Matador Freefly Packable Duffel Overview

Backside Line

Swedish model Thule made its title as a reliable producer of rooftop cargo bins and hitch-mounted bike racks. Over the previous few years, the model has been making a reputation for itself within the bag house, which incorporates duffels. And the Thule Chasm 40 L is surprisingly practical and comfy to hold, contemplating Thule has solely been crafting hard-wearing luggage for a few years.

However practical and hard-wearing this bag is, and through close-to-home tenting journeys, street journeys round Utah, and hauling bike gear from house to trailhead, it greater than held its personal. The backpack straps have been extra snug than lots of the dozens of different duffels we’ve examined over time, and the huge butterfly opening made packing and procuring clothes and equipment straightforward.

Sturdy supplies and a spotlight to element, like seize deal with wrangling straps, meant there have been by no means extraneous bits of cloth hanging in the way in which. It stood as much as loads of use and abuse within the sizzling Utah summer time. We discovered it a stable choice for all method of journey journey. Thule isn’t the one title within the sport. Take a look at our different high contenders in our information to the most effective duffel luggage.

How We Examined

We examined the Thule Chasm 40L over a number of weeks. We loaded it filled with clothes for tenting journeys, chucked it behind the automobile on street journeys, and loaded it full of motorbike gear we wanted to haul to native trailheads. We let it get soaked, dragged it round grime parking heaps, and tossed it out and in of autos to see the way it carried out.

Carry Consolation

The primary time we loaded up the Thule Chasm duffel with tenting gear and threw it on our backs, we have been truthfully shocked at how snug it was to hold. Although not one of the straps appeared a lot totally different from lots of the different duffels we’ve carted round throughout testing, the shoulder straps particularly have been impressively snug contemplating how easy they seem. 

They’re additionally straightforward to connect by way of a T-bar and webbing loop on the high and a buckle clip on the underside. They don’t stash in a devoted pocket when not in use, however they’re slim sufficient to retailer inside the primary compartment.

There are additionally sturdy seize handles on every finish, which make the bag straightforward to yank out and in of autos or load into overhead compartments. The duffel handles on the highest of the bag don’t dig into our palms, because of a sturdy hand wrap. When not in use, we like that we will snap them right down to the perimeters in order that they don’t get in the way in which or flop round throughout backpack carry. It additionally means they’re much less prone to get caught in equipment when checking the duffel on the airport. Once we carry the bag with these high handles, the duffel’s clean sides maintain any zippers, webbing, or buttons from digging into our legs as we stroll.

If you happen to prefer to sling duffels over your shoulder, this isn’t your bag. The pack straps work in a pinch, although when loosened sufficiently, the webbing isn’t very snug.

Compressibility & Packability

The Thule Chasm options one of many extra distinctive openings of all of the duffels we’ve examined over time. Sadly, it doesn’t add as a lot performance as we hoped, however sufficient to make it attention-grabbing. It has a butterfly-style opening (hinged alongside one lengthy aspect). The zipper opening drops down in a U-shape on one finish to create a extra spacious opening. This enables us to unzip simply that finish and attain contained in the bag to seize strategically packed requirements rapidly and simply as a substitute of getting to unzip the entire lid.

That dropped opening additionally presents fast entry to one of many two inside mesh zipper pockets. We prefer to stash fast seize objects like snacks, books, or handheld bike pumps. Each pockets provide enough room for equipment or separating a couple of soiled objects.

The highest of the bag slants downward at each ends, which we predict solely provides to the cool look. Except for that, the form doesn’t lend itself as effectively to steady stacking behind a car in comparison with extra rectangular luggage.

There are compression straps on the skin of the bag should you don’t have it packed full. However as a result of the outer materials of the duffel is so thick and sturdy, they don’t cinch simply. It’s not unimaginable, it simply takes just a little oompf.

Sturdiness

We dragged the Thule Chasm round a dry campground and throughout a bit of car parking zone to see how the fabric fared. The bag was a bit scuffed from contact with cement and rock, however finally in fine condition. Dust and dirt brush or wipe off simply because of the graceful, sturdy coating. Even on the padded canvas backside, most grime brushes off with ease.

The truth is, we aren’t apprehensive concerning the lifespan of the bag within the least when tossing it on the bottom to load up bike gear or pulling it out and in of autos. We yanked onerous on the handles a number of occasions when the duffel was wedged between different tightly packed gear, and we have been by no means apprehensive that the webbing was going to provide approach.

Zippers, too, are burly, lockable, and by no means gave us grief when making an attempt to get out and in of the duffel.

Climate Resistance

The Chasm duffel is made out of recycled, water resistant materials. Nevertheless, it wasn’t probably the most waterproof bag we examined. When uncovered to heavy rain, it managed to maintain most of our clothes dry, however some water puddled within the backside of the bag. That’s possible resulting from how the zipper is formed: as a result of it curves downward on one finish, it appeared to let extra water seep in by means of the non-waterproof zippers at that time.

The zipper on the outside pocket is waterproof, although, so gear in that pocket stayed dry in a quick downpour. Total, we’re snug leaving the bag exterior briefly drizzles, however attempt to stash it below cowl in additional excessive climate.

Group

The Thule Chasm has three organizational pockets along with the primary compartment. There’s a quick-access pocket exterior and two inside (one in every of which is accessible by way of a aspect zipper when getting into the bag by means of the drop-zipper finish). Each inside pockets are mesh. 

There’s no separate compartment for soiled gear, or one which can be utilized to separate clothes from gear. However one of many pockets on the underside of the lid is giant sufficient for a couple of soiled socks or a pair of path runners or sandals. We respect an under-lid pocket for light-weight objects like hats, socks, or small tenting requirements. Nevertheless, if we load them down with heavier objects, they make the lid a bit unwieldy (and uncomfortable to hold as a backpack).

When trying to find objects, it landed proper in the course of the rating scale, which means it’s solidly common relating to group. If you’re into packing pods, then this isn’t a deal breaker.

Ought to You Purchase the Thule Chasm 40 L Duffel?

The Thule Chasm duffel bag is a modern, hard-wearing choice for tough and tumble adventures. Because of the vary of sizes obtainable (from 30L to 130L), there’s an choice obtainable for each journey.

Its cleverly designed with a wide-mouth opening, easy accessibility on the tip, a couple of strategically positioned organizational pockets, and comfy straps. It’s a wonderful choice for individuals who need just a little construction, comfort, and compressibility however don’t require extreme organizational choices. It’s sturdy, water resistant, and perfect for clothes or gear.

Those that need further organizational instruments, bigger pockets to maintain gear separate, or who discover the dearth of an over-the-shoulder strap a deal breaker could think about one of many different choices we examined and ranked.

What Different Duffels Ought to You Take into account?

Whereas we love our Thule Chasm, it isn’t the one burly sport in “Duffel City.” Take a look at a few of the different stand-out duffels we’ve examined to see what works finest on your journey wants.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Overview: Fabricated from extremely sturdy supplies and with extra giant pockets for cumbersome gear like boots or helmets, this bag remains to be straightforward to pack, loads spacious, and comfy to hold.

Cotopaxi Allpa Duo Overview: One giant important compartment and detachable shoulder straps make it much like the Thule Chasm, however with the addition of a backside zippered compartment for soiled clothes.

Patagonia Black Gap Overview:  For a extra conventional duffel, think about the basic Patagonia Black Gap. The big single opening, restricted pockets, a number of carry choices, and better waterproof ranking make it a stable alternative for a lot of vacationers.