Thule just has a way of making things that look great. The Thule Aion Carry-On Spinner is yet another one of their products with a distinct look and vibe.
We loved this bag's overall presence, specifically its top-lid opening and well-balanced mix of fabric and polycarbonate shell material.
We liked this case's wheels, which are a unique feature that sets it apart. The Aion Carry-on rides on two sizes of wheels. The front wheels are 1.75 inches in height, and the rear ones stand at 2.5 inches. At first we thought this design feature was a little odd, but after using the Thule for a few trips, we caught the vision. In airports, the wheels roll in tandem, just like any other double spinners, but when the terrain becomes more uneven (cobblestone or wooden boardwalks) the Thule can be tilted onto the larger wheels and pulled much like a rolling duffel — Genius!
We also loved the two large grab handles on the Aion. They're made from basic webbing material, and they're simple, large, easy-to-grab, and comfortable. There's also a great finger grip on the bottom of the bag that sits flush against the bag's exterior. It offers just enough fabric to help you get a grip when pulling it from an overhead bin or car trunk.
We loved this bag's wide-open main compartment. Sometimes having open space to pack the way you want is a nice feature, although some may miss the organizational help. The Thule also comes with a detachable packing cube that is air- and water-tight, making it a great place for muddy shoes or stinky clothes.
Overall, we feel this case is well-built. We really liked how it performed in our tumbling tests. The combination of its thick 600-denier polyester shell and strong polycarbonate back panel is a formidable defense against tumbles and drops.
We calculated the main compartment of our Thule Aion Carry-On Spinner at a little under 40 liters of volume, which is about average for the group.
We liked the size of this bag, especially when it came time to board smaller commuter aircraft with less overhead space. We also think this bag would do well on most international carriers without having to worry about being gate-checked because of its size.
Lastly, we liked the exterior pockets. The Aion has two: a larger one for a jacket, book, or last-minute souvenir, and a smaller corner pocket that works well for wallets, passports, phones, and keys. We also loved the locking zipper loops on the main and exterior compartments. We didn't use them on our trips, but we really liked that both loops can be combined and secured together with one lock.
We didn't find the Aion to be particularly water-resistant, and for an outdoor-oriented bag, this is a bit of a letdown. During our backyard hose testing, this bag performed okay, but it still took on more water than the other cases it was tested against. Both the main compartment and the top-lid compartment accumulated more water than we anticipated.
We rolled our Thule on a variety of surfaces, and we felt it performed well. Its double spinners are solid and responsive. However, we did notice a slight vibration on flatter surfaces. This may be due to the difference in wheel size (the smaller wheels are turning faster than the larger ones). We love this bag and weren't overly bothered by it, but it's worth noting that it's designed to perform on mixed terrain rather than being optimized for smooth surfaces.
The Gregory Quadro Pro 22" is a hardshell carry-on that also favors the adventurous traveler. So, if you like the idea of the Thule, but hardshells are more of your thing, the Gregory may appeal to you. If you are looking for a top-tier softshell, you can't go wrong with the Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On. It's our favorite overall carry-on for many reasons. If you want a softshell that fits the budget, we also like the value of the SwissGear Sion Carry-On.
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Price | $350 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | A compact softshell that rolls well, looks great, and leans toward adventure |
| Pros | Rugged, advanced wheel system, nice exterior pockets, sturdy trolley handle, water-tight packing cube, flexible shape |
| Cons | So-so compression system, doesn't expand, not particularly water-resistant, some rolling vibration, smaller packing volume |
| Rating Categories | Thule Aion Carry-On... |
| Ease of Transport (30%) | |
| Design and Functionality (30%) | |
| Construction Quality (25%) | |
| Capacity (15%) | |
| Specifications | Thule Aion Carry-On... |
| Empty Weight | 7.1 lbs |
| Non-Expanded Main Compartment Volume (Measured) | 37.7 L |
| Expandable | No |
| Exterior Dimensions | 21.7" x 13.8" x 9.1" |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime on manufacturing defects or faulty workmanship. |
| Available sizes | 35L |
| Number of Exterior Pockets | 2 |
| Exterior Material | Polycarbonate and Polyester Canvas |
| Opening Style | Top lid |
| Pull Handle Heights | 3 (34", 37.5", 41") |
| Locking System | Zipper loop |
