I’ve been eyeing this bag for awhile now as a possible airplane personal item and am on the fence about buying it. Has anyone tried/owned one who can share their thoughts on it?
Took a lot of hunting on our country’s version of craigslist, and I think there also exists a tote, but I‘m really not a fan of totes: 30l duffel (225g), 20l backpack (310g) and 1l hip pack (99g)
AFAIK they only make the tote nowadays, but I think these would fill a great niche in their travel gear line up.
Videos
Hello everyone, I'm glad I discovered this forum and the posts make for very interesting and informative reading. I have fallen into the trap of trying to find the best one bag for an upcoming 5 day trip. I've seen many posts commenting on the Osprey Daylite 26+6 but it seems impossible to find here in Canada and I've so far only managed to locate the Daylite 44.
Does anyone have any experience with Patagonia Blackhole? I thought I could overcome the lack of clamshell opening with some packing cubes.
It's my first time to really try and onebag it.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏
I am using my LW Travel tote pack as EDC and sometimes for domestic travel 3-4 days.
For traveling, it holds the Amazon medium packing cube, a 13inch laptop with sleeve, an A4 memo pad, and a pen case filled with electronics (AC adapter, USB cables). Sometimes I put my nano-puff jacket as well.
In the front pocket, I can put a minimum toiletry kit, i.e., tooth paste and blush in zip-lock bag and an umbrella from Mont-bell.
With this setup, it is almost full especially the depth-side (15cm).
Now there is a newer version, Ultralight Black Hole Tote Pack. Patagonia says that the depth is 20cm and more capacity, 27 litters.
Is there anyone who did a side-by-side comparison of there versions? Does new versions really have more capacity?
Not exactly what you asked for because I don't have the ability for a side by side comparison but I have the newer version you are talking about. I love the bag. That's all.
-
orig: 16.5x10x6 = 990 cu in = 16.2l advertised as 22l
-
blackhole: 15.5x10.25x8 = 1271 cu in = 20.8l advertised as 27l
I hate that the blackhole has infected the whole bag line. I'm not sure how PT measures the capacity but I guess the outer pocket can hold 5 liters.
So the new one can carry 4 more liters in the main compartment and the new one is at least closer to ryan air's carry on dimensions.
They are supposed to be pretty weather proof/waterproof, but not sure if it's just good marketing. Anyone used one or suggest an alternative if they suck?
While pretty awesome backpacks, they are not designed for backpacking and are not ultralight.
For world travel, the look cool. But, this sub is about wilderness backpacking. Check out r/backpacking for more travel oriented backpacking sub.
Are you looking for a backpack for ultralight backpacking?
The typical strategy is to not worry about the waterproofness of the pack itself, and use a waterproof pack liner, such as a trash compactor bag.
I took a quick look at one of the Patagonia Black Hole backpacks, it it looks like more of an urban/city backpack. It's durable, waterproof, and has a laptop compartment.
But it's pretty heavy for a frameless pack, it's got no water bottle pockets or front pockets, etc.
If you're looking for a $150 frameless pack, the ULA CDT is a well liked option that hits that pricepoint on the larger end of frameless packs, and the Zimmerbuilt Quickstep on the smaller/simpler end.
If you're interested in packs made from waterproof materials, look for packs made from XPac or Cuben fiber. Typically they aren't seam-sealed, because the expectation is that you still use a pack liner, but the fabrics themselves are waterproof, so it reduces the water entry significantly, and your pack won't get soggy.
The Zimmerbuilt Quickstep mentioned above is Cuben fiber, so will be somewhat waterproof. It's a pretty minimal pack though, so you need pretty minimal gear to make it work!
Interested in the black hole tote, but I'd rather not pay $90 since I wouldn't be using it too often. I just like the idea of having a very portable backup backpack that maximizes space and can possibly hold a laptop. It doesn't need to be amazing quality or high durability necessarily, since I don't anticipate using it as more than a backup bag (eg to carry excess on the way back from a trip).
I've got a few packable day backpacks, but they're not very space efficient due to the traditional rounded backpack shape--which also makes them not great for laptops. The square shape of the ultralight tote maximizes space for personal item airline travel where you've got rectangular size limits--plus, the long tote handles make it easy to carry different ways. I'm wondering if there are any similar dupes on Amazon, or by different brands.
I actually saw the lightweight tote on Ebags about a week or two ago, and there was ONE in stock for $22! Unfortunately, I spent too long deliberating on what else to get to qualify for free shipping, and within 20 minutes it disappeared from my cart and went OOS :/. Still hurting from that lol.
edit: After some searching, Timbuk2 makes a lot of similar tote backpacks, but none of them are packable and they're all more expensive. Same with Rains--equivalent cost.
As for amazon generics, GOX makes a cheap horizontal tote (no backpack straps), and there's this rose gold thing from a mystery company.
Closest I can find is this Duluth one for $40.
There's also this Eagle Creek one for $20, but it's only 18L.
Honestly I couldn't be happier with it! I can easily fit all these things into it, Wallet, Keys, Glasses, Moleskine Journal, Sharpie, Leather Wingman, Wireless earbuds, And my Nintendo Switch!
