Review: THULE Versant 60 Backpacks that should be chosen by active travelers, from city tours to long-term traverses

With tourists from overseas becoming a common sight these days, it is not uncommon to see foreign travelers carrying huge backpacks

Traditionally used for mountain climbing and other activities, large, vertical backpacks of 50L or more have become commonplace for travel and leisure activities due to their high storage capacity and carrying performance. As the range of users expands, more careful consideration and ingenuity are required to accommodate this. In fact, it could be said that large outdoor backpacks have evolved in this direction in recent years

Originally a global leader in car carriers and travel bags THULE cleverly incorporated modern needs into its Versant series of large backpacks, developed to cover a wide range of activities, from travel and leisure to serious mountain climbing. Having traveled with this pack several times, I've come to appreciate the high level of perfection, packed with the brand's unique cutting-edge features, just like the models we've previously introduced. Let's get straight to the review.

table of contents

• Features of THULE Versant 60
  • Adjustable back and hip belt size
  • Ample padding around the waist provides excellent cushioning
  • Clever storage and surprisingly easy access
  • Detachable top lid converts into a sling pack
  • Efficient and convenient rain cover
  • Things to be bothered
• summary
• Test Results & Specification Table

Features of THULE Versant 60

Item appearance

First, let's take a quick look at the exterior. Compared to alpine packs, it has a chunkier form and a slightly lower center of gravity. Design-wise, as a mountaineering pack, it doesn't have the cluttered attachments that alpine packs have, and it has a clean impression that is conscious of not looking out of place in the city. That said, it does have the minimum straps necessary for trekking, and the balance in that area is impressive. While the weight is not particularly light compared to other models in the same class, at less than 2kg for a 60L capacity, it can be said to be lighter than average. This is likely due to the fact that the body fabric is 100D (denier) nylon, which is slightly thin

Of the 50, 60, and 70L capacity variations, the 60L version was the one we tried out. This volume is ideal for 3-5 nights in the snow-free season, and 1-2 nights in the snowy season

Adjustable back and hip belt size

As if the days of "Adjusting the size of a backpack? What's that?" never existed, the Versant allows you to easily adjust everything from the back length to the hip belt length

It's true that many large backpacks these days have back adjustment features, but when it comes to hip belts, most only allow you to specify S/M/L size during the fitting before purchase, and there are still very few models that allow regular adjustment. With this pack, however, you can load your gear and have it fit perfectly to your body without any hassle, even while walking. Adjustment is very simple; just open the Velcro on both the back and hips and slide to adjust the length

Ample padding around the waist provides excellent cushioning

Once you've adjusted everything to your size, the Versant is incredibly comfortable to wear. The generous padding around the lower back ensures that the weight is evenly distributed across your lower body. The hip belt's thickness may seem a bit concerning at first glance, but once you fasten it, it's actually more comfortable than you'd expect. It's wide and reasonably sturdy, providing additional support for weight transfer to your lower back. However, the breathability is average

The shoulder pads are made of high-density foam, are slightly thin, and are hollowed out for breathability. They are relatively narrow and S-shaped, fitting easily from the shoulders to the sides. They're not particularly noticeable if the weight is properly distributed across your waist, but they may be a bit tight if you're carrying a significant amount of weight for a long period of time

Clever storage and surprisingly easy access

the THULE I've tried , I'm always impressed by the high quality and thoughtfulness of the zippers, straps, and attachments for storage and compression.

