patagonia 45l travel bag

Patagonia Black Hole MLC Bag Review: An Organized, Carry-On-Size Wonder

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The newest edition to Patagonia’s line of packs and luggage, the MLC Bag is a burly, soft-sided 45L convertible backpack suitcase with enough room and compartments for all kinds of travel.

Regardless of where I’m going or the duration of my travels, I try to always pack everything into a carry-on bag. Paying for checked bags is not my jam, and if you have everything with you, you can avoid waiting in baggage claim or items potentially getting lost in transit. Patagonia’s Black Hole line of bags and duffels has long been a go-to option for adventurers for years. But the newest in the Black Hole collection is the MLC Pack .

In short: The MLC is designed to keep you organized while on the move. This isn’t your standard, one-compartment duffel — it includes a variety of different internal compartments for storing your laptop and other essentials, and at 45 L, it meets most carry-on requirements. With three different carrying configurations, it’s also versatile enough for many types of travel.

Patagonia Black Hole MLC Pack Review

Multiple ways to travel.

The MLC Bag (which stands for Maximum Legal Carry-on) is designed to allow you to travel any way you like. Three carrying configurations allow you to carry the bag as a backpack, shoulder bag, or duffel, or you can stow all the straps and simply carry the bag by the center handle.

My Take: Pros and Cons

I have always loved Patagonia due to its commitment to the planet and the fact that they make functional, durable, and well-made products. So, I fully expected to like this bag. But, it turned out that there were things that I both liked and disliked about this pack.

The fact that it converts from a suitcase to a backpack is my favorite feature, as hauling a heavy duffel bag around can be a challenge. The option to easily convert over to a backpack makes long walks through the airport or to bus stations a lot more comfortable, especially with the padded back panel and shoulder strap.

I found the backpack style to be the most comfortable way to travel, but if you need to take your bag on and off frequently, the briefcase style is probably the move. I never found myself carrying the bag by the center handle, but I did appreciate the handle for hoisting the bag onto counters or into truck beds.

Something that I l have mixed feelings about are the multitude of compartments the suitcase has. I think dividing things up is great for staying organized, but it restricts the amount you can pack. That means this pack is a great option for a hybrid of work and adventure travel due to the padded laptop case, organizers, and additional room for gear.

But if you’re doing a gear-heavy outdoor trip, one of Patagonia’s traditional Black Hole duffels, where you can dump everything into one big compartment, may be a better bet— you’re able to fit a lot more.

The Nuts & Bolts

Fair Trade Certified sewn, the  MLC 45L Pack  uses recycled materials with a recycled TPU laminate. Patagonia designed the bag based on the maximum carry-on size of most airlines, making it free of wheels or handles that could snag or get in the way in transit.

The bag features multiple storage options, including a large main compartment with two interior organization pockets as well as a drop-in pocket for smaller items (see above). Additionally, the bag includes a dedicated space that works with most laptops (up to 19 inches) and has space for cords and other essentials. Designed specifically for airline travel, the laptop carrier zips open and lies flat, so you don’t have to worry about taking your laptop out of your bag, which saves a lot of time in TSA.

To make travel more comfortable, the MLC Pack includes a padded, stowable hip belt that takes the weight off the shoulders while in backpack mode. Many duffel bags incorporate a sternum strap of some kind but usually neglect a hip belt, so this feature is one that caught our attention. It also doubles as the shoulder strap when you transfer the bag to briefcase mode — two uses!

Should you prefer rolling through the airport, the bag has a wide webbing loop on the back panel that works to attach to rolling luggage. Or, simply use it as a carry handle/grab point. Patagonia thought of a whole lot of features here to make this bag airline travel-friendly while also retaining useful components for other types of travel.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this is a solid bag and a great addition to the Black Hole duffel collection. It’s well-made and durable enough to withstand rugged conditions. It’s comfortable to carry, with multiple carry options, and has plenty of compartments for easy organization.

If you’re a fan of the traditional Black Hole duffels but have been wanting more organization (or a backpack version), definitely check out the MLC.

This is a perfect pack for work or school travel and commuting due to the laptop compartment, internal storage spaces, and extra room for stashing clothes and/or gear. Next time I plan a work trip, I know which pack I’ll be reaching for.

