Whether you’re doing a loop ride which requires driving to the start point, you’re going for a train-based gravelly weekend somewhere, or you’re looking for a flexible carry-on option for a flight, a duffel bag might be just the thing you need to transport your kit. But what’s the optimum size, how comfortable is it to use on the bike and are there any downsides? Olly has been putting a Thule Chasm 40 litre duffel through its paces. Keep reading to find out how he got on.
“Compact enough to work as a carry-on, but spacious enough to fit a week’s worth of clothes.” You might think that using someone else’s review as part of ours feels a little cheapskate, but the seventeen words included in one of the user reviews on Thule’s website managed to sum up Thule’s Chasm 40 litre duffle bag perfectly. Thule describe the Chasm as “a rough-and-ready duffel bag that can be thrown into your boot or roof box, perfect for short trips or multi-day adventures.” The 40-litre version of their Chasm duffel bag series that I’ve been trying out isn’t specifically aimed at cyclists, but its rugged features make it perfect for us, as well as for other outdoor pursuits and general civvie life, too!
In rucksack mode
In holdall mode
A durable duffel bag is a staple of many people’s outdoor lives. They are brilliant for hauling gear around in and if they’re built strongly enough (and looked after reasonably well), they should last forever. Thule say that the Chasm is “constructed from a durable 900D fabric with a PFC-free durable water-repellent finish to withstand the wear and tear of your adventures and protect your gear from the elements.” They earn some decent eco kudos by stating that “All the exterior and interior fabrics, webbings and mesh are made with 100% recycled materials.” The Chasm is 56x32x25.5cm in size and weighs 1.4kg when empty. It’s available in eight colours, including the boring-but-practical black that I went for.
As well as the cavernous main storage area, the Chasm comes with a variety of smaller, zipped pockets – there are two inside the lid and a third external pocket tucked away at the top of the bag, just above where the straps are fitted. This third pocket, being external, is fitted with a water-resistant zip. The base of the bag is fitted with a dense layer of Cordura-like material, which (so far) has resisted scuffs and marks perfectly. The light grey colour to the interior looks classy and understated, but is also pale enough to make finding things an easy task. There are grab handles on either end and compression straps on the sides. It’s easy to switch the bag from rucksack mode to hold-all mode and when not in use, the straps/handles can be neatly tucked away.
If you want a duffel bag to work for you as a gravel rider, it needs to have some key features, the most important of which is the ability to be used in ‘rucksack’ mode, so that you can easily carry it on your back. I’ve ridden with the bag on numerous occasions, both with it only partly filled and also with it filled to bursting. The non-padded lid of the bag will sit next to your back, so you need to pack the internal pockets carefully if you’re going to be using the Chasm over any major distance. I packed mine with softer items on the top, which allowed the bag to shape nicely to fit my back. Even with the Chasm fully loaded (and weighing somewhere in the region of 15 kg) it was perfectly comfortable to ride with. The shoulder straps are decently padded, attach securely (yet can be removed easily) and are very comfortable in use. I found the width to be spot on for my 36”/92cm chest and relatively narrow shoulders. My longest ride with the bag on was around 40 minutes and towards the end, I was wishing that the Chasm came fitted with a chest/sternum strap to help keep the shoulder straps slightly closer together. Unfortunately, this would be difficult to retrofit, as there aren’t any gear loops or other accessible places on the shoulder straps to fit one. For shorter duration rides, which are probably more typical for most users, the Chasm was super comfy to wear.
Image courtesy of Thule
On Thule’s webpage for the Chasm duffle, there’s a beautiful-looking promo video shot in an incredible winter landscape, full of glamorous people doing exciting outdoor things with bags from the Chasm range. I would love to say that I put my bag through such a scenic test process, but sadly, I used mine for somewhat more prosaic activities. It’s been used as my ‘daily driver’ anytime I was doing vehicle-based rides, I’ve humped it on and off public transport, I’ve ridden with it on my back across London, I’ve used it for non-bike related weekends away and it’s been slung in and out of my van as often as I could, all in the name of thorough testing. Without making the test period last for years, it’s not really possible to comment on the long-term durability of the Chasm, but Thule say that all their products go through “extreme testing”. Thule offer a two-year guarantee, which even covers “damage caused by normal wear and tear or the natural discolouration of materials for two years from the date of purchase by the original purchaser.” You can also extend your warranty period for a further three years by registering your Chasm on the appropriate page of Thule’s website.
My only other experience using an outdoor-specific duffel bag has been with a 100 litre version from one of Thule’s competitors. That particular duffel bag has survived nearly 30 years of being carted around the world, including to some impressively remote and wild locations. Apart from some colour fading and a variety of scuffs from being transported over vast distances, it’s in remarkably good condition. If my Thule Chasm lasts even half as long, then I will consider it an excellent investment!
Thule’s Chasm 40 litre duffel is sold at a Recommended Retail Price of £119.99 (or equivalent in local currency). You can find all the details about it on the relevant page on Thule’s website.