The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L might just be the best all-in-one travel pack on the market. Here’s why:
Why The MLC 45L Stands Out
The Black Hole MLC 45L offers a number of features that make it an excellent choice for travelling. Some of our favourite features are:
The three carrying options: The Black Hole MLC 45L can be worn as a backpack, a shoulder bag, or a duffel. Travelling through the city? Wear it as a backpack. Going through airport security? Put it into duffel mode. Walking through the airport? Shoulder bag. Best of all, the straps all tuck away, making it easier to fit into the overhead bins of a plane.
The storage: At 45 litres of storage capacity, you can store everything you need to travel with in your Black Hole MLC 45L. Patagonia has also made organizing your bag easy, with two interior pockets, including a laptop compartment, and a drop-in top pocket for easy access to small items like sunglasses and lip balm.
The design: The MLC 45L is made with recycled, durable materials and TPU-film laminate, making it easy to clean and strong enough for years of travel. For our money, this is the best size Patagonia carry-on backpack.
It’s a carry-on: You can fit the MLC 45L in most overhead storage bins, making it great for travel; it’s below the maximum carry-on size for most airlines. Combine that with the tuck-away straps and a webbing loop that can be slipped over rolling luggage handles, and you’ve got the perfect carry-on bag.
Is The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L Right For You?
The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L might be right for you if:
- You travel a lot
- You want a carry-on pack that can convert into a backpack
- You want an eco-friendly design (the bags are made out of recycled material)
- You travel with tech like laptops (this bag is great for digital nomads)
Patagonia Vs. Competitors: How The MLC 45L Compares
MLC 45L Vs. Refugio 30L
The Refugio Daypack 30L is another Patagonia product, and it has some great features: a breathable back panel, a hydration hanger for your water bottle, and back straps that clip together for added support. This is an amazing daily backpack, and great for a trip on the trail or on a bike - but it’s too small to be a carry-on, and too big to be a personal item.
Black Hole MLC 45L Vs. Osprey Farpoint 40L
Much like the Refugio, the Osprey Farpoint is more of an outdoor adventure travel pack than a carry-on. It has features like sternum strap whistles and hipbelt pockets, making it one of the most versatile bags for when you’re on a trail, but less useful when you need a convertible carry-on; it also has 5 litres less carrying capacity.
Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L Vs. Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L
The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L offers the closest thing to the Black Hole MLC 45L Backpack. We love how this backpack makes it easy to compress items and features like the external straps. It’s a great travel backpack for a lot of people, but it weighs slightly more than the Black Hole MLC 45L, and the straps are not convertible.
How Green Is The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L Really?
Incredibly green. The entire pack is made out of recycled materials, which are strong and sturdy enough that you won’t have to buy another bag for years. Patagonia Canada is known for its dedication to environmental causes, too; the company is owned by a trust that ensures profits are donated to causes which address climate change.
This is, without a doubt, one of the greenest bags on the market; you can even buy it in green!
Common Questions About The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L
Is it waterproof or just water-resistant?
Very few things are fully waterproof; water dissolves almost anything over time. The bag is, however, incredibly water-resistant, thanks to its recycled TPU laminate. TPU itself is waterproof, but there are weak points - seams, non-TPU fabrics, pockets, and more - that can get damaged from water infiltration.
Will it fit under a plane seat?
Not usually, no; it will, however, fit in most overhead compartments, and is carry-on compliant for most airlines.
Which size should I get for school, travel, or hiking?
For travel and hiking, the 45L is a great bet! For school, you’ll probably want to opt for a smaller backpack, unless you’re hiking up a mountain to get to class.
Is the Black Hole backpack worth the price?
We think so - it’s one of the most reasonably priced travel packs on the market! Considering the quality, Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee, the excellent carrying capacity, and that it can be used as a carry-on or a travel backpack, we think it’s an excellent choice.
Ready To Upgrade Your Backpack?
We think you’ll love the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L. Great for travel, through the skies and/or through the city. Get yours today!