I picked up the green version and used it on a 3 week trip traveling in the Philippines. This is such a great travel backpack. I found that the tech/laptop section was perfect for holding things that I needed to access easily. I kept a folder of travel documents in the main laptop pocket, my iPad Pro in the tablet section, 3 passports in the suspended square pockets, and second wallet and spare cash in the lower zipper pocket. The main body compartment held a ton. I had all my tech items for the flight plus milk and Tupperwares full of toddler snacks and snacks for me and my wife. Between the main compartment and the front flap I was able to keep a folded sweater to use on the flight. In the front flap pockets I kept travel medicine/first aid kit, sunglasses, more snacks, and two portable power banks with cables. The top quick access was great for throwing in my pocket items when going through TSA security. It was hard to find any fault in actual usage. The vertical clamshell opening made it easy to access the bag while on my lap. The only negative is that for my particular luggage, the handle was too big for the luggage pass through but the bag was comfortable enough that I didn’t mind keeping it on my back. I thought the stretchy sternum strap felt really good as well.
Thank you for watching and for sharing your experience with the bag! Glad to hear it’s been working well for you so far and love seeing how you organized everything across the different compartments!:)
I just got the bag and it packs so much. I was able to pack 2 jackets, 2 pants, 2 button ups and 3 tees with all my toiletry items in it for a 5 day trip. This paired with a carryon would make international or even longer trips easy!
@@josephfarrugia2350 I think it could work as your only carry on if you are a minimal packer / for a shorter trip or it could work as a personal item to pair with another carry on bag
@@dannypacks gratitude for your reply & my compliments on the channel: super well done! You might be referring to U.S. travel when you mention 2 (TWO) items to take on a plane? In Europe only one item is allowed, it's often referred to as "carry on luggage", limited in size & weight, usually 7kg.
I was just this close to purchasing the Aer flight pack 3 before seeing this bag. Very similar bags but I think this is actually more intuitively designed and spacious! Aer got outdone. Damn.. Lol.
I got a brand new old version of MLC 26L. I lended it to my boyfriend and I couldn't get it back from him. He fell in love with it. So I just purchased a new version mini MLC 30L Evening Mauve for myself. 😊
Thank you for watching and I definitely know that feeling! Glad you were able to get this version (be careful if you let him borrow it he might try to swap😂)
I'd like this bag a whole lot more if it didn't have the massive lettering. That lettering is a dealbreaker and why I'd go with something like a Bellroy Transit 28L instead.
Question for owners of this bag: does it work as a personal item, under the seat, when flying? Seems like it might be pushing it, but maybe it can be stuffed in there if it isn't packed tight.
Thank you for watching! I was able to use this as a personal item on an American Airlines international flight and it fit under the seat in front of me (if you take a look at my personal item shorts video you can see how the bag looks)
Great review, just wondering what is that blue and tan bag you have behind you in the video? Also do you have any plans on reviewing the larger 45L of this bag? I was recently thinking of getting one of those for my international travel bags vs getting a roller luggage.
Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful! The bag behind me is the burton tinder pack (the original version) and I don’t have any immediate plans to review the larger one, but it’s on the wishlist of bags to check out in the future, if it’s anything like this one it should be a solid one bag travel option!
Those dangling straps on the side are a deal breaker for me. I use velcro strips when bags don’t have strap keepers included. But the straps on this pack seem pretty long, keepers might not mitigate the problem enough for me.
I have this bag - I’m like you where dangly straps are normally a nightmare for me. However, because of where the opening for the removable hip belt is, the excess strap material easily fits in there, with no issues.
Thank you for watching! The version I have here is black, it has different shades tho, the one on the front is matte so it can look a little lighter and the sides are a more deep black
I stuck with MLC mini 30l and PD travel backpack 30l. I don’t know which one to choose. Which one do you recommend? I am not a photographer tho, I need a backpack for a month trip to Vietnam in May. Cheers from Poland !
Thank you for watching! 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
Great review and video. One question: what are the accessory straps you have used for the exterior to secure the skate board? is it a particular brand? would love to know. They match the bag well; and seem well made
Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful! Those straps are from wandrd and have been some of my favorite (will make sure they are linked in the description below if you want to check them out)
You asked opinions on featured bag, This Patagonia, though I love their sustainability, is too much logo. Can you help me out, I cant' find where you named a lightweight, clamshell opening minimal backpack with 2 water bottle pockets, I loooove this feature.