Cotopaxi Allpa 70 Overland Duffel Review: Structured Storage

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Rebecca was born and raised in Orange County, and she has spent countless hours exploring the California coastline. She loves surfing and standup paddling and recently relocated to Oahu, Hawaii to chase her childhood dream of being a professional beach bum. When she’s not in the ocean, you can find her running the local trails or sleeping under the stars alongside her adventure pup, Koa.

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Patagonia Black Hole MLC Review

The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L is a classic travel bag that takes your carry-on capacity to the max, but it’s not the most comfortable option out there.

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• Comfortable, ergonomic straps
• Nice organization options in front pocket
• Max Volume Carry On for a lot of airlines
• Very little bag structure
• TPU material scuffs and scratches easily, affecting weather resistance
• Not comfortable in backpack, messenger mode, or briefcase mode

Technical Details

Carry-on compliance.

View 0/145 Airlines

Disclaimer: We take the measurements of the bag provided by the manufacturer and compare them to the allowance listed on airline websites. This should be used as a guideline rather than a rule. Bags can change size as you pack them out, and every airline's interpretation of compliance is different. Just because a bag is listed as carry-on compliant here doesn't mean that the airline will interpret it that way.

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Weight (lb)

3.32 lb (1.5 kg)

22.75 in x 18 in x 6.75 in (57.8 x 45.7 x 17.1 cm)

Notable Materials

Polyester, Ripstop, Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), DWR Coating, Duraflex Hardware, YKK Zippers

Manufacturing Country

Laptop Compartment Size

Warranty Information

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Full Review

First things first, the MLC in this pack’s name stands for Maximum Legal Carry-On. It’s designed to be one of the largest bags that you can take with you on a flight—a concept that works a bit better on U.S. airlines that allow for larger bags and not quite as well in Europe and Asia.

Materials & Aesthetic

At the time of this review, the Black Hole MLC 45 Liter carry-on is available at on Patagonia’s website in three different colors: Black, Hammonds Gold, and Sage Khaki. Although we’re testing the Hex Grey, this color is no longer on their site—but keep an eye out, since Patagonia is always playing with different colors and styles.

While we’re on the topic of colorways, the other Black Hole products in the line—like the packing cubes or the smaller duffel—come in a variety of colors and they’re pretty much always changing, so we suspect Patagonia will roll this out in more colors as time goes on.

Wrapping up the materials on the Black Hole MLC 45 Liter, there’s some Duraflex hardware on the sternum strap and where the straps attach to the bag, as well as the strap adjusters.

Exterior Components

That being said, the one downside of this reverse system is that if you use the elastic keepers to manage some of the excess straps, the rest of the strap may flap around near your chest and get in the way. Also, the entire bottom, including the clips on the side, has a tendency to stick into your back and hips a bit—especially when the bag isn’t fully loaded, which can be annoying.

Keep in mind that the harness system has no frame sheet on the back to give the bag additional structure. Unless you’re carrying a laptop inside, you may miss that extra structure. Although we totally understand why duffel-backpack hybrids are designed this way, we’d love to have seen just a bit of structure added in this case.

Inside the Pack

Overall, we dig all the organization going on in this pocket. We just wish it zipped down a little bit further so that we could get better access to the organizational pieces inside.

Opening up the main compartment of the Black Hole MLC 45L, you’re greeted with that huge #10 YKK zipper, which will provide some additional durability. On the right-hand side, you’ll find a giant bucket with a mesh zipper on the top which can be loaded up with clothes, sweatshirts, and more—though we’d recommend using packing cubes to help provide some structure here (to keep things in the same visual family, consider the Patagonia Black Hole packing cubes ).

The top flap, although shallow, offers some additional organization as well. The two mesh divider pockets on the front are useful for socks, underwear or other small and flat items. Behind that, another large pocket goes across the entirety of the top flap and is also good for flatter items.

Durability & Testing

On the durability end, there are a couple of small things to point out. We have some loose threads on the small front pocket, and we also noticed that some of the TPU on the outside has started to scratch in a couple of areas.

