I watched your review on the Northface base camp voyageur 32L as that was the bag I had my eye on, but I have to thank you as you brought my attention to the Patagonia black hole range! I hadn’t heard of the bag before and after deciphering on whether to go for the 40L duffel or the 32L backpack, I decided to order the 32L black hole pack as the size is more suited for my needs and also like that it keeps more if it’s shape than the larger 40L when not filled completely. Thanks for the great reviews and guidance, can’t wait for the bag to come!
I have had the smaller 25L for a few years and it has been a great bag, but it's just a little too small, and I like this layout a little better. The hardest part about traveling with the smaller bag was getting your laptop or tablet out of the bag when loaded. I like that they made the laptop compartment externally. Looking to replace my 25L with a bigger bag that can still fit in the seat in front of me when I fly.
@@timomybier3823 work mainly…but I had to carry a lot of extra stuff for conferences. The 25l is still a great bag…but even if I don’t need all the extra space, the way you access your electronics in the bigger version just makes it better IMO.
Small point, but I actually love seeing the pack a bit dirty in the review. 99.9% of all reviews are a perfect from the store pack which makes you doubt they actually used it.
nabbed one of these off of rei a little under a year ago in anticipation for a long trip i had out of the country. I personally got the black and like the shiny material but i wear black everything haha. I took the backpack and a checked bag since i was staying for around 4 months and while onebagging seems cool i decided that i was not skilled patient and confident enough to go on a long trip with just my bag. I ended up leaving my checked bag at a family members house and living out of just the backpack for probably 3 of the months and it was honestly great! I had the bag fully loaded with a laptop some miscellaneous tech and about a weeks worth of clothes and found that it was just a little too small to fit everything in, BUT, carabiners def carried the bag for me. I had my toiletry bag towel laundry bag and other stuff hanging off the back off of the many daisy chains and it was perfect for me! my gripes were that opening the laptop compartment was always a little awkward esp when fully packed and i wish the front pocket with the vertical zipper was zipped up on the top instead, as i never put too much in there as things would want to fall out of the side. The water resistance you mentioned was nice as i was able to take it with me on day trips on boats while island hopping and not having to worry about getting anything wet. Speaking of getting wet the only times i really would sweat was when i was outside in the heat walking for quite a while, other than that i mever really got too hot, but it does take a good bit for me to break a sweat so ymmv Also when i was flying i had happened to have lots of layovers and connecting flights with different airlines and never had trouble passing off the fully loaded bag as a personal item but ofc YMMV. Sort of rambling now, but after that trip, I had some more confidence in one bagging and took just the bag on a road trip to florida for a week and had no troubles! Seeing my friends reactions to me only carrying in my backpack with me was funny esp since they had filled up entire suitcases hahaha! Anyways great review and while this has been my first any only backpack other than cheap school ones,(something this bag does well, as it looks good while underpacked), I can only give out recommendations for this bag!
Hopefully you were an inspiration to your full-suitcase friends =) and yes, I think bag should have all the zippers facing the same way. Side zippers on a top-opening bag is a little weird. Unless it's a briefcase style bag, or one where you would swing it around your shoulder to access.
@@jamessimpson4160It's a little tall for under seat travel. The Blackhole Pack is 22" x 10.5" x 6.8" (56 x 27 x 17 cm), many airlines in the US are 18x14x8" (45x36x20). It's over, but you may get away with this bag if it's underpacked. Depending on the airline in Europe, for example Ryanair has even smaller dimensions 40x25x20. You might be able to squish it down, but 16cm is a lot.
@@OneBagTravels appreciate your reply. Yeah i travel Ryanair almost exclusively around Europe from where i live in England and mu current bag is 49cm and never had a problem. They’re more of a ‘as long as it’s on your back you’re fine’ type airline😂 may risk it but want a travel bag that opens clam shell around the 27-30litre mark preferably and stuck on something like this or a Bellroy transit or peak design travel backpack for example. Cheers
I had the smaller version of this bag and ended up selling it because it was just too small. This version looks great though!!!! Thanks for the review!
The dimensions listed on the Patagonia website list the width and depth as being identical, but I watched a video comparison of the two sizes and the 25L looks way smaller. I would imagine the smaller size would work as a daypack or short trips, but I prefer the larger size for longer trips.
I saw this bag recently and the fact that the straps were not stowable made me pass on the sale. I suppose I'm spoiled but I have so many packs that have straps that tuck away that it is simply a deal breaker. I do own a few Patagonia black hole fabric products though and it is definitely one of the stronger and water resistant fabrics in my book. Great review! Cheers!
