our thoughts on it…
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Initial impressions:
The first time I saw a Chrome roll-top, it was on one of those uber cool cats we’d now label a hipster. He was running a red light, so I only caught a lightning quick glance, but the bag won me over immediately. I wanted one. I also wanted to be uber cool, but had to settle for the backpack instead.
Highlights:
Look: We’ve always had this idea that a good bag should look like a styling winter jacket – nice texture, clean lines, and not overly techie. While on offer in some messenger bags, this has remained all too rare in the world of backpacks (which usually look more like a Christmas tree).
The Chrome looks like a great European jacket, which ticks a big box for me.
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Durability: While you may pay a small price in weight, you win it back in durability. These packs should last longer than your cat. There’s over-sized components, large amounts of bar-tacking for reinforcement, and plenty of care in the sewing, all of which lead to a very durable pack.
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Construction: Bags built in the States have a look to them. The pattern makers are perhaps not as experienced as they are in Asia, so you end up with simpler patterns and less sophisticated volumes. But the bonus is that the simpler construction has less to go wrong.
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Roll-top: We love roll-tops. They feel more relaxed, and make you think of adventure each time you use them.
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Water-resistance: The suspended main tarp section in this bag is all time. Thick welds, thick fabric, and loads of roll in the top. You’d really have to try to get water in here.
The front section tarp is stitched rather than welded, but it’s hidden behind a layer of what looks like PU backed 840D Polyester, so it should be fine for all but the worst storms.
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Zip Avoidance: For all the progress we’ve had in zippers, they are still a weak point in most bags. The Ivan has only 2 straight zips, and both are over-sized. It’s done well.
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Seat Belts: Chrome were one of the early bag companies to resurrect seat belt buckles for their messengers, so it’s nice to see some seat belt webbing making an appearance on the straps. It is backed by velcro, so you can attach radios, additional pockets, or your favorite teddy bear.
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Ginormous main section: If you’re coming over to the backpack world from a messenger, you’ll appreciate a huge main section.
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Daisy chain: It’s only a small trick, but the daisy chain and a small sleeve let you attach your bike light or gear carabiner. It helps.
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Lowlights:
Unresolved Front Pockets: These will work a treat for crew that don’t carry many bits. But for those of us that do, these pockets can be like small black holes, swallowing items for weeks at a time.
Add to that the way the flaps curl up, and the not excellent waterproofness, and we think there’s room to improve here.
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Lack of Organizing: Again, if you carry a few more bits, you’ll need to supplement this bag with some organisers for sunnies, a camera, and all your digital tech. The front hanging section works quite well for a laptop, but will need you to add a laptop cover or some padding at the base.
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Discomfort When Loaded: The Ivan has a really neat-looking 2D construction (there are no side panels creating depth). The issue with this is that when full, it really rounds out and ends up pulling back on your shoulders (even with the sternum strap in place).
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Lint: I love the matt fabric, but dog hair, shag-pile carpet, and blond mistresses all leave their mark on it.
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Fixed Waist Belt: We often don’t use waist belts on bike bags. If you have any rigid items in the pack, the waist belt will lock you to those and stop your back bending. Unfortunately this belt is not removable, so kinda dangles, gets in the way, and can get stuck on your seat post.
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Air Mesh: Almost every pack is guilty of this, so we almost have this as our standard clause. Air mesh scratches on bare skin, fills with snow, and lacks durability. But this is not really Chrome’s fault for doing what everyone else does.
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Intimidation: This is a big and heavy pack. I think my wife is a little scared of it. I kinda like it for reinforcing my man points, but it may be an issue for some.
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Best suited to:
Big people – This is a wide pack that suits broad people.
Bike people – It looks soooo good on a fixie, and can fit better than many packs in an office environment (it looks grown up).
Me – I like it.
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Not suited to:
Little folk.
Tech-heavy carry folk.
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Any niggles?
Just the stuff listed above. But there are no deal breakers there for me. I still like using the thing.
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And breakages/issues?
None. It’s been bomb-proof so far.
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Any envy for a similar bag?
The Mission Workshop Vandal is a more versatile pack, which can carry more and offers a touch more organizing. However if looks matter, the Chrome still pips it. As mentioned in our Vandal Road Test, there are also the T-Level and Sag backpacks for a neat bike-inspired bag.
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Conclusion:
I have listed a bunch of compromises that the pack asks you to deal with. But like all beauty, you put up with the pain. It’s a really different, really neat-looking pack that will survive a rain blizzard, swallow a panda suit, and win you over that girl you ride past each day. I’m stoked to have it in my bag quiver.
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Nice review! This site is amazing.
I have in mind a new backpack but Im afraid the Ivan its going to be too big.
What do you think of the pawn?is it too small maybe?
And today I saw the marathon and now Im even more confused,because the marathon seems to be the best option for me.
Sorry about my englsih,Im from Spain.
Many thanks!
The Pawn still fits lots, it’s a great pack also. But we’re not as in to the Marathon. It’s a little bit basic, and not as adaptable as some other packs.
