You're packing in a duffel bag for a longer hiking trip? Ah, is it gonna be shipped for you or something? More on reddit.com

Any thoughts on Patagonia's Black Hole MLC 45L vs their Black Hole 40L duffel? I'm having a hard time finding comparisons of the two despite them... More on old.reddit.com

Looking to backpack abroad across multiple cities. Looking for a carry one with greedy but conforming dimensions. My airlines should be ok with... More on old.reddit.com

The Granite Gear 20" duffle has passed straps, a sternum strap, a shoulder strap and is much lighter and less expensive than the Black Hole. The Patagonia Lightweight Black Hole suffers from backpack strap issues. These lighter bags (16-18oz) don't eat up the weight on budget airlines carry on limits and still remain sturdy enough for self carry. I wouldn't want to be carrying any convertible much more than between rail/bus/taxi/hotel jumps. If you are working with 10kg loads, there isn't too much suffering. All the 45 liter-is duffel bags I surveyed suffered from the wrong proportions for budget airline cabin carry on use. They are all a little to thick in one dimension. If you don't pack them bursting right they would probably compress the 2" needed to fit a test box. You will probably hit the 10kg weight limit before overfilling a 45 liter bag anyway. To get maximized dimensions, you need to look at more luggage -oriented designs like the Patagonia MLC or Timbuk2 Wingman. Adding compression straps to the duffel style bags would help a lot to get that last dimension in line and would stabilize the innards at the same time, lest it all goes to the bottom end when carried vertically. Straps that go completely over the opening would take stress of the zippers too. The Black Hole is great for rough handling and rough gear inside. I think they are too heavy for carry on use. If you are going on buses and trains in remote areas, the ruggedness will pay off. More on reddit.com