Thule Chasm Gear Hauler Review
Finally, a Better System Than 'Just Chuck It in the Boot'
Every outdoor enthusiast has a packing system. Some colour-code everything into neat little boxes. Some make spreadsheets - guilty!
The rest just stand in the garage for ten minutes, throwing random bits of camping kit into the back of the 4x4 while wondering where the folding kettle disappeared to after last weekend.
If that sounds painfully familiar, the new Thule (pronounced ‘Toola’), Chasm Gear Hauler might just save both your sanity and your marriage.
Available in 55-litre and 80-litre sizes, these tough storage totes promise to bring some organisation to the usual chaos that accompanies camping, green laning, overlanding, and even the weekly shop.
After several months of muddy boots, damp clothing, dog paraphernalia, fire pit gear and enough coffee-making equipment to open a café in the Peak District, we've become rather fond of ours, and it gets used and abused weekly with whichever press car we’ve got.
Built Like It Means Business
The first thing that strikes you is how substantial these bags feel, and that goes for any Thule product to be fair. There's none of that floppy supermarket 'bag for life' nonsense here. The recycled weather-resistant fabric is thick, the stitching inspires confidence and the reinforced base feels ready for years of abuse being dragged across gravel, campsites and the occasional Yorkshire car park that's more pothole than tarmac.
The semi-rigid construction is brilliant.
Unlike soft holdalls that instantly collapse into an uncooperative heap, using four movable ‘stays’ in each corner, the Chasm Gear Hauler stands upright while you're packing. It sounds like a tiny detail until you're trying to load it with one hand while balancing a bag of charcoal in the other and attempting to stop the dog from nicking your sausages.
It's amazing how much easier packing becomes when the bag actually stays where you put it.
The 55L – The One Most People Should Buy
It's almost the Goldilocks of camping storage. Big enough for a weekend away but not so enormous that you accidentally pack half the garage.
We found ourselves using it for cooking equipment, food, waterproofs, lanterns, coffee supplies and all those little bits that usually end up rolling around the boot every time you tackle a green lane.
The wide opening is another winner. Instead of blindly rummaging around like you're playing a particularly frustrating game of lucky dip, you can actually see everything inside.
Revolutionary.
The 80L – For Those Who Believe 'Packing Light' Is a Myth
The 80-litre version is absolutely enormous.
If you've got a family, loads of camping kit or simply refuse to leave anything behind "just in case", it'll swallow it all without complaint.
Sleeping bags, camp chairs, recovery gear, waterproofs, dog beds, fire pit accessories, walking boots and enough snacks to survive a week without civilisation all disappear inside.
The downside?
You quickly discover that 80 litres of camping gear weighs... well... roughly the same as a small moon.
Fortunately, the additional side grab handles make lifting it into the vehicle much easier, especially if you've managed to persuade someone else to help. If you're travelling solo, perhaps exercise a little restraint when packing. We know that's easier said than done.
Thoughtful Design Throughout
It's the clever little touches that separate the Chasm Gear Hauler from a glorified shopping bag.
One of the standout features is the movable divider panel. Rather than one giant cavern where everything ends up in a tangled heap, the divider lets you split the interior into separate compartments. Better still, the panel has a zipped mesh pocket that’s ideal for keeping hold of all those small bits and bobs that normally disappear into the depths of a bag—head torches, charging cables, tyre pressure gauges, cutlery or the all-important tea bags.
The divider can also be removed completely if you need one large open space, making the bag far more versatile depending on the trip.
Another feature we've really come to appreciate is the multi-position lid. Unzipped, and opened it’s held in place by magnetic fasteners, it can be opened, folded back or secured in different positions depending on how you're using the bag. It's one of those details that sounds a little gimmicky until you're rummaging around for your stove without wanting the lid constantly flopping back.
The carry handles have also clearly been designed by people who actually move heavy camping kit around. The long Smart Handles make carrying the bag comfortable over short distances, while the sturdy moulded end handles allow two-handed lifting when you've inevitably overpacked.
Compression straps keep everything snug if the bag isn't completely full, stopping your gear from bouncing around every time you discover another section of Britain's wonderfully maintained road network.
When you get home, both bags collapse surprisingly flat, meaning they don't permanently occupy valuable garage space already taken up by camping chairs, traction boards and that inflatable paddleboard you've sworn you'll use more often.
Brilliant for Life With a 4x4
Where these bags really shine is alongside a proper adventure vehicle.
Rather than juggling half a dozen carrier bags that cut off the circulation in your fingers before you've reached the campsite, you simply grab one organised Gear Hauler.
Even if your vehicle has drawer systems or storage boxes, the soft-sided design makes much better use of awkward spaces while still being easy to lift in and out.
It also means less time unloading and more time putting the kettle on — which, let's face it, is the first priority after arriving anywhere in Britain.
Weather? Bring It On.
Living in the UK means outdoor gear spends almost as much time getting wet as it does being used.
Thankfully, the Chasm Gear Haulers cope admirably with damp campsites, muddy boots and the inevitable rain shower that appears five minutes after you've confidently declared, "I don't think we'll need waterproofs today.”
As you'd expect from Thule, durability is excellent throughout.
The Chasm Gear Hauler is made entirely from 100% recycled materials, which is always good to see, especially when sustainability doesn't come at the expense of toughness.
The moulded waterproof base is another excellent feature. Whether you're placing it on soaking wet grass, muddy ground or the puddle you somehow didn't notice until it was too late, moisture stays where it belongs. A quick wipe down afterwards is usually all that's needed before it goes back into the garage, ready for the next adventure.
It's these practical touches that make the Chasm feel purpose-built for life with a 4x4, rather than just another bag with an outdoor badge slapped on it.
Any Niggles?
None.
Well, I guess the obvious one is the price.
You can certainly buy cheaper storage bags from discount shops and plastic boxes from IKEA, but comparing them is a bit like comparing hiking boots with a pair of flip-flops. They both technically for your feet, but only one is designed for when terrain gets rough.
The Verdict
Some outdoor gear looks exciting but rarely gets used. The Thule Chasm Gear Hauler is the opposite.
It's not glamorous. It won't make your mates gather round admiring it over a brew. But after a couple of trips, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it.
The 55L is the standout all-rounder and will suit most campers, 4x4 owners and weekend adventurers perfectly.
The 80L comes into its own for family camping, longer expeditions or those of us who somehow manage to pack enough equipment for a fortnight despite only disappearing for a weekend.
They're exceptionally well made, thoughtfully designed and genuinely make life easier. And anything that reduces the amount of time spent crawling around the boot looking for the tea bags while the dog sits on your sleeping bag has to be worth applauding.
The Thule Chasm Gear Hauler is one of those rare bits of kit that quietly makes every trip better. It's not flashy, but it's brilliantly thought out. And if it stops you spending ten minutes hunting for the teabags while everyone else is asking, "Is the kettle on yet?", it's already earned its place in the back of the vehicle.
Oh, and don’t forget it’s pronounced ‘Toola’!
UK Website - Thule Chasm Gear Hauler
Price - 50-litre £139.99
80-litre £169.99