Our favourite pack for the sort of bag you seem to want is the Rambler from Mission Workshop: http://www.missionworkshop.com/rambler_cargo_backpack.php
It’s very similar to the Vandal that we have reviewed: http://www.carryology.com/2010/07/11/road-tested-mission-workshop-vandal-part-2/
Only smaller. Yet it can still grow and adapt when you need it to. If you can afford it, that’s what we’d recommend…
Hey, Just wondering how tall you are so I can make a comparison. I’m about 5’6 and am considering this bag. No, I’m not scared of it. Unless it will eat me.
Heya Rami, thanks for posting. I’m 6’1″ and of fairly average proportions (other than a ridiculously ginormous head). Hope that helps.
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Hi there
Having a really hard time deciding between Ivan and the Vandal. Although I think Ivan’s is a bit of a vandal too. Anyway, I live in Australia so the bucks for shipping make the choice even harder. Although that’s not an issue if I make the right choice. I always used Crumpler. Doesn’t do it for me anymore.
Roll top looks good.
What’s important? Well I commute 200 kms or five hours every day on trains and by foot.
Carry laptop, iPad, heavy duty headphones, several documents and folders, books, water bottle, food container and sometimes shopping. Extra clothing. But the most important issue for me is that the docs and books don’t end up getting trashed because they’re all thrown in on top of each other in one compartment…
I need organization. A neat solution. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Nico
Nico,
we’re inspired. We’re going to start a ‘Head to Head’ category to compare bags like these two. We’ll start with these as we know lots of crew have a similar conundrum to you.
I think from your description you should go for the Mission Workshop. It is more able to adapt to varying load sizes. If you need to pick up a slab on the way home, you can expand the Vandal to fit it. If you try and cram too much into the Ivan, it bows out and gets pretty uncomfortable.
Just go black with the Vandal – it’s the better colorway.
Oh, and for organisation, neither is a star, as this is where most bike oriented bags fall down. The MW is a touch better, but you might do better to get a laptop and document sleeve to use in the bag. No biggie, but worth noting.
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ln your test it is small or medium ?
We tested the Medium. However we are all 6 foot or so, and the medium still looks pretty big on us.
Well Ando…
The Mission Workshop Vandal has been travelling good for the past month. Two hundred kilometres a day on the big commute up and down the mountain – we call it a mountain but it’s actually a high plateau two hours by rail out of Sydney Australia.
Yeah… it’s okay. Very comfortable. Streamline, when the big compartment is zipped up. Plenty of sleeves for stuff but not so well organised or protected on the inside. The sleeves aren’t padded so there’s pressure from stuff in other sleeves…
Very annoying…
You get the impression that there are different compartments but it’s more like wrapping stuff in separate plastic bags and putting them all in the one. In other words the only separation is the lining. Not so good for books and computer.
The fabric is very stiff but super strong. No easy access for a water bottle but I slide mine in on top of the inner zipped layer in the big compartment and the outer zipped layer. Yep, lots of zippers but I don’t mind…
Still looking for the ideal backpack for my computer and my books et al…
It’s a lot of weight and to be fair the great thing about the Vandal is it can be adjusted and sits well on my back. Very comfortable.
Thanks for your advice but if you have any further thoughts…
Nico
Really good thoughts and feedback Nico.
I totally agree with the thin lining call, and with keeping the drink bottle in the expansion gusset.
As we said, the MW feels like it has awesome potential, it just needs a few refinements to make it better suit all the tech we seem to carry these days. It’s just we haven’t found any other pack that does this, while maintaining the MW expansion capabilities. I guess the search continues…
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is the ivan too large to use for carry-on luggage? i recently picked one up, and although when loaded it seems to squeeze under the 45″ rule. however for international travel, it seems questionable; if i can’t squeeze the ivan into carry-on, then it rather nullifies the reason i bothered to get a larger backpack.
I’ve travelled extensively with the Ivan and never had a problem or even been questioned.
Besides, if they did question you, you’d just roll it further down and it would fit.
so you’d be fairly comfortable trying to take it on an overseas flight?
I think I’ve hit about 8 different countries with mine, and never had an issue. That includes Japan, Australia and the UK, which are some of the tightest countries around for cabin restrictions.
So yep, for sure
is the ivan too large to use for carry-on luggage? i recently picked one up, and although when loaded it seems to squeeze under the 45″ rule. however for international travel, it seems questionable; if i can’t squeeze the ivan into carry-on, then it rather nullifies the reason i bothered to get a larger backpack.
it’s dumbfounding to imagine that i’ll ever need all of the space of the ivan anyway, despite how much i commute by bike and like to port things, compared to the pawn.
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Looking for a bag to last, need it for a 2 week cycling trip this summer, but also want to use it for an every day carry. Spending so much I want to use it! Would you say the ivan is ridiculous for a bag every day, to big to bulky etc. My current every day is a Chrome mini metro, far to small for anything if tat helps!
I use that size of bag everyday, as I often need to haul stuff to an activity, or to and from work.
Check the MW Fitzroy and R2 also, as they are new additions to the options.