This is the one I reach for first. I have had the Thule 32L for years and it has been on more trails than I can count, including Kilimanjaro and Everest Base Camp, and it has never once let me down. That kind of loyalty from a piece of gear is not to be underestimated.
The thing that makes or breaks a pack for me are the straps, and this one gets it right. They are oriented for the female body, which sounds like a small thing until you have spent a full day in a pack designed for a male torso and your chest feels like it has been strapped into something deeply wrong. Mammary glands are real, people, and they deserve to be accommodated accordingly.
The Thule fits a 3L hydration bladder comfortably, with a dedicated internal sleeve that keeps it upright and out of the way of everything else. The hose feeds through cleanly and clips onto the shoulder strap so you can drink without breaking stride or removing the pack. On a long summit push, that is not a nice-to-have. That is essential.
At 32L you have serious room to work with. A change of clothes, raincoat, rain pants, thermals, snacks, water, first aid, the lot. On Kili and EBC this is exactly what you need for summit day or a long approach.
Verdict
Years of use, multiple countries, serious altitude. If I had to keep only one pack, it would be this one. The Thule 32L is the definition of a workhorse and it earns its place at the top of the list every single time.