The first above the E in THULE above, has a small scrape in the outer black TPE coating, but didn’t make it through the nylon underneath, and the inside has a second un affected TPE layer maintaining full waterproofness. The worst the bag has seen was probably from baggage handling, and even then after more than a year and three flights in the hold, there are just two spots on the bag where any visual damage to the fabric can be seen. Overall the waterproof tarp-like fabric of the Chasm has been very durable and withstood serious abuse. The duffel’s main two zipper pulls include loops for a small lock to be added, and there is a single small outside pocket with a waterproof zipper for packing small items. ![]() The bottom of the bag adds an additional layer of nylon and a thin pad to improve durability and water-resistance. It is available five colors – mist gray, cobalt blue, dark shadow gray, aqua green, and zinnia yellow – each with a black base and straps. The bag is made of a 1000 denier nylon fabric with a fully waterproof TPE tarpaulin coating, that Thule advertises as phthalate-free. That’s a good bit too big for using as a carry-on with most airlines, but out of curiosity I was able to use the bags compression straps to get it down to about 22 x 40cm in section and folded the end in enough to get it on the plane with me on more than one occasion to speed up arrival at my destination. Thule rates its carrying capacity at 70 liters. Our medium sized Chasm is about 32 x 40 x 70cm (12.5 x 16 x 27.5″) when it is packed and fully expanded. Now it is just that the ease of installation sacrifices a bit of security. ![]() I’d personally be happy with it just being a bit more difficult to mount and remove the straps. But when traveling by plane or just going short distances, it is really nice to do away with the extra straps swinging around. Anytime we have the bag packed full and need to carry it any sizable distance, it goes on our backs. We would really like to see this issue resolved, because the removable shoulder straps are incredibly convenient. The problem has never occurred when we were carrying the pack, only when first shouldering it, so it is predictable enough that we’ve learned to pick the bag up gingerly and avoid it, but it is quite frustrating. Those little metal hooks seem so secure when we loop them on, but more than one of us (and on a few occasions) has thrown a heavy, loaded bag over one shoulder only to have the shoulder strap pop off and swing away from us. While this is one of our favorite features (making it easy to haul a lot of gear and carry a bike at the same time), it is also the cause of our biggest gripe with the bag. Then the normal duffel straps can get folded down to the side and snapped down to stay out of the way. The straps have little metal hooks that just connect into sewn-in loops at the top and bottom of the bag. One of the most useful features we’ve liked is the removable shoulder straps that convert it from a duffel bag to a backpack. Get the full details and see how it has fared after the break…Īll of the different sized Chasm duffels use the same construction, pocket and opening layouts, and tech features. In that time, I’ve also needed to steal it back from my wife on a number of occasions, as its flexibility and hauling capacity has made it a go-to in our household for pretty much any weekend travel. I opted for a bright Zinnia yellow bag in the middle Medium size, and have stuffed it and drug it through a season of cross racing, then packed it back up as both checked and carry-on luggage for spring and summer air travels. The Chasm bag offered a big opening to make loading and unpacking easy, flexibility of how to carry it, and five different size options from 27-130 liters. Just over a year ago I was looking to replace a worn out gear bag to haul around all of the cycling kit, helmets, and shoes that get thrashed and muddied each weekend racing cyclocross, and I happened across the water resistant duffels from rack-maker Thule.
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