Thule Subterra 2 Carry-On Suitcase Spinner Review

The Thule Subterra 2 Carry-On Suitcase Spinner is a soft-sided bag; however, its structured materials intrigued us from the first moment we got our hands on it. Will it hold up well, or will we be left longing for something more durable? Let’s dive in!

External Components

The exterior of the pack is crafted from both nylon and polyester. The materials on this bag are bluesign® approved, meaning they’re sustainable and, in turn, better for the environment. The shell is durable, highly water resistant, and looks sleek. Plus, it holds its shape incredibly well for soft-sided luggage, which enhances its looks.

The logo on the front of the luggage is sleek and minimalistic. It isn’t so loud that everyone will know what brand you’re wearing, like at the Met Gala. Still, it looks so sleek that people might want to know.

The luggage utilizes YKK zippers, which are durable and easy to use. YKK is the best zipper brand in the business at the time of writing, so we’re happy to see their inclusion. The main compartment zippers can lock, but the secondary compartment doesn’t.

The inside of the pack has Duraflex hardware, which is durable and easy to use. More on that later, though!

There are handles on the top and side of the bag, which stay out of the way when not in use but have enough space for your hand to fit comfortably when you need to use them. They aren’t the most cushioned or spacious; however, they get the job done. There’s a simpler handle on the luggage’s bottom, too, but it’s only helpful in snagging the bag out of a trunk or the overhead bin, not long journeys.

There’s a built-in ID slot on the side bag, which is handy for travelers who worry about lost luggage and invasion of privacy. Because it is on the outside, nobody has to go rummaging through your bag to find who owns it. The ID window is semi-clear and durable enough to handle the bumps and knocks of travel. There’s no topper, so your ID note can theoretically slip out, but it hasn’t happened to us yet.

The handle on the telescoping mechanism is sturdy but lacks grip or padding. It’s wide enough to ensure your hand doesn’t feel claustrophobic, which we dig.

Fit Notes

The telescopic handle has three heights and will work for travelers of most heights. That said, it may be hard for you to find the perfect one, as the three options are semi-limiting. Still, we found the handle to work well. It’s strong and only shakes a little when on the move.

The wheels are thinner than we’ve used in the past but have held up well durability-wise. They’re smooth and work well spinning 360 degrees. Initially, we worried they wouldn’t hold up, but we haven’t had an issue.

The transition from two wheels to four is seamless, and they can handle rough terrain, though it sometimes gets bumpy.

So long as the bag is packed, you can easily sit on the Thule Subterra 2 Carry-On Suitcase Spinner. It isn’t as comfortable as other rolling bags we’ve tested, but you can take a load off while waiting for the coach.

Inside The Carry On Luggage

The bag has 35 liters of space, which is rad. How well does it pack, though?

Before diving into the specifics of the two compartments, it’s worth noting that we often confuse the zippers. If you aren’t paying close attention, it is easy to open one when you’re trying to open the other, as they’re near one another. You get used to this eventually, but it is worth noting.

The secondary compartment is a solid size for your daily essentials and other gear you want to use in the airport. It’s roughly the size of a large sling, so if you don’t want to carry one, this is a good alternative. There’s a zippered pocket inside to lock down sensitive gear and a key leash, so you can ensure you don’t lose your car or house key when you get back home.

The main compartment is where the real party is. Welcome!

The bag is segmented into two sides: a large dump pocket and a lid storage area. The lid has a zipper that goes around the entire pocket, and the material is made of mesh, so you can see what is stowed inside. The bottom of this pocket has curvature, so we recommend packing clothing on this side, as they will conform to the space better than hardier items like travel shoes. There’s a divider in the middle, which is handy but doesn’t have a ton of depth to divide gear. You can fold it up if you want to use it or leave it down if you don’t. We dig that it’s optional and doesn’t get in your way if you don’t want to use it. This area shares space with the secondary compartment we just went over, so your everyday carry gear in the other pocket will eat up space here. Still, there’s no reason that all your clothing shouldn’t fit here for most trips.

The other side is the main storage area. A compression system here works in tandem with an organizational divider. The rectangular divider opens like a book, which gives you reasonable access to organizing gear. However, it only has one zipper, which feels like a miss, as you can’t move the opening around to access different gear without opening the entire thing. Still, it’s handy for flat items or malleable stuff like socks and underwear, and can remove a packing cube from your packing list.

Two compression straps attach to the divider, but you can remove the rectangular organizer if you don’t want to use it. The compression works better with the divider, as it adds more contact points, but you can use the bag without it.

There’s a ton of space on this side, and you’ll easily be able to fit larger items, like boots or an oversized coat here. If your clothing was too much for the lid side, there will undoubtedly be enough space here. Though it is just 35 liters, it feels larger because most of the space is in one compartment. Plus, there isn’t a ton of organization to get in your way, so it goes further than it would otherwise.

Overall, using the Thule Subterra 2 Carry-On Suitcase Spinner is easy, and the bag is versatile. It doesn’t get in your way and is constructed with durable and sustainable materials. It helps keep you organized but doesn’t force your hand in using built-in segmentation devices. Seriously, this thing is a blast!