Patagonia Black Hole Pack (2023 Updated Model!)

[@sarahschrock3511]

The lighter colorway sure makes it show up on camera better. Thanks for doing that for your reviews.

[@OneBagTravels]

So true! My camera has such a hard time picking up dark bags, I have studio lights and it still has a hard time with the contrast and focus. Lighter colors are so much easier to film.

[@weirdfishes9961]

I’ve used my 2022 bag for travel, to go to the office, uncomplicated hiking, and as a general stuff-mover. While it’s my go-to for nearly everything, it’s not without its niggling faults, like a lack of a lap belt. That said, moving the interior pocket from the flap to the main body is actually a great change. By taking that weight and putting it against the main bag it takes pressure off the main compartment zipper and means the bag stays open more easily and sits open less awkwardly.

[@OneBagTravels]

That's a great point, better weight distribution!

[@mpenet]

I got the 25l version a few days ago, it’s also a lovely bag, great for edc.

[@OneBagTravels]

NIce!

[@bartekschneider5199]

Love your videos ❤

[@OneBagTravels]

Thanks for watching!

[@aerotrunk]

great comparison 👍👍👍

[@OneBagTravels]

Glad you liked it

[@davidhalesmith2491]

Your reviews are excellent. Will you please review of the Yeti Crossroads packs? I’d love to see your comparison to some of the other packs like this Patagonia.

[@OneBagTravels]

I'll check it out, thanks!

[@gtrctr90]

I’ve been searching for the perfect pack/one bag system and ended up going with the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L.

[@OneBagTravels]

That's a good one too

[@clowone681]

I was hoping to see if the shorter new version would work as a personal item on budget airlines. The old version was just a tad too long, and that always prevented me from purchasing one even though I have always wanted one. 🛫🤙🏽

[@OneBagTravels]

Not really, but they make it in a 25L version that is much closer. Only a little over length but it's so squishy I'm sure it would fit.

[@user-cx5hn9pq5w]

Thanks for the comprehensive comparison! I am curious about whether the top pocket can accommodate a normal size camera? 4:46

[@OneBagTravels]

That pocket is a beast so probably. I can fit my Canon M50 with the small lens, microphone, charger in a small padded case in that pocket. I imagine any camera would fit in there unless the lens is very large.

[@kjm8135]

Still looks like Osprey transporter is better, which, Can you do the Osprey transporter duffel. They’ve all been updated.

[@OneBagTravels]

Transporter is good too, but different style

[@intravenousradio]

am i the only one who likes the shiny tpu look? i also love the colors and shininess of the black hole duffels. im not crazy about how patagonia is changing the MLC and backpacks to lose their distinctive look

[@OneBagTravels]

You're not the only one that likes the shiny fabric, a lot of people liked the older fabric better, it's very distinctive

[@chriskerley9576]

Id make a significant wager that they lost a lot of sales on the material change. It was the only thing that made the bag stand out and especially the black made it more versatile with other styles. New model sucks.

[@tammyliu9016]

Have you had a look at the MEC Journey 28L? It kind of looks like a cheaper alternative to the BH32

[@OneBagTravels]

I haven't but I like MEC and that bag looks great, like a less expensive, much simplier and slightly lighter alternative. Good find.

[@aznxkpx88]

How's your 15.5'' dell laptop fit? Read some say the laptop compartment is tight. Thanks!

[@OneBagTravels]

I just tried it again and it fits easily, it's actually kind of loose in there, but not much room on the sides.

[@josegoncalvesdias3242]

This is a great overview! Between the 32L and the mini MLC, which one do you find more comfortable when fully packed? I am divided between the two.

[@OneBagTravels]

The carry systems are virtually identical, but the MLC maybe a little better because the back padding is slightly stiffer, so better support.

[@josegoncalvesdias3242]

@@OneBagTravels thank you for making the time to reply. That has been the opinion that I mostly been hearing. And congrats on the work in ever improving the reviews. I already liked it before, not too long, covering all the important points and now the peanut test is just the notch. I guess you can have dozens of shorts just with that and success is guaranteed!

[@zing999]

I have the new mini MLC (but not the 32L backpack). I wanted the mini MLC for the clamshell opening. Makes for easy packing and for using in the hotel without unpacking everything. The MLC's hip belt converting to shoulder strap is awesomely novel, but I almost never use it. But i'm not carrying long distances (at most a mile walk). I use the handles on the top / side and the backpack straps all the time.

[@MatthewChenDirector]

I find an odd issue with this new bag. I'm not sure if it's just because they went wider and less tall, but the bag constantly wants to pull backward from the top. It doesn't hug my body evenly unless I cinch the straps super tight against my body. The previous 32L didn't do this nor any of my other bags. I do know that some hiking bags have straps to tighten the top of the straps to prevent this, but I never noticed this as such a problem on my bags that doesn't have that feature until this bag. Do you have a similar experience?

