Thule Guidepost 65-Liter Backpack

If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward, and lightweight backpack, this ain’t it… However, if you’re obsessed with organization and love to have every piece of gear neatly slotted in its own corresponding compartment, then the feature-rich Thule Guidepost 65-Liter is your new favorite travel buddy.

Pros: The Thule Guidepost 65-Liter offers features on features: An outer compartment accessible via both a zipper and an open flap; the detachable brain unclips and converts to a lightweight 28L pack; an outer “J” zipper swoops around the bulk of the pack, so accessing the depths of the bag is never difficult; Thule’s well-thought-out hipbelt VersaClick system, which included a removable roll-top stash bag, and offers additional accessory options like DSLR holster (which we didn’t test but looks rad in the theory).

Cons: Clearly features are in abundance here, and as such, the weight of the pack is on the higher side. Comfortable, adjustable shoulder straps, ample back padding, and extra organizational features are, for some gram-counting backpackers, going to nix this luxurious pack from consideration. Our tester found the pivoting hip belt unnecessary and the results negligible. That said, the pack is still comfortable, but you’re paying a premium price partially because of this hip belt. Our tester’s hips don’t lie—if you’re expecting a magical solution to your hip pain, you may be disappointed.

Tester Comment: “I’ve been living out of this Thule backpack for most of the last 2 months. I’m continually impressed with the organizational elements of the pack, and when moving from surf spot to surf spot, I dig the outer compartment—perfect for wet board shorts and a stinky towel. Definitely on the heavier side, but that comes with the feature-heavy territory. And while I’m not totally sold on the hip belt, the pack remains comfortable—even with a fully maxed out pack job.”

Bottom Line: A cushy, luxurious, feature-rich gear hauler for the organizationally obsessed.

Best For: Weekend to weeklong backpacking trips, casual trekkers, and international travelers who are less concerned with pack weight than they are organization