Designing Thule’s first new luggage line in 10 years…

The luggage industry is stale, and at Thule we set out to offer something fresh- alternative to the black box- but every bit as functional.

A line of lightweight packs designed for fastpacking and done in a day activities. Focus on weight, comfort, and convenience.

Initial sketch exploration focused on aggressive styling and intuitive overflow storage.

Daypack concepts featured expandable front pockets and body-hugging forms for fast and stable movement.

Backpanel and Shoulder straps were meant to go unnoticed. Stretch panels allowed both shoulder strap and waistbelts to move with the user. The stretch panels additionally lent a tight and confidence inspiring first impression of the daypacks. 

Final Concepts

Compact and Clean form factor

...with overwhelmingly convenient storage options for anything a user might need throughout an activity

A lightweight high-performance backpacking pack. Weight, convenience, and freedom of motion were at the top of our priority list. 

Through user research, we divided the interior of the bag into 3 sections: Camp, Trail, and On-The-Go.

We built the interior of the bag around the idea that some items will only be needed while camping, some intermittently while hiking, and others might be needed at a moment's notice. 

Access points and pocket sizing was then built accordingly.

The Camp section, in blue, was buttoned up and close to the body for the most comfortable carry of heavy items

The trail section, in Red, was accessibly easily when the pack was off the user's body.

The On-The-Go section was built with accessibility in mind. The wearer could access snacks, water, phone, and trekking poles without breaking stride. 

We built the shoulder straps to be thin and structural. Adding a thin layer of mesh made from fishing line, we were able to build a light and breathable strap that wouldn't deform under heavy loads. This not only kept heavy loads comfortable, but prolonged the life of the foam padding. 

A line of travel daypacks, focused on convenient features and ease through airline security

Initial concepts featured easy access 'liquids' pockets and a TSA compliant laptop compartment. Styling is intentionally subdued as a feature for travelers hoping to go unnoticed.

Shaping is dialed in through extensive prototyping, as are pocket shapes and security features

The final bag wins Outside Magazines coveted 'Gear of the Year' award. They noted the gadget-friendly features, beefy outdoor construction, and on the fly convenience