Thule Subterra MacBook Attaché 13”
As you can read here, back in March ’17 I took delivery of Thule's latest carry-on, the 22” Subterra. Unlike its more expensive sibling, the Thule Crossover, the Subterra doesn’t have anywhere to store a laptop on the outside - which can be a bit of a pain, especially if you’re a business user and want easy access to your laptop or iPad without having to open your case. Thankfully, Thule - which is pronounced Toolay - have thought about this and created a range of laptop and tablet bags to go with their Subterra range, so I ordered one.
Like all Thule products, someone has sat down and actually thought about its design, and subsequently, the Subterra Attaché is a brilliant piece of kit for anyone who has to carry a laptop around, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
Starting at the front, unzip the full width pocket and you will find enough space for an iPad or a diary. There’s 2 mesh pockets that are attached to another 2 pockets that can easily hold an iPhone 6s and passport in each, as you can see in the right hand photo below. In between those you have 2 pen holders and attached to the side there’s a key clip. Above those there’s another zipped pocket that’s lined with a soft yellow material in which I usually store charging cables.
Unzip the main compartment and there’s room for your 13” MacBook Pro, or similar I guess, and a second soft pocket which again will fit an iPad. On the back there’s a third, full width pocket that’s secured with velcro, I use this for carrying a book or magazine to read whilst I’m bored at airports.
There are 4 ways in which you can carry your Subterra Attaché. There’s a sturdy yet soft handle on top so you can carry it like any other bag or case, or you can use the detachable shoulder strap, which is again sturdy yet soft.
If your hands are full, then you can use ‘piggyback’ strap that securely attaches to the top handle and your carry-on. This is handy if you have to retract the carry-on’s extending handle to throw in cars or climb stairs. This however is an accessory with the carry-on, not the Attaché.
My preferred method is to use the narrow sleeve on the back of the Attaché which Thule call a ‘pass-through panel’ that allows it to be slid onto the handles of a suitcase or carry-on.
As an addition, I don’t know if it’s intentional, but this 13” version also fits snuggly into the front internal section of the Subterra 22” carry-on, which is very handy if you find yourself in a dodgy area!
I use the Subterra Attaché almost daily and it’s been with me on countless flights, and to be honest I wouldn’t be without it. All its zips are heavy duty affairs, yet easy to use, and all openings are wide enough so you're not struggling putting things in and getting them out again. It’s made from 800D nylon so it’s durable and water-resistant which gives me loads of confidence no matter where I am, either in the office, an airport terminal or out in the middle of nowhere camping.
I mentioned in my Subterra carry-on review that on a couple of occasions the cabin crew have insisted that there was no room in the overhead lockers due to a fully booked flight, so I had the relinquish it to be man-handled in the hold. Thankfully, having a separate Attaché meant that my laptop stayed with me in the cabin, protected and safe, so I'm more than happy that I chose the Subterra.