We tried out all the different carry modes with this pack–duffel, backpack, and messenger—and unfortunately couldn’t find the comfort we were looking for. We’ve found that’s often the case when a bag tries to be all types of styles in one, and it’s especially prevalent because of this bag’s larger size and rectangular shape. Ultimately, for air travel, you may be better off checking this bag (or getting a larger, 50- or 60-liter duffel) and bringing a smaller carry-on item onto the plane.

We love the idea behind the Black Hole MLC 45L—and we’re totally on board with maximizing carry-on space—but the functionality of this bag means you may end up wanting to check it anyway.

Usage Timeline

Condition: Excellent

• We’re liking the optimal size and shape for the largest carry-on for some airlines.
• The shoulder strap adjustments happen at the bottom of the bag rather than the bottom of the padded strap – this is pretty unique.
• The bag is quite floppy and not very structured – curious to see how this holds up fully packed.
• The handles on the sides are not reinforced and the bag loses it’s shape easily even when picking it up empty.

Condition: Good

The handles on the sides are not reinforced and the bag loses its shape easily even when picking it up empty.

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Black Hole® MLC™ 45L

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• Black Hole® Bags Black Hole® Bags

Our classic Black Hole® MLC™ bag is a burly, soft-sided 45-liter suitcase with enough room for world travel and convertible backpack straps for comfy load carrying; built from 100% recycled body fabric, lining and webbing, plus and a 100% recycled TPU-film laminate. Meets most carry-on requirements. Made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory.

What customers are saying: View all reviews

For more information visit our Size Guide

Specs & Features

Extremely durable, weather-resistant, 100% recycled fabric.

Built with recycled materials and a recycled TPU-film laminate; based on the maximum carry-on size of most airline carriers, and free of wheels or handles that might get in the way once you're out of the airport

Multiple Storage Options

Large main compartment with two interior organization pockets and one drop-in top pocket for smaller items; bag volume is 45 liters

Versatile, Padded Laptop Pocket

Dedicated space for tech storage that fits most 15" laptops, with room for documents and cords; laptop carrier zips open and lies flat for easy TSA compliance

Three Carrying Options

Three carrying configurations allow the bag to be used as a backpack, a shoulder bag or a duffel, and all straps tuck away when not in use; external lash points add the ability to accommodate more gear

Hip Belt/Shoulder Strap

Padded, stowable hip belt doubles as the shoulder strap. Change the carrying style by pulling the hip belt out of the pass-through panel and attaching it to the buckles near the long-end grab-handle

Attaches to Rolling Luggage

Wide webbing loop on the back panel acts as a haul handle or can be slipped over the handle of rolling luggage for easier movement through airports

Supporting the People Who Made This Product

Made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory, which means the people who made this product earned a premium for their labor

Country of Origin

Made in Vietnam.

8.7-oz 300-denier 100% postconsumer recycled polyester ripstop with a postindustrial recycled TPU-film laminate

Shoulder straps

6.8-oz 600-denier 100% recycled polyester and 8.3-oz 100% recycled polyester spacer mesh

3-oz 200-denier 100% recycled polyester with a PU coating

100% recycled nylon

Made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory

Care Instructions

Hand Wash, Do Not Bleach, Drip Dry, Do Not Iron

Gear Capacity: 45 L Dimensions: 55,9 x 36,8 x 19,3 cm Weight: 1635 g

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An Ultimate Patagonia MLC Review: Black Hole 45L, Tres 45L, Headway and Mini 26L

For minimalists that prefer “carry-on only” travel, the Patagonia MLC 45L travel bags are excellent options for weekend adventures, business trips, or months of world travel.  In this Patagonia MLC review, you’ll discover my experience testing the Patagonia MLC 45L travel pack on a 3-month backpacking trip through Southeast Asia and loved it. 

The Patagonia MLC or “Maximum Legal Carry-on” has existed since the 1990s and has evolved slowly, slightly, and intentionally into a tough and perfect carry-on travel bag. From the Patagonia MLC Headway to the eco-conscious update, the MLC Tres, and the nearly waterproofed Blackhole variants, these bags are perfectly simple and functional travel bags that perform well because of this intentional simplicity. 

