Review: THULE Capstone 22L: A new style of "full-fledged daypack that looks great in the city and the mountains" from the leading car carrier brand

A daypack of around 20L (liters) is ideal for a variety of occasions, from everyday use to travel, hiking, cycling, etc. While a comfortable structure and convenient functionality have long been important elements for a daypack, an equally essential feature for today's urban mountain enthusiasts is a sense of sophistication that blends seamlessly into the city

For those looking for a daypack that offers the essential mountain hiking features and also blends in well with city life, I highly recommend the Thule Capstone . Based in Sweden, Thule is a familiar brand known for its car racks and carriers. They're also famous for their PC and camera bags, which I've personally been using since before I started this website. In any case, it's clear that the brand is still relatively unknown in Japan in the outdoor industry.

That's because THULE only recently began offering outdoor backpacks in 2015. However, despite their short time in the market, they already have a number of great products that are not well-known. What innovative outdoor backpacks has this top car carrier brand brought to the world? Let's take a look right away

General characteristics

The excellently breathable tension mesh back panel effectively releases heat and moisture from the back. The main storage features a main pocket with an easy-to-open zipper, as well as zippered pockets on the top and hip belt for storing small items. The hip belt is also compatible with VersaClick accessories, which can be replaced depending on your needs (the standard pack includes a VersaClick Pole Holder, which allows you to attach trekking poles to the hip belt without removing the pack). It also comes with a rain cover and a hydration-compatible reservoir sleeve, providing the comfort and functionality you need for a hiking backpack in a simple and stylish body

Recommended points

• The back panel, shoulders, and hip belt are highly breathable, comfortable, and have excellent load stability
• A body that combines design and versatility, suitable for everyday use and serious hiking
• VersaClick accessories with outstanding functionality and customizability

Points of interest

• Storing poles and axes requires some ingenuity
• The stiff frame makes it difficult to store and compact

CAPSTONE 22L

THULE

14,472 yen

1,003g (measured in M/L sizes, including VersaClick Pole Holder and rain cover)

Item Appearance

front

Back

Main specifications and evaluation

Detailed Review

The back panel, shoulders, and hip belt are breathable, comfortable, and provide excellent load stability

The Capstone series packs feature a tension mesh (trampoline structure) back. While this is no longer uncommon, it creates a gap in the back that allows air to pass through, reducing stuffiness. The taut mesh back is not only breathable but also soft against the skin, allowing you to carry it comfortably without worrying about sweating, even in the hot summer

The shoulder and hip belts are made of thin mesh, which is designed for breathability, and at first glance they may seem a little lacking in cushioning, but the thick cushioning placed in the area that comes into contact with the lower back significantly reduces damage caused by the weight, so the overall load stability is very high

The back is made of a mesh trampoline structure, and the shoulder and hip belts are made of thin, hollowed-out EVA material covered with mesh for excellent breathability

Backpacks with a trampoline structure tend to be heavy, but this model is surprisingly light. Incidentally, models over 32L can even adjust the back length, so even with that in mind, the technology is quite mature

The curve of the back is not that sharp, and there is no feeling of the center of gravity being pulled backwards

A body that combines design and versatility, suitable for everyday use and serious hiking

Of course, people will have different likes and dislikes, but I haven't seen much of this simple, minimalist form, stripped of all unnecessary elements, and subdued, elegant coloring in a daypack for serious mountain climbing (although the model I tried out this time was the only one in the lineup with a flashy color)

Having lots of pockets and attachments certainly makes it more convenient. However, it is also true that it adds a little weight and takes away from the design. In that sense, at first glance, this model seems to have gone all out on design. However, THULE, which has built a solid track record in other fields, has incorporated various ideas to maintain convenience while maintaining a high level of design in order to meet the needs of both city and mountain users

The main compartment is accessed via a zipper, rather than a canopy, which makes it easy to open and close. Fewer parts like buckles result in a cleaner design, and for a pack of this size, this approach is also more convenient. The zipper has a handle, making it easy to handle even with gloves on. The zipper pockets for small items are also in an easily accessible location, and the hydration tube is conveniently positioned on either side for easy access