I know this is a smaller capacity bag at 30L so it's not usually necessary, but I love having load lifters on travel bags when carrying 7kg+, which is fairly typical for carry on travel. What do you think about the comfort of the harness system with a heavier load despite the lack of load lifters? It sort of looks like the straps hug the bag close to your body anyway, so maybe just good design?
Thank you for watching! So far the harness has been pretty comfortable overall and I agree the straps allow the bag to hug your back pretty well. In general Patagonia harnesses are not quite as robust as other bags in a similar category (north face, osprey, aer, etc) so I do wish there was bit more padding but it gets the job done
@@dannypacks really liking your content, so appreciate your perspective. The Able Carry Max is the same capacity as the Mini MLC (arguably...), but seems to have a superior harness system without load lifters or even a belt. Is it really down to its straps, frame and back padding that makes the ACM so great despite the weight you're carrying around? Tossing up between the Aer TP3 (S or Regular in xpac), ACM and new Tortuga 30L. Hate the fact that they're all so heavy when empty, but can't seem to get the combo of comfort, breathability, features, some organisation and an urban aesthetic in anything lighter!
Great review! Wondering if having the two backpack straps attached to the dedicated laptop sleeve puts a lot of stress on that rear zipper when the rest of the pack is fully loaded. Thx
Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful! I have loaded the bag out quite a bit and so far I haven’t noticed any extra pressure on that zipper when I’ve been carrying the bag thankfully
@danny Packs - thanks so much for the review.. and others! love your reviews! Question for you... i am debating between this Patagonia and the Heimplanet Transit line 28l. the bags seem pretty similar.. although some say the Heimplanet is actually quite small... any initial thoughts between the two bags? thanks! Mik
Thank you for watching and I’m glad the videos have been helpful! I don’t think the heimplanet is tiny per se, I’ve been impressed with how much it can hold and is fairly close to the Patagonia (although the Patagonia can hold a little bit more).
hi, do you think the Mini MLC 26L is too bag for a personal item? or do you think the Patagonia Refugio 26 is better? it seems the mlc looks much bigger despite them being technically the same size? Im going long term travel 1 year + and already have the Alpa 35 as my main bag and now looking for a good day bag. I like the MLC as it has the side carry long strap which i always end up using my second bag like that. Ive used the alpa before on a trip and i always end up buying things so looking for a day bag that could fit a fair amount but also will qualify as a second item! Do you have any other recommendations? Thanks!
Thank you for watching! I think the MLC could work as a personal item on a variety of airlines but the height might an issue on smaller / stricter planes. I do think it is a much better bag than the Refugio however and a solid companion to something like the Allpa, others that might be worth considering would be the aer travel pack 3 small, the bellroy transit or maybe the black ember forge or Knack pack
Thank you for watching! That is an electric skateboard! I did a video on it a few years ago, but it looks like the company may not be selling them anymore :( I can link to the video and I’ll definitely be on the lookout for other similar size boards
Thank you for watching! Overall I prefer this MLC (organizational layout, comfort, waist belt) but if you need extra space than the 32l will hold a pretty good amount more
What’s your opinion on this or the Topo designs global 30L? They seem similar and great but this bag seems like it has more space in the main compartment.
Thank you for watching and both are definitely solid bags! Overall I do prefer the MLC as the main compartment is deeper so it matches up with my packing style a bit more and I also prefer tbe harness and laptop compartment on the MLC
Thank you for watching! The material has a dwr coating that will provide weather resistance in moderate rain but no rain cover included and it might struggle in heavier rain
Excellent review, I only see Black Hole Mini MLC 30L (not available now) not 26L on Patagonia site. Wondering if they replaced the 26L with the 30L. I have had an Oakley Kitchen Sink for many which is large but not very functional with compartments. The Mini MLC looks much more functional. Are you familiar with the Oakley Kitchen Sink, any advise?
I read on another channel that Patagonia's website changed the pack from 26L to 30L. This appears to be a calculation error, as the dimensions haven't changed, just the advertised capacity.
