The bike backpack market is dominated by a few brands and Thule isn’t yet one of them. That could all change with the Thule Rail 12L Pro, as our review of this protector-backpack proves.
Our expectations of a modern bike backpack are easy to list but apparently difficult to fulfil. A good backpack should stay securely in place while offering good ventilation. It must also offer enough storage space for all your essentials and protect your back. The Thule Rail 12L Pro promises to fulfil all of these expectations thanks to a cleverly designed strap system, well position compartments and a removable Koroyd back protector. The construction of the backpack differs from the more popular brands in several respects. For example, the tool compartment in the Rail Pro is placed where it makes the most sense: close to your back. Small zippered compartments and pockets for a pump allow you to keep everything nice and organised. The main compartment of the 12 L backpack offers enough space for a spare layer and a lightweight jacket. Besides that, the Rail 12L has a slim pocket on the outside which you can reach from the side – perfect for your smartphone or a snack. If you run out of space, you can always hang stuff from the four straps on the outside of the backpack, such as your knee pads and chin-guard. Along with a back protector, the Rail 12L also has an integrated 2.5 L bladder with an extra big opening for easy cleaning. However, the real highlight of the bladder is the magnetic strip on the hose. This keeps the hose captive to the strap, meaning it’s always within easy reach and automatically jumps back into place when you’re done drinking – brilliant!
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