For example, the drawcord used to close the main compartment. Usually, it requires two actions: loosen it and then open it, but this one can be opened easily with just one action: pull the tag and the other end (see photo below). Many brands have adopted this feature recently, but this was one of the earliest examples

The front has a large inverted U-shaped zipper that opens wide, allowing you to take things in and out with surprising ease without having to open the canopy. It's as easy to use as a panel-loading backpack. This ease of use will be more useful in hotels at your travel destination than when hiking

There is also a large mesh pocket made of stretch fabric on the front, where you can store items you need to access quickly, such as cold weather gear, snacks, and maps

The water bottle pockets on both sides are angled rather than upright, making it easier to access bottles while walking. The zippers expand the width, so even fairly thick bottles can fit inside. However, be careful with long, thin bottles, as they may easily fall out of the side pockets. The angle of the pockets also makes it slightly more difficult to attach long items like tent poles to the sides, which is a difference from more serious mountaineering gear

There are standard loops on both sides for securing trekking poles or ice axes

One of the hip belt pockets is equipped with THULE's familiar "VersaClick" attachment system. This is a storage adapter that allows you to change parts to suit your needs, and as standard it comes equipped with a fully waterproof and shock-resistant pocket. It's perfect for storing electronic devices such as smartphones. Unfortunately, however, my 5.9-inch smartphone no longer fits in this size. I mainly keep spare camera batteries in it. Since iPhones also seem to be trending toward larger screens, I'd like to get an update soon

other accessories such as camera bags and water bottle holders currently available for this attachment , and can be replaced by purchasing them separately.

Detachable top lid converts into a sling pack

Another notable feature of the Versant is its removable top lid, which can be used as a sub-bag. Normally, the top lid is just an ordinary bag with two large opening pockets

By removing the top lid and attaching the straps to the designated locations, it quickly transforms into a shoulder sling pack. The choice of a sling pack design rather than a backpack that is carried firmly on the back like a typical attack pack suggests that it is more geared towards walking around town. However, when I walked around with small items like a water bottle, rain jacket, and wallet inside, I found that the shoulders were adequately cushioned, and the straps kept the bag in place around the waist so that it didn't dangle, making it very comfortable. It is comfortable enough for short, temporary walks rather than long-term use

Efficient and convenient rain cover

The included rain cover is stored in a pocket at the bottom of the pack. This bottom section is waterproof, so the rain cover only covers the area above this point, and the cover can be securely fastened to the loops on the side

There are some surprising benefits to not having the bottom covered by the rain cover, such as the cover being less likely to get scratched when you put the backpack down on the ground, and being able to easily access the side pockets where you store your bottles even with the cover on

Things to be bothered

Somewhat lacking in stability against lateral movement

The back of the Versant is reinforced with an aluminum wire frame and resin plates. The connection between the back frame and the hip belt is concentrated only in the center of the waist. For example, when wearing the pack and swinging, the pack tends to sway around the center of the waist. It would have been more stable if the pack had straps to secure the hip belt on both sides, like the brand's Guidepost (pictured below), but I personally found this a bit disappointing

Although this is not a problem during normal movement or walking, the Versant hip belt does not have side fixing straps like the ones in the photo, so it is prone to shaking a little

Summary: What kind of activities do you recommend?

This is ◎

• Adjustable back and hipbelt size to fit a wide range of body types
• Ample padding around the waist provides excellent cushioning
• Clever storage and surprisingly easy access
• Detachable top lid converts into a sling pack
• Efficient and convenient rain cover

I'm curious about this

• Somewhat lacking in stability against lateral movement

The THULE Versant is a premium backpack designed for new backpackers who want to enjoy a wide range of adventures, rather than simply mastering traditional mountain trekking. Its outstanding feature is that it can fit a wide range of adventures, from outdoor activities to backpacking trips abroad, and is suitable for people of all body types.

On the other hand, for hard-core climbers and long-distance thru-hikers, its versatility might feel a bit lacking. Of course, this doesn't mean you can't ski tour in the depths of winter, but there are certainly better models available

If you're not satisfied with just walking around major cities, but would like to explore unpaved roads, venture into forests, and through wilderness areas, capturing unique scenery on your timeline, the Versant is a surefire choice. It's also perfectly suited to mountaineering, especially if you're hiking along regular mountain trails. The high quality, meticulous attention to detail, gives the user a luxurious, premium feel that's worth the price, and in this respect, I personally feel it rivals the Gregory,

Versant 60L

THULE

35,424 yen

1.88kg

Main Specifications and ratings

   

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