Thule Review

Sunday, April 20th

2025 Luggage Reviews

Thule

• Starting at $139
• About 35 different suitcase choices
• Unique backpack or duffel-like suitcase designs
• Limited lifetime warranty
• "A-” Better Business Bureau rating
• In business since 1942

Thule was founded in the deep forest of Sweden in 1942. Their founder, Erik Thulin, was a lover of the outdoors, so he started a company that would make it more convenient for people to carry their gear wherever adventure takes them. They started out introducing ski racks, then roof baskets and surfboard carriers, now with a diverse inventory of everything from jogging strollers to rooftop tents and luggage.

Beyond suitcases

The luggage and bags selection from Thule contains so much more than just checked bags and carry-ons. They have duffel bags, travel packs, laptop backpacks, camera backpacks, ski and snowboard cases and bags, hiking backpacks, hydration packs, bike travel bags, and the list goes on. If you need something unusual to come with you on your travels, odds are that Thule makes a specialty carrier for it.

For the sporty adventurer

For the sake of this particular review, we'll mostly be focusing on Thule's suitcases. They're unique-looking in that many of the suitcases are like backpacks on wheels with a pull handle for easy transportation. Others look like duffel bags on wheels and a few of them do look like a typical hardside suitcase. All of the products have "Thule” clearly displayed on the front, so it would be pretty easy to identify your belongings. Everything here definitely gives off "sporty adventurer” vibes, so if that is your personal style, you'll like what you see at Thule.

Unique exterior, standard interior

There are about 35 different types of checked or carry-on luggage you can choose from. Thule has a few sizes of most bags or suitcases you can consider, and you'll mostly see color choices like olive, navy blue, black, and maybe something in red or burnt orange here or there. The four sizes of luggage you'll typically be able to choose between are a carry-on around 22”, a medium-sized suitcase around 28” and a large size that's 30”. Although they differ quite a bit in looks on the outside, most of Thule's luggage has an interior with one side for clothes and a strap that goes across them, and a zipped pocket on the other side - just like you'd find from most other luggage brands.

For serious travelers

Where Thule really differs from the competition we've researched is in pricing. A black backpack is listed as their cheapest option, which may or may not be considered luggage by some people's standards. The backpack is $139, but most Thule carry-ons are in the $250 - $350 range and checked bags are easily $358 - $500 with the most expensive being $933. The higher-end luggage is made of 100% impact-resistant polycarbonate with a reinforced front panel and rigid frame. It has small recessed front wheels and oversized back wheels to navigate tough terrain, plus TSA locks and puncture-resistant zippers. All in all, Thule isn't trying to be a bargain brand, but rather aims to offer high-quality, cool-looking luggage for serious travelers.

Limited lifetime warranty

All Thule luggage and duffel bags come with a limited lifetime warranty. This means they will remedy defects in materials and workmanship by making necessary repairs without charge for parts or labor. If it is impossible to make the repairs, Thule will replace your suitcase or bag outright. To see if your piece of luggage qualifies for a warranty repair, you should reach out to Thule directly.

Cool brand, uncool customer service

The Better Business Bureau gives Thule an "A-” rating, which is higher than what we've seen from quite a few of their competitors. Their luggage mostly receives anywhere from a 4.4 to a 4.8 out of 5-star rating average from customers, making Thule a well-liked and respected brand…in theory. But, some say when it comes to customer support, they leave you hanging. People spend a lot of money here and if their luggage comes with issues or they need something fixed under the warranty, it's commonly reported that this is hard to accomplish. If you don't have your original receipt, you can't get any help regarding a warranty claim - and even then they sometimes give you the runaround.

Too extravagant for the everyday traveler

We believe that Thule is a great company to find a lot of awesome travel products. Their inventory is wide-ranging and caters to adventurers of all types, so it's fun to see what they have to offer. We really like the look of their luggage and that it's different from what you see every day. However, Thule may not be for everyone simply because their prices are so much higher than more basic luggage companies. The typical traveler doesn't need a $500 suitcase, so it might not be practical to look for one here. We're also a little apprehensive about Thule's customer service, especially for people spending so much money. Because of this, Thule doesn't rank as one of our top choices for luggage.