It's funny because whenever I travel I play "spot the travel pack" in the airport and the Patagonia Black Hole Pack is one of the most common ones I see. Because most people don't one-bag, I imagine a majority of people use this bag as a daypack, or personal item pack. For me the stowability is a nice features, but it's not usually a deal-breaker if I like the pack and don't intend to check it.
@@OneBagTravels I realized I preferred tuckable straps starting with my Timbuktu Wingman (V1) and the Osprey Porter years ago. It's not just when I have to check a larger bag (which I actually haven't done in years) but I don't like straps getting caught on anything. I'm all about sleak and no snags. I'm one of the few people who doesn't really care or want water bottle holders on the outside of a bag. I have a holster that keeps my water bottle on me for that! That's what I love about your channel is finding that perfect bag for everyone! Cheers!
Good review! I have one of the first models that has two zippers -- one on top and one on the side (going from top to bottom) so that the bag can open in half. It has an interior water bottle compartment and an interior laptop sleeve. I prefer that one. Also, I dont like stretch pockets on sides -- the bottles when full can slide out easily when backpack is tilted -- I prefer a zipper enclosed as in Paxat 32L
Good review, I prefer claim shell openings, but this bag has other good features like the top compartment. Cheers Vancouver Island Canada. On another note I bought the MEC 35l pack sack on sale, I am travelling next week, so I will let you know how it went. First impression was nice bag but it narrows at the top. I actually had almost the same gear for into the 28l cabin Zero. Cheers
Interesting, that MEC bag may not be as big as they say it is then. I've only taken it on one 3-day trip so far. It's an interesting bag, I like the look, but having no exterior organization takes some getting used to.
Did you get a chance to review the revised version? Besides the more matted finish, they seemed to have simplified the laptop compartment for the worst, and moved the top handle onto the front flappy part of the lid so that it opens up weird if you were to try and hang this on a hook.
Yeah, some of the changes aren't great. I like the old version better. Here's the review of the new one ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Y7dgVWlMNOs.htmlsi=-y1rGf37061KWfAA
Nice looking pack. Deal breaker for me was that there was no hip belt or an option to attach one. So no, this will not function well as a hiking pack. Even my REI Flash 22 daypack has a hip belt. Would still be good for general travel use and short day hikes, because after all this is still the very fashionable Patagucci. Just not for actual hiking. Nothing saps energy more than a swaying backpack biting into the shoulders.
A hip belt would be nice on the 32. They also make this bag in a 25L version, which would carry better without a hip belt. And yes, I think a hip belt is more useful when you're hiking. It's not always necessary for walking around town unless your pack is very heavy. But for hiking it helps stabalize the bag.
How is the breath ability on that pack? It doesn’t look like there’s much in the way of air channels. Do you think it would get hot hiking with it. Thanks for the reviews keep them up!
I think air channels can help a little bit, but can come at the cost of weight and space. For example I was just hiking with the REI Ruckpack today, which has decent air ventillation, and my back still gets sweaty. I think it can help a little bit, but if you're hiking your back is probably going to sweat either way. Plus I look at many ultralight hiking packs, like Atom Packs, Hyperlite etc., and those things have basically zero air ventillation. For me air ventillation is a factor, but it's not as important as the overall comfort of the pack. I think an exception here are Osprey packs, which manage to have excellent air ventillation, while being comfortable and still having some very light options (et Levity 45).
Great review. Looking for a 25 litre with hip belt.... Not easy to find. I'm a short woman and I need the lift assistance of having most of the weight of the pack on my waist.
You may find my bag table helpful. docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xIMBaSlyFbQ7FSU5nKXn8VICaOkASUOR9HaKxRYAheE/edit?usp=sharing I use this spreadsheet to track the specs on travel packs, you can filter by whether the pack has a hip belt or not, then sort by volume. There aren't many 25L packs with hip belts, but there are quite a few 28-30L. For example Cotopaxi Allpa, Fjallraven Singi 28, Gregory Juxt 28, Hemiplanet Travel Pack 28, Kathmandu Trasnfer and Litehaul, North Face Borealis, REI Ruckpack, Aer Travel Pack 2 small. Some of those you may have to purchase the hip belt separately so check the site. Check it out and let me know if you find it useful.
Hi! Thanks a lot for the great review. Random question, but would you say it can fit a basketball? I am wondering if I can use it as both a travel and sports backpack. Many thanks!
