Review: Thule Chasm 70L Duffel Bag
What we liked …
The thought into carrying options and general build quality
What we didn’t
If we have to say something ‘Base fabric’
The Verdict
THE SHORT READ…
If you want to strap a bag to the roof of a van, tie it to the side of a donkey, or even flig it down a flight of steps, then look no further than the Thule Chasm.
It’s hard as nails, offers multiple carrying options, and will keep you kit safe and sound, and almost organised.
THE LONG READ …
The Outside - Anyone who has used the old North Face duffel bags will know that when you try to throw them onto your back, your arms always get tangled with the side carrying loops, which is a right royal pain in the arse, so the clever people at Thule have simply added a couple of poppers to keep the loops out of the way.
They’ve also made the backpack carrying straps easily removable, great for when checking the Chasm into an airplanes hold. There’s a large zipped pocket at one end of the bag, which easily fits the shoulder straps once removed. Ther Chasm is never going to take the place of a comfortable backpack, but if packed with thought it’ll comfortably go one your back while heading for a train, walking to a hotel…
The outer fabric is constructed from a tough 900D fabric, with a PFC-free durable water-repellent finish. It’s not a dry bag and your kit will get wet if thrown in a river, but it’ll withstand a snowy journey strapped to the roof of a van, the only caveat here is the zip which could let in water if exposed to the elements, having said that the opening flap overhangs the zip by a fair bit.
The base of the Chasm is slightly padded, which I’m not sure is really necessary if you’re just sticking your clothes into it, but I guess it helps protect the base of the bag - even if it looks like the additional outer base fabric (which is stitched over the main water resistant fabric) could suck up and hold water (although I put mine in the snow a lot and it seemed to stay mainly dry).
Sizing - The Thule Chasm comes in 40L, 70L, 90L and 140L, ranging from £120 to £180.
The Inside - Anyone who has used a cargo bag to live out of knows it's contents goes to shit after you’ve delved into its depths a few times, and the Chasm won’t stop that, but it does help out a lot with its functional zipped mesh pockets, of which there’s three. Two on the inner of the opening flap, and a very large one down the whole length of the bag, which would be better if it was attached at its bottom and not just at the top above the pockets zip as it does flap about a bit.
SUMMARY…
Is it a great cargo bag? Yes, yes and yes again!
Will it stop you from losing your favorite socks form it’s depths (well unless you use the mesh pockets), no, no and no again!
Would we advise you to buy one? Well if you want a solid cargo bag, that’ll last years of rugged travel, then ‘Yes’ we would.