Chums Review

In partnership with Chums

About Chums

Chums is a decades-old American company that creates often-overlooked but indispensable items for camping and outdoor exploration. Their inventory isn’t stacked with tents or fire starters, but smaller goods with essential functions. They produce lanyards, eyewear retainers, and bags, among other objects. 

Starting in 1983 with only a sewing machine in the back of a van, Chums have expanded and collaborated with the likes of Swatch. Their products remain affordable and applicable. You won’t find anything on their site that will make you scoff at the price. What you will find are items that exude durability, practicality, and user-friendly designs. 

The brand’s focus on creating accessories that cater to the needs of outdoor enthusiasts has earned it a loyal following among individuals who enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits.

But are they right for you? Keep reading my Chums review to find out, as I’ll look into their best-sellers, features, product variety, and more. I’ll begin by covering Chums’ highlights. 

Highlights

• Security: Chums products are designed to securely hold and protect valuable items, preventing them from getting lost during outdoor activities.
• Convenience: Chums accessories make it easy to keep essentials like eyeglasses, sunglasses, keys, and small gear items accessible without the need to dig through bags or pockets.
• Durability: Chums products are often made from durable materials like neoprene, nylon, and high-quality plastics, ensuring they can withstand the rigors of outdoor adventures.
• Variety: The brand offers a wide range of products, from eyewear retainers to waterproof pouches, giving customers options to choose the accessories that best suit their needs.
• Customization: Many Chums products come with adjustable features like loops and clips, allowing users to customize the fit and attachment of their accessories.
• Innovation: Chums is known for its innovative designs that cater to the specific needs of outdoor enthusiasts, such as gear tethers and waterproof cases.
• Affordability: Chums products are often reasonably priced, making them accessible to a broad range of outdoor enthusiasts.

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Our mission is to help you make better, more informed purchase decisions. 

Our team spends hours researching, consulting with medical experts, gathering insight from expert professionals, reviewing customer feedback, and analyzing products to provide you with the information you need.

Product Variety

• Wallets and Pouches: Chums produces wallets and pouches designed to keep small items like keys, money, and ID cards safe and accessible during outdoor activities.
• Lanyards and Keychains: Chums offers lanyards and keychains that can be attached to gear, clothing, or accessories to prevent them from getting lost.
• Outdoor Gear Attachments: The brand’s gear attachments include products like camera straps, gear tethers, and equipment leashes, which are designed to keep outdoor gear secure and within reach.
• Wristbands: Chums’ wristbands are often designed to hold items like keys, tools, or small accessories while offering easy access.
• Waterproof Accessories: Chums also provides waterproof pouches and cases designed to keep items like smartphones, passports, and maps dry during water-based activities.

4 Best-Selling Chums Products 

As stated earlier, Chums’ catalog is quite diverse outside of their marquee retainers. Most people are already well-acquainted with the high standards of those products, so I won’t look at them here. Instead, I’ll tell you about Chums’ other 4 best-selling items which you might find useful if you want to protect your phone or wallet. 

Chums Surfshorts Wallet Review

George Costanza’s wallet dilemma from Seinfeld’s “The Reverse Peephole” episode drove tons of men away from overstuffing their wallets and realizing that sometimes, good things do come in small packages. You won’t find a smaller package to carry your essential items that’s more good (wow, sorry about that joke) than the Chums Surfshorts Wallet.

This perpetually-popular product only measures 4.5” by 3” and can clip onto your belt via the disappearing key ring. Its small stature and portability force you to carry only what you need to survive. If you’d prefer to keep it safe within your pockets then you can slide the Chums Surfshorts Wallet right into them and rest easy that it won’t bulge. 

This wallet is made from rip-stop nylon to prevent stretching and potentially distressing. It has two zipper pockets designed to hold flat items like cash and cards. Additionally, it boasts an outside window where you can store your ID behind for quick access. 

The Chums Surfshorts Wallet is available in a dozen colorways for $12, though you can pick it up on sale for $10.

Customers say: “My daily carry for cash, cards and license/insurance cards. I also use these wallets in each of our vehicles for vehicle registration card and proof of insurance card. The bright colors make then very easy to find. Still carrying my first Chums surfer wallet after 13 years and it’s STILL in great condition. Fits easily into a shirt pocket or front pocket of shorts.”

Chums Trail Dawg Review

The next item in my Chums review directly improves your ability to support a man’s best friend. The Chums Trail Dawg is a waist pack–or fanny pack, or bum bag, depending on where you live–made from rip-stop nylon to carry all the goodies and essentials your dog needs on the trails. 

This bag has two water bottle holders (one for you and one for your dog), a pocket dedicated to treats, and a proprietary dog bowl that folds up into the bag. For your benefit, it also includes a sleeve that allows you to touch your phone without having to remove it. 

The Chums Trail Dawg flaunts a versatile strap that can stretch from 20” to 40”. It’s coated with a DWR water-resistant finish for extra protection. Its regular price is $35, but it’s on sale now for a 20% discount, coming in at only $28.

Customers say: “This bag has been the perfect solution. Overall, the construction feels very durable, it wears very comfortably on the trail, has ample room for our human snacks and we can always keep the dogs happy, safe and cool no matter where we are.”

Chums Floating Phone Protector Review

Everyone fears water when they’re on their phone, but the Chums Floating Phone Protector completely removes that fear. Available in more than 14 fun colorways, this floating bag can keep your phone safe from all forms of water damage. It has a permeable screen that allows you to use your phone while it’s kept safe. 

