Matador Freefly Packable Duffel Overview

Backside Line

Swedish model Thule made its identify as a reliable producer of rooftop cargo bins and hitch-mounted bike racks. Over the previous couple of 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 purposeful and comfy to hold, contemplating Thule has solely been crafting hard-wearing luggage for a few years.

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

Sturdy supplies and a focus 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 scorching Utah summer time. We discovered it a stable possibility for all method of journey journey. Thule isn’t the one identify within the sport. Take a look at our different prime contenders in our information to one of the best duffel luggage.

How We Examined

We examined the Thule Chasm 40L over a number of weeks. We loaded it stuffed with clothes for tenting journeys, chucked it behind the automotive on highway journeys, and loaded it full of motorcycle gear we would have liked to haul to native trailheads. We let it get soaked, dragged it round filth 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 most 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 through a T-bar and webbing loop on the prime 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, due to a sturdy hand wrap. When not in use, we like that we are able to snap them right down to the edges so that they don’t get in the way in which or flop round throughout backpack carry. It additionally means they’re much less more likely to get caught in equipment when checking the duffel on the airport. After we carry the bag with these prime handles, the duffel’s clean sides hold any zippers, webbing, or buttons from digging into our legs as we stroll.

Should you 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 fascinating. It has a butterfly-style opening (hinged alongside one lengthy facet). 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 shortly and simply as a substitute of getting to unzip the entire lid.

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

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

There are compression straps on the surface of the bag when 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 inconceivable, it simply takes a bit of 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 good condition. Grime and dust brush or wipe off simply due to the sleek, sturdy coating. Even on the padded canvas backside, most filth brushes off with ease.

In actual fact, we aren’t apprehensive in regards to 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 exhausting 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 offer means.

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, waterproof 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 probably 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 short downpour. Total, we’re snug leaving the bag outdoors 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 outdoors and two inside (one in all which is accessible through a facet 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 massive sufficient for a couple of soiled socks or a pair of path runners or sandals. We admire an under-lid pocket for light-weight gadgets like hats, socks, or small tenting requirements. Nevertheless, if we load them down with heavier gadgets, they make the lid a bit unwieldy (and uncomfortable to hold as a backpack).

When looking for gadgets, it landed proper in the course of the rating scale, that means it’s solidly common in the case of 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 smooth, hard-wearing possibility for tough and tumble adventures. Because of the vary of sizes accessible (from 30L to 130L), there’s an possibility accessible for each journey.

Its cleverly designed with a wide-mouth opening, quick access on the tip, a couple of strategically positioned organizational pockets, and comfy straps. It’s a wonderful possibility for many who need a bit of construction, comfort, and compressibility however don’t require extreme organizational choices. It’s sturdy, waterproof, and best for clothes or gear.

Those that want additional organizational instruments, bigger pockets to maintain gear separate, or who discover the shortage of an over-the-shoulder strap a deal breaker might contemplate 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 number of the different stand-out duffels we’ve examined to see what works greatest in your journey wants.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Overview: Product of extremely sturdy supplies and with extra massive pockets for cumbersome gear like boots or helmets, this bag continues to be straightforward to pack, a lot spacious, and comfy to hold.

Cotopaxi Allpa Duo Overview: One massive most 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, contemplate the traditional Patagonia Black Gap. The massive single opening, restricted pockets, a number of carry choices, and better waterproof ranking make it a stable selection for a lot of vacationers.