Thule Travel Accessories

Review by Kate Agathon

Whether I’m going abroad for a couple of weeks or heading to the Western Slope for a week of mountain biking, I like travel accessories. They keep items separated and neatly organized.

Therefore, I was excited to try Thule’s new additions to their travel accessory line: packing cubes, Subterra 2 powershuttle, travel shoe bag, and packable laundry bag.

Thule Packing Cubes

Prior to using packing cubes, I used to “neatly” pack my clothing into my duffle bag.

Despite my best efforts, I invariably ended up with a clothes explosion as I shifted items around looking for a pair of socks or a t-shirt. That drove me nuts! I felt like I was always packing and repacking- a futile effort.

Then, I discovered packing cubes and my life changed.

When I flew to Canada last summer, the Thule Compression Packing Cubes were ideal for international travel. Space in my suitcase was at a premium and I wanted to be able to accommodate any clothes I happened to buy on my trip.

However, this spring I was keen on trying the all-new Thule Packing Cube Set with their transparent mesh sides. While the space-saving utility of the Thule Compression Pack Cubes are absolutely necessary for long distance travel, it isn’t so important for road trips.

I found the mesh-sided cubes were ideal for short road trips because I could quickly glance at the cube and know its contents (no guessing games here). That transparency feature was extremely useful.

Features

• Transparent mesh
• Bluesign® approved construction
• Webbing handle
• Durable YKK zippers

What is super interesting is that they are constructed from 100 percent post-consumer recycled nylon from fishing nets. How cool is that?

The color options (White, Pond Grey, and Gentle Beige) offer a further color-coded organizational option for families or people who like to keep clothing with different purposes (i.e. city clothing and mountain biking apparel) separate.

The Thule Packing Cube Set includes a Medium and a Small Packing Cube. I used the Medium Packing Cube to pack shirts, pullovers, and pants. I used the Small Packing Cube for socks and underwear.

Final thoughts? I recommend the all-new Thule Packing Cube set for light travel. While my clothing remains neatly organized and separated, the mesh sides provide a nice transparency feature to quickly access clothing.

Thule Subterra 2 Powershuttle

My husband and I both run SRAM AXS eTap wireless electronic shifting on both our road bikes and our mountain bikes.

At home, we keep our bike electronics (Varia radars, bike computers, bike batteries and battery chargers) in Trek CHRGtime Charging Stations. However, they are too bulky to take on trips with us. Thankfully, the streamlined Thule Subterra 2 Powershuttle came to our rescue!

Measuring approximately 8.7 x 2.0 x 5.7 inches, the electronic travel organizer is the ideal size to hold all of our bike electronics and keep them in one place. For non-bike trips, we use it for storing our electronics (ear buds, phone cords, etc.).

Constructed from durable bluesign approved 800D nylon/polyester, the super handy Thule Subterra 2 Powershuttles features elastic pockets, zippered interior pocket, key fob, and carrying handle.

It is uber practical and holds a surprising amount of items. This was probably my favorite piece of all the new Thule travel accessories.

Thule Travel Shoe Bag

I always keep my shoes separate when I travel. I just don’t want shoes dirtying my clothes or the insides of my suitcase.

The 13 x 8.1 x 7.9” all-new Thule Travel Shoe Bag removes the need for plastic shopping bags or trash can liners and replaces it with something more refined.

Think of it like a lunch bag design for your shoes.

Thanks to the magnetic fold over and adjustable cinch, the Thule Travel Shoe Bag is adaptable and can accommodate a range of shoe sizes (which is fantastic, because my husband and I are on opposite ends of the shoe size spectrum) all the way up to a size U.S. Men’s 13.

Interestingly, instead of using it for regular shoes (that I had originally intended), I ended up using this more to keep my mountain bike shoes separate in my sports equipment bag. It’s just nicer and more organized than an old plastic trash can liner I’ve been using.

Like the Thule Packing Cubes, the bluesign® approved Thule Travel Shoe Bag is crafted from 100 percent post-consumer recycled nylon.

At this time, the Thule Travel Shoe Bag is only available in the Pond Grey color. If you enjoy keeping your shoes separate while traveling and want a sturdy container with adjustable size, the Thule Travel Shoe Bag is a great option.

Thule Packable Laundry Bag

Whenever we go mountain biking vacations, we inevitably end up with sweaty, dirty, smelly clothing.

Usually, we’ll throw dirty clothing in a plastic laundry bag stored in hotel room closets. The problem with those bags is that they have an open top, tear easily, and cannot expand.

Thankfully, the 10.6 x 11 x 18 in Thule Packable Laundry Bag addresses all those issues and allows us to separate our dirty mountain bike apparel from clean clothes.

I appreciated how it stood upright on its own and collapsed flat when not in use. Throughout the week, we just left it on the floor of the closet and tossed dirty clothes in it and treated it like a mini travel hamper.

Once we were on the road, the drawstring top contained clothing in one place and prevented spillage. Hooray for efficiency and keeping our dirty clothes separate from our clean clothes!

Features

• Drawstring top
• Bluesign®-approved 100% post-consumer recycled ripstop nylon

The Thule Packable Laundry Bag can be used for more than just laundry. We’ve also left it in the back of the car to have on hand for packing items for day trips.

Like the Thule Travel Shoe Bag, it is only available in Thule’s signature Pond Grey.

Final Thoughts

I am very pleased with Thule’s new additions to its travel accessories line. They are functional, responsibly sourced, and have practical, basic names (no super annoying fancy long names here) so you know exactly what you’re getting.

I recommend any of these items for people who like to keep things efficiently organized, separate, and identifiable when traveling.

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, and mom to her furbabies, Sansa and Benjen.

 

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment to her writing.

Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, road biking, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers. She and her husband, Paul, live in Summit County with their dogs, Benjen and Sansa.

Kate earned a BA in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving two terms on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.

The Dr. of Stoke has been part of the Engearment team since 2016.