You may have already noticed that I like Thule and therefore I sometimes review their products, as well as other brands if I liked them. Suddenly, some of you will be faced with the choice of a city backpack or a backpack for carry-on / travel, I hope someone will come in handy.
In stock I now have 2 backpacks from Thule. First I bought myself a Thule Crossover 25L, and then they gave me a Thule EnRoute Blur 2 test. They are somewhat different, somewhat similar, so I will compare them a little. Urban backpacks, without any frills, but made with high quality. Looking ahead, I will say that in the end Crossover lies in the closet, and I have been using EnRoute for the last six months, he traveled with me to Thailand for 2 months and now he went with me to Israel.
The content of the article
Brief conclusion
As usual, I would like to make a mix of two backpacks. But I come across this all the time, I always want to redo something. Sometimes I even think that maybe someday I'll ripen my own backpack to make it specifically for myself. Yes, yes, many may not understand, but I have a weakness for various kinds of carriers, so I often change backpacks and bags in search of the perfect ones. I remember I had a whole epic with that, what to wear the camera.
In the city and traveling, I always carry a backpack
My kit on my last trip to Thailand
On a combination of factors, I liked the EnRoute Blur 2 better. It is more suitable for travel than the Crossover Backpack 25L. First of all, due to two full-fledged compartments instead of one, although the volumes of these backpacks are the same. I also personally liked EnRoute's secret pocket, where you can put documents and money, an external open pocket for quick access, and an increased volume of the glasses case.
Thule has other backpacks, in particular the Crossover Backpack 32L, with a larger volume and two full compartments and one small one with an organizer. For hand luggage on the plane, it would be more suitable for me, since I have a lot of equipment that needs to be taken into the plane's cabin, but its volume is also a minus. On the spot upon arrival, while walking around the city, I would have to walk with a large backpack, which is inconvenient. When for a long time I had a separate backpack for carry-on luggage, and for the city I took another one with me (it was traveling in a suitcase in my luggage), but such a solution is too redundant, it is still better to have one universal backpack, and for me these are backpacks with a volume of about 25 liters.
Overview of the Thule EnRoute Blur 2 (right) and Thule Crossover Backpack (left)
Overview of the Thule EnRoute Blur 2 (right) and Thule Crossover Backpack (left)
Thule Crossover Backpack 25L Review
Specifications
Size: 32 x 26.9 x 48 cm
Laptop compartment dimensions: 38.5 x 3.1 x 26.7 cm
Weight: 0.88kg
Volume: 25 l
Material: Nylon dobby
Price: 139 euros
Product on the site
The Crossover is made from a fairly rough fabric to the touch. But rough does not mean unpleasant, it's just tough and somehow reminded me of Cordura, which is usually used only for the bottom of backpacks. To be honest, at first it was unusual, but then I liked it even more than the softer and more ordinary fabric at EnRoute. Presentation is preserved for a long time.
The manufacturer says the fabric is waterproof. I didn't stand in the shower on purpose, but I got caught in the rain, and everything inside remained dry. Although, I suppose that with a very strong downpour, water can still get inside, since lightning is ordinary, and not special waterproof.
Since I recently started walking with glasses, I really liked the idea of SafeZone. This is such a built-in box for glasses or other fragile things. In the official Thule reviews, it is supposed to put the phone there, but I would not, since they can be stolen, and it is much more convenient to get it out of your pocket in the city. The built-in box can be reached, then the size of the compartment will increase, but it will not be rigid.
SafeZone at Thule Crossover 25L
Now about the most important thing - about the departments. There is only one full-fledged branch in the Crossover. In which there is a laptop, separated by a partition, in which you can put a tablet, and other things. If there are few things, then in principle it is normal. But ideally, I would like the laptop to be completely separate. Did I fit a Macbook 15 without any problems? and there was still room.
There is also another small compartment - an organizer. But it's more like a pocket with different small pockets.
In addition, there is a pocket with a vertical zipper on the outer wall. At first I was rather skeptical about this type of pockets, but it turned out that getting something out of them is much more convenient. It is also convenient to put passports and boarding passes there, which are quite long. On the sides of the backpack there are 2 water bottle pockets. They are not made of mesh, so they stretch in the middle.
Main compartment Crossover 25L
Organizer compartment for Crossover 25L
Lined water bottle pockets
Outside vertical pocket
The Crossover backpack has a handle not only at the top, but also at the bottom
Thule EnRoute Blur 2 24L review
Specifications
Dimensions: 29x33x46 cm
Laptop compartment dimensions: 38.5 x 4.4 x 26.7 cm
Weight: 0.98 kg
Volume: 24 l
Material: Nylon
Price: 122 euros
Product on the site
As I said, this backpack is made of a softer fabric and more pleasant to the touch than the Crossover. I also have a Samsonite and a couple of Arpenaz backpacks from Decathlon, all soft fabrics. But the back of EnRoute has sufficient rigidity, if anything, it keeps its shape. That is, you can fold it to hit it, but I would not.
Unfortunately, the fabric is not waterproof, it gets wet. Of course, streams do not flow inside, and the same laptop remained more or less dry after the rain, but even just contact with a damp cloth is clearly not good for it. At the manufacturer's site, I would replace it with a waterproof fabric, or at least impregnate this.
The EnRoute backpack also has a SafeZone, only in a larger size. Almost doubled, it is much more convenient! Now you can stuff a pair of glasses (for example, regular and sunglasses), a phone or documents, some other little things here..
SafeZone at Thule EnRoute Blur 2
Enroute has 2 full-fledged compartments, which is much more convenient than one. Here the laptop is in its personal compartment, which is divided into 2 parts by a partition. Thus, we put a laptop on the back, and a tablet or a not too thick folder with papers in the second part. Did I fit a Macbook 15 without any problems? and there was still room.
The second full compartment is made for things and it seemed to me that it is the same size as the only compartment in the Crossover. It seems to be the same volumes, but visually EnRoute looks a little thicker if it is completely filled. So, the second compartment is combined with the organizer. This is not very convenient, because if you fill everything with things, then you will not have access to the organizer. On the other hand, I rarely put luggage in my organizer. And in Enroute it is better to put them in SafeZone or in an open external pocket. Which is made so that if you do not turn the backpack upside down, then nothing will fall out of it. Sometimes I put napkins, a camera, sun cream, liquid on mosquitoes there. You can also put a fleece or something there for insulation. On the sides of the backpack there are pockets for a water bottle, made of mesh, so they stretch well.
Separately, I will say about the secret pocket. It sits under an outside open pocket and has a vertical zip. In fact, it is not hidden at all, but simply inconspicuous. I did not find it myself immediately, but a week after use. The zipper merges and hides in the folds, so you can't really see it. A great place to remove money, cards, passports, etc..
Separate compartment for laptop and tablet
Laptop and tablet sizes that can be put in
Drinking hole
Second storage compartment with organizer
External open pocket with slings
Mesh side pockets
Side secret pocket
P.S. Despite the prices, I love some of the Thule products. It seems to be nothing special, but everything is done well. Unfortunately, all imports have gone up in price, not only for Thule. Take the same MacBooks ... But, so to speak, branded things are bought not for the sake of economy, not for the sake of compromise. Although this is already a different topic for another post.
P.P.S. Have questions? And yes, please write what models of backpacks you use, as city backpacks, as carry-on luggage, for travel, etc. Maybe they came up with some interesting chips.