Thank you for watching! I haven’t had a chance to use the kitchen sink but I have seen them around quite a bit. The MLC seems like it could be a simpler bag overall but everything it has is very functional. As for the sizing, like the other comment said, I believe they may have just updated the label / title on the site but I don’t know if they actually changed the bag itself unfortunately
@@per-olamjomark7452 I remember when I saw the first videos or photos of this bag and so many comments were like „looks bigger“, „that is only 26L?“ etc. Haha.
Thank you for watching! Not sure of many that are too far under this price point with the same size, but a few that may be worth checking out are the aer flight pack 3, the mystery ranch 3 way expandable briefcase and the topo designs global briefcase
Thank you for watching! It should be the same one, I believe Patagonia updated the dimensions on their site to more accurately reflect the true size of the bag
Thank you for watching! I have successfully traveled like that internationally (this bag under the seat and the roller in the overhead), with that being said this bag can start to look a little big if you really pack it out so it might draw some attention from desk agents
I recently picked up the Mlc 26 at my local Patagonia thinking it was the 30 since the 26 was discontinued; not sure if I should keep it or exchange for the 30 since it’s the same price? Wonder why they went from 26-30
Thank you for watching! I wonder if the bag changed or if they just updated the volume in the name and on their site? Might be a good question to ask at the store if you happen to be back there, if there are two different ones I would personally lean towards the 26 as that’s the size of bag that I like as a middle ground for edc and minimal travel but if you need some extra space maybe the 30l would be a little better?
It’s the same bag. They just call it 30L instead of 26L. The product numbers are the same. Actually in my bag it’s written nowhere if it’s a 26 or a 30. And I got it when it was sold as 26.
Thank you for watching! I’ve been able to use this underseat on many different airlines (the height is over many dimension limits tho so it might be a little risky depending on how strict the airline is)
Hi Danny….. Great review. Have you ever found a clamshell travel pack that only has the large open pocket? Meaning no separate zippered laptop pocket. I’m not a techie. I only carry my clothes, passport and toiletries. Thanks
Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful! I haven’t seen too many that don’t have any laptop pocket at all (maybe some bags in the hiking space from osprey or deuter?) I’ve used a few that have a laptop sleeve that takes up less space and weight such as the Tom Bihn Synik 30, topo designs travel pack evergoods mpl, goruck Rucker or even something like the matador SEG30
I don't travel with laptops either, so all the features in backpacks marketed for travel are an overkill and unnecessary extra weight that I could have used for things I actually want to carry. Instead for travel, I use an ultralight hiking backpack which weighs around 800gm (Durston Kakwa 40, small), yet has a 40 litre volume. Not a clam shell I know, but all available in the market so far are way too heavy considering a lot of the airlines I fly with have cabin luggage weight restrictions and they do weigh them more often than not.
Thank you for watching and definitely a tough choice! I really like both but might lean slightly towards the Mini MLC as it feels a bit lighter and less rigid which gives just a little more flexibility imo
Thank you for watching! I think it may surpass the official measurements on some airlines but it’s form factor is deceptive and it’s not a super rigid bag so it can squeeze a bit, so it could potentially work on less strict airlines
Thank you for watching! The bag does have a passthrough that allows you to rest it on a suitcase, you can see this in action at about the 5:27 mark if you want to check it out (not sure if this is what you had in mind)
Thank you for watching! The volumes on bags can vary so widely from company to company in my experience, so far this is pretty close to some other 26l bags that I’ve used, but I know there’s some bags listed at 26 that feel bigger or smaller in actual use
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Thank you for watching! I always find it tricky to assess the volume of a bag across brands as there seem to often be big differences across bags with similar volumes due to their shape / organizational layouts. To me this seemed similar to other 26l bags I’ve used with regards to the dimensions but it does feel like it can hold a bit more due to the simpler main compartment layout and the fact that the shape of the bag isn’t super rigid
Looks good, especially from the inside. But the branding is just way too big. Really don’t know what some companies have in mind when designing such a great product but then destroying it like that… could’ve been so easy. Less is more!
Thank you for watching! The included shoulder strap actually doubles as a waist belt that works quite well (starts around 5:32 if you want to check it out)
Thank you for watching and unfortunately it looks like it’s out of stock at the moment but it looks like there may be some coming in later I’m January?
