Patagonia Mini MLC 30 Vs Black Hole 32L Backpack - EPIC Minimal Travel Bag Comparison

Quick comparison of the Patagonia Mini MLC 30 and the Black Hole 32L backpack which are two of the most popular minimal travel bags I have featured over the past few years. Both have a versatile size and useful organization, but have a few similarities and differences which might make it difficult to decide which one might be best for you.
Which one do you prefer? Any other quick comparisons you would like to see?
Patagonia Black Hole 32L (Huckberry): prf.hn/l/XvAD2eq
Patagonia Black Hole 32L (REI): bit.ly/3mAkROS
Patagonia Black Hole 32L (Patagonia): patagonia.pxf.io/EKNj59
Dimensions: 22” x 10.5” x 6.75” (32L)
Patagonia Mini MLC (Huckberry): prf.hn/l/9OpB5pL
Patagonia MLC (REI): bit.ly/3DuNbI3
Patagonia MLC (Patagonia): patagonia.pxf.io/oq9Wje
Dimensions: 20” x 12” x 7” (30L)
#backpack #everydaycarry #whatsinmybag
Music: “Head Candy” - William Rosati
00:00 - Intro
00:50 - Aesthetic
01:26 - External handles
02:37 - Water bottle pocket
03:46 - Materials
04:53 - Wearing the bag
06:34 - Harness
09:39 - Quick access pockets
11:32 - Laptop Compartment
13:14 - Main compartment
16:14 - Pricing
Other videos to check out:
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Patagonia Mini MLC Review: • One of the BEST Minima...
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North Face Borealis vs Osprey Quasar: • North Face Borealis (2...
The North Face Kaban (V2): • The North Face Kaban 2...
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Tom BIHN Synik 30: • Tom Bihn Synik 30 Revi...
Bellroy Venture 22 Backpack: • Bellroy Venture 22L Ba...
Alpha One Niner Evade 1.5 Full: • Alpha One Niner x Carr...
The North Face Surge (2021): • The North Face Surge (...
Items featured in bag:
Wandrd Accessory Straps: shrsl.com/20qyz
Wandrd Water Bottle: shrsl.com/275i3
Everyman Click Pen Mini: bit.ly/2GddSG9
Gerber Dime: amzn.to/2sVNRB4
Goruck Wire Dopp: • Best EDC and Travel Or...
Bagsmart Tech Organizer: amzn.to/2rJDj69
Yootech Wireless Charger: amzn.to/2wJESYz
PowerPacker: amzn.to/2Z6guy1
Samsung T5 SSD: amzn.to/2HmhFi2
Bluepot Powerbank with Bluetooth Speaker: amzn.to/2tnQxKG
iPad Mini: amzn.to/2DcJVAa
GoPro Hero 3+: amzn.to/2vcUXUT
GoPro Hero7 (Latest): amzn.to/2SiA0TE
Powerbot USB Hub: amzn.to/2qUpMeS
Amazon Kindle: Kindle: amzn.to/2vywgCk
Gerber Shard: amzn.to/2gULmw9
Toaks Titanium Spork: amzn.to/2GUIpos
Camelbak Water Bottle: amzn.to/2EnYxxh
Beats Studio Wireless 3: amzn.to/2DA0A28
Incase Accessory Organizer: amzn.to/2vFxFpR
Levit8 Portable Standing Desk: amzn.to/2jtEaop (US)
amzn.to/2AeTTSK (UK)
Lasuavy 7 in 1 USB C Hub: amzn.to/2GLkWEy
Belkin Travel Surge Protector: amzn.to/2uuNmkh
Retractable HDMI Cable: amzn.to/2teOzLy
Gerber Shard: amzn.to/2gULmw9
Moleskin Notebook: amzn.to/2uqrPs4
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[@Chris-oc5xy]

Damn! Just got the Mini MLC in the mail last week, this review would have been so clutch two weeks ago! Thanks for the review!!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful! Hope you enjoy using the Mini MLC as much as I have!:)

[@Keith_Aerotrunk]

👍 Great comparison review! Excellent job in showcasing the features of each backpack and highlighting their differences. Easy to understand which one might be a better fit for different travel needs. Love your content.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for the support!:)

[@Keith_Aerotrunk]

@@dannypacks Thanks for your reply. I have been following your KZbin vlogs for some time now. I love your content. Keep sharing more Danny!

[@technodrone313]

i got a mini mlc and did 30k steps with it today. pretty awesome. fits well with good weight distribution. and enough pockets for everything you will want.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and glad to hear the MLC has been working out well!:)

[@GTsMusicalVariety]

Great Revies. Thank you!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful! :)

[@Olympic_Mountains]

I have the MLC and love the full-zip tech compartment because I can access it from the side by swinging it over my shoulder!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and glad to hear the MLC has been working well for you, such a versatile bag!

[@kc7136]

Solid review! thank you

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful!:)

[@DaveStern2]

Great video as usual Danny. I love the aesthetics of the black hole pack but picked up the MLC 30 for under seat use on flights and it's a banger of a bag. Deceptively low key looking and simple in design (big bucket main section) but for carrying scuba gear on the plane, the clamshell is excellent so I can load it with the things I don't want to check. This leaves me with the option to use a different bag for overhead storage for other things. And the admin features on it are just enough for the other odds and ends I need in my carry on (vs. the bag I had before which was a thin single bucket with zero pockets that I got no charge). And, the external handles on the MLC 30 are amazing (as is the webbing and water bottle sleeve). The hip belt / shoulder strap is really well done. The materials are also really nice even if subdued. All in all, it's a really well done bag for a very good price for what you get. Keep up the great work!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for sharing your experience with the bag! Glad to hear it’s been working out well and I agree on how versatile it is overall!