I think no. I don't have one to test, but diameter of basketball is ~9.5" and the depth on this is less than 7". Probably could fit one in the Black Hole Duffel though
Thank you for the nice review. Just want to mention that 1.8 pounds is NOT the same as 8kg. You probably meant to say 0.8 kg as 8 kg is about 16 pounds :)
Thanks for this! I’m currently looking for a bag around 32-35l to downsize from the larger Allpa I got on sale a few years back, since I just don’t need the size (or the weight). I really wish REI made a midsize ruckpack between the 28l and 40l options, though recently I stumbled upon the Kelty Asher 35, which looks like it might be able to punch above its weight in the category. I’m curious to see what your experience is with the other packs you’re reviewing, especially in terms of carry comfort, since that often seems oddly to be de-prioritized in so many of these packs (even though vs suitcases it’s their biggest drawback). Thanks again!
I was just thinking that the Ruckpack needed a mid-size. Even though the Black Hole Pack 32 is only 5L larger than the Ruckpack 28, it feels much larger than that. Kelty Asher looks like a good contender with both these packs. The Ruckpack and ULA Dragonfly have some of the best carry systems for these lightweight packs so far.
It's kind of an awkward shape, a medium Eagle Creek compression cube is really tight sideways, but fits lengthwise fine with a little room to spare. Top loaders like this are good with slim packing cubes. I haven't tested this particular configuration, but I think a medium 14x10 eagle creek cube, and a pack-it Isolate Slim cube would fit well on the bottom. You'll stull have plenty of room on the top for more gear.
@@OneBagTravels Thanks - I have some Eagle Creek cubes so can play around with that when I get it home and report back. I want to be able to get to a hotel, ditch the contents and go for a hike, so packing cubes are a must.
Hello do you have a video where you compare the black hole mini mlc vs this blackhole pack 32L? if not, what are your thoughts on which is better? I need a bag to be an occasional carry-on and i like the the clamshell duffel style opening on the mlc - but i like the lightweight nature of this pack. I also noticed you tested the 30L volume with foam peanuts on the other one - did you test the volume on this 32L pack? I've had several toploading packs in the past that simply don't hold as much as clamshell style packs. what are your thoughts?
Black Hole is a great minimaist pack but I like the MLC better for travel because I prefer the duffel style for packing, you can see and get to your stuff much easier than a top load bag. So I guess which one is better depends on which style you prefer.
Would you recommend this as a commuter pack? I usually only carry one laptop but on days i have class i need to carry two, so it needs to hold 2 computers (1 work, 1 personal), ipad, wallet and couple notebooks/planner. Im finding my 28L jansport to be a snug fit and not very comfortable on the days it's packed full.
@@OneBagTravels thank you. Yea, i think it will be hard to find a backpack that fits what i need as i doubt many carry around 2 computers lol. Ive opted to carry a tote on the days i have class and then on the days i dont have class i swap the tote for my gym bag. It's not a perfect system but for now it will have to do. Perhaps down the road ill look into upgrading my daily bag, i was looking at the Thule backpacks but theyre quite pricey and dont know if i can justify spending $200 on a bag when i already have a few backpacks already.
Thank you. I just bought this pack today. I’m trying to adjust the chest strap, and I’m not sure how to move it. There are several attachment points to choose from, but I don’t understand how to take them off and readjust without breaking them. Any ideas?
There's a little lip on the edge of the attachment strap. You need to lift up the edge of the attachment before you can slide it out. I just tried it and managed to lift it up with the back of my thumb nail, but it's hard, you may need to stick a screwdriver in there and pry it up. But not so hard it's gonna break
Hello, Ive been looking at the Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L, but seems like it only comes in Red , Navy and black, and the 25L comes in multiple cool colors ?
They have some different color options for the 25 and 32. Looks like they are out of the blue one in 32 right now, but you can add your name to their mailing list and they will let you know when it comes back in stock.
Yes! Those are both great bags. Black Hole is simpler, with just a big main compartment and a top pocket. While the Recon is more like a school backpack with more organization. I'd say if you want a bag to carry more gear and you'll switch to a smaller daypack bag during the day, the Black Hole will hold more. But if you plan on carrying only one bag around all day, and not carrying a separate daypack/sling, then the Recon is going to have better organizaiton.
@@OneBagTravelsI went to look at one in-store today . Another unwelcome change is the laptop compartment. No longer fully opening, just a zipper running around 2 out of 3 sides, no internal organisation, no false bottom so the edge of your laptop will be maybe 1cm off the ground when you put the pack down Was thinking about it but ow off the list I don't get why premium manufacturers cut quality to meet a price point and on top of that increase prices anyway!
@@timor64 They may have done that for a weight saving reason, because zippers take up a lot of weight in a pack, reducing the size of the zipper could help cut down weight. Also they removed the extra tablet sleeve and buckle in the laptop compartment. However the weight of both versions is exactly the same, 1.72 lbs. So maybe the new fabric weighs more and they wanted to cut down weight somewhere else to compensate? Doesn't excuse the false bottom thing though.
