I loaded this pack to the brim with gear, threw it into the back of vehicles and roof boxes, dropped and dragged it around rocky, jagged surfaces, gravel roads and damp forest floors, yet the pack has yet to show any real damage or wear. The outer material used for this pack-an elastin-coated nylon-manages to be extremely lightweight yet durable. The Stir 20 is a frameless pack with some permanent padding but otherwise little support. The padding itself is firm, and though items in the pack could cause pressure points, even the pointy objects like a tripod did not poke through. You could add a piece of Velcro to the top of the daisy chain to allow for this. It is unclear, without some creativity, to determine how one would attach the ice axe handle to the top (typically there would be a strap on the top). Though I haven’t used them, there are several daisy chains stitched to the outside that could be used to attach items to the outside of the pack, as well as a loop that presumably can hold an ice axe. The minimal waist strap can be conveniently tucked behind the back panel, a feature I found useful when wearing the pack for riding when I did not need or want the extra tension around my waist. The sternum strap is solidly attached and does not accidentally detach even when the pack is full and the straps are stressed, a common problem I’ve experienced with other packs. The shoulder straps are wide and distribute weight well, and there is an adjustable (or removable) sternum strap to help keep the pack in place. In the style of many “fastpacking” packs, the weight is born by the shoulders rather than the waist or hips, but the design of the shoulder straps allows for this comfortably. On the shoulder strap is a mesh zippered pocket where I like to keep items such as my inReach, cell phone, or Epi-pen. These pockets cannot be cinched closed so they won’t work for valuables. The two side pockets, likely intended for water bottles, also can hold extra items like bike tubes and tools, a spare jacket, sunglasses, bug spray, or sunscreen. When the pack is full, I found that this pocket didn’t work for large items and instead I used it for smaller items like trail maps. To me, it would make more sense to have a means of closing the opening, though that likely would add weight and complexity to this ultralight pack. This is unfortunate, but the designers did add a small drainage hole to reduce the chances of water pooling. Though somewhat helpful, in severe weather the flap is not entirely successful in keeping the elements out.ĭown the length of the pack there is a “shove-it” pocket that closes with a snap but cannot be fully closed. There also is a flap covering this cinched closing that opens and closes with a hook/loop system. The pack opens and closes with a cinch cord that, even with cold and tired fingers, can be opened with one hand in a single, fluid motion. Within the compartment, a dedicated sleeve for a hydration bladder easily holds 3 liters of liquid with an opening through which to feed the bladder’s hose for easy drinking access. In the end, this probably is a good thing for the Stir’s durability-super stretchy materials seem to develop holes more quickly and generally don’t last as long. Therefore, you won’t be squeezing in an extra liter or two by stuffing it full of gear. Everything fit and the pack holds its shape extremely well, but it isn’t as stretchy as some other models (the Osprey Talon 22 comes to mind). I stuffed it to the gills with camera gear, bike tools, spare clothing, food, and surprisingly, a large bike helmet. The main compartment basically is a cylinder that holds the majority of the pack’s 20-liter capacity. Despite the Stir’s simplicity, great attention was paid to the details. However, it soon became apparent that Thule’s designers did their homework and managed to include many well-thought-out features while keeping the pack’s weight at just over 1 pound. Out of the box, the Thule Stir 20 appeared overly simple: its frameless design looks like a tube with shoulder straps. We've also tested and written about backpacking packs for overnight and extended trips. The pack is impressively lightweight and minimalist yet rugged, and kept surprising me with its features. To see how the Stir 20 stacks up, see our article on the best daypacks. As promised, it held up admirably in all situations. I had the opportunity to test the Thule Stir 20L, using it for a variety of activities including hiking, trail running, mountain biking, bike packing, and bike commuting. In 2016, they have expanded their line of packs to include smaller (15L, 20L, and 30L) daypacks. Thule, the Swedish company known mostly for their car rack systems, recently ventured into the world of backpacking with the successful introduction of their first technical packs.
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