If you plan to hike mountains with the bag, take tons of tech, or plan to drive over it with a bus – there** are other better bags**.  However, if you’re a minimalist traveler or one bagger that wants an easy-to-carry bag that will (literally) last a lifetime and doesn’t need to be checked, read on. 

We’ll review the soft-sided yet tough Tres MLC 45L, the heavily water-resistant Black Hole MLC 45, the discontinued (and reborn) ballistic nylon Patagonia Headway MLC, and the Black Hole Mini 26L to help you find out if the Patagonia MLC bags are right for you.

THE BOTTOM LINE OF THIS PATAGONIA MLC REVIEW

Even the potential negatives in this pack – large interior and overall size, utilitarian design and look, a price tag that contributes to eco-conscious causes – are actually positives for the right traveler.

If you are a minimalist traveler – that likes to travel with a single, carry-on sized bag – the Patagonia MLC 45L or “Maximum Legal Carry-on” is a fantastic pack.  Tough, durable build backed by a reputed brand, comfortable and functional, and roomy enough to carry everything you’d need for three months of backpacking Southeast Asia or South America.  You will need to add packing cubes to keep things organized in this cavernous bag, and extra **laptop protection** may be smart (the dedicated laptop pocket is soft), but this bag performs well enough to be a highly recommended purchase

QUICK PATAGONIA MLC REVIEW

• Durability: 4/5
• Performance: 4/5
• Comfort: 3/5
• Organization: 4/5

The Patagonia MLC 45L is a great carry-on travel bag; as long as you plan to live out of it, more than wearing it.  The Patagonia MLC is more akin to a well-organized duffle bag with stowable straps. If you purchase the Patagonia MLC expecting a travel briefcase, not necessarily a backpack, you will not be disappointed.

WHO IS THE PATAGONIA MLC BEST FOR?

 The Patagonia MLC 45L is a great, soft-sided carry-on bag.  Keep in mind that because this bag doesn’t have much structure or the beefy straps seen on most travel backpacks, this bag is best for moving for short periods – like from the airport to the hostel – and simply keeping things organized in between.

For one-baggers that aren’t planning on hiking/camping with their main bag and don’t need too much -built organization for electronics, the Patagonia MLC is a great, simple, durable carry-on bag that will serve you well.

Click here to see prices and availability at REI.com

Go straight to Patagonia’s website and discover the Black Hole MLC and the Tres MLC

ALSO, CONSIDER THESE PACKS…

Though I loved testing the bag for this Patagonia MLC review, and it will be perfect for most travelers, the MLC won’t be perfect for everyone.  The shoulder straps and lack of structure make this a less than ideal bag for hiking.  The lack of organization means you’ll need to add packing cubes.  Lastly, the newer MLC Tres ditched the ballistic, Cordura nylon of the Headway MLC. We’ll review the Patagonia MLC’s strengths as well as its flaws in-depth, so you know what to expect – but for now, if you’re are a hiker, carry lots of tech, or need maximum durability, check out these airline carry on friendly alternatives.

For Hikers: The REI Trail 40 for extremely outdoorsy types or the REI Ruckpack 40 for urban + outdoors adventures

For Tech Heavy Travelers and more Organization: Tortuga Outbreaker

For Durability: The GORUCK GR3

Duffle: Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Duffle (40L)

On the other hand, if you simply need a great quality, minimalist carry on bag that requires a few packing cubes to stay organized, keep reading!

INTRO TO THE PATAGONIA MLC BAGS: TRES, BLACK HOLE, AND HEADWAY, 45L & 26L

The Patagonia MLC 45 Liter, short for the Patagonia “Maximum Legal Carry-on,” is a simple yet functional bag that Patagonia has been building and selling since the 1990s.

QUICK REVIEW OF THE PATAGONIA MLC LINE

The MLC is designed with a clamshell-style zipper, dividing the bag into two well-separated sections and making it easy to pack and organize with the help of packing cubes . 

Within each of the sides are a handful more zippered pockets to organize smaller items

Though the legacy started with the Patagonia MLC Headway, a tough 960 denier Cordura nylon exterior that was abrasion and tear-resistant, the originator – the Headway – has been discontinued and replaced by the Tres, which is accompanied by the Black Hole.