[@OneBagTravels]

I haven't noticed this, but I'm not surprised because the weight distribution is markedly different than the older model which was more compact and sat closer to your back on the top.

[@d33f15h]

You have a lot of bags, if you could only keep one which one would be your one bag ?

[@OneBagTravels]

Patagonia Mini MLC is up there

[@velyvely6479]

i have the shiny one in all black and its such a nice bag to pack, one handy thing is how i can pack it for different (packing) needs, for example, i use the Muji double-sided packing cube in medium and if i need extra height in the bag i can pack it lengthways thanks to it being a pretty unstructured bag, i guess its a little like a duffle. also, i love the pocket at the top and the front long pocket fits a lot! one thing is i do worry about my laptop being in the back (with many travel backpacks) i worry about too much pressure being on it. the new fabric is nice but i'm not sure i like the colours. anyhoo just thought i'd add what i like about it for others incase they're considering it

[@OneBagTravels]

Thanks for the experience, I'd say the same, versitile packing style, but not the best for a laptop.

[@alethom_]

Do you think you can fit a camera in the top pocket?

[@OneBagTravels]

Depends on the camera, but that pocket is huge. I can easily fit my Canon M50 with a 15-45 mm lens, charger, mounts etc. inside a padded camera case in the pocket without an issue.

[@paulcahoon1]

Can the Black Hole 32L be used as a personal item on Delta ? Thanks !

[@OneBagTravels]

It's a little big but the smaller 25L version would work

[@ThorSkin69]

What’s the khaki cooour bag on the far right of screen, middle row please 😊

[@OneBagTravels]

That's the REI Ruckpack, great bag

[@user-dm1yy8yk6t]

Whats the brown backpack behind you?

[@OneBagTravels]

The brown one on the right is the REI Ruckpack 28

[@ivan-yp9dq]

Thanks for the comparison, it’s a great one. Would you prefer the new Black Hole or Thule Aion 28? Their stated volumes have just a 4L difference, but it feels like Black Hole can hold much more. I really like the appearance of Thule Aion 28, but it feels like it gets really thick when expanded to 32 litres (I couldn’t find how thick it gets though as there is no much info about this backpack).

[@OneBagTravels]

Depends on what I'm doing. I suspect you're right, the Black Hole seems way larger than the Thule Aion even though they are similar capacity on paper. I don't have a full review on the Aion but I talk about it alot in my video about packing for Argentina (kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKfHZ6uigNufatE). I like the Aion more in general, I like the look better, the packing style, how it carries. But it is heavier and smaller than the Black Hole Pack. If I was doing a simple trip and wanted a minimalist bag without much structure that could carry a lot without a ton of weight, the Black Hole would be a better choice.

[@ivan-yp9dq]

@@OneBagTravels Thank you for the response. I think I’m trying to find an ideal backpack that would also work as a daily backpack, like all in one solution. But seems even 28L backpacks are quite big to be carried on a daily basis. Probably, the only logical way is to use 2 different backpacks for 2 different purposes. I’m planning a trip to Southeast Asia for 4-5 months, so I want to make a right decision on what backpack(-s) will accompany me. I’m getting closer and closer to the idea of bringing either mini MLC 30 or Black Hole as a main backpack which I wouldn’t be able to use afterwards as a daily city backpack.

[@ivan-yp9dq]

@@OneBagTravels and yes I’ve seen those 2 videos about your trip to Argentina, got quite a lot from what you said about the Aion, really appreciate that. But I couldn’t find a proper review with all the measurements (packed, unpacked, volume test) like you do with all the backpacks on your channel. Do you plan to do a full review of the Aion?

[@OneBagTravels]

@@ivan-yp9dq Good point, I did so many videos with that bag I thought I had done a review but I checked my videos and I realized I never actually did a review of just the backpack! It's on my list now.

[@OneBagTravels]

@@ivan-yp9dq The "one bag to rule them all" is elusive. I've been reviewing bags for 5+ years and packs are usually better at one or the other, but not both. Black Hole would work decent as an EDC, it just doesn't have much structure or organization, just a big compartment, but you could use organizers and it would work decent.

[@neurochannels]

Looks like no trolley sleeve? What is a good travel laptop backpack with a trolley sleeve?

[@OneBagTravels]

It has a trolly sleeve, on the back between the back padding.

[@neurochannels]

@@OneBagTravels oh wow. Thanks, I missed that at 5:30 thank you!

[@sng2225]

I do like the newer model dimension better. If it was 30L or less it might be better for personal carryon better. Slso i hate the shiny texture of the old model.

[@OneBagTravels]

I like the new fabric as well, but I prefer the older dimensions 🤷‍♂️