My current backpack was probably purchased back in the early 90's and the zipper is hard to use because it's always get caught in the threads that are fraying off the pack so the Thule Crossover is a heck of an upgrade. From the moment I pulled it out of the box it felt like I was holding a quality piece of luggage (and in many ways it does feel like luggage). Everything about it feels solidly made and thoughtfully designed. Obviously I can't look 10 years into the future to see how the Thule holds up but I have this feeling this one is built to last.

What most impressed me was how well thought out the Crossover is. The pack feels very light with a back that is hard enough to stop items inside from poking you but padded so it doesn't feel like you have a plank of wood on your back. There is a solid compartment at the top of the pack for storing delicate items like electronics or skiing goggles. The pack will unzip almost completely in a similar way to luggage and has several more compartments inside including one near the top that my wallet fit into snuggly. I also like the smaller pockets on the side of the pack that could be used for storing car keys, credit cards or even a small camera. There are handles at the base and the top of the pack for hoisting around and I can imagine that the idea was that the Crossover could be used as a carry on and the handles would work nicely for getting it into an overhead compartment.

The Crossover looks slick and could be your sole source of luggage on a short trip. It can be laid flat and opened up like a small suitcase with plenty of room for several days of clothing. There is even a zipper that runs straight down the back where you could possibly store a dress shirt or important papers that you need to grab quickly. Let me say that when I describe it as luggage that is not to imply that it cannot be used just like a normal backpack for carrying schoolbooks and lunches. It's just that the design here is far beyond what I normally think of when I imagine a backpack. I've reviewed other high quality items in the past and the killer tends to be price but in this instance I think that 100 bucks is an extremely fair price for what you get. This might well be the last backpack I ever get.