DOES anyone still travel with just clothes these days?
Unless you’re on a quest for a quiet trip away from all the stress-inducing notifications on your gadgets, chances are you have a separate carry-on for a laptop. If being a light-packer was part of your New Year’s resolutions, then you might be stuffing all your things in a backpack, only to be trolled by pocket gnomes who make loops out of your cables.
Travel apparel brand Thule has dared to take a look at the calendar and address the consumers’ needs in 2017. The Swedish company has just released its Subterra Collection, comprised of seven models marked by sleek, modular builds and smart components that allow travelers to keep cords in check, valuables safe and clothes organized.
“We are very consumer-focused,” Thule Southeast Asia Senior Sales Manager for Bags and Cases Sonny Ho said at the collection’s launch at Todd English Food Hall in SM Aura Premier. “That’s why we make sure our products are user-friendly and can keep up with their urban lifestyle.”
Thule’s Subterra Collection is composed of two varied carry-on models (a 55cm/22″, 36L two-wheel trolly and a 40L versatile carry), two modular luggage options (a 55cm/22″, 56L variant and a bigger 70cm/28″, 75L model) and, finally, three backpack choices (23L, 30L and 34L).
For the carry-ons, the 36L variant is designed with a durable exoskeleton and molded polycarbonate back panel. It is equipped with an internal ratcheting compression board, making the segregation of clean-dirty or work-play clothes easy. Meanwhile, its counterpart, the 40L versatile carry is called as such because it can be worn as a backpack, sling bag or shoulder bag. It also has a removable laptop sleeve for travel convenience.
The same design idea is applied to the 2-in-1 56L luggage model, which can either be checked as a whole or split to be carried. The 75L option is a rolling duffel that’s generous in space.
As for the Subterra backpacks, all three are designed with the techy-traveler in mind. Each variant comes with a built-in laptop sleeve with SafeEdge construction and a clever “Power Pocket”, where cords are neatly managed between a device and a mobile charger.
All designs of the Subterra collection come in three colors: dark shadow (dark gray), mineral (dark blue) and ember (dark red).
According to Ho, the collection is a response to the growing need of travelers for a modern, dependable gear as tourism around the region continues to boom. “This is the statement we send to our top management in Sweden: More consumers are now able to afford travel to different places regionally and globally. They need a more durable and good-looking luggage.”
The Subterra collection is just the second luggage line released by the 75-year-old Swedish company. It follows the launch of the Crossover collection eight years ago, which marked the entry of the brand into the luggage segment.
For 2018, Ho said Thule will be releasing two new collections, including a refreshed version of the Crossover line. He added they will develop a four-wheel luggage by the end of the year or early next year.
Thule bags and cases are exclusively distributed in these parts by Jake Bros., which carries brands in the adventure and travel gear category. According to Jake Bros. Managing Director Melvin Sua, they’re looking to open more monobrand stores for people to know the Thule brand better. Currently, they have five outlets located at SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, SM City North Edsa, SM City Clark and SM City Cebu.