Thule Aion Sling Bag Review

The Thule Aion Sling Bag is a versatile, compact sling made from recycled materials that has plenty of storage space and can switch from sling to waist pack.

Our Verdict

7.7 /10
Good info

Form

73/100

Design

77/100

Value

80/100
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Pros

  • Tons of space and organization
  • Can switch from sling bag to waist pack easily
  • Has a slim profile that can expand to fit more gear

Cons

  • We wish the wide shoulder strap were longer
  • Key leash and clip often require two hands to use
  • Unique metal strap closure is not always seamless

Technical Details

100 %

Carry-on Compliance

View 145/145 Airlines

74 %

Like the Look

Polled on Instagram

  • Capacity

    2l

  • Weight (lb)

    0.4 lb (0.2 kg)

  • Dimensions

    4.3 in x 9.8 in x 3.1 in (10.9 x 24.9 x 7.9 cm)

  • Notable Materials

    Meets bluesign® Criteria, Recycled Polyester, Canvas, Unbranded Zippers

  • Warranty Information

    Thule BringIt! Guarantee

Buying Options

Brand
Price
Deal
Amazon Logo
$47.95 
Backcountry Logo
$49.95 

Full Review

The Thule Aion Sling Bag is a modern-day crossover between a sling and waist pack with added compatibility to Thule’s Aion Backpack line, where it is usable as a dedicated hip belt on their backpacks. It boasts a tube-like shape that can be easily compressed to a low profile or expanded to fit your needs, offering a convenient two-liter capacity.

Thule Aion Sling Bag On Hip
Thule Aion Sling Bag | Capable of switching from sling to waist pack without any setup or configuration.

This sling’s adaptability is what sets it apart from others. Depending on your needs, a simple length adjustment is all it takes to switch between the two carry modes. However, this does seem to limit the overall maximum length it is capable of, especially in crossbody mode. Additionally, the well-thought-out internal organization ensures that everything stays in place and is easily accessible, whether commuting to work or exploring a new destination.

External Components

The Thule Aion Sling Bag’s exterior shell, inner lining, and mesh are all made from 100% recycled polyester. The exterior also has a durable waxed coating on the canvas fabric, designed to develop its unique character as it ages, similar to how leather wallets mature. While this aging process may not appeal to all, it certainly adds a unique and personal touch. In addition to the waxed canvas, there is a non-toxic, water-resistant coating free from harmful PFCs, often used to make products resistant to water, oil, grease, stains, and heat. This sling, as well as all of Thule’s Aion line, are bluesign® certified, a guarantee of protection to workers, consumers, and the environment.

Thule Aion Sling Bag Bluesign
Thule Aion Sling Bag | This sling is made from 100% recycled materials and is bluesign® certified.

This sling’s main compartment uses dual zippers with a protective AquaGuard® coating for extra resistance to the weather. As for grab handles, a single strip of thin nylon webbing on the top of the bag serves as both a grab handle and a potential attachment point. Aside from that, there are no other lash or attachment points. Thule utilizes minimal branding with just a tiny Hypalon tag with its logo on the front.

Thule Aion Sling Bag Outside Zipper
Thule Aion Sling Bag | Dual Zippers with AquaGuard® coating help provide weather resistance.

The Thule Aion Sling Bag can be used as a crossbody sling or waist pack. As a sling, it tends to sit higher than others we’ve tested, both in the front and the back, which can be an issue depending on an individual’s anatomy and comfort preference. In our experience, this was not a huge issue, but it did require a slight adjustment period, especially when wearing it in the front. Switching from sling bag to waist pack mode is quite simple: all you have to do is adjust it to your waist preference, and that’s it. It can even transition from one to the other while wearing it. However, this simplicity somewhat limits the overall length of the sling. Despite being adjustable on both sides, even at its fullest length, the sling still sits higher than most in our experience.

Thule Aion Sling Bag Buckle Indoor
Thule Aion Sling Bag | Metal closure provides a secure attachment as another removal method.

The strap is quite wide, which may only provide the most comfortable experience for some users. While we found the wide design of the strap to be more cumbersome, others may appreciate the additional weight distribution. The sling features a unique metal closure that does not fall off or slip at all. However, attaching and detaching the closure requires precision, potentially leading to unnecessary fiddling to connect or disconnect it. The back panel provides a fantastic amount of cushion and mesh, providing additional comfort and ventilation, which we definitely appreciate.

Fit Notes

Thule Aion Sling Bag Fit Notes
Left: Morgan White, Height: 6’0 (182 cm), Torso: 17.75” (45 cm) | Lauren Maternowski, Height: 5’6” (168 cm), Torso: 16.5” (42 cm)

This sling comes in three colorways: Dark Slate, Nutria (a tan or brown-like color), and Black. The interior lining remains the same light blue across all three variations. These muted color options help the bag blend in and not draw too much attention, making it a reasonably minimalistic choice. It is suitable for a wide range of use cases and settings, including city excursions, office environments, or vacations abroad. We appreciate this design as the shape can expand and contract as required, enabling it to sit flush against the body without sticking out too much. However, due to the strap length limitations, those who prefer a looser, lower-hanging sling might not be huge fans of this design, as it sits pretty high up.

