Patagonia Mini MLC vs. Evergoods CTB26 - EPIC Minimal Travel Bags Compared

[@Jim_in_Portland]

Thanks for such a comprehensive comparison between these two great bags - fantastic work!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for the support!:)

[@louietraub]

I used Goo Gone and a blunt metal tool to gently scrape off the logo on the Mini MLC. It worked out really well with almost no signs of the logo remaining except on close inspection if you know it was there. Virtually no wear to the fabric either, but if anyone tries this method, just go slow and easy (that's what she said) as to not damage it.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for the suggestion!

[@DaveStern2]

Danny, great video. I don't have the CTB26 but do have the mini MLC. It's a great bag so well executed as you point out. And they nailed the pricing. The exterior material is really nice and the main zip is a nice one as you say. It's a great travel pack for exactly the reasons you point out and the vertical admin orientation works well when the bag is under seat on a flight - very easy access. One thing to point out is the Peak Design straps (available on their web site) clip perfectly onto the MLC mini attachment points. The PD straps are so much nicer than just regular bungee and the plastic clips are probably easier on the loops than bungee cord. I used the short PD straps I had from another bag - gives a few inches of room to clip something in across the back. If anyone wants to attach them as an X across the back or needs more than a few inches of clearance, the long straps would be needed. Keep up the great work!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for the support! And great callout on the peak design straps! I hadn’t thought of those, but can definitely see myself using them like you described!

[@longlivetheclash]

I too now utilise the PD straps with my Patagonia Mini MLC 30. Great suggestion- they work great! Thanks!

[@celticsftw90]

Just switched to a CTB26 from an Aer CPP for travel; haven't looked back. Great video as always!

[@KelvinHew7]

What were the key factors on the switch?

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and for the support! Although I love the CPP, I still lean towards the Ctb26 as well

[@celticsftw90]

Better luggage pass through, can fit more stuff in the main compartment, appreciated the laptop compartment being the same orientation as the pass through, and I just preferred the organization on the CTB26!

[@SheilaPenn]

Great review. I’m a 61F and have the Mini MLC 30L. I was concerned it would be too heavy, but I pack the heavier things in my roller. I really like my 26L Refugio for travel but I think this will help me be able to use this as my personal item and a rolling BH duffel for my carry on during my trip to South America. I prefer to buy Patagonia and am always curious about other options. It seems I made the right choice for me with these two comparisons. Thanks!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful! Sounds like a solid setup with this and the roller!

[@gerardtravel]

Thoughtful review, thanks

[@dannypacks]

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

[@tkozikow]

I have been Team Aer for a long time, but recently started looking at EG and was about to buy the CTB26 as a replacement for the Aer Travel Pack 3 Small I recently sold. Unfortunately the black colorway is OOS until October.

[@intravenousradio]

get a different color pack. live a little. black is overrated.

[@tkozikow]

@@intravenousradio I purchased the coyote brown colorway and it is really nice

[@KurtRWalker]

You didnt like the Tp3 small ? I love mine. thinking about getting a Mini MLC to add to the stable.

[@tkozikow]

@@KurtRWalker I just prefer the CTB26. I still have several Aer products.

[@JK-zn7hl]

Is the black hole mini 26l out of stock?

[@Duanewrites]

The Patagonia Mini MLC would make a great teacher bag.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching! Definitely a versatile option!:)

[@mykeljewell]

Did you say that they both fit well under seats in planes? Looking for a good personal bag and the CTB26 feels like it may be too big to pair with a small rolling luggage carry on.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and yes both can work as an underseat bag on a variety of planes! The dimensions might be right at the limit or slightly over on some airlines but so far I haven’t had issues actually having them fit. If you are using with a rolling luggage I would recommend wearing when boarding onto the flight vs having it on the roller luggage

[@harvardfacebook7372]

Many thanks mate.

[@dannypacks]

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

[@OneTakeEDC]

love the comparison !!

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching!:)

[@craigo2142]

MLC really looks like a nice travel bag. With it's dimensions, would it work as a personal bag? It seems too tall @ 20". Thanks for another interesting review/comparison.

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful! It’s definitely on the riskier side due to the dimensions but I have now used it as a personal item on a variety of flights with no issues fitting it under the seat even tho the height is a little over

[@craigo2142]

@@dannypacks thanks

[@KurtRWalker]

@@dannypacks Curious if you feel the Mini MLC has more actual space than the the Aer TP3 small. looks like it to me. I love my tp3 small but I do know they are a bit heaver and I think it's probably less than the stated 29L. Both are softer so they can be overpacked but I bet the MLC has more space?

[@SoemarkoRidwan]

50% more expensive is not slight

[@dannypacks]

Thank you for watching and that’s a fair point! I realized after the fact that was understated and wanted to make sure I included the prices at least to hopefully avoid confusion 😅

[@AboutThings_byTarif]

That logo is certainly a deal breaker. What were they thinking?

[@jonuiuc]

Logos are so ubiquitous most people don’t care or notice them, I think people consciously have to be looking for no logos to even notice.

[@lanceklein2746]

I definitely have a different opinion - I hate large / loud logos and avoid them whenever possible. I much prefer the Evergoods branding.

[@MrLlama999]

I find this one pretty obnoxious. A high centered or lower right Patagonia mountain logo would be much nicer to me.

[@MisterJIFF]

But thing we're not like this, I've grown to hate having stupid, huge logos all over my clothes

[@longlivetheclash]

It’s very easy to remove and/or cover up this logo. I bought the MLC 30 for the quality/usability factors.