Slightly more $$ now: inflation. Black Hole suffers from really overbuilt, too thick, padded strap and padded rear panel. You are right the Black Hole version has better pockets and internal pouches, but I miss a tablet panel to keep my tablet in position and not drifting out to the unpadded corners where it might get dinged. Don't put a phone in the mesh panel on the Black Hole strap; it will get inverted and dump your phone. Both are nice bags, and I own both, but I'd go with the Black Hole more consistently if they'd just thin down the shoulder a bit (the lack of a tablet panel isn't a deal killer but would be greatly appreciated). Your Atom version looks like the latest full width (left to right, following the zipper) verstion rather than half height (vertical orientation) in prior models. Alas, my iPad 9.7 will fit in its slim fit cover case, but a 10.2" current iPad won't. Patagonia has been one step behind Apple's size bumps in phones and iPads for a decade now. Patagonia really needs a left shoulder/right shoulder revised version. Camelbak has shown it can be done - just center the top of the shoulder strap (instead of the current off-to-one-side design) and provide dual bottom attachment points. And oh, a U opening at top.
Thanks for another comment. Love your analysis. To be honest I gave away both of these because of your last note…I’m just not a fan of slings , especially if I can’t change which arm it slings over. I personally like it over the other shoulder.
I wondered the same because that’s my favorite feature on the bigger black hole bags (I reviewed a couple of those too). I absolutely love the thick coated fabric. Gives a unique look
@@vivianbui1098 the black hole waist 5L had faaaaar thicker material. It is the same black hole material that’s on the backpacks. The sling has the very thin material that’s like the hip pack. Thanks for the question.
Those morons call everything "Black Hole" these days instead of limiting the branding to the special coated and laminated fabrics the Black Hole line made famous. I even called up to complain about it, but, "marketing". There's nothing at all classically "Black Hole" about the fabric. It's essentially the same type of fabric rolled out in their original "Lightweight" lineup (Lightweight Travel Courier, Lightweight Tote, etc.).
@@MichaelWebber yea, it’s a shame they did that. Because it’s the original laminated material that caught my eye of the Mini MLC to begin with, and stated my love for Patagonia packs. I just bought the 2022 mini MLC refresh, and it has an updated black hole material. Curious to see how it is
I can easily get my iPhone 12 Pro (regular, not max) into the phone pocket on the Atom 8L. I don't think this phone is larger than the iPhone 11. If I slide my phone in bottom end first - which is how I naturally do it when I'm wearing the bag anyway - and make use of the stretchy mesh panel, it goes in no problem - and I like that it is held in place by a zipper. The Black Hole sling's open-top pocket - despite being a stretch mesh - does not feel as secure to me.
I fit my samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 with a beefy case inside the phone pocket. It takes a little finesse but once you learned how to use the mesh as a Cheat code for some needed expansion room your Gucci. Great review bravo 👏
@@littlebigbrother7279 Thanks! Just curious, did you buy your pack more recently? I know Patagonia updated their atom slings this year along with their other bags, but I just didnt have. chance to review. Maybe they made the pocket larger?
@EDG I believe purchased in June of 2022. I didn't look at the production date on the tag though. Not sure if that is a revised model. It looks identical to the one in your video, same colorway also.
my iphone 12 pro fits perfectly inside the chest pocket on the atom 8L, this guy doing his OJ simpson bit trying to get his phone in there is a little over dramatic.
the phone I’m using is the 11 so it was slightly bigger. Yes, I could fit the phone in, but the demonstration was to show how inconvenient it is to take the phone in and our frequently.
@@EDG agree to disagree as I took it out multiple times over 3 miles with ease. If you are going to pretend millimeter differences in the device size make that much of a difference you aren’t just being pedantic you are being disingenuous. Good day.
@@stefanzbezinski3121 firstly, you can’t say “agree to disagree” and then say I’m disingenuous. Agree to disagree means respecting my opinion and experience, not attacking it. Secondly, I demonstrated that the phone isn’t even close to fitting. Lengthwise it’s off by like half an inch, not possible. My phone is larger and I have a case. Do your have a case? Or maybe I got a defective bag with a smaller pocket. Either way, how about you record your own video and show me your phone fits with ease. Because I showed mine doesn’t.
@@EDG yes I have a case and no I won’t be creating my own video because anyone who is that invested can try for themselves and if it works for them I’ll be happy for them. Might I suggest getting off the internet since criticism seems to hurt you in ways you don’t manage very well.
@@stefanzbezinski3121 you’ll be happy for them if it works? But let me guess, if it doesn’t work and their experience is like mine, you’ll be sad? You should be happy for anyones experience, not just those that align with you. Criticism is great if it’s useful. Criticism is also great if it’s funny. Unfortunately yours was neither. An OJ Simpson reference? It’s a bag review, chill.