The right hip belt has a stretch mesh pocket large enough to hold a smartphone up to 5 inches

The mesh side pockets on both sides are stretchy and durable enough to fit a water bottle or even a thick Nalgene bottle. Incidentally, models 32L and larger have additional side straps and a wider front pocket

The bottom is made of durable 420D nylon fabric, and the rain cover can be easily set up by simply pulling it out and placing it over the bag

The front of the pack appears to be bare at first glance, but features two vertical rows of buttonhole webbing, allowing you to attach gear by threading shock cords or carabiners through them. It's versatile enough to be neat in the city and secure in the mountains

VersaClick accessories with outstanding functionality and customizability

Another excellent feature we'll look at is THULE's unique attachment system, the VersaClick system, which combines a simple body with maximum ease of use. Simply put, this is a series of interchangeable storage adapters located on the left hip belt. For example, if you purchase the Capstone series, a trekking pole holder like the one pictured comes standard. By opening and closing the straps, you can store your poles without taking the pack off, which is convenient when you suddenly come across a chain section and need to temporarily free up both hands

Just remove the strap and set the pole in place. You can also hang a Nalgene bottle (although I personally don't like it as it dangles)

In addition, there is currently a wide range of attachments available, so you can purchase new ones to add the storage you need

The example below, "Rolltop Safezone Pocket," is a completely waterproof and shockproof pocket for safely storing electronic devices. There are also including versatile pouches, holsters for SLR cameras, and insulated drink bottles, allowing you to create your own pack to suit your needs and preferences. Personally, I'm particularly drawn to the holsters for SLR cameras.

Concerns

Storing poles and axes requires some ingenuity

So far, I've only spoken of the positive aspects of the features that have been stripped away, but there's one thing I wish they'd kept: the trekking pole attachment. A typical mountaineering backpack has loops at the bottom for securing ice axes, but this one has been omitted, so you have to use the side pockets to attach poles externally. However, if you leave it as is, the poles will dangle out of the pocket, which can be dangerous. You'd need a strap to secure them, but this model doesn't even have one (models 32L and above have side straps for poles)

For this reason, it seems possible to secure the pole in place by passing it through a carabiner attached to the buttonhole webbing as shown in the photo, which is a bit of a forceful method, but in any case, you would need a separate carabiner or shock cord, and even this would not completely secure it, so to be honest it's not a good method

Summary: What activities is it recommended for?

Although THULE has only been in the highly competitive and advanced outdoor backpack market for a few years, the Capstone shows no sign of this lack of experience, demonstrating a high level of perfection. It's an exquisitely balanced daypack for casual outdoor enthusiasts, incorporating cutting-edge standard hiking features while adding a touch of modern sophistication. Simple yet carefully crafted down to the smallest detail, it's perfect for everyday use, from work to travel, and casual day hikes and cycling in low mountains. It's also a great choice for those who want to get into mountain climbing but don't want something too bulky right from the start

On the other hand, the number of attachments is kept to a minimum, so it may not be suitable for technical activities such as climbing. In that sense, although it is highly versatile, its range is more broad, from city to light outdoor activities, rather than for "all outdoor activities." Also, because of the sturdy back frame, the pack itself has limited storage capacity, making it difficult to use as a sub-pack

Outdoor gear used to be specialized equipment only available to a select few. Now that everyone can easily enjoy nature, there has been a strong demand for gear that is more suited to city dwellers, or that bridges the gap between the city and nature. This "new" brand is one to keep an eye on as it takes on this trend and draws new types of people into the outdoors

CAPSTONE 22L

THULE

14,472 yen

1,003g (measured in M/L sizes, including VersaClick Pole Holder and rain cover)

Check out this article about backpacks

• How to Choose the Right Mountaineering Backpack and 10 Recommended Backpacks for Beginners
• 10 Lightweight Backpacks for Beginners in Fastpacking
• 10 New and Recommended Daypacks for Day Hiking and Everyday Use [Classic & Unique]
• Comparison Review: Comparing the best beginner backpacks for those just starting out in mountaineering
• Comparison Review: Comparing lightweight backpacks perfect for light hiking and fastpacking

   

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