Review: Thule Pack n Pedal Trunk Bag

Back in the Summer, I reviewed the Thule Enroute Escort daypack; I rated it very highly as a smart and durable rucksack that would be just at home on the bike as it would in the office or travelling.

The Thule Pack n Pedal range is the Swedish company's offering in the commuting/touring market, and consists of everything from panniers and racks, to rack-top bags and handlebar bags. In this review, I take a look at the Thule Pack n Pedal Trunk Bag; a compact 11 litre rack-top bag, which is designed to carry the essentials or add some extra carrying capacity to your touring kit.

The design of the Pack n Pedal Trunk Bag is simple, yet effective. It's a roll-top closure, fully-waterproof bag, with a structured hard base. It attaches to any pannier rack with four Velcro strips, and it provides a safe and secure holder for valuables and small items.

As seems to be the norm with Thule products, the build quality of the Trunk bag is up there with the best. The seams are all fully welded, and the bag feels strong and durable with its solid plastic base. The roll-top closure is quick and simple, and means there is no need for fussy waterproof covers or internal liners.

Stowage solutions are fairly minimalist, with the main 11 litre compartment complemented by one open side pocket and one waterproof zippered side pocket. At either end of the bag, there are tall thin sleeves; one of which is made of a transparent material so that it can house a rear light (although it does affect the light's effectiveness a little), and the other would make an ideal place to store a multi-tool or tube.

The attachment system on the Pack n Pedal Trunk Bag is simple and works universally with most racks. If you were to use it with the Thule Pack n Pedal Rear Rack, then the front of the bag pulls over the front end of the rack and the rear attaches with two Velcro strips. If you use it with a normal rack, then you have to use all four Velcro strips.

The Velcro provides a strong fixing, and means that the bag should attach to almost any rack. My only minor gripe with the system is that it is a bit fiddly, and I can't help but feel it's a bit less convenient than the slide-and-click solutions that are out there. That said, it does of course help to bring down the weight of the bag compared to plastic clips and slides.

Overall, this is a very well made piece of kit. The roll-top closure is secure, the internal storage is easily enough for daily essentials on the commute, and external pockets are great for stashing smaller items in that need to be easily reached. The straps are a little bit of a fiddle, but that aside, the overall build quality is very high. An ideal luggage solution for small trips to the shop, touring or commuting; it will keep your kit safe and dry, ride after ride.

View the Pack n Pedal Range at Thule.com (Link)
Thule-Pack-N-Pedal-Trunk
The main compartment is complements by two side pockets, one is zippered.
Thule-Pack-N-Pedal-Trunk
The rear of the bag has a transparent sleeve to house a rear light
Thule-Pack-N-Pedal-Trunk
The open sleeve would be useful to hold small essentials
Thule-Pack-N-Pedal-Trunk
The 11 litre main storage compartment with its structured plastic base
Thule-Pack-N-Pedal-Trunk
The front sleeve is large enough to take a multitool or tube
Thule-Pack-N-Pedal-Trunk
The roll-top waterproof closure overcomes the need for a waterproof cover


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