The Thule Stir 35L, a back designed for long day hikes and short overnighters is one of Thule’s latest additions to their lineup. Thule, a company famous for their bike racks and cargo carriers, has more to offer than bike racks and and boxes. Backpacks, cell phone and tablet cases, and more, the list of outdoor adventure gear goes on. It is a pretty ballsy move to venture away from the field you made your name in and head to another market such as backpacks. You succeed or you fail; so far so good for Thule.
The Thule Stir 35L is a simple and clean 35-liter backpack that offers a clean design, good functionality along with torso adjustability, multiple easy-access pockets and top closure system like none other. These features make this pack perfect for longer day hikes or even overnight hammock trips.
The Stir 35L Men’s Hiking Pack is the largest in the Stir series of packs, which includes a 15L, 20L, and the 35L. It’s built from elastin coated nylon which is light weight and is pretty water proof. Weighing in at just 2.2lbs, the Thule Stir 35L is light, supportive and leaves room for some extra luxuries.
Thule Stir 35L Features
Suggested retail price: $139.95. Learn More at Thule.com
At 6’2″, I find that the Stir 35 provides a solid and comfortable fit. Adjustable shoulder straps, hipbelt and sternum strap add up to 10 cm/4 in of torso adjustability help perfect the fit. The hipbelt and sternum strap are also removable for around town use. Underneath, a partial rainfly is easily accessed.
A simple and clean design, aesthetic along with torso adjustability, multiple easy-access pockets and rain cover, make this pack perfect for longer day hikes or maybe even an overnighter. Upper loops are perfect for ice axes and trekking poles.
Move details of the movable panel give a user 4 inches of torso height adjustment – which is a nice feature in a pack this size. An internal wire frame gives the bag its form and shape. The shoulder straps offer plenty of adjustment for load and fit. One strap also offers a zipper pocket big enough for a new styled iPhone.
Leave it to a cargo company to sneak in little pockets here and there. In addition to the cell phone pocket on the shoulder strap, the hipbelt offers two decent sized zippered pockets that are perfect for wallets, keys or other smaller necessities.
Here is an up-close view of the top clasp and the side access zipper. It took us a few times using this pack to discover it, but for quick access to items lower in the pack there’s a side zipper that is about 12 inches long. A second person can easily access this, or the pack needs to be removed..
Thule uses a unique latching system here with the top flap coming from the rear and latching behind a hiker. Thule claims it is designed as a unique feature for quick and easy access to the top compartment. It is easy to access, you just have to remember it is not in the “normal” spot, especially if moving between packs. For quick access to items lower in the pack there’s a side zipper.
