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review

Chrome Large Phone Pouch

8
£25.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Simple, tough and secure pouch that attaches to bag straps to keep your phone close to hand
Easy and secure attachment to bag straps
Quality construction
Hefty
Slightly snug fit for bigger phones
No on-bike attachment
Weight: 
94g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Chrome's Large Phone Pouch is a sturdy bit of kit that will keep your phone securely close to hand. By Chrome's standards it's fairly straightforward, but it's well made and hard to fault.

Chrome Industries makes some unusual bits of kit. In recent months I've tested the Kojak Convertible trench coat that turns into a trucker jacket and bum bag, and I've been using the Yalta 3.0 roll-top rucksack that also behaves as courier bag and detachable tote (review to come). So, I was hoping its Large Phone Pouch would double up as a puncture repair kit or perhaps conceal a hidden picnic set or something.

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Sadly, that's not the case. This is simply a really well-made, sturdy phone pouch that can be easily attached to a variety of bags and packs. (Although, please note, this is not an on-bike pouch that can be mounted to stem or handlebar.)

In terms of attaching, there are two horizontally-opening Velcro flaps at the back for mounting on vertical straps such as rucksack shoulders…

2020 Chrome Large Phone Pouch - back.jpg

Then under the Velcro flaps there's also a belt loop, meaning this little baby can happily sit alongside a survivalist's six D-cell Maglite, nightstick, pepper spray and over-laden key chain.

2020 Chrome Large Phone Pouch - velcro strap.jpg

Indeed, for people with SWAT-ish tendencies, the pouch is made from thick 1050d black ballistic nylon, which lends a certain military je ne sais quoi. While, for people with less exacting lock-opening requirements, the pouch also comes with its own keyring and elastic strap to keep keys from jingling about too much.

The sides of the pouch are entirely elasticated, meaning it'll stretch to accommodate your phone, although quite how large a phone this 'Large Phone Pouch' will hold is questionable. I have an iPhone XR and fitting is secure to snug; Chrome says it'll manage up to an iPhone XS Max.

2020 Chrome Large Phone Pouch - open.jpg

Because of that elasticity, the side aren't waterproof but the front and rear facings have a rubberised liner to stop rain getting through. The same is true for the top opening flap, which also features a substantial reflective panel to help keep you visible at night.

Value and conclusion

What can you get for £25 these days? Well, £15 will get you the nifty camo-flavoured Muc-Off Essentials case, but that's not at all waterproof and doesn't feature quite the same level of security as the Chrome kit. Meanwhile, for £35 you could have Altuvita's Elements Case, but we were far from impressed by its performance.

> Ride essentials: 10 things to carry with you every ride

So, with that in mind, I feel the Chrome Large Phone Pouch is actually pretty decent value. It's simple, very well made and offers your phone a fair bit of secure protection while keeping it close to hand. And if you attach it to the shoulder straps of your rucksack, it even allows you to make believe you're a cycle courier.

Verdict

Simple, tough and secure pouch that attaches to bag straps to keep your phone close to hand

road.cc test report

Make and model: Chrome Large Phone Pouch

Size tested: Large

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Chrome's Large Phone Pouch is a pouch to hold phones, of the large variety.

Chrome says: "Super sturdy Large Phone Pouch that fits almost any phone (up to XS Max.) Elastic gussets inside make sure that phones of any size are secure in the pouch. Reflective hits on the front keep you visible at night. Simple. Functional. Tough as nails."

It's hard to disagree with any of that.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Chrome lists:

Reflective front panel for visibility

Bottom mounted key ring

Elastic gussets inside keep any phone secure

1050d Ballistic nylon construction

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
10/10

Superbly made.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Does what it sets out to do without issue.

Rate the product for durability:
 
10/10

As tough as any product you're likely to find.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
6/10

It's a phone pouch, so it's hardly going to be millstone heavy, but it's not featherlight.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Good value considering the quality of its construction. In comparison, the Muc-Off Essentials case is £15, while the Altuvita's Elements Case is £35.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well – it holds a phone safely and securely.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Construction – it's very tough.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Although a small item, it's still quite bulky. Also, if there was some way it could be securely attached to the stem or handlebar, that would be a great added extra.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

At first it looks a bit pricey – £15 will get you the nifty camo-flavoured Muc-Off Essentials case – but that's not at all waterproof and doesn't feature quite the same level of security as the Chrome kit. Meanwhile, for £35 you could have Altuvita's Elements Case, but we were far from impressed by its performance.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

This a very well-made pouch that will keep your phone easily accessible. It is a little hefty – but in return you get super-tough construction.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 39  Height: 6'0  Weight: 16 stone

I usually ride: Islabikes Beinn 29  My best bike is: 25-year-old Dawes Galaxy

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb, Leisure

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