Thule has long been involved in creating vehicle mounts for outdoor adventures. But they also have a line of awesome backpacks to choose from. Their Crossover and Enroute backpacks are two of the most common models talked about when it comes to Thule. That is why we have created our Thule Crossover vs Enroute comparison. So many people are wondering what the real differences are. And really, they are very similar.
But there are a few differences that we must impart to you before you can make a decision as to which of these backpacks you would like to get. We will first start with all of the features that they have a common.
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Similar Features
Below is the list of features that both of these backpacks have. You will see from this list that most of the important things that make our backpack off them are included in both the Crossover and the Enroute.
- Laptop sleeve: You can put a 15-inch MacBookPro or a 15.6 inch PC laptop into the laptop sleeve.
- SafeEdge to protect your laptop: This sort of technology protects your laptop from any bumps or falls.
- Padded tablet sleeve: The tablet sleeve that is next to the laptop sleeve is padded.
- Crushproof Safezone: There is a special pocket inside of the backpack that is deemed to be the ‘safe zone. This is a hardened area that prevents any crushing from happening to the pocket. Inside the pocket, you can place your sunglasses or phone to fully protect them.
- Organizational pocket: The front pocket provides plenty of organization for your smaller items, such as your pens, your iPod, your credit cards, and your earbuds.
- Padded back panel: A good backpack would not be complete without a back panel that is padded and optimized for the ergonomics of the back.
Comparing The Thule Crossover vs Enroute
In order to give you a better idea of what these backpacks are all about, we have taken the time to list differentiating features of each of them.
Unique Features Of The Enroute
The Enroute has some really cool features that we love. Apart from having all of the above, it has the features below.
- Top zippered pocket: The Enroute has a top zippered pocket so you can store your small items.
- Compression straps: Oddly, the Crossover does not have any compression straps. However, the Enroute does, which makes it easier to compress your gear when the backpack is not completely full.
- Drop pocket: The Enroute has a special drop pocket in front of the front panel. This acts as sort of a stash pocket. You can stash a bunch of large items, such as your jacket or wet rain gear. Or simply put in some items that you want to be readily accessible to you.
- Lash points: There are lash points along with the front panel of the backpack. This is sort of like a daisy chain weight can attach extra gear to it. These lash points have reflective detail on them so that you can be seen at night.
- Reservoir sleeve: Although the Enroute does not come with a reservoir sleeve per se, the laptop sleeve was made to double as one. But you will need to choose for which purpose you want to use it; a laptop or a reservoir.
Unique Features Of The Crossover
The Crossover does have its own benefits over the Enroute. Here they are below:
- Water-resistant: The Crossover uses materials that make it water-resistant. Remember that water resistance does not mean total waterproofing. To completely waterproof your backpack, either purchase a rain cover or put a plastic bag on the inside.
- Grab-and-go handles: The Crossover has handles at the top and bottom of its bodice. This allows for easy grabbing a case you need to put it in a vehicle or in the overhead compartment.
Price Comparison
Comparing the prices between these backpacks as a matter of viewing but they are currently. As we cannot list the current prices here, viewing the prices on Amazon would be a best bet. Follow the links below to view the best prices:
Thule Crossover vs Enroute: The Verdict
As you can see, the Enroute seems to be the backpack that has the most features. But with the Crossover, you also get a bit of water resistance and some handles. We do feel that the Enroute features are the most compelling. We have always loved stash pockets on a backpack. The fact that the laptop compartment converts into a reservoir sleeve is also pretty cool.
Either way, you may even consider purchasing the backpack that looks the most attractive to you. Because they are so similar in features, it may be that the different designs are what appealed to you the most.
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