[@giovanniliboni4522]

Really like this video! It could be also interesting to see a comparison between Patagonia Black Hole 32L and Fjallraven Ulvö 30

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for the suggestion!:)

[@jackchn23]

There’s a hidden gem in the Patagonia line called the “Stealth Pack 30L”. More of an outdoorsy bag as it was designed for fishing, but also great for any occasion.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for the recommendation! I’ll have to see if I can check it out!:)

[@vigorousera]

Thanks for the detailed comparison! I'm confused by that full-zip laptop panel as well. It doesn't seem to aid in getting it out faster, and it's not giving you access to tremendous additional storage either. On the MLC in particular, those internal non-zip pockets really bother me as they won't keep anything in place if the bag is oriented any way but upright. (And what's the likelihood a _travel_ backpack will be turned over in transit, I wonder..?)

[@lvchubby]

good side-by-side comparison! I thought the Black Hole was too narrow for travel but it seems to pack quite a lot. Nevertheless, I still prefer the MLC which is easier to pack and seems to pack more.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful! Although both can hold quite a bit I agree on the MLC being a little easier to pack

[@myp0h]

the mini mlc is a bit expensive

[@Johnnyhaag79]

Can you do an updated version of this?? With the new 32l

[@Melzasx]

Thanks Danny, I just found your channel while searching for a new daily bag and your videos are super useful!! Quick question... Is there any daily laptop backback with shoulder strap option? haven't seen any and I'd love to have one.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad the videos have been helpful! There’s definitely some good options, the Mini MLC does have a shoulder strap included, some other options I like are the mystery ranch 3 way briefcase, aer flight pack 3 and the black ember forge

[@Melzasx]

Thank you Danny. I appreciate the recommendations a lot!!@@dannypacks

[@kthomas3553]

Love the comparison videos. How about Black Hole 32 vs Osprey Proxima 30, which you’ve reviewed separately? Do they pack the same? Does Osprey have a better harness system? Always love your content!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for the support! Great idea for a comparison between those 2 as well, definitely some similarities worth exploring!

[@czareksz]

Och I would do anything to see Patagonia MLC mini 30L vs Peak design travel backpack 30l. Seriously I cannot decide which one to buy.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching !(pasting my response from the mini MLC review in case you see it here first) Both are solid bags overall, the peak design will provide a little more space (especially when expanded) and will offer a little more protection for all of your stuff as it is more padded / rigid. With that being said, overall for my preferences I enjoyed using the mini MLC more as it offered more organization (which is laid out very well), I find the harness more comfortable, and I prefer the less rigid structure as it makes it look smaller and is easier to squeeze into tighter spaces

[@stakuv86]

@@dannypacks Awesome channel and reviews! Love the in-depth analysis and practical advice. With that said, been racking my head over either getting the Patagonia MLC 45 or the Peak Design 45L bag as the PD can compress down to 32L and I think 30L as well but as you said here you prefer the MLC mini over the PD 30L, What are your thoughts with the 45 L ones? Much Appreciated. Keep up the great work!!!

[@anthonyrampino7734]

That would be great if you could do the comparison to the 25l.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and I’ll have to add that one to the list!

[@anthonyrampino7734]

@@dannypacks thanks!

[@GatorAidMedical]

Would love to see GR1 26L and Black hole 32L compared

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for the suggestion!

[@dynamodav]

When do you think you’ll do a review of the new 2023 32l pack?

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching! I should be starting to test one out soon!:)

[@zerbina]

Great review. Did you by any chance take them as a personal item on planes besides a carry on?

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching! I was able to use the mini MLC as a personal item (fit under the seat in front) on American Airlines and the black hole pack as a personal item on southwest

[@zerbina]

@@dannypacks sweet! Thanks.

[@nizamialickolli8603]

Great review, how would compare it Aer travel pack small 3 which one you go for.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful! Definitely a tough choice between these, the aer travel pack will definitely feel more durable, comfortable, offer additional laptop protection and organizational options. With that being said the Patagonia bags are lighter and feel like they can hold a bit more so if space and weight are important they may be the way to go but if you want more features / durability / comfort the aer travel pack may be a better option

[@nizamialickolli8603]

@@dannypacks Thanks for the feedback, only concern for me is the weight on the Aer travel pack3 small, 1.8 kg before start packing

[@intravenousradio]

question: i know the 32L has a bigger listed volume - but my experience is that clamshell bags are able to carry more. can the 32L really carry more stuff than the mini MLC? i like almost everything about the 32L except i really wish it had the clamshell style opening of the MLC. the hip belt/shoulder strap of the MLC is also a plus. I'm trying to choose between these two - currently MLC is winning. but haven't decided yet.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching! Both are great and can hold a similar amount, like you said it still feels like the clamshell style of the MLC allows it to squeeze in a bit more and I also like the laptop and tech section a bit more

[@TheQuangBang]

Are both similar in terms of comfort while wearing as a backpack? Would love a bag with the features of the MLC but with the straps and comfort level on the back section of something like a Mystery Ranch backpack, too bad it does not seem to exist yet@@dannypacks

[@hoser7706]

Wonder if a fat Sharpie would help subdue the Patagucci label…. I did that 25 yearsxago with a TNF label on pants and still have the pants with the logo blacked out tone-on-tone style

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for the suggestion! I’ve heard a few people say they have had success with that method