ThuleCrossover 2 Duffel 44L

Great buy!

Functional design and consistent quality defines this brand. My first experience with Thule products was a bike rack that fit our small car and provided a rock solid way to secure the bikes during transport and offered a painless quick release once we arrived. It lasted for 11 years until we switched cars. Since then numerous other Thule products have never disappointed including a back seat organizer which after almost a decade looks like new. Built to last, their stuff just doesn’t wear out.Luggage features I look for are mobility, accessibility of the contents, sufficient protection for items like tablets, laptops, etc. and sturdiness—can it survive bad conditions and rough handling both inside and out.Regarding the first concern this Crossover duffel bag has a pass-through panel on the back so it can slide over the extended handle of a rolling/spinner, bag. The sturdy woven web strap handles and shoulder strap provide a way to quickly pick-up the bag no matter the angle.A sufficiently padded hook and loop (Velcro) wrap cushions the handles so they don’t dig into hands. The shoulder strap has a densely padded portion that rests on the top of the shoulder helping to insulate and distribute the weight. And unlike some shoulder straps it does not slide around. On a postal scale the empty bag weighs just 3 1/4 pounds so added weight from the luggage is kept to a minimum without sacrificing sturdy materials.Accessibility of the contents is facilitated by numerous smoothly operating zippers with large metal tabs which are easy to quickly locate by feel. There are sufficient compartments but not so many that I can’t remember where I put a particular item.These areas include a large center section which opens in a wide drop-down manner. There is also a zippered front pouch with an internal zippered pocket and a thin but densely padded pocket that holds up to an 11 inch tablet. The pouch also has a strip of open pockets to organize other small items like a charging brick, cables, earphones, etc.Well-designed, the tablet pocket is shallow—ending an inch or two above the bottom of the bag to protect it from sharp drops. There are also two vertical zippered pockets—one on each side of the bag—that can each hold a shoe or water bottles, etc. The adjustable shoulder strap is situated diagonally (in either direction) across the top of the bag so the side pockets remain fully accessible.The bag is rugged with woven fabric that feels quite tough and should resist visual mars and the usual expected damage. There are two hard strips on the bottom of the bag that serve as feet to slightly raise it off the ground while maintaining a low-profile. Top quality zippers are used throughout, essential for reliable performance and to protect the contents. I sprinkled water on the fabric it beaded-up on the surface so it should provide decent protection if encountering snow and rain.It is wise to check specific airlines for their size limitations for carry on bags because they vary. General guidelines are 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches while the bag measures 21.7 x 9.8 x 13.8 inches. Since this is a soft-side bag, that .8 inch difference in height can be managed if the bag is not over-filled but it is worth noting. Overall user-friendly design and excellent construction.

I am a duffel and backpack power user, very picky about design and quality, but also very attentive to size and efficiency. The Thule Crossover 2 Duffel was clearly designed by a team having many, many hours of travel experience because everything about it is well thought out and tested. If I were able to design my own perfect travel duffle, it would be like this one. It reminds me very much of a well-designed camera bag, except it is without all the compartmentalization of that style bag. This review is for the 44-liter bag.The bag on its own weighs under 3 pounds, which is pretty light. This particular size is compatible with most size restrictions for carry-ons but is probably getting close to the outside limit. Generally, I am a very light packer and I feel fully confident that I could travel anywhere for any length of time with this as my only bag. The bag is not floppy like you normally associate with a duffel. It's structured so it holds it's shape whether it is empty or full. The main compartment opens fully by unzipping all the way down the side so you can access everything you've packed without digging around. This is a fantastic feature. Since you can see everything, you never really "need" to unpack the bag.The zippers are very high quality and every exterior one is double zippered, which is great for a little extra security. There is a long side exterior zippered gadget pocket with a few interior pockets, one zippered. I was able to just fit my 13" Chromebook into it, although that was a tight fit. Any tablet would fit with no problem. I was able to fit a 17" laptop standing on its side in the main compartment, but this means no easy access during a flight and it affects the efficiency of how the rest of the bag is packed. I wouldn't carry a laptop bigger than 13" anyway, so this works perfectly for me.All the seams are beautifully sewn and very strong and the shoulder strap is secure, well-padded and removable. The exterior fabric is a heavy, thick and easy to clean nylon weave. It is a very attractive but tough bag. Perhaps my favorite part (and clearly designed by people who know how to travel) are the two end pockets. Generally, these are just flaps sewn on the outside of the bag, but the Crossover 2 has extra-deep pockets (a couple of inches thick) which extend over the entire height and width of each end of the bag. These pockets are definitely big enough to put an extra pair of shoes into, which I love.If you are used to paying under $100 for a piece of travel luggage, then the price on this bag may seem a little high, but this is definitely an instance where the quality, efficiency, and thoughtfulness of the design are clearly at another level. The bag is clearly designed to stand up to many, many years use and abuse, so I have no hesitation saying, the value is there.I love this bag. I've owned many of them, and this is unquestionably my long term go-to for longer trips. Nice job, Thule!

The bag is made in Vietnam and while durable the materials are polythylene and polythylene foam. I.E. Plastic.There are numerous compartments including internal clips, a section compartmentalized for what is placed inside, and a nice bottom making it unlikely to slip.It feels good to hold and is lightweight. It's areas and compartments work well with people bringing light and smaller electronics.I have other duffel bags and don't understand the higher price point but for fashion . if zipped appropriately will it float and not sink? I'm not sure if it's still there, but the company put a picture of one idea towards packing of one shoe in each side....WHY!?!?! WHY WOULD I DO THIS!??!?!?!Still, nice bag.

Great bag but super heavy and thick. Not as spacious as it looks because of the padding.

I used a Thule bags last Xmas for a 3wk break, a backpack with this bag as carryon and a rolling duffel as the other. They all worked well, and are very happy with purchase,