Thule Aion Backpack

I have used the bag for 2 trips since Nov and so far it has worked great.The overall construction is good as is the layout for packing.I like the detachable bag for liquids, makes it easier to pack my toiletries knowing they are double bagged (I put everything into ziplocks).Has been comfortable to carry and will certainly be used for many of my shorter weekend type trips.

I got it mostly thinking about wandering around the airport. As it is, I haven't flown, but I use it all the time as an overnight bag on dog sitting gigs and have been very happy. The design clearly has had input from people who really travel.

I have a few semi high end travel backpacks, I'm a one bag traveler, if some place I can't go without carrying only a backpack, I just don't go. I also never check my bags, if I can't carry it on a plane, I don't use it. So a high quality and high capacity backpack is very important to me. I'm not a backpacker, I don't walk around anywhere with my backpack. The only place I will be carrying one is at the airport, so even though comfort is important, it's not on the top of my list. The Thule 40l feels comfortable enough. It doesn't come with a hip strap, but I never use one anyway. It has a very roomy main compartment, comes with compression straps, a builtin detachable wet bag, a small builtin mesh toiletry zip compartment, and a full length zip compartment for additional organization. The laptop compartment is also very large, even with a laptop and a tablet, it still has room for stuff. Since I travel light, I only carry a 12 inch laptop, so I will be using the laptop compartment for clothing in compression cubes or other stuff. The front organizational pocket is only 1/2 way deep of the bag, wish it was larger so I can fit a light jacket along with miscellaneous stuff. The hidden pocket at the back is great for passport, wallet and quick access to travel documents. There is one external water bottle pocket on the right side, has no strap, but feels snug enough. I wouldn't flip the bag over, the water bottle could fall out. I saw people complaining about the waxed canvas, saying it looks dirty and scratched upon arrival. My bag arrived clean as whistle, not a single scratch on it. I tried scratching it a few times with my finger nails to see if it would leave a mark, it didn't, so I'm not too worried about it looking ugly or "full of character" after a few uses. Not sure if the material is really water resistant, not going to test it, don't plan on walking in the rain or dunking it in a puddle. My trips are usually 2-3 weeks long, I travel to many parts of the world with backpacks ranging in sizes from 35l to 45l. This bag is 40l, should be big enough to carry 10 days of light clothes and toiletries. Men's clothing is bulkier and heavier than women's, my wife packs light too, she can literally fit 2-3 weeks of light clothes in this 40l backpack. No, we never go anywhere cold, hate the cold. :). The bag is made in Vietnam, a bit disappointing, was hoping it'd be made in a Western country. However, the construction seems solid and durable, only time will tell if it will hold up. At $200 price point, it's better made or equivalent to some of the more expensive backpacks on the market, and exceeds bags in its same class, Peak Design 45l or Osprey Porter for example, both of which I also own.If you are also a one bag traveler, get the 40l version. If you carry a backpack in addition to check luggage, this bag might be too big, get the 28l one.

This is my first Thule backpack (comparing with my Jansport, Kelty, REI, North Face, Colombia, Patagonia). As you can see, I have a problem. I was between this and the Patagonia clamshell, but ultimately went for this one due to a sale.Pros: super rugged construction throughout. I've never seen a tougher zipper. It fells impenetrable. I rolled it around in the dirt, and the dirt easily brushes off leaving the backpack looking as good as new. It's big, but looks sleek. The water bottle holder can handle a 32 oz Nalgene, but also has a small bungee, so thinner bottles are also okay. It looks more professional than any other bag I've had, which was a priority as I'm spending more time in the office and gym and less time backpacking.Cons: I was naive thinking this was the be all end all backpack for everything from a day at the office to a weekender. I'm not fully sold on the concept of a clamshell backpack (my first one). It seems like it would be easy to pack, like a suitcase, but the reality is that the lip is really shallow, meaning that you have to zip it up on two sides, and then cram stuff down the top (like pretty much every other backpack every made) to maximize the space. The big net pocket seems kind of useless and robs space from the main compartment when closed. It seems like it would work, but in reality I just leave it unzipped to maximize space. The laptop and tablet compartment are very well padded, so much so that when you put anything in it, it creates a major budge in the main compartment, robbing space and making the clamshell design an inconvenience.The top, small pocket on a clamshell isn't the most stable. The small pocket gets really heavy (keys, phone, swiss army knife, etc) and then being on the edge of the clamshell flap, the thing whips around all over the place when trying to pack and compress stuff. Also, the pockets inside are super loose and things slip around easily. The theme with this backpack for me is that everything ends up on the floor.I hoped it would look good as the office, but in reality it's out of place due to how massive it is (seems to take up half my cubicle desk). At the same time, I can't seem to fit more than a pair of gym shoes, towel, and change of clothes inside without it filling up, but only after everything falls all over the locker room floor. Never unzip it all the way, and it regains some of its usefulness. Not sure if it's just this Thule clamshell design, or all backpacks like this (the Patagonia clamshell seemed to have more dividers allowing you to pack stuff in, but it was more expensive so I passed) but overall this backpack bummed me out.

Well made backpack and a really great size for travel. Simple design but very useful.

An excelent backpack

As a travel bag, this is the perfect size with lots of room to pack stuff for traveling. Padding around and inside is really good and the shoulder straps feel good too.The main issue I have with the bag is that it carry crooked when the shoulder straps are the same length. Not sure if this is a design flaw or how the bag is made, but there's no way to shift the bag main compartment centered since the stitching and material won't allow it. Therefore, when wearing the backpack it sits at an angle and looks very weird. It sits on the shoulders just fine with the same amount of distance from your back, but if you loosen the right strap to drop the bag down then it moves away from your back and creates a lot of space and feels off balance.I have other Thule bags and really like the quality of their products, but this one is just built weird and isn't symmetrical looking, even when it's sitting on the ground.