Backpacks

Thule AllTrail 25L Backpack | Review

Thule have kept things minimal with the AllTrail 25, and in doing so have created a reliable daypack

Why We Chose The Thule AllTrail 25L Backpack: Durable, clean design, functional.

It’s fair to say that Thule are well known for their car roof rack options. Their mission is, as they say on their website, to help you ‘transport anything you care for safely’. But that’s not just solely with stuff you stick on top of your saloon. No, they also produce luggage options, including laptop bags, camera bags, bike panniers and what we’re here for, hiking backpacks.

“In typical Scandinavian style, with the AllTrail 25, Thule have gone for a no-nonsense approach.”

This, the AllTrail 25 is part of a range for men and women measuring from 15L through to 45L with the common theme being durability. They’re all built to last, with 420 denier ‘Dobby Poly’ (a tougher weave) surrounding the side and bottom of each model, along with a lightweight 330 denier ripstop polyester protecting the front.

Thule have even protected each pack with their lifetime warranty, where they’ll happily repair or replace them in the event of material defects – note that this doesn’t cover the usual wear and tear that you’d expect to put this pack through whilst hiking.

In typical Scandinavian style, with the AllTrail 25, Thule have gone for a no-nonsense approach. This pack isn’t laden with gizmos, but just focusses on function, durability and comfort.

The simple back design is clean and comfortable, according to our testers. Photo: Chris Johnson

A side zipper gives access to the main compartment. Photo: Chris Johnson

Durable 420D 'Dobby Poly' flanks the sides of the pack. Photo: Chris Johnson

It’s a top-loading design with a relatively thin lid covering a toggled drawcord access, and there’s also a useful side zipper that opens up the right hand side of the pack down to the base. A front facing shove-it pocket will also help you conveniently stow gear such as an insulated layer or waterproof jacket.

A single ice axe holder doubles up as a trekking pole attachment, whilst a hydration system can be bought separately and linked up with the hydration tube exit port, the bladder then tucking into a sleeve inside.

As for the back system, this involves a mesh-covered foam with ventilation holes cut into it and long parallel strips of padding that sit either side of your spine. Ergonomically shaped, it’ll sit comfortably, and with the sliding sternum strap and hipbelt fins, will hold with stability. The hipbelt itself features some light padding, and has a gauze-like panel on one fin for ventilation and a zipped pocket on the other that can just about fit a standard sized phone.

Other features we liked include the daisy chain leash points across the front which add a little bit of customisation potential should you want it, the side adjustment straps, plus stretch pockets on either side as well which you can grab your water bottle out of (and replace it) while on the go without too much contortion. There’s also a small externally accessed pocket on the lid for small valuables.

One downside: you have to purchase the waterproof cover separately – and it ain’t cheap!

At 880g it’s not the lightest 25L daypack out there but it’s also not the heaviest either. What it is, though, is durable and reliable, and for those reasons, we like it.

Tester’s Verdict

Ash Routen, outdoor writer and polar explorer

“I like the simple back system on this as it’s clean and sits very comfortably, and there are loads of useful design features here; like the easy-to-adjust sternum strap, stretch pockets big enough to fit my Nalgene, and a handy stash pocket on the front. The fabric certainly feels very durable so I can see it lasting. I can see myself using this for any day hiking but, thanks to the stretchy pockets, I also reckon I could just about squeeze my summer wild camping kit inside it.”