Thule Chasm 40L Duffel Bag Review

Bottom Line

Swedish brand Thule made its name as a trustworthy manufacturer of rooftop cargo boxes and hitch-mounted bike racks. Over the last few years, the brand has been making a name for itself in the bag space, which includes duffels. And the Thule Chasm 40 L is surprisingly functional and comfortable to carry, considering Thule has only been crafting hard-wearing bags for a couple of years.

But functional and hard-wearing this bag is, and during close-to-home camping trips, road trips around Utah, and hauling bike gear from home to trailhead, it more than held its own. The backpack straps were more comfortable than many of the dozens of other duffels we’ve tested over the years, and the wide butterfly opening made packing and procuring clothing and gear easy.

Durable materials and attention to detail, like grab handle wrangling straps, meant there were never extraneous bits of fabric hanging in the way. It stood up to plenty of use and abuse in the hot Utah summer. We found it a solid option for all manner of adventure travel. Thule isn’t the only name in the game. Check out our other top contenders in our guide to the best duffel bags.

How We Tested

We tested the Thule Chasm 40L over several weeks. We loaded it full of clothing for camping trips, chucked it in the back of the car on road trips, and loaded it full of bike gear we needed to haul to local trailheads. We let it get soaked, dragged it around dirt parking lots, and tossed it in and out of vehicles to see how it performed.

Carry Comfort

The first time we loaded up the Thule Chasm duffel with camping gear and threw it on our backs, we were honestly surprised at how comfortable it was to carry. Though none of the straps seemed much different from many of the other duffels we’ve carted around during testing, the shoulder straps in particular were impressively comfortable considering how simple they appear. 

They’re also easy to attach via a T-bar and webbing loop at the top and a buckle clip on the bottom. They don’t stash in a dedicated pocket when not in use, but they’re slim enough to store inside the main compartment.

There are also sturdy grab handles on each end, which make the bag easy to yank in and out of vehicles or load into overhead compartments. The duffel handles on the top of the bag don’t dig into our palms, thanks to a durable hand wrap. When not in use, we like that we can snap them down to the sides so they don’t get in the way or flop around during backpack carry. It also means they’re less likely to get caught in machinery when checking the duffel at the airport. When we carry the bag with those top handles, the duffel’s smooth sides keep any zippers, webbing, or buttons from digging into our legs as we walk.

If you like to sling duffels over your shoulder, this isn’t your bag. The pack straps work in a pinch, though when loosened sufficiently, the webbing isn’t very comfortable.

Compressibility & Packability

The Thule Chasm features one of the more unique openings of all the duffels we’ve tested over the years. Sadly, it doesn’t add as much functionality as we hoped, but enough to make it interesting. It has a butterfly-style opening (hinged along one long side). The zipper opening drops down in a U-shape on one end to create a more spacious opening. This allows us to unzip just that end and reach inside the bag to grab strategically packed necessities quickly and easily instead of having to unzip the whole lid.

That dropped opening also offers quick access to one of the two internal mesh zipper pockets. We like to stash quick grab items like snacks, books, or handheld bike pumps. Both pockets offer adequate room for accessories or separating a few dirty items.

The top of the bag slants downward at both ends, which we think only adds to the cool look. Aside from that, the shape doesn’t lend itself as well to stable stacking in the back of a vehicle compared to more rectangular bags.

There are compression straps on the outside of the bag if you don’t have it packed full. But because the outer material of the duffel is so thick and robust, they don’t cinch easily. It’s not impossible, it just takes a little oompf.

Durability

We dragged the Thule Chasm around a dry campground and across a section of parking lot to see how the material fared. The bag was a bit scuffed from contact with cement and rock, but ultimately in good shape. Dirt and mud brush or wipe off easily thanks to the smooth, durable coating. Even on the padded canvas bottom, most dirt brushes off with ease.

In fact, we aren’t worried about the lifespan of the bag in the least when tossing it on the ground to load up bike gear or pulling it in and out of vehicles. We yanked hard on the handles several times when the duffel was wedged between other tightly packed gear, and we were never worried that the webbing was going to give way.

Zippers, too, are burly, lockable, and never gave us grief when trying to get in and out of the duffel.

Weather Resistance

The Chasm duffel is made out of recycled, water-resistant fabrics. However, it wasn’t the most waterproof bag we tested. When exposed to heavy rain, it managed to keep most of our clothing dry, but some water puddled in the bottom of the bag. That’s likely due to how the zipper is shaped: because it curves downward on one end, it seemed to let more water seep in through the non-waterproof zippers at that point.

The zipper on the exterior pocket is waterproof, though, so gear in that pocket stayed dry in a brief downpour. Overall, we are comfortable leaving the bag outside in brief drizzles, but try to stash it under cover in more extreme weather.

Organization

The Thule Chasm has three organizational pockets in addition to the main compartment. There is a quick-access pocket outside and two inside (one of which is accessible via a side zipper when entering the bag through the drop-zipper end). Both interior pockets are mesh. 

There’s no separate compartment for dirty gear, or one that can be used to separate clothing from gear. But one of the pockets on the underside of the lid is large enough for a few dirty socks or a pair of trail runners or sandals. We appreciate an under-lid pocket for lightweight items like hats, socks, or small camping necessities. However, if we load them down with heavier items, they make the lid a bit unwieldy (and uncomfortable to carry as a backpack).

When searching for items, it landed right in the middle of the ranking scale, meaning it is solidly average when it comes to organization. If you are into packing pods, then this isn’t a deal breaker.

Should You Buy the Thule Chasm 40 L Duffel?

The Thule Chasm duffel bag is a sleek, hard-wearing option for rough and tumble adventures. Thanks to the range of sizes available (from 30L to 130L), there’s an option available for every adventure.

Its cleverly designed with a wide-mouth opening, easy access on the end, a few strategically placed organizational pockets, and comfortable straps. It’s an excellent option for those who want a little structure, convenience, and compressibility but don’t require excessive organizational options. It’s durable, water-resistant, and ideal for clothing or gear.

Those who desire extra organizational tools, larger pockets to keep gear separate, or who find the lack of an over-the-shoulder strap a deal breaker may consider one of the other options we tested and ranked.

What Other Duffels Should You Consider?

While we love our Thule Chasm, it isn’t the only burly game in “Duffel Town.” Check out some of the other stand-out duffels we’ve tested to see what works best for your travel needs.

Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Review: Made of highly durable materials and with more large pockets for bulky gear like boots or helmets, this bag is still easy to pack, plenty spacious, and comfortable to carry.

Cotopaxi Allpa Duo Review: One large main compartment and removable shoulder straps make it similar to the Thule Chasm, but with the addition of a bottom zippered compartment for dirty clothing.

Patagonia Black Hole Review:  For a more traditional duffel, consider the classic Patagonia Black Hole. The large single opening, limited pockets, several carry options, and higher waterproof rating make it a solid choice for many travelers.