The Chums Floating Phone Protector can fit most modern phones. It has welded seams to keep water from penetrating it and a waterproof closure for extra protection. It also has a removable lanyard so you can keep your phone around your neck if you’re going swimming or rafting. 

You can pick up this phone protector for only $20.

Customers say: “I got this to be able to take my phone with me paddling without stressing. Realized it is also great for using around the house when I am doing yardwork. I can set my phone near me and not worry about rain or splashed around the pool. Why didn’t I get this earlier?”

Chums Floating Neo Review

I know I said earlier in my Chums review that I wouldn’t talk about their retainers, but I can’t help myself. The Chums Floating Neo can help sunglasses or regular glasses that weigh up to 35 grams float atop the water, meaning you shouldn’t lose them if you hop in the pool.

This retainer uses closed-cell flotation technology so that it won’t get waterlogged. It comes in one of four colors (black, yellow, green, and orange) for only $10.

Customers say: “Love it. Secure fit and not bulky at all… sure not to lose my favorites on the water. I love the neon orange. Also, I received my order super fast! Thanks everyone!”

Who Is Chums For? 

Due to the variety of their catalog, Chums’ products are for anybody who likes spending time outside. The activity doesn’t matter too much, since many of their products are just as good for hiking as they are for swimming, climbing, or rafting. 

Chums Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

If you want to conduct your own research outside the parameters of my Chums review, make sure you distinguish which Chums you’re trying to investigate. There’s a UK company also named Chums who have horrible customer review scores, but they’re not the same company as the Chums that’s featured in my review. 

The best place to find Chums reviews was on Amazon as there weren’t many third-party websites that hosted customer testimonials. These were the few I could find:

• Birdeye: 4.4/5 stars based on more than 65 pieces of customer feedback
• Knoji: 4/5 stars based on more than 20 pieces of customer feedback

And here are the overall scores for the items included in my Chums review, courtesy of the company’s website as of August 2023. 

1. Chums Trail Dawg: 5/5 stars based on two pieces of customer feedback
2. Chums Surfshorts Wallet: 4.5/5 stars based on more than 175 pieces of customer feedback
3. Chums Floating Phone Protector: 4.5/5 stars based on over 10 customer reviews
4. Chums Floating Neo: 4/5 stars based on 9 customer reviews
   

As I said, the best place for honest customer reception was Amazon, and most shoppers on that site were quite satisfied with Chums. For instance, here’s what one wrote about the Chums Bandit Bi-Fold Wallet.

“I been using other brands of small pouch wallet for biking but always not satisfied. That was until I found the champs wallet this is well made very nice looking and extremely convenient to out my license and my card or cash when I go out in my road bike or MTB I can’t fell it in my Jersey pocket. So for all those cyclist 🚴‍♀️ out there looking for a nice wallet exclusively made and thinking on us, look no more this is what you need.”

Most Chums reviews read like this – praising the products for their durability and affordability. Their small size was considered a positive as it meant they weighed less and thus were easier to carry. 

Another Amazon shopper wrote, “I can’t find a smaller wallet on the market that still performs all the functions I need — carry 5 cards and receipts (or cash, if that’s your thing). This little thing is durable, reversable, and looks good! It stands up well to plenty of punishment.”

Those who wrote reviews were Chums products were minimalists who were searching for the simplest solutions to their problems. Nearly all of Chums’ items met their needs due to how small and useful they were. Plus, most of them lasted customers for years. This longevity earned Chums more customers, as they figured if one product survived for so long, all their products would as well. And, for the most part, they were right. 

In the event that something did happen to a Chums customer and their purchase, the company was quick to respond and help them. Here’s a testimonial from the brand’s website that mentions how willing Chums were to help their supporters:

“Outstanding Customer Service, As a Motorcyclist and I use the Surfshorts wallet more than once a day. This wallet does it all and has great features. Been using the Surfshorts for at least 15 years. The wallet takes a beating and occasionally there is a tear or break in the zipper. Chums has replaced at least 2x without question. Great product with great customer service. “

In summary, Chums earned rave reviews from their customers for the durability and utility of their products. The only real complaint I read in user reviews was that the colors weren’t always to some people’s liking, but this is a nitpick if anything. 

Is Chums Legit?

Based on the number of Chums reviews that praised the brand’s customer service, plus their long history in the business, there’s no reason to believe that Chums aren’t legit. 

Is Chums Worth It?

There’s no reason not to shop at Chums. Their reputation speaks for themselves, with their incredible prices and astounding customer reception proving that these products are worthwhile for anyone who likes to spend time outside. 

Chums Promotions & Discounts 

Chums offers free US shipping on all orders over $15. Considering how affordable their products are, this is a great deal, since you can fill up your cart and easily surpass that $15 threshold without breaking the bank.

Where To Buy Chums

You can pick up any of the items listed in my Chums review from the brand’s website, www.chums.com, or Amazon. 

FAQ

Who owns Chums?

Founder Graham Rubin’s sons Adam and Josh Rubin continue to oversee operations in 2023. 

What is Chum’s Shipping Policy?

All standard Chums orders as shipped via USPS in around 2 to 5 business days. Chums offers free standard shipping for orders over $15. They also offer 2nd Day Air and Next Day Air Shipping, for an additional fee. 

What is Chum’s Returns Policy?

Chums provides a 60-day return window for all items. Customers can either receive a refund or an exchange. They’ll ship any exchanged products to customers via free ground shipping. 

How To Contact Chums

For any further information on topics not included in my Chums review, contact the company at (800) 222-2486 or via email: [email protected].

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