I've been a fan of Patagonia's products for a while and I have one of their larger black hole duffels, but this thing actually blows my mind. I don't really use Reddit or anything but I felt I had to share it in case anyone was wondering which small hip pack/sling bag to get, it's absolutely tiny at 1L and I've literally been called Mary Poppins haha. All the best guys, hope this helps anyone looking for something manageable to add to their EDC or travel gear! :)
This fits a lot more than I thought! What size moleskin? Is it the one that's about the size of a Kindle?
Yeah those little bags are great! I used one for a while and loved it but ultimately went back to my atom 8l sling because I wanted something that could also hold my water bottle.
I’ve read a bunch of recommendations for the Black Hole Totepack and went ahead and ordered one. I’m now second guessing if it’s right for me - it’s incredibly floppy and I can’t see myself ever having enough in there to fill it out properly to give it enough structure so I’m considering returning it.
In some further research I’ve stumbled across the Klattermusen Urur Totepack. There’s very little detail on it online apart from a few videos, but it seems a bit stiffer and might sit a bit better. Seems like there’s a few tradeoffs on the Urur - no sternum strap and the water bottle pocket seems a little small, but it would be great to hear if anyone has any specific experience with it.
It will be primarily used as a travel daypack, but would be useful to use it for day hikes as well. I’m not opposed to a backpack either - I thought the tote might be handy while carrying my larger pack through airports etc but it’s not a huge deal. I’m also considering a Matador Freerain22 or Beast18, so would love to hear if you have any experience with one or more of the packable daypacks / totes mentioned. Cheers!
I've been looking at the Patagonia black hole tote pack for a while but discovered today that they make a very similar one called Terravia. The measurements and materials are a bit different and it is also a bit heavier. Has anyone here seen it and how does it compare to the black hole?
I have gained the impression that brands like Osprey are far superior for actual use and Patagonia backpacks are rather fancy urban pieces.
I always buy bags second hand, and it appears to me that Osprey beats Patagonia in both price and quality, though Patagonia admittably looks nice.
Am I wrong?
I've been looking for a convertible bag I could use for every day and carry on traveling. I'm interested in in the Patagonia tote pack but I see that the tote carry option is just two short loops. I was wondering if there's any way to attach one long strap? So I could carry it hands free, on the shoulder? If not, does anyone have any reccomendations of tote packs or convertible bags that could be used as over the shoulder or carry on?
I've used the Sherpani Sojurn tote as my everyday carry and work travel bag for the past three years and love it. The backpack & crossbody straps are comfy, and it looks professional enough for my (business casual) environment. It's got a good mix of organizational features without being too restrictive, and it's held up pretty well even with daily use. I have an older version, but the one available on REI now looks pretty similar: https://www.rei.com/product/168684/sherpani-sojourn-tote-womens
I've been using a Dakine Tote Pack for about six months now, and I've been really happy with it as both a backpack and a tote bag. I recommend the R2R Ink model (linked below), which is made with more rugged Cordura fabric than the printed versions. It looks nice, it carries a decent amount, and it seems quite durable so far!
https://www.dakine.com/en-us/bags/backpacks/street-backpacks/tote-pack-18l-tote-womens
What’s your favourite bag from Patagonia? - Which one(s) do you have?
How long have you had it and how has it held up?
Any gripes about Patagonia bags?
I’ve never had a Patagonia bag but curious to try one at some point/if a use case presents itself. Would really like to know your guys’ experience with it though!
I don’t really want to be proven wrong, I’m just so happy with my backpack and I wanted to share it.
I was thinking about snagging the aforementioned bag to use as my EDC when not travelling (laptop, chargers, gym clothes and sneakers, pre workout, water bottle) and for rolling up and tossing in my allpa 35 when travelling to use as my day bag. I was curious if anyone had any feedbag on this bag, especially in terms of how packable it is.
edit: the 26L lightweight black hole bag is the one I'm interested in
I was looking high and low for this comparison but couldn't find it so here's mine in case anyone else was wondering.
| Lululemon | Patagonia |
|---|---|
| Has much more space, and also looks and feels bigger on you | Not much space besides phone, card holder, and other smaller items (chapstick, pocket knife, etc.). Mini. |
| Belt is thick and smooth | Belt is thin and wrinkly |
| Feels like you're wearing a nice lululemon bag and making a statement (a small polite one but a statement nevertheless) | Feels like you're wearing a easily accessible pouch at your hip, discreetly peeks out from under (form-fitting) sweaters, barely perceptible under jackets |
| Need both hands to open and retrieve items otherwise things can fall out because the zippered area is large | Can retrieve things one-handed and close the zipper one-handed |
| Belt buckle is at one side of the pouch and only one strap to adjust | Belt buckle is on the opposite end of the pouch and you have two straps to adjust |
| Has organizational compartments inside which are really nice for stacking eye drops, chapstick, airpods, etc. so it doesn't eat into the main compartment space. No key loop (is that what you call it?). | No organizational compartments besides front zipper pouch so if you have a bunch of small things in the main compartment it's hard to drop your phone in there easily because of lack of space. Key loop in front pouch. |
| Material looks and feels nicer. Has definite structure. | I don't give a second thought to how I'm treating it and there's a fat cushion between your body and the back of the bag. Looks like a saggy oval pouch but cute because it's mini. |
Guess which one I chose to keep? And which one would you choose?:D