Backside Line
The Thule Aion is a smooth 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 considered one of our prime journey backpacks.
The Aion’s clamshell-style predominant compartment makes for simple packing and unpacking, and inside compression straps maintain 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 facet, affords fast entry and strong safety for electronics and is without doubt one of 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 a wide range of journeys.
Nonetheless, it’s not an ideal journey backpack. The forty-liter capability suits most airways’ carry-on necessities, however it could 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 burden, and the fabric scuffs and dirties shortly. Moreover, the skinny shoulder straps and lack of a waist belt signifies that the pack shortly turns into uncomfortable with a heavy load.
How We Examined
Each journey backpack examined obtained put via a standardized packing check 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, via 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
- Modern design
- Included dry bag
- Water-proof
- sturdy
- Constructed from recycled supplies
Cons
- No waistbelt
- Uncomfortable shoulder straps
Group & Storage
The Thule Aion 40L affords glorious group and storage that blends parts of a light-weight backpack with a heavier suitcase. The principle compartment opens clamshell-style, permitting for simple packing and entry to your gear. Inside compression straps maintain gadgets 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 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 facet. The underside of the lid comes geared up with a big mesh zip pocket, excellent for stowing garments. The Aion is without doubt one of the extra organized and largest quantity pure backpacks we examined. Whereas we have been in a position to match per week’s value of garments and gadgets into it, it could lack the quantity 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 made from utterly recycled supplies which are bluesign licensed sustainable. The waxed canvas and PFC-free DWR coating give this pack glorious climate resistance. It’s excellent for these touring via wet environments. Despite the fact that the Aion is easy and smooth on the surface, we have been pleased that it got here geared up with an exterior water bottle sleeve – a must have for lengthy journey days.
The outside zipper sliders will be locked collectively for added safety and all the 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 smooth and trim pack.
Consolation & Match
Though some individuals choose a easy and trim pack, the Thule Aion leaves some room for enchancment in the case of its consolation. When filled with per week’s value 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 burden on the shoulders. The general body measurement of the bag runs massive, making the backpack really feel outsized on small torsos. For those who’re on the lookout 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 gadgets.
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 quick publicity to rain whereas nonetheless holding your gadgets dry. Nevertheless, we discovered that the fabric scuffs and dirties faster than others examined. When uncovered to filth in parking tons and on dusty airport flooring, the material simply held onto grime.
The laptop computer compartment is nicely padded and enormous 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 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 on the lookout for a smooth 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, but it surely’s nonetheless light-weight and cozy sufficient for fast journeys.
What Different Journey Backpacks Ought to You Contemplate?
Try our full gear information to see all of our favourite journey backpacks.
Osprey Nebula Overview: A barely smaller bag, the Nebula affords a extra streamlined and decrease quantity bag for shorter journeys and day excursions.
Matador GlobeRider45 Overview: For those who’re on the lookout for a extra supportive backpack, the GloberRider45 has glorious 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.
