Here’s our review of the Thule Stir Alpine 40L rucksack. Be prepared for anything with this technical mountaineering, skiing, and climbing backpack.
Mountaineers, skiers, and climbers unite – this streamlined rucksack from Thule could be your new partner-in-crime. I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing the Stir Alpine over the last couple of months, and it’s now time to share my thoughts.
This 40L rucksack was clearly built to impress with a solution for every outdoor need. Hiking in the mountains? Stay dry with the pack’s weather-resistant nylon. Hitting the slopes? Carry your skis using simple attachment points. Picking up the speed? Reduce the pack’s weight for time trials.
The Thule Stir Alpine rucksack effortlessly outshines many of the packs Adventure Pending has reviewed over the years. If you’re in the market for high-performance outdoor gear, this rucksack is the perfect place to start. Here’s an in-depth look at the Stir Alpine’s features, performance, and sustainability.
Purchasing the Stir Alpine is similar to upgrading your faithful high street gloves for a pair of waterproof alternatives, or swapping out your fashionable wellie socks for a good pair of Merino wool knits.
This highly specialised pack is made for full-scale adventures, which means you won’t find a flimsy water bottle pocket or awkward rain cover in sight. Instead, you’ll discover sturdy nylon to protect against adverse weather, impressive two-way attachments for your skis, and straps to affix gear for every occasion. Already sounding like the perfect companion? There’s more.
I love the neverending pockets and loops on this pack. Use the front tool garage to secure ice picks. Pack extra jackets or climbing rope using the top compression straps. Hook shoes, gloves, and even emergency snacks onto, well, just about anywhere.
Extract the most out of your Stir Alpine on technical trips, then manually reduce the pack’s weight for the simpler stuff. It’s easy to shed 500 grams on this Thule pack by removing its lid, frame sheet, belt padding, and sternum strap – perfect for fast and light pursuits. I’ve found this is great for day hikes, though I’d recommend sticking with the hip and sternum straps on most adventures.
The Thule Stir Alpine is a roomy 40L pack that can be opened using the top lid or fast-access side zip.
You’re never far from an extra layer or snack with this bag. I certainly found myself using the access zip way more than I originally thought – this runs the full length of the mainpack so you can find specific items easily, or stash extra gear at a moment’s notice.
Use the pack’s hydration reservoir sleeve and drink tube port to stay hydrated out on the trail. This personal water solution far outweighs carrying several bottles of water around your pack, especially when skiing or climbing.
Store smaller items in one of the pack’s two interior mesh compartments. There’s also a handy stretch pocket on the left-hand shoulder strap – the perfect place for quick-grab items like gels and energy bars.
The harness on the Stir Alpine is pretty basic. You won’t find a suspended back or heavily padded straps, but we can assume this is all to save weight. The back pads on several other Thule packs are pretty thin but perform just as well as other rucksacks in testing – this is simply something to bear in mind if you prefer a little more breathability.
Adjust the Stir Alpine to fit your frame using the sternum strap, hip belt, and load lifters. This pack seems to be more suited to a smaller frame and is non-adjustable – some may prefer the Thule Topio 40L for this reason. Adventure Pending’s Adam tends to navigate towards the Topio, while I prefer the fit of the Stir.
Greenwashing is sadly found across the outdoor industry, but Thule is one less brand to worry about. As a bluesign® system member, Thule works to reduce the impact of its manufacturing on both people and the planet.
It’s easy to see this work in action when you get your hands on a Thule product – all items created by the brand are hard-wearing and designed to last. In fact, all products undergo an extensive 50-step testing process before getting the Thule stamp of approval.
The coated 70D nylon used to create the Stir Alpine is a fantastic example of Thule’s environmental focus. I’ve found this to be extremely hard-wearing in all conditions – it’s obvious this is a pack that will be in my rotation for years to come.
The brand also complies with the principles of the UN Global Compact to ensure its suppliers respect human rights and labor laws. You can learn more about Thule’s commitment to a better world on its environmental page.
I’ve loved testing the Thule Stir Alpine rucksack – it’s quickly become my go-to for longer hikes and will stay in rotation for the foreseeable. Fans of high-quality outdoor gear with all the mod cons – this is the rucksack for you.
Have a question about Thule’s rucksack range? Check out our FAQ below where we aim to answer the most popular queries.
The Thule Stir Alpine is great for long hikes that require more than just a rain jacket and a packed lunch. I recommend this rucksack for winter hikes when snow equipment like microspikes may come into use.
Thule manufactures products in seven countries across Europe, Brazil, and the US.
Thule rucksacks are generally sold at a higher price point than others on the market, but there are a few reasons they’re absolutely worth the extra pennies. The brand’s attention to detail, streamlined designs, and hardwearing materials make them stand out against the rest.
The Thule Stir Alpine is very comfortable to wear, but works best on a smaller frame. Others may prefer the brand’s Topio 40L pack.
Still not managed to find the answer to your question? Reach out to the Adventure Pending team over on our socials and we’ll get back to you with tailored backpack advice!
