REVIEW – I’m having an existential crisis! Are shoes a gadget? Gadgets are defined as small mechanical or electronic devices or tools, especially an ingenious or novel one. I mean, I guess shoes could be considered a tool that helps us carry on with our lives in comfort and style while protecting our feet from the elements and the random wad of gum spat out onto the hot asphalt waiting for us to step in it and string it along behind us. Regardless of said dilemma, I bring to you a pair of shoes that can provide said protection with comfort and style, the Chrome Boyer. So for the sake of the argument and the fact that this is the Gadgeteer, shoes will be considered a gadget for the remainder of this review.
⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $95
Where to buy: Chrome Industries
What is it?
The Chrome Boyer is a pair of shoes with a Panaracer molded cup sole, water-resistant Nylon canvas uppers, and scuff guards.
What’s included?
- A left and right Chrome Boyer in a single box, sold as a set, not separately
- A Chrome sticker
Tech specs
• Durable nylon canvas upper with PU scuff guard
• Panaracer molded cup sole is lightweight & flexible
• Reflective logo on heel pull adds visibility at night
• Comfortable, removable insole
• Vegan materials and construction
• Standard sizing fits most customers, medium width
• Sold in Men’s sizes with Women’s size equivalents
Design and features
The Chrome Boyers have a classic slip-on sneaker look. When I first saw them, I thought of Vans sneakers, and that’s a good thing. It’s a stylish look that conveys utility and comfort.
Being slip-ons, they’re also convenient. Ain’t nobody got time for laces. What are we, neanderthals?!
Chrome lists Boyer’s molded cup sole as Panaracer. I had no idea what that meant, but according to Chrome, Panaracer is a company well known in cycling for their durable rubber tires. So, the two companies collaborated to bring Panaracer’s rubber compound to Chrome’s shoes.
The upper is made of nylon canvas, which is both durable and somewhat water-resistant. The occasional splash or light rain shouldn’t be an issue as you make your way on any of your shoe-related travels. And all the materials used to make the Chrome Boyer are vegan so you won’t feel guilty when eating them. Just kidding. Don’t eat shoes. Ever.
Performance
The Chrome Boyer slip-ons are convenient, to say the least. I live in NW Florida, which has very sandy soil. I don’t care how vigilant you are, you will be tracking in sand. So, if you have carpet, you know what a mess that creates. My family and I moved into a home with carpet, so the decision was made to take our shoes off at the door. Keeping the Chrome Boyer slip-ons by the front door is the perfect solution for me to get out the door quickly. Just slip ’em on and I’m out.
They’re comfy too. The nylon canvas is stiff enough to maintain its shape without constricting movement. The Panaracer rubber soles and removable insoles are great for running around town (not literally running, I only run when something bigger than me is chasing me) or walking the dog. The other great thing about the materials used is that they’re easy to clean. When they got dirty, I just took a damp cloth, gave them a quick wipe down, and they were as good as new.
Final thoughts
The Chrome Boyer sneakers are a good pair of shoes and look good as well. The sticking point some may have with them may be the price. They are more expensive than other options out there, but Chrome Industries is an American company that started in a garage in Colorado. The materials used are vegan, so no guilt if that sort of thing is important to you. I wear them daily now, so it’ll be interesting to see how they fare in the days to come. Chrome has several other products as well, including not just other shoes, but clothing and bags. Go check them out, whether you believe shoes are a gadget or not.
What I like about Chrome Boyer
- Stylish
- Convienent
- I believe they’re built to last
What needs to be improved?
- Nothing
Price: $95
Where to buy: Chrome Industries
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Chrome Industries. Chrome Industries did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
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$44.97 (as of June 19, 2025 08:23 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.)
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$95 is not out of line for a good pair of ‘slip in’ shoes. I started wearing Skechers a few years ago after my hip surgery, and the prices for those are comparable, caveat being I get discounts for ‘points’ collected for purchases and the Skechers store has frequent ‘BOGO 1/2 price’ sales. But I’m always on the lookout for comfortable options.