Backside Line
The Thule Aion is a glossy 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 one in all our high journey backpacks.
The Aion’s clamshell-style foremost compartment makes for straightforward packing and unpacking, and inside compression straps preserve gear safe. A detachable TPU-coated bag is included, which is ideal for separating soiled garments or footwear from clear gear. The padded laptop computer compartment, accessible from the aspect, gives fast entry and strong safety for electronics and is among the greatest 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 matches most airways’ carry-on necessities, however it could really feel a bit comfortable for over-packers or prolonged journeys. Though the waxed canvas exterior provides sturdiness and water resistance, it additionally will increase the burden, and the fabric scuffs and dirties shortly. Moreover, the skinny shoulder straps and lack of a waist belt implies that the pack shortly turns into uncomfortable with a heavy load.
How We Examined
Each journey backpack examined received put by means of a standardized packing take a look at the place we investigated the group of the bag by packing it with all the pieces we wanted for a five-day journey. We carried the bag up and down stairs, by means of airports, and on trails to check its sturdiness, consolation, and efficiency throughout a number of months of use.
Fast Specs
Thule Aion Journey Pack
Organized and sustainably made backpack
CleverHiker Score:
4.3
Worth:
$200
Quantity:
40 L
Weight:
3 lb. 3 oz.
Dimensions:
20.5 x 13 x 9 in
Professionals
- Glossy design
- Included dry bag
- Water-proof
- sturdy
- Constituted of recycled supplies
Cons
- No waistbelt
- Uncomfortable shoulder straps
Group & Storage
The Thule Aion 40L gives wonderful 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 preserve objects safe, whereas a number of mesh pockets assist separate smaller necessities like toiletries or equipment.
One standout function is the detachable TPU-coated bag that’s each water and smell-proof. It’s excellent for isolating soiled garments or muddy footwear 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 shortly 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 in a position to match every week’s price of garments and objects into it, it could lack the amount for longer journeys or these requiring extra gear. General our favourite issues concerning the backpack are its group and its sustainable development.
Options
The Thule Aion is manufactured from utterly recycled supplies which can be bluesign licensed sustainable. The waxed canvas and PFC-free DWR coating give this pack wonderful climate resistance. It’s excellent for these touring by means of wet environments. Though the Aion is easy and glossy 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 will be locked collectively for added safety and your complete bag is shortly opened due to its clamshell design. The Thule Aion Sling Bag (bought individually) will 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 glossy and trim pack.
Consolation & Match
Though some folks choose a easy and trim pack, the Thule Aion leaves some room for enchancment in terms of its consolation. When filled with every week’s price of things, the pack extends removed from the again. This in flip pulls on the comparatively skinny and slim shoulder straps, digging into the neck and shoulders uncomfortably. With none waist belt, there isn’t a option to alleviate any of the burden on the shoulders. The general body measurement of the bag runs giant, making the backpack really feel outsized on small torsos. Should you’re on the lookout for a bag to hold heavy masses, it’s possible you’ll look elsewhere. The Aion performs greatest 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 wonderful safety. It’s constructed to face up to brief publicity to rain whereas nonetheless protecting your objects dry. Nevertheless, we discovered that the fabric scuffs and dirties faster than others examined. When uncovered to dust in parking heaps and on dusty airport flooring, the material simply held onto grime.
The laptop computer compartment is effectively padded and huge sufficient so as to add extra safety by tucking a t-shirt in for further 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 good 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 on the lookout for a glossy and reasonably light-weight carry-on or a weekend pack. Nevertheless, with solely a skinny shoulder strap and missing any load tensioners or waistbelt, it shortly turns into uncomfortable when weighted. It’s not our best choice for lengthy walks, however it’s nonetheless light-weight and cozy 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 Overview: A barely smaller bag, the Nebula gives a extra streamlined and decrease quantity bag for shorter journeys and day excursions.
Matador GlobeRider45 Overview: Should you’re on the lookout for a extra supportive backpack, the GloberRider45 has wonderful shoulder straps and waistbelt for carrying a heavy load.
Osprey Sojourn Porter 46 Overview: One of many burliest and most protecting packs we examined, the Sojourn Porter offers extra quantity if the Aion didn’t have fairly sufficient.