The Patagonia MLC Tres is the successor to the MLC Headway – maintaining the same design and function but replacing the 960 denier Cordura nylon with eco-friendly material that is 50% recycled nylon and 50% tough nylon.  Same great bag, new environmental friendliness.

The Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L variant takes the same awesome, minimalist design and replaces the soft nylon with waterproof TPU ripstop polyester with a durable, water-resistant coating.  Though the TPU polyester material is waterproof on its own, the zippers still allow leaks – but the waterproofing is still amazing.

SMALLER OPTIONS: THE 26 LITER MLC BLACK HOLE AND TRES BAGS

Read the Patagonia MLC 45L reviews, and you’ll read over and over – this bag is HUGE.  I’ve traveled for four years with nothing larger than a 45L, and I travel for months at a time.  This should let you know how big this bag is and how suitable for long-term travel this bag is.

For those traveling for shorter periods, the smaller 26 liter MLC bags might be what you need.

The Patagonia Tres MLC 26L and the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 26L deliver the same materials, design, and function, in bags that are just over half the size.

As cool as these tiny bags look, if you’re an aspiring DN or long term traveler, I recommend sticking with the full-sized 45-liter bags

MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE PATAGONIA MLC

I first learned about the Patagonia MLC carry-on bag during a three-month backpacking trip through Southeast Asia – Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.  At the time, I was carrying the REI Trail 40 which I loved. However, my traveling buddy carried his Patagonia MLC Tres 45L.  Considering I’m a complete backpack nerd, I asked him to swap bags for a few weeks to try it out.

My buddy raved about this bag and completely loved its specific function and simplicity – just like his travel style.  He carried a small packing list of clothes and only a cell phone for electronics.  No laptop.  No tablet.  No excess.  Just like the MLC.

He’d been using this bag for three years at that point, and it took him on numerous backpacking trips through Mexico and the rest of Central America, plenty of travels across the US, trips through Europe, and more.  Now, he was on a three-month tour of Southeast Asia and still loving it…and he convinced me to try it.

And…I loved the Patagonia MLC Tres as a minimalist travel bag.

The open storage and simplicity combined well with my packing cubes.

I fit all of my gear in the bag, and I carried enough for a year of travel with everything I would need for Southeast Asia, South America, and Europe.

The MLC checked in easily on the strict, budget airlines of Southeast Asia and was easy to move with on the trains and buses that come with Southeast Asia backpacking – from Bangkok to Chiang Mai to Vietnam.

All in all, I loved the MLC as a travel bag but was happy to have my REI Trail 40 back for one reason – hiking.

Next on my trip through Asia was heading to Nepal to do the Everest Base Camp Trek. Though the Patagonia MLC is fabulous for a normal airline, bus, and train travels, it performs better as a briefcase and luggage than it does as a backpack, and I was happy to switch back to my REI Trail 40 for my trekking and hiking adventures.

A lack of structure and lightweight straps isn’t much of a city travel problem but makes the bag unsuitable for hiking or extended daily wear.

Bottom line: If you need a bag to hike with or use for daily wear, look elsewhere. However, if you’re looking for a minimalist travel bag, the Patagonia MLC is a great investment. 

UPGRADES TO CONSIDER FOR THE PERFECT SETUP

1) Add a piece of Kydex plastic frame sheet to the laptop pocket for extra laptop protection and a slight bit of supportive rigidity in the bag

2) Add Tortuga packing cubes or these packing cubes for organization

3) Bring a collapsible yet comfortable daypack to use for daily adventures

PROS AND CONS OF THE PATAGONIA MLC 45L

Bottom Line on Pros and Cons of the Patagonia MLC: Fantastic carry-on luggage and “travel briefcase,” but not a great backpack

This bag is a great piece of luggage and functions well as a “briefcase with straps” to make travel easier.  However, the Patagonia MLC is not a backpack.  If you anticipate long periods of backpack-style wear, look elsewhere.  Traveling from the airport by train to a hostel will be just fine, and bring a nice **daypack** for those day hikes and adventures around the city

This bag is best used as a travel bag with short periods of wear while moving and keeping you organized in the times in between.

