Bag Profile: Chrome Buran

This is one of the other top contenders for One Bag, One Month. The Chrome Buran is Chrome's entry into the high end laptop messenger market. Designed to contend with such bags as the Timbuk2 D-Lux Messenger, the Buran's unique sell is that it combines the ergonomics of Chrome's medium size Citizen messenger bag with an integrated laptop sleeve and more substantial pockets, making it slightly more suitable for a business/professional setting. At the same time, however, Chrome strives to maintain the solid rideability of the Buran.

A thing to note about the Buran is that has been revised once without a name change. The older Buran had a different laptop sleeve location, a convertible strap pad, no seatbelt buckle release, and some other small changes. After receiving negative feedback about the aforementioned properties, Chrome released a revision of the Buran (aptly referred to by some stores as the Buran II). This revision is what I have.

The first version of the Chrome Buran

The Buran's unique feature is its integrated laptop sleeve. It takes a more traditional approach to laptop storage, offering a fairly well padded zipped sleeve mounted against the back wall. This is in contrast to the first Buran, which placed the sleeve against the front wall, which is identical to the placement of the laptop sleeve retaining straps on Chromes newer Buckle Bags.

The Buran's shape is also slightly different than the Citizen buckle bag. Whereas the Citizen can be described as a trapezoid in shape, the Buran is far more rectangular. For some reason, I find that it looks more professional. However, the disadvantage of this shape is that it creates a more "boxy" sensation when filled, whereas the Citizen always felt a little more tight on the back.

Chrome also added a significant selection of pockets to the Buran, solidly placing it as a "business bag". There are two front cargo pockets (although they are not accessible with the main compartment closed, as Mission Workshop bags are), as well as a compartment for pens and small stationery. The latter pocket is somewhat concealed and excessively flat, which limits its utility as a place for quick access objects. The cargo pockets in the front are plenty large and slightly 3d, so they hold a good amount of stuff.

The buckles on the Buran are all fairly high quality. There is noticeable play in the main seat belt buckle, which is slightly disconcerting. I have not noticed this on any other Chrome bags. Of note are the buckles that secure the flap down. They are actually located under the strap, not over it as they are on buckle bags.

The revision of the Buran. Note the buckle placement.

The Buran's great strength is its scalability. It is a very rigid bag by itself, and more so when the laptop sleeve is filled with some books or other flat objects. It has absolutely no problem carrying small loads. The footprint is basically the same as when it carries larger loads. Although some (myself included) may find the boxy profile somewhat uncomfortable, it is terrific at scaling to loads.

I have my personal reservations about the Buran. It is a great bag on paper. It has the complexity to keep me interested, and the build quality is, of course, second to none. However, as it is executed, it seems ill-equipped for the way that I intend to use it for One Bag, One Month. I rarely, if ever, carry a laptop or many other flat hard objects. I tend to carry softer things, like my bike shoes and extra clothes. Furthermore, the slightly boxy profile does bug me a bit, although I can't quite explain why. If I ever had a cushy job that required me to carry lots of papers and a laptop and commute using a city bike in a flat area, then the Buran would probably be my first choice.