Uptake 12L backpack
Within the last decade Thule’s range of products exploded beyond ways to carry bikes and skis on your car. With camera bags, luggage, laptop bags, phone cases, racks for touring, baby joggers and more, the main concept for Thule remains the same: transport your gear safely where it needs to go.
Thule’s range of hydration backpacks have just been updated, and you will now find the Rail, Uptake and Vital available, in a range of sizes. They even have a youth sized model in the Uptake. The Rail is aimed at aggressive all-mountain riding and includes a removeable CE level 1 back protector in both the 12L and 8L sized bags. The Vital is aimed more at fast-paced rides and ultra-distance events, with a bag that sits low on a waist harness and uses light materials. It comes in 3 capacities in 3L, 6L and 8L for pack volume. The Thule Uptake sits between the two models, aimed squarely at trail riding – or just about anything between endurance racing and enduro. With a 12L, 8L and youth sized bag available, we have had the 12L on test as it’s such a good match for anyone wanting to spend more than a few hours out on the bike.
The Thule Uptake 12 has a slightly wider back panel than some bags of a similar size, and a simple but effective padded back to help promote airflow with minimal bulk. There’s a 2.5L baffled Hydrapak reservoir that sits inside the main pocket, with two zippered internal pockets for gear separation. There’s another long one on the outside of the pack that sits above a large stash panel, which is permanently secured at the top but really secure to dump small items in. There are two compression straps to keep the load close to your back when it’s not full to the brim.
What you end up with is a bag that wears it’s volume well. It’s difficult to pack it out like a sausage that will roll around on your back thanks to the firm sheeting beneath the back panel. The cut of the bag also keeps the Uptake pretty slim against your back, which is great for weight distribution.
The harness straps are broad and padded with ventilated foam. The top attaches to the bag via D-rings, assisting in mobility. Basically, it gives the bag the option to move a little independently from the straps. With an adjustable sternum strap and a waist belt, most bases are covered. What’s really cool is the magnetic sleeve that the hydration tube comes through. It pulls away to drink from, and pops back in place. Best of all it does it as well when playing with it as it does using it on the trail!
PACKING AND RIDING WITH THE THULE UPTAKE 12L
The design of the bag means you can easily just stash the essentials in the three zippered pockets, and leave the main compartment just about empty. The bag doesn’t flap around, and it doesn’t look cumbersome either. But all that storage is there for all-day rides and adventures in foul conditions. I really liked the stash panel on the front, it was the perfect spot for small items you might need to get to frequently, like a map, or multitool or snacks. Or just somewhere to put your gloves when walking into an establishment for a refreshment.
The construction of the bag is top-notch and the use of a Hydrapak bladder means you know the quality of the BPA free reservoir. The only downside I found with the Uptake was stability on trails that had me moving around a whole lot more. In these situations it is no different to many bags like it, including the Camelbak MULE. The waist strap is very basic, and while it means the bag sits lightly across your back, you really need to tighten it up to get it to be stable and not flying around.
In this regards, a lot of the newer vest-style bags work better. But they’re fussy to take on and off, and quite often they look pretty funny. The Uptake sits really well until you’re moving around on the bike and trail a lot without making sure the whole lot is cinched down. But that’s not a situation that is unique to this bag. Overall it’s very well made, with everything you need and no crazy additional bells and whistles.