PATAGONIA BLACKHOLE MLC FEATURES

• Fits as a carry-on on all planes (as long as we don’t overpack)
• Huge YKK zippers designed to work even when grimy and dirty
• Stowable backpack straps are contoured to the shoulders and are comfortable for short periods of wear
• 45L size and cavernous interior make it possible to pack for nearly any length of travel
• Great lifespan: The Tres (soft nylon) maintains the original appearance longer while the water-resistant Black Hole TPU outer cloth picks up creases sooner. Still, Patagonia’s Ironclad guarantee and great build quality guarantee you’ll get years of use from this bag.
• 1% for the planet promise guarantees Patagonia will donate 1% of the sale from this bag to saving the environment
• Daisy chained lashing across the front of the bag, perfect for lashing or clipping small carabiners (set up differently on the Black Hole and the Tres, but fills the same function)
• Heavy-duty, padded carrying handles on the top and side will handle whatever you throw into this bag
• Durable nylon pulls on all zippers

DESIGN/AESTHETIC

The Patagonia MLC’s design is practical, outdoorsy, and simple at its best.  The “style” has been refined over the years to fit the standard Patagonia demographic that loves their outdoorsy look but values functional simplicity more.  If that describes you, you’ll like the overall look of this bag 

If you are looking for a stylish bag with an urban-modern look (think Tortuga , Aer, or Tom Bihn), look elsewhere.

Personally, the muted color schemes (black on black, grey on black) add a crisp look to this bag that makes it look versatile enough for any kind of travel

The bag is designed to be carried brief case style, by the heavy duty padded top and side handles, or as a shoulder bag using the nicely padded comfortable shoulder strap, or as a backpack using the stowable countered shoulder straps.

Though this bag does have a lightly padded laptop pocket, I do recommend using a laptop sleeve or tablet sleeve for extra protection, or even a large Ziploc bag for waterproofing.

The backside of the MLC has a nice slot perfect for sliding the MLC over the handle on rolling luggage (for those business trips).

DESIGN/AESTHETIC OF THE BLACK HOLE MLC

INTERNAL ORGANIZATION: STORAGE AND POCKETS

• 1 x front document/slash pocket
• 1 x front panel pocket that unzips to expose six open and zippered pockets
• Main compartment unzips clamshell-style to create two divided compartments within the bag, one larger, one smaller

• The main compartment divider has two more zippered mesh pockets within the divider for further organization
• Contoured shoulder straps stow away into a zippered pocket within the back panel
• Laptop pocket fits a 15” laptop

There’s a reason the Patagonia MLC has been around since the 90’s – because it performs well, and this bag is tough enough to live up to the Patagonia brand name .  The only materials change in two and a half decades of selling the MLC line is switching from 960 denier Cordura nylon in the Patagonia MLC Headway, to 50% recycled nylon in the new MLC Tres variant.  That’s it.

Patagonia Black Hole MLC durability:

The TPU polyester material used in the Black MLC variant is tough and waterproof (in the main fabric, not at the zippers or seams) and can be expected to last a lifetime from a functional standpoint.  The ripstop polyester (which gives the material its “gridded” look) ensures that tears or punctures due to accidents stay small.  I’ve thrown Gorilla Tape on small punctures on my duffle, and it kept kicking just fine.

Do note that the TPU material in the Black Hole line will crease over time, changing its aesthetic from crisp and clean to well used as long as you understand and expect that – all good.

Patagonia MLC Tres durability:

This bag is made of tough nylon that is abrasion-resistant, tear-resistant, and puncture-resistant.  Though this softer counterpart to the Black Hole doesn’t have water resistance, you can expect this bag to maintain the same look (no creasing, no cracking) throughout its lifetime.

When I tested out my buddy’s Patagonia MLC Tres, he’d owned it (and abused it) for three years, and after a quick wash, it always looked like new.  No tears.  No punctures.  No issues.

Zippers, straps, stitching, and hardware

The stitching and hardware on both variants of this bag are tough enough to handle dragging and overstuffing.  All plastic hardware is Duraflex.  All zippers are burly YKK zippers.

ECO-FRIENDLINESS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Patagonia’s gear is usually an excellent value, but it doesn’t come cheap.  Arguably though, it’s still worth it, and in part, due to the eco-conscious (not just eco-friendly) approach, Patagonia is taking with these bags and its whole company.

