Put away your fixed-gear bike. Jump on a skateboard? Chrome is a bike brand, but this week the company unveiled a boot made for skateboarders, the moto crowd, and flat-pedal cyclists.
The 415 Urban Work Boot is waterproof and sold as having a “sneaker-like” fit.
A steel toe is not included, but there is a padded ankle collar and Cordura or leather upper options. For insulation, the company uses a neoprene membrane that’s breathable and adds warmth.
We got a pair to test. They are good-looking and versatile for everyday wear with a slight punk/bike-messenger aesthetic. For a late-winter day on a bike — slushy, wet, mid-30s — our tester found the boots perfect for a flat-pedal city ride.
The midsole is very flexible — they bend in the hand like a shoe, not a boot. Watch out on ice and muddy terrain, the outsole has no lugs and is almost slick. Our tester spilled on an icy sidewalk in the boots.
Lightweight they are not. But at 18.4 ounces in a men’s size 10 the leather Urban Work Boot is not heavy for what it is (a high-top, durable shoe/boot).
Chrome sells the boots for $120 and up ($150 for the leather version). They come with a 365-day warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
—Amy Oberbroeckling
