Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L Review (2 Weeks of Use)

0:00 Intro
0:25 External Features
3:10 Harness System
4:48 Fit Notes
7:41 Secondary Compartments
11:43 Main Compartment
16:07 Outro

The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L is a solid travel companion with three carry modes, plenty of space for gear, and dedicated tech and laptop storage.

CONNECT WITH US

TERMS

[zoekim]

I really appreciate showing the bags on a woman/smaller person. Bag reviews are a very male space on youtube and this is one of the only channels that considers how it fits on a 5’5 frame!

[iamdavidrankin]

I love this backpack. Got it about a year ago in black and have taken it on 7 flights and a half dozen train rides. Fits everything I need for a week of travel. Only thing to keep in mind is when it's fully packed it bulges up and goes above "max legal carry" (MLC). On my return after a trip I tried it for fun it one of the Air Canada sizers and I had to force jam it through. I just wear it confidently on my back and never have had to check it in so far. I wear this on my back and a sling on the front. Only thing that annoys me is the tech organizer side and spaces for pens and such which I never use. Wish both sides of the bag were more open "black holes" to just stack packing cubes as we wish.

[handmitauge]

I have this backpack since a year (had the earlier version in shiny black as well until it got stolen, this one is more rigid) and travelled quite a few times with it. I use it mainly to travel as a creative technologist/video artist for visual performances - it fits: clothes and cleaning stuff for 3 days, a really compact foldable backpack (25l daypack for later use, fits the laptop!), midi controller (novation launch control xl mk2), ipad, lenovo legion 7 laptop plus power brick, converters plus tech pouch. I use it together with a 5 liter sling in the front and I am very happy with it. If I have extra stuff like groceries or something I use the foldable backpack on my back and the side wearable function of this back. I really love this additional possiblity to wear it like that in certain situations, it was one of the main reasons I bought it again ;). The organisation panel is not perfect, if you use the notebook department it can feel cramped. I can recommend it (I watch a lot of carryology and chase reeves videos)! *sorry for the grammar, english is not my first language*

[n]

I originally ordered this for a recent 3 week trip but really didn’t want a laptop compartment so I returned it and got the 40L black hole duffle backpack combo. I do have the mini MLC also but haven’t had the opportunity to use it yet. The MLC 45 is just way too big for my needs and I wanted something that fits stricter carry on requirements overseas.

[valkyr]

Clever use of the hip belt for the sholder strap. Thanks for the review!

[minnh]

Great review as always! These blackhole bags are really the better version of PD travel backpack IMO 😂

[BenjaminJcqt]

The big Patagonia logo has always bothered me but at least they've moved it to the side

[greg.ocallaghan]

Amazing pack! If only it didn't have that big giant Patagonia logo. I've heard you can remove it though using nail-polish remover.

[nailahdawkins]

@05:15: Love the TMT reference 🐢 🍕 🌃💥🕳️! 😅 💯

[BenjaminJcqt]

Wow i really right this was a Cotopaxi Allpa from the thumbnail, they have an almost identical color

[jakeconnelly]

Would you guys say that the features and extra 5L of space are worth this being over twice the price of the Tomtoc 40L?

[clydenver]

pls review the cabinzero adventure pro 42L

[tzolkosky]

I have a Goruck GR3 45l I use for weekly travel. How does this compare?