Thule Chasm Sustainability Report

Thule built the Chasm with 900-denier polyester and a reinforced bottom panel, and after a few trips the bag still looks basically untouched—no worrying scuffs, no stressed stitching, and the zippers and hardware all feel built for the long haul. The reason it earns an above-average longevity score is that while it’s not the absolute burliest duffel, it’s still near the top of the heap for a non-waterproof bag. The one spot we’re keeping an eye on is the big internal mesh pocket, which could tear if you overload it, but for typical travel and gear hauling, this is the kind of duffel that should stay in rotation for years.

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand. Overall, we feel strongly that reducing overall consumption is a cornerstone of sustainability.

The Thule Chasm contains 100% recycled polyester fabrics as well as recycled mesh and webbing. Thule incorporates recycled materials in its packs, bags, and luggage. In 2024, 38% of the textiles Thule used were recycled (up from 10% in 2023). The brand aimed to use 100% Global Recycled Standard-certified nylon and polyester by the end of 2024, but has yet to share whether it met this goal.

Outdoor gear can be made partly or entirely from recycled materials, the most common being nylon, polyester, wool, and down. Some products include a single recycled component or a partially recycled fabric, while others are 100% recycled (generally excluding accessories like zippers, Velcro, toggles, etc.). For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate the amount of recycled materials in a particular product and assign points accordingly.

While the Chasm doesn’t incorporate Bluesign-approved materials, Thule is a Bluesign System Partner. The brand uses Bluesign-approved textiles in many of its packs, bags, and luggage, but doesn’t provide data describing its total Bluesign-approved material use.

Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile certification system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A Bluesign-approved material indicates that it has undergone a rigorous vetting process based on the criteria above. A Bluesign Product goes the next mile, containing at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and at least 30% Bluesign-approved accessories.

The Thule Chasm’s durable water repellent is PFAS free, while its laminate is phthalate free. Thule aimed to eliminate PFAS from its products by 2025. However, the brand hasn’t confirmed whether it met this goal.

Waterproof and water-resistant materials often contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to help protect against moisture and stains. These synthetic compounds, also known as "forever chemicals,” are found in a range of gear categories, from jackets to footwear. They resist water, oil, and heat exceptionally well, making them ideal for outdoor use, but their nearly indestructible nature also means that they take an extremely long time to degrade, if at all. PFAS can eventually end up in everything from soil to drinking water and have been linked to a range of health issues.

Thule manufactures its products in nine ISO 14001-certified facilities across the United States, Brazil, and Europe. ISO 14001 is an international standard for environmental management systems developed by the International Organization for Standardization, an independent non-governmental organization. Working with ISO 14001 enables companies to comply with legal requirements, meet sustainability goals, and reduce their environmental impact. The organization performs annual audits to ensure compliance. Additionally, products made in the United States and Europe are subject to strict labor and environmental regulations, and typically have a lower carbon footprint due to reduced transportation between global factories.

This criterion evaluates a brand's commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing its environmental impact throughout the production process. Responsible manufacturing is most commonly demonstrated through certifications and membership in programs such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accreditation of Production, and the Fair Labor Association. We also recognize brands that prioritize local production, such as those that manufacture primarily in the United States or Europe, to reduce carbon emissions, maintain better oversight of working conditions, and comply with strict social and environmental regulations.

In 2024, 54% of Thule’s paper packaging was recycled. However, the brand doesn’t report how much of its total packaging is recycled or whether it has reduced its packaging.

Packaging can add significant waste to an outdoor gear purchase and often ends up in landfills. Many brands are using recycled packaging and/or making efforts to reduce packaging altogether. For example, they may use a certain percentage of recycled cardboard or make efforts to use less plastic or paper across their packaging operation. In some cases, brands also use Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, which helps to ensure sustainable sourcing of forest materials.

Thule offers repair services under its warranty program at its facilities in Poland, Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, performing 2,939 repairs in 2024. Thule’s warranty covers material and manufacturing defects, but doesn’t cover accidents, misuse, or wear and tear. The brand repairs warrantied items at no cost; when an item cannot be repaired, it offers customers credit for replacement items. While Thule doesn’t provide non-warranty repair services, we appreciate that it sells an extensive selection of replacement parts on its website.

Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption. Some brands offer comprehensive repair programs that can fix a wide range of issues, while others have more limited capabilities. If a brand's warranty policy only covers replacement, rather than repair, these programs usually do not meet this criterion.

While Thule doesn’t operate a resale or recycling service for used products, the brand states that it designs products for maximum recyclability. Many Thule products can be disassembled at the end of their lives and recycled for materials such as steel, aluminum, and plastic. Additionally, the brand is exploring “digital product passports,” which would provide customers with information about how to extend product life, access repair services, and recycle used items. Still, unlike some other brands, Thule does not take responsibility for these products once consumers are finished with them.

Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation for longer and out of landfills. The most common form is a trade-in program, where consumers can exchange items for store credit, which is then resold. Some brands accept products back for recycling at the end of their life, thereby reducing waste. Occasionally, some do both.

Thule has tracked its Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions since 2019, sharing year-over-year data describing its progress toward its Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)-verified goals in its annual impact report. Thule aims to lower its absolute Scope 1 emissions by 46.2% and its absolute Scope 3 emissions by 28% by 2030 compared to its 2019 baseline. To address its Scope 2 emissions, it plans to continue powering its facilities with 100% renewable energy (which it achieved in 2024). Additionally, the brand is working towards net-zero emissions by 2050, in accordance with the SBTi. Thule has made progress towards its goals, reducing its absolute emissions by about 23% compared to its 2019 baseline.

This criterion evaluates whether this brand measures its greenhouse gas emissions, along with its commitment to reduction and transparency in reporting. Typically, we require brands to follow established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. Most companies use the widely recognized scope categorization system for measuring brand emissions. Those who earn the most points in this category have emissions reduction goals verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), a global organization that helps companies set greenhouse gas reduction targets in line with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. To verify their goals through SBTi, companies undergo a rigorous assessment process and continual follow-up to ensure consistent progress towards achieving their targets.

Thule’s parent company, Thule Group, publishes an annual impact report detailing its material and chemical use, manufacturing and packaging practices, circularity efforts, greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, and more. Unlike other reports produced by parent companies, Thule Group’s report includes many specific statistics and data about Thule, since the brand is its primary subsidiary. The report is comprehensive and discusses all of our sustainability criteria.

An impact report is an important step toward transparency and accountability on the sustainability front. These reports vary in form but generally cover topics such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions tracking, waste and water usage, supply chain analysis, and packaging efforts. For our sustainability ratings, we evaluate this criterion based on the depth and quality of the information provided in the report, and how often it is produced. Some brands produce their own impact report, while others are published by their parent company. In practice, we’ve found that reports produced by individual brands include more detailed information about their sustainability efforts.