REVIEW – As a teleworker, I tend to wear slip-on loafers around the house. When I head out to do some shopping, get a bite to eat, or take my wife on a date, I prefer to up my game a bit and wear something more comfortable and more stylish. In this review, I’m taking the Chrome Sylvan sneaker for a walk to see how it performs.
⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $120.00
Where to buy: Chrome
What is it?
The Chrome Sylvan is an “urban low top lace-up” sneaker. They are casual shoes that, according to the company motto, are “built to last.”
What’s included?
- One pair of sneakers
- One red sticker with the Chrome logo
Tech Specs
- Color: gray (aka Sage/Gum)
- Size: 10.5
- Weight: 17 ounces each
- Dimensions: 12.25 x 4.25 x 4 inches
The Sylvan is also available in beige (Desert/Cloud) and black (Black/Black) colors and men’s sizes from 4.5 to 13.
Design and Features
The Sylvan is built on a molded cup outsole, a curved, cup-like shape that cradles the upper portion of the shoe and protects the foot. The soles are a rubber compound built by Panaracer, a company known for its bike tires, that is intended to improve their “grip, durability and comfort.”
The upper portion of the shoe is made from suede (durable) and nylon (light and strong). Both the shoe laces and the heel tab are reflective, and there’s an elastic garage on the tongue, a place to tuck in the laces to keep them out of the way. The design of this shoe is both practical and stylish, and I like it a lot.
Assembly, Installation, and Setup
The shoes came pre-laced, so all I had to do was remove them from their packaging and put them on.
Performance
My first impression of these sneakers is that they are very durable. The uppers are made of suede and nylon, and everything is stitched together very carefully. Each part of feels very well made; nothing is flimsy or loose. The laces are strong and exactly the right length. Only time will tell for sure, especially if they get wet, but I suspect these Sylvans are going to hold up for a long time. It’s definitely a much better shoe than some of the no-name brand ones I’ve bought on Amazon.
I chose the Sage/Gum color. The pictures on the website make them appear to be a very light brown color, but they are actually two shades of a light gray with a bit of a soft green accent. I found this color and style to be understated yet attractive. They are the opposite of flashy and ostentatious, which works for me. I think they are perfect for wearing with jeans, chinos, or khakis.
I wore them to a variety of places, such as to our church on a Wednesday night, over to our daughter’s house for dinner and game night, and on a date with my wife to our favorite burger joint and then to Sam’s Club for a little shopping. They are relaxed and casual, and my feet never had a reason to complain.
When it comes to comfort, these sneakers score somewhere above average. They are certainly more comfortable than most dress shoes or boat shoes, but they are not as comfortable as a good pair of hiking or running shoes. I found them to be plenty comfortable for a few hours, but I wouldn’t want to wear them all day on the factory floor or while hiking around a city like London or Paris.
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of purchasing shoes online is that you don’t get to try them on first. For most shoes, I wear a 10.5, so this is what I ordered. I was very pleased to find that they fit me perfectly. Before purchasing from Chrome, you should read through their return policy. If the shoes don’t fit, it appears that you’ll have to pay a $9 charge and the cost to ship them back.
The final question about these shoes is the cost. The Sylvan falls into the premium category for casual sneakers, which are generally in the $100 to $130 price range. I think these shoes belong in this category, and they are definitely worth the price tag. Sure, you can find shoes for lot less, but not with this build quality.
Final Thoughts
The Chrome Sylvan is a pair of low top sneakers designed for urban use. I found them to be true to typical American sizes, very durable, and attractive in a subdued way. They are great for a night out with family and friends whether eating, shopping, walking, or just hanging. I love these shoes, and I highly recommend them to you.
What I like about Chrome Sylvan sneakers
- Durable materials and build
- Casual yet stylish
- Comfortable for a night out
What needs to be improved?
- Nothing
Price: $120.00
Where to buy: Chrome
Source: The sample for this review was provided free of charge by Chrome. Chrome did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
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$45.99 (as of May 25, 2025 05:05 GMT -04:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
