Working in Jakarta in January I passed a luggage shop in one of the shopping malls and saw Thule products in the window. Up until then, I wasn’t really aware that Thule produced anything other than rooftop luggage boxes. There was a wide range of high-quality kitbags and rucksacks and it was the eye-catching red Versant 50L rucksack that caught my eye.
The Versant 50L has an adjustable back which is great for me long back as in the bast, finding a rucksack with a long back has been difficult. I like the arrangements of the lid pockets and the lid itself can be separated and used as a shoulder bag as it comes with a separate shoulder strap. The side wand/bottle pockets are cleverly angled at 45 degrees so makes pulling a bottle out so much easier than pockets on previous rucksacks. I like the open stuff pocket on the rear which is great for overtrousers. The waist belt comes with a waterproof detachable pocket which might suit a mobile phone but I’m using it as a quick-fix First Aid pouch with Compeed and a few other things.
All in all, I’m very happy with this product and used it on Mt Toubkal last week.
In the UK the RRP is £170 but I’ve seen it discounted.
Features
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- Easily customizable for a perfect fit with 12cm/4.75in of torso and 10cm/4in of hipbelt adjustability
- Removable, VersaClick waterproof rolltop pocket keeps gear safe from elements (other VersaClick hipbelt accessories sold separately)
- StormGuard system of partial rain cover with a waterproof bottom liner that allows easier access keeps gear drier and is more durable than a traditional rain cover
- Side pockets are easily accessible even with the rain cover on
- Top lid converts to a sling pack for summit hikes
- The large U-zip panel allows for easy access
- Two attachment loops for hiking poles or ice axes
- Front shove-it pocket for quick access
