Travel can be tough on luggage. We’ve all watched helplessly from airplane windows as baggage handlers tossed suitcases and duffel bags onto conveyor belts, and I’ve personally seen Rome’s cobblestone streets chew up and spit out the wheels of rolling suitcases, forcing tourists to haul heavy objects by hand. But once I started taking the Thule Crossover 2 Rolling Duffel Bag and Thule Crossover 2 Laptop Backpack on my travels, I stopped worrying about damaged luggage. Even the most hostile roadside or airport employee couldn’t put a dent in them.
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I’ve been traveling with this dynamic duo since 2019, and both bags have proven their durability in a variety of environments. They’re durable, spacious, and show no signs of wear other than the inevitable scratches here and there. The rolling duffel bag still rides like new, and not a single zipper on the backpack has needed repairing. These bags may actually outlast me.
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Thule Crossover 2 Wheeled Sports Bag
This tough-as-nails wheeled duffel bag has a ton of features. It’s equipped with big wheels that never get stuck or run over obstacles, reinforced corners, and a tough molded base to protect fragile items. The top soft section of the duffel opens with a large flap, and even when I think I’ve filled it to the brim, I can always squeeze a shirt or pair of shoes inside. Items I want to access quickly, like a book or jacket, easily fit in the top exterior pocket, which is roomy enough to fit a bowling ball, no less.
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When you’re not rolling the bag, you can lift it by the top and side handles that are sewn tightly into the fabric, or by the straps that attach with Velcro over the main compartment. All of these handles have been put to the test when the bag is filled to the max and the seams are firm.
The telescopic handle is still in excellent condition too, sliding up and down at the push of a button and locking securely into place when needed. It's almost miraculous that this hasn't broken, as I often lift a heavy, fully loaded duffel bag by the retractable handle when I'm in a hurry (don't do that).
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Thule Crossover 2 Laptop Backpack
I take this trusty 30-liter backpack to coffee shops almost every workday, and it accompanies me on all my trips. The padded sleeve in the rear compartment fits laptops up to 15.2 x 10.4 inches, while the larger front compartment holds my chargers, snacks, noise-canceling headphones, and usually a folded jacket or sweater. Whether I’m taking it to a coffee shop or on my plane, I trust it to hold all my essentials and more. It’s also the perfect size to slide seamlessly under an airplane seat, so there’s no need to stow it in the overhead bin.
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It has a fairly minimal design, which gives it a sleek look, but the thin padding on the straps means it’s not something you’ll want to wear on long walks through the airport (or during long waits at your gate). That’s where the stretchy toggle strap on the back panel comes in handy. When I need to give my shoulders a break, I slide the bag onto the telescopic handle of my rolling duffel bag and take it on a road trip. Five years and zero issues later, it’s proven that this bag will be with me on every trip for the foreseeable future.