Thule Aion Journey Pack Evaluation

Backside Line

The Thule Aion is a modern and trim backpack that blends the light-weight efficiency of a backpack with the options and group of a suitcase. Whereas minimally featured on the surface, the within of the pack is a distinct story. Its distinctive options and well-thought-out design make it certainly one of our prime journey backpacks.

The Aion’s clamshell-style fundamental compartment makes for straightforward packing and unpacking, and inside compression straps hold gear safe. A detachable TPU-coated bag is included, which is ideal for separating soiled garments or sneakers from clear gear. The padded laptop computer compartment, accessible from the aspect, affords fast entry and stable safety for electronics and is among the largest laptop computer compartments we’ve seen. A number of inside mesh pockets, a hidden valuables pocket, and exterior attachment factors make this bag extremely useful for quite a lot of journeys.

Nonetheless, it’s not an ideal journey backpack. The forty-liter capability suits most airways’ carry-on necessities, however it might really feel a bit cosy for over-packers or prolonged journeys. Though the waxed canvas exterior provides sturdiness and water resistance, it additionally will increase the load, and the fabric scuffs and dirties rapidly. Moreover, the skinny shoulder straps and lack of a waist belt signifies that the pack rapidly turns into uncomfortable with a heavy load.

How We Examined

Each journey backpack examined received put by way of a standardized packing take a look at the place we investigated the group of the bag by packing it with every thing we would have liked for a five-day journey. We carried the bag up and down stairs, by way of airports, and on trails to check its sturdiness, consolation, and efficiency throughout a number of months of use.

Group & Storage

The Thule Aion 40L affords glorious group and storage that blends components of a light-weight backpack with a heavier suitcase. The primary compartment opens clamshell-style, permitting for straightforward packing and entry to your gear. Inside compression straps hold objects safe, whereas a number of mesh pockets assist separate smaller necessities like toiletries or equipment.

One standout characteristic is the detachable TPU-coated bag that’s each water and smell-proof. It’s excellent for isolating soiled garments or muddy sneakers from the remainder of the bag’s contents. The pack additionally has a big laptop computer compartment becoming as much as a 16-inch laptop. It’s rapidly accessed from the aspect. The underside of the lid comes outfitted with a big mesh zip pocket, excellent for stowing garments. The Aion is among the extra organized and largest quantity pure backpacks we examined. Whereas we had been capable of match per week’s price of garments and objects into it, it might lack the amount for longer journeys or these requiring extra gear. General our favourite issues concerning the backpack are its group and its sustainable building.

Options

The Thule Aion is product of fully recycled supplies which might be bluesign licensed sustainable. The waxed canvas and PFC-free DWR coating give this pack glorious climate resistance. It’s excellent for these touring by way of wet environments. Despite the fact that the Aion is easy and modern on the surface, we had been glad that it got here outfitted with an exterior water bottle sleeve – vital for lengthy journey days.

The outside zipper sliders might be locked collectively for added safety and your complete bag is rapidly opened due to its clamshell design. The Thule Aion Sling Bag (bought individually) might be added to function a supportive hip belt and offers additional storage. This backpack could also be easy in options, however the options it does have present nice performance and improve the efficiency of this modern and trim pack.

Consolation & Match

Though some individuals choose a easy and trim pack, the Thule Aion leaves some room for enchancment in relation to its consolation. When full of per week’s price of things, the pack extends removed from the again. This in flip pulls on the comparatively skinny and slender shoulder straps, digging into the neck and shoulders uncomfortably. With none waist belt, there is no such thing as a approach to alleviate any of the load on the shoulders. The general body dimension of the bag runs massive, making the backpack really feel outsized on small torsos. If you happen to’re searching for a bag to hold heavy hundreds, chances are you’ll look elsewhere. The Aion performs finest as a light-weight backpack to hold lighter objects.

Sturdiness & Safety

With 600 denier polyester canvas that’s waxed for added climate resistance, the Thule Aion has glorious safety. It’s constructed to resist brief publicity to rain whereas nonetheless conserving your objects dry. Nonetheless, we discovered that the fabric scuffs and dirties faster than others examined. When uncovered to grime in parking tons and on dusty airport flooring, the material simply held onto grime. 

The laptop computer compartment is effectively padded and enormous sufficient so as to add extra safety by tucking a t-shirt in for additional padding. So far as pure backpacks go, the Thule Aion offers nice sturdiness and safety.

Ought to You Purchase The Thule Aion Journey Pack?

The Thule Aion is a superb weekend bag or carry-on to accompany bigger quantity baggage on an extended journey. Whereas it’s the largest pure backpack-style bag of any in our lineup, we discovered that it doesn’t fairly have sufficient capability for an extended journey. It’s excellent for anybody searching for a modern and reasonably light-weight carry-on or a weekend pack. Nonetheless, with solely a skinny shoulder strap and missing any load tensioners or waistbelt, it rapidly turns into uncomfortable when weighted. It’s not our best choice for lengthy walks, but it surely’s nonetheless light-weight and comfy sufficient for fast journeys.

What Different Journey Backpacks Ought to You Contemplate?

Take a look at our full gear information to see all of our favourite journey backpacks.

Osprey Nebula Evaluation: A barely smaller bag, the Nebula affords a extra streamlined and decrease quantity bag for shorter journeys and day excursions.

Matador GlobeRider45 Evaluation: If you happen to’re searching for a extra supportive backpack, the GloberRider45 has glorious shoulder straps and waistbelt for carrying a heavy load.

Osprey Sojourn Porter 46 Evaluation: One of many burliest and most protecting packs we examined, the Sojourn Porter offers extra quantity if the Aion didn’t have fairly sufficient.