Inside The Sling

The Thule Aion Sling Bag features a zippered hidden rear pocket, perfect for securely and discreetly storing essentials like passports, cash, or a wallet. The pocket blends in seamlessly and stays out of sight unless you’re specifically looking for it. It takes up just about the entire back panel, making it quite spacious. Since this pocket is located in the rear and sits up against the body, it is ideal for flatter objects. However, the back panel provides decent padding and cushioning, so placing bulkier or oddly shaped items in this pocket should be fine.

Thule Aion Sling Bag Back Pocket
Thule Aion Sling Bag | Hidden zippered pocket sits behind the padded back panel and provides discreet access to valuables.

The main compartment of the sling bag has a tube-like shape that can quickly expand to accommodate a variety of items or collapse for a more sleek or minimal fit. This feature is convenient as it does not require additional configuration or setup; it simply expands as needed. This works nicely as a standard storage area for items like a phone, a compact camera, or small headphones. While sunglasses could technically fit in this section, due to the lack of protective padding, we do not recommend that.

Thule Aion Sling Bag Topdown Open
Thule Aion Sling Bag | The sling’s tube-like shape can expand to fit a nice amount of extra gear when needed.

There is a key leash with a basic clip in the main compartment. The leash is nylon without any stretch and has a plastic clip to keep keys organized and easily accessible. During our testing, we did find that getting keys on and off can be a bit challenging with one hand, so we recommend using two hands when possible. Depending on how far you need to reach, you can also use the keys while still attached. However, taller individuals may need to bend down or sorority squat in order to get the keys closer, and your mileage may vary.

Thule Aion Sling Bag Key Leash
Thule Aion Sling Bag | Plastic key clip may require two hands to get keys on and off.

Against the back wall is a zippered pocket that offers a good amount of storage and the added security of a zipper for smaller items you wouldn’t want loose in the main compartment. The pocket’s mesh material allows the contents to be visible while secured. We find this works well for smaller items like chapstick, change, USB drives, etc.

Thule Aion Sling Bag Inside Zipper
Thule Aion Sling Bag | Zippered compartment is perfect for securing smaller items inside the main compartment.

In front of that zippered pocket, this sling offers a unique approach to additional organization by using a snap button to convert one large slip pocket into two smaller ones. This slip pocket’s padding provides extra protection for stored items. The concept seems pretty helpful in theory but could be more beneficial in practice. It works reasonably well for larger items, but due to the separation being only towards the top of the slip pocket, smaller items tend to slip underneath into the other pocket, making the feature ultimately useless, if not a nuisance. For example, keys attached to the key leash placed in the nearest slip pocket tend to slip under the snap and end up on the other side. Then, we have to slide them back under the snap to get them out.

Thule Aion Sling Bag Topdown Empty
Thule Aion Sling Bag | Unique design allows one big slip pocket to be converted into two smaller slip pockets.

During testing, we put a wallet in the rear pocket. In the main compartment, we attach keys to the clip and store them in one of the slip pockets, and we use the other slip pocket to store AirPods. We put items like gum and lip balm in the zippered compartment. Although a small bottle of hand sanitizer can fit in this compartment, it begins to get a bit tight. We usually reserved the rest of the main compartment for a phone (in our case, an iPhone 15 Pro Max) or a small compact camera (Ricoh GR 3) with still some space to spare.

Thule Aion Sling Bag Inside Packed
Thule Aion Sling Bag | Clever design and flexible organization allow for this sling to adapt to the user’s needs in various use cases.

The Thule Aion Sling Bag is a versatile, adaptable, and compact sling that can double as a waist pack. Its unique design and recycled materials make it fantastic for daily use and travel. Its ability to transform from a sling to a waist pack makes it ideal for various scenarios, and the thoughtful internal organization ensures that items are secure and easily accessible. The recycled materials and non-toxic, water-resistant coating show Thule’s commitment to sustainability. However, the strap length may limit its appeal for those who prefer a looser or lower-hanging sling. Overall, it is an excellent choice for those in need of a compact, adaptable bag that doesn’t compromise on quality or sustainability.

Usage Timeline

Initial Usage

Condition: Excellent

  • Sling strap uses an interesting buckle that is loud
  • Like the pill-shaped style
  • Nice amount of padding on the back for comfort and airflow
2 Weeks of Use

Condition: Excellent

  • Some minor scratches and scuffs
  • Still easy to use and intuitive
  • Materials still feel comfortable and pleasant to hold
mm
By Morgan White
Created May 29, 2024 • Updated May 29, 2024
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