When you hike and travel for work as often as I do (I’ve logged hundreds of miles and six continents in the last year alone), you’re constantly on the lookout for comfortable, lightweight daypacks with thoughtful pockets and just the right amount of water resistance. I’ve got several smaller packs in my closet, but for the last two years, there’s one that I consistently grab before the rest: Thule’s AllTrail X.
A brand known more for its sturdy luggage and bomb-proof roof boxes than its hiking rucksacks, Thule prides itself on high-tech Swedish design, sustainable manufacturing processes and an intense gear-testing regimen (all bags go through a rigorous 50 tests at the Thule Test Center in Hillerstorp, Sweden). I have to admit, I wasn’t at all familiar with Thule’s packs until I picked up this little guy, and for two years, I’ve loved traipsing through redwood forests and peak bagging near Los Angeles with it, almost as much as I’ve loved toting it as an airplane carry-on (it meets the standard size requirements). It boasts durable construction, ultra-lightweight design and mindfully placed pockets.
This sleek, durable and petite daypack has just the right number of pockets, great storage space and solid weather resistance. Thule has created an epic, go-anywhere daypack that’s as at home on the trail as it is as a carry-on on your next international flight.
What we liked about it
For how light it is (1.2 pounds for the 15-liter model), the AllTrail X packs a surprising number of features into a small package. For me, the hip belt, chest strap and trekking pole/ice axe loop are all awesome bonuses on top of more standard fare like a key clip, water reservoir holder and external daisy chains.
Sleek and lightweight
Weighing in at a scant 1.2 pounds, the AllTrail X is on the lighter side for a 15- to 20-liter daypack, especially when you factor in its burly fabric (recycled, waxed 600-denier polyester canvas). I’m a big fan of industry titan Osprey’s daypacks as well, but because of Thule’s slimmed-down, no-nonsense design and lighter weight, I find myself taking it out on sunny afternoon romps in the San Gabriel Mountains with my pup far more often.
Great storage for its small size
One of the primary things I look at in a daypack, after weight, is the pocket design. Too many pockets can add unnecessary bulk and snag on boulders and tree branches, but too few will leave you endlessly digging in the bag’s main compartment for essentials like your map, keys and trail snacks. In my experience, this backpack offers the best of both worlds: good pockets and a simple outer shell that won’t trip you up. There’s a quick-access stretchy shoulder pocket to hold your keys or favorite energy bar, plus ample water bottle pouches on both sides. The AllTrail X also provides more standard features like a hydration sleeve and a zippered outer pocket with a key clip. Want more volume in your daypack? Thule also makes this bag in 25-liter and 35-liter models.
Hardcore sustainability and quality control
Like I mentioned before, Thule is committed to fully testing the durability of each and every bag it puts on the market, and the result is bomber gear that’ll last for years. All Thule gear comes with a brand guarantee that protects against defects, damage and discoloration (even from normal wear and tear) for two years after the purchase date. Also, the brand is a member of the Bluesign system and obeys the principles of the UN Global Compact, a voluntary initiative designed to increase fair wages, human rights and environmental responsibility within the manufacturing process.
What we didn’t like about it
When a backpack is this small and lightweight, there are bound to be a few things left on your wish list. Here’s what I found to be lacking (but not a dealbreaker) in the AllTrail X.
Hip belt isn’t padded
Considering that you’ll likely be hauling less than 20 pounds in a pack this size, a padded hip belt is more of a “nice to have,” versus a “must have.” Still, since it’s not the lightest pack in its category, I’d love to see more than a single piece of nylon webbing around the waist. (To be fair, Thule did rectify this in their larger 25-liter and 35-liter designs, the latter of which features two hip belt pockets.)
Top pocket could be deeper
This is a gripe that I have with many small backpacks on the market today. For some reason, rather than springing for an extra .5 ounces of fabric to deepen the main outer pocket, most brands skimp and instead create a pocket that will barely hold a slim wallet and a single protein bar. The result? I’m left fumbling through the large compartment for trail mix, extra layers, a rain cover, and sunglasses case. While we’re at it, I’d also love to see a small, thin internal stash pocket when they upgrade this baby, because having my keys and credit card on the pack’s outside makes me nervous.
How it compares
In terms of pricing, Thule’s AllTrail X 15-liter is priced right in the middle of its competitors, at $110. It boasts a more durable fabric (recycled, waxed 600D polyester canvas) than the others and still manages to maintain a light profile at 1.2 pounds.
However, if you’re seeking an even lighter, more budget-friendly option, check out REI’s ever-popular Flash 18 ($40), which comes in loads of fun seasonal prints, has a hydration sleeve and is a mere 9.5 ounces. Cotopaxi’s Moda 20L ($115) is another great option for bright color lovers, boasting external webbing and a quick-access drawcord top.
Don’t mind a bit of extra weight in exchange for fully kitted-out features? Osprey’s Hikelite 18 is still considered lightweight at 1.5 pounds, but, in true Osprey style, it includes a rain cover, AirSpeed ventilation and dual trekking pole loops. It will cost you a bit more, though, at $120.
Bottom line
With extra-burly fabric, near-perfect pocket design and a super-light, sleek profile, Thule’s AllTrail X checks all the right boxes for a small hiking daypack. Its no-frills profile makes it easy to compress down into checked luggage to have as an adventure day bag (I did this on a recent girls’ trip to Sedona) or throw on for a mellow, close-to-home romp. Of course, it could stand to have a couple of extra pockets, but at a feather-light 1.2 pounds, this is one of the best and most durable daypacks on the market, backed by the stellar Thule Guarantee.
