Be the first to get our new guides & reviews. If you are looking for something you can use across the board then this pack is a steal. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We decided to investigate. You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. Copyright Sidetracked Ltd 2010-2022. Duraflex plastic hardware is built to last, so we know this roll-top won't be failing us any time soon. Looking for a backpack that serves as a travel bag and EDC pack? Pack Hacker is reader-supported. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The bucket-style main compartment is big and deep and requires packing cubes for organization. The roll top handle works great nine times out of ten, but when the bag is full it can be hard to grab a hold of. Inside, the duffle is expansive. The mesh pockets inside are showing some pretty bad wear and tear. Zippered side pocket for water bottle or other small items. For added security the roll top has a magnetic closure, which is simple and works well. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Inside the bag, I had a computer, phone, drone, and a camera, as well as three magazines, three books, and a notebook all easily swallowed by the main pocket and a large front opening. Now onto that laptop compartment we mentioned earlier. The latest news, stories, adventure kit and inspiration delivered to your inbox weekly. As we mentioned before, the Thule Subterra is a really streamlined backpackyou wont find any crazy external components on this thing, but they have the essentials locked down. Its just cosmetic for now, and fortunately, its not visible when this bag is on your back. These pockets offer the perfect amount of organization for anything you might need quick access to while traveling but it's important to note that this pocket is an easy target for pickpockets. While the top is shielded with insulation, the bottom half of the bag is a moulded polycarbonate back panel. The back panel on the Thule Subterra 34L is nicely padded but doesnt offer much in the form fitting departmentits pretty much just a flat panel. Once you have enabled JavaScript, please refresh (or "reload") this page. Enter Code FIRSTTIME10 At Checkout And Receive a 10% Discount On Your First Purchase. With a large bucket-style main compartment and a more organized front pocket, the minimal. And with Thule's commitment to quality construction and functionality, you'll enjoy using their gear for years to come. Thule offers a seemingly decent warranty as well. Unfortunately it's easy for your belongings to get lost in the large main compartment, even with the included packing cube. But rest assured, we've done the research (so you don't have to) to make sure this piece is awesome. We'll use our expertise to guide you with unbiased advice, suggesting what you need for your particular trip. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. From commuter bag to carry-on, it proves to be very versatile. The laptop compartment was not sewn properly and left some of the protective foam exposed. Thule chose to make the inside of the Subterra very bright, no matter what color outside you choose, to ensure that you can see your belongings clearly. First Time Shopping With Us? Were testing the dark shadow color and weve really been enjoying the contrasting neon green interior. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The expandable zippered side pocket is ideal for stashing a water bottle or other quick-access items, and the passthrough strap makes it easy to secure the bag to rolling luggage handles. The Thule Subterra is offered in 30 and 34 liters. The bag doesnt have a strap hideaway system, making it even more important that they dont stick out or get in the way when not in use. Theres plenty of room and you will find access to the laptop compartment here via a velcro opening. JavaScript settings can usually be found in your browser's Tools or Preferences menu. Can a company that started off making roof racks transition to making great travel backpacks? Lastly, we love a discrete carry handle, but the top handle on the Thule is so discreet that if your bag is heavily packed, it's difficult to grab. The heavily padded interior ensures that your belongings are safe and the roll-top helps keep moisture out of the main compartment. And speaking of weight distribution, this pack is also void of load lifters. We did not have any issues with the Subterra, other than the fact that our first pack came with a defect. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. And there's no need to rummage for smaller items thanks to the front organizer panel, with a PowerPocket to manage cords if you're charging devices on the go with a mobile charger. The Thule Subterra 34L does have a side handle as well, but only one. A big thumbs up from us. Your current browser is no longer supported on llbean.com. Consider us at TripQuipmentyour before the trip tour guides! Theres a large soft pouch at the back which is perfect for tablets, phones, anything really. With us we had cameras and drones, laptops and phones, passports and insurance documents, clothes for the mountains and clothes for the desert. Thule's bestselling Subterra luggage collection is designed for maximum versatility and ruggedly built for the rigors of the road. Something went wrong. Keep in mind that when this bag is full to the top, youre not going to be able to access itbut dont worry, there is another way to access itwell get to that in a bit. Because this pack opens up bucket-style to a very large main compartment, packing cubes are a necessity. Its not a big problem and it does help with the aesthetic of the bag, but just something to be aware off. The shoulder straps on this thing are made of perforated EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate) foam with a mesh covering, which obviously makes them soft yet durablebecause we all know what Ethylene-vinyl acetate is and definitely didnt have to Google it, right? Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. Well be testing the Thule Subterra Travel Backpack 34L from their Subterra rangedescribed by Thule as Stylish, versatile and built to last, the Thule Subterra collection offers luggage, backpacks, laptop bags and sleeves that help you put together a great look for your travels. The Subterra 34L is a dual purpose pack that can function as a travel bag or everyday backpack. The design is certainly sleek and eye-catching. Get access to brief summaries of our reviews so you can browse and make decisions more efficiently. The other half is also accessible from the top. Urban and outdoor backpacks, luggage, camera bags, tech cases, cycling bags, car racks, bike trailers and more ensure all aspects of your carry game are covered. Hopefully theyll remain usable but well wait and see. Carryology delivered. As you assemble your hardware, configurable options may change or become unavailable. Sidetracked | Adventure Travel Inspired. How can we improve GearLab? Love the look of this pack, the roll top works really well. And thats really my overriding comment on these bags: they just feel quality. This pack is a great value. Weve been testing the Thule Subterra for three months now. There is no hip belt or option for one. Its very well padded on the front and back, so you can be sure your laptop will be safe. Details, L.L.Bean is a registered trademark of L.L.Bean Inc. Moving onto the front compartment, youll find some really useful pockets. They experienced extreme cold in a planes hold and were left in an RV in the hottest place on Earth. Like much of the new Subterra range (including the Thule Subterra Carry-On 55cm weve tested), one half of the pack is zipped off as a separate section, useful for dirty clothes and to ease closing it. The bucket style main compartment requires packing cubes for organization, so be sure to take that into account if you are looking for an extra light pack. Get your questions about the Thule Subterra 34L answered from our team and the Pro Community right here on the page. We use cookies to provide you with the best possible experience. Now its time to unroll that roll top and check out whats going on inside the main compartment. Learn more. every two weeks. Weve also developed little annoyances in the luggage weve used. Both the 30-liter and the 34-liter versions (we tested the 34) are carry-on compliant making this pack hassle-free. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, This versatile pack offers multiple access points to the main compartment, a solid amount of padding, and a roll-top in case you need a little extra space. It can be difficult to access from the main compartment when your bag is fully packed, but we opted to use the side zipper more often anyways. Roll-tops are generally harder to get into without the wearer noticing, but other than that, there are zero security measures on this pack. It kind of turns the lights on and lets you easily see whats inside. With that, it is handle up and pull away smoothly on two oversized wheels. The Nylon material used on this bag is highly durable and built to last, but at 800D its nothing crazyif youre in need of something super durable check out our review of the GORUCK GR2. Enjoy exclusive offers, the latest on products, and new ways to get outdoors. The fact that this pack works just as well as an everyday pack as it does a travel bag is, quite frankly, awesome. Never purchase bad gear again. The packing cube that comes with the bag makes it easy to keep your clothing tidy on the go, and can be removed when not needed. But what of the functionality for the kind of trip we were taking? By slipping one or two legs into the side pocket, you can then use the roll top buckle at the top to lock in the top of the tripod. In some cases possibly talking you out of something you think you needbut you really don't! At Tripquipment we utilize the FastId bio-metric passport photo system. Bags can change size as you pack them out, and every airline's interpretation of compliance is different. The compartment can hold a 15 laptop comfortably, but we have found the side access to be a bit tight if youve got a case. Perhaps better known for their bike and roof racks, Thule has been in the bag market for quite some time now and their range is one of the most expansive weve seen. Your inbox. The smaller front pocket, however, offers the perfect number of pockets for all your smaller belongings like your cell phone, battery bank, kindle notebook, and pens. This pack is a great option for someone looking for a versatile carry-on for a great price. One thing we would have liked to see here is some sort of small looped handle on the back of the bag, at the top. Check out the photo below to see this in action. All trademarks property of their respective owners Santa Monica to the lowest, hottest, driest place on Earth Over 36 hours, my journey would take me from Dolgellau to Death Valley. It also comes with a short strap that can attach to one of the laptop bags also available in the range. Were curious to see if they can pull this off, so lets get into the review! If you are traveling with heavy gear, like a climbing rope, the bucket works great, but things just get lost in this big of a compartment. The shoulder straps are curved and adjustable and fit nicely without riding up into the armpits. The pocket has an elastic band as wellso if youre carrying something smaller, fear