When planning for the zombie apocalypse, there are several things to consider: You have to choose your weapons (firearms, long reach weapons, close combat weapons, chainsaw: gas or battery power?), protective gear, clothing, a good rain slicker to keep the zombie juices off your clothes, and lots and lots of extra socks, in case you get same in your boots. As Xenophon of Athens said in the Anabasis*- “Κανείς δεν θέλει να καταπολεμήσει όλες τις ώρες της ημέρας, ζουληχτά κάλτσες” (“No one wants to spend the day fighting in squishy socks”). Sure it’s fun to shop for machetes and crossbows, but there is one question that the amateur often leaves unanswered: What am I going to carry it all in? Well captain, once again, Thule has the answer.
The aptly named Thule Chasm is the answer to a zombie fighter’s dreams. Constructed of waterproof, TPE coated nylon, the Chasm will not only keep the weather out, but is also easy to wipe down after any, shall we say ‘splashier’ combat. Access to the main compartment is via an enormous, zippered flap. This allows bright, easy, suitcase like access for packing and unpacking of your brickbats and flame throwers (or sweaters and sleeping bags, if you’re into that sort of thing [eye-roll]). Inside are three large zippered mesh pockets for the organizing, and on the outside is another nice sized, zippered pocket.
Then we come to the straps. As usual, Thule has really thought this out. When in standard duffle mode, the two main straps work as one would expect, but when converted into backpack mode (by attaching included shoulder straps) the duffle straps snap down at the sides, keeping them from flapping around and getting hooked on something, knocking it over, making noise, alerting the shambling horde to your presence. They even have a couple of compression straps to keep all of your stuff from shifting to one end when in backpack mode, or when you’re swinging it like a cudgel at one of the walking dead.
Stoutly made, well designed and cavernous, the Thule Chasm is the duffle of choice to get you and your extra socks to the other side.
Good:
- Waterproof
- Large opening, easy access
- Converts to backpack
- Snap-down straps
- YKK zippers
- Lots of grab points
- Zombie proof!
Bad:
- Took a minute or two to get the backpack straps figured out
- No way to keep the chainsaw from scratching the crossbow, but that’s probably just me.
The Thule Chasm 90L Sport Duffel – available Amazon for $130
Also available in 27L, 40L, 70L, and 130L
*The More You Know: The Anabasis, written by Xenophon ca. 380 BC, tells the story of 10,000 Greek mercenary soldiers who find themselves stranded deep in enemy territory and must fight their way back to the relative safety of the sea. It was the inspiration for Sol Yuriks 1965 book and later, the 1978 movie based on it, The Warriors.
Boring stuff:
- All images via Thule.com
- Thule provided me with a free review sample. This had no bearing on opinions expressed