not, itll be secure. If you need to carry something, Thule probably offers a way to do it. We have found ourselves once or twice going to grab it from the side and not being able to pick it up. When its zipped up you can barely tell its there, but unzip it and youll find enough room to fit a one liter water bottle. And looking at them now, they look new. The back panel is not particularly breathable on this travel bag. The 34L Thule Subterra Travel Backpack is just the ticket, with a multifunctional design that works equally well in travel or day-to-day settings. Copyright. Luggage, were realising, goes through a lot (and who knows what happens to checked baggage once it trundles off down a conveyor belt?). This pack has seen use as a fully loaded tech daypack for the last few months and its holding up incredibly well. Thule Subterra TSLB-317 - notebook carrying backpack. With durable materials, clean lines and smart organization, it will keep up with whatever adventures are in store. Internal PowerPocket organizes cords and chargers for all your devices. These cookies do not store any personal information. Complies with carry-on requirements for most airlines. Were not sure why theyve done this seeing as there appears to be room for one on the other side tooeven if its a bit smaller. Thule does provide you with a large packing cube, which is a nice touch. We used ours once to try it out but havent since. Padded interior pocket for phone or sunglasses. Its not a problem with the packing cube itselfits made well, its got a nice opening etc Our problem is with the size, its just too big. As regular travellers, John Sidetrackeds founder and myself, a travel writer, have developed all manner of hacks for travelling more easily (although I still forget something every time). 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 2 product ratings, 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 4 product ratings, 3.5 out of 5 stars based on 2 product ratings, 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 41 product ratings, 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 13 product ratings, 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 4 product ratings, 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 6 product ratings. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The pack features a rolltop opening as well as side access, giving you the flexibility to reach items throughout the bag without having to unpack. There is even a pass-through panel if you want to use it in tandem with your larger roller luggage. All in all a solid showing after testing this pack nearly every day for one year! Youll also find a selection of pockets on the front of thistwo that you can perfectly fit a passport, two pen holders, and a thin pocket designed to pass a wire through which leads us to the next pocket at the bottom. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners. Versatile design suits travel and EDC needs, Prominent logo detracts from understated aesthetics. While this is sometimes an overlooked feature, Thule hit this one out of the park. The bag includes a padded 15" laptop sleeve that also offers both side and top access to your tech. A large and durable travel backpack with electronics protection and a PowerPocket to manage cords between your device and mobile charger. This should be used as a guideline rather than a rule. In that time the bag has held up remarkably wellit almost looks brand new. CDW, CDWG and PEOPLE WHO GET IT are registered trademarks of CDW LLC. The whole bag and separators within are well cushioned. Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Top picked items. The Thule Subterra comes in three different colorsdark shadow (black), mineral (blue) and ember (red). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Some functionality on this page requires JavaScript to be enabled in your Web browser. Ive become a luggage bore, but the details matter. Accessing this area through the main compartment can be a pain, but there is access through the sidewhich youll be using about 90% of the time anyway. As much as wed love to, we're just not able review every piece of carry in the world. The Subterra is a great for every day commuting and single bag travel. Its quite a nice touch by Thule considering the amount of people that utilize power banks nowadays. For us, it ticks all the boxes of what makes great carry and we're stoked to recommend it. Its comfortable and does the job wellconsidering its a 34L pack, it doesnt have to be anything crazy. On just one journey, these bags travelled more than 18,000km in car, van, RV, train, plane, conveyor belt, taxi, and precariously on the back of a scooter. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. By car and by train to a Heathrow airport hotel. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The removable sternum strap helps distribute the weight across your chest, rather than hanging off your shoulders. We travel a fair bit, so when we filled our bags from Thules new Subterra range for our Californian road trip, we knew wed test this luggage to its fullest. A small pocket by the handle is great for stowing keys and small valuables. This side zip means you can take your laptop out whenever and wherever with ease. The lowest-priced item in unused and unworn condition with absolutely no signs of wear.The item may be missing the original packaging (such as the original box or bag or tags) or in the original packaging but not sealed. The Thule Subterra is a 34-liter travel bag that doubles nicely as a daily commuter pack. Let us know! The roll top and luggage strap are two fun features that the Subterra offers. Los Angeles Airport to Santa Monica.