A portion of the price tag you’re paying for the Patagonia MLC supports the Patagonia “ Ironclad guarantee .”  Though this guarantee benefits us, by offering to repair gear, the main aim is to keep gear out of landfills and in use longer.  Less gear purchased means less petroleum processed to make polyester and nylon.  Less gear discarded means less gear in landfills. So, by spending that extra money to pay for a program that keeps your gear in use longer, you (and Patagonia) are improving the planning.

Secondly, the higher price tag goes to support more “experimental” programs, like Patagonia’s current move to make all of their gear from recycled materials – reducing petroleum processing and carbon emissions in the process. 

100% recycled polyester, Bluesign certified fabric is used in the Black Hole MLC – made from recycled soda bottles, and recycled polyester clothing

50% of the nylon in the Tres MLC is made from recycled materials

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT HOW PATAGONIA IS TURNING SODA BOTTLES INTO TOUGH GEAR

Direct from Patagonia’s website:

“For the Spring 2021 season, 84% of our polyester fabrics are made with recycled polyester. As a result, we reduced our CO₂e emissions by 14% compared to virgin polyester fabrics, which amounts to more than 3.1 million pounds of CO₂e.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT PATAGONIA’S RECYCLED MATERIALS EFFORTS

PATAGONIA DONATES 1% OF EVERY SALE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENDEAVORS

Lastly, Patagonia is part of the 1% for the Planet alliance and donates 1% of the sales from every piece of gear sold to efforts aimed at saving and rehabilitating the environment

PERFORMANCE OF THE PATAGONIA MLC

This briefcase style travel pack is designed to 1) fit overhead as a carry-on and 2) keep your goods organized (with the help of the right packing cubes .  This pack is not designed to be worn for extended periods.

The dimensions of this bag fit carry-on restrictions for most airlines, and the soft-sided lack of structure design made it easy to squeeze the bag into smaller carry-on restrictions of Asia’s budget airlines.

However, that same soft-sided lack of structure made the bag awkward to wear for long periods (longer than 30 minutes) as the load tended to be uneven and hard objects packed in the bag can stick you in the back.

I recommend considering upgrading the bag by adding a Kydex plastic frame sheet which will add just enough structure and a little more laptop protection

If you need a minimalist bag for travel that doesn’t involve moving far with it on your back, this bag is a solid choice.

However, if you plan to move more than every two days or walk long distances with your pack, aim for a true travel backpack .

COMPARABLE PACKS TO CONSIDER

Minimalist Clamshell Briefcase Style Bags:

• Timbuck2 Wander pack
• The North Face Travel Duffle Pack
• Arcteryx Covert Case

PATAGONIA MLC 45L SIZE, WEIGHT, DIMENSIONS

• Capacity: 45 Liters, 2,746 Cubic Inches
• Weight: 1.5kg / 3.3lbs
• Dimensions: 22.8 x 18 x 6.75 inches / 57.8 x 45.7 x 17.1 centimers
• Max Laptop size: 17 inches
• Dedicated Laptop Pocket: Yes
• Black Hole: 450 denier ripstop polyester with a TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) laminate and DWR (durable water-resistant) finish, all Blue Design certified
• Tres: 50% recycled nylon, 50% new, tear and abrasion-resistant nylon
• Duraflex hardware
• YKK zippers

IN THE END, WHICH BAG WOULD I CHOOSE?

I alternate between being a hard traveler and am abusive with my gear, so my go-to bag for adventures is the heavy and overbuilt GORUCK GR3 .  I opt for the digital nomad-centric, padded, and well-organized Tortuga Outbreaker on lighter travels where I bring lots of electronics.

However, if I were traveling without my 15lbs of electronics and didn’t need a bag that a Himilayan yak could trample, I would absolutely take the Blackhole variant of the Patagonia MLC 45L bag with a few Tortuga packing cubes . Minimalist, lightweight, and carefree – this setup has island life written all over it.

For lightweight adventures, I highly recommend the Patagonia MLC 45L

PATAGONIA MLC VARIANTS

• Patagonia Blackhole MLC 45L
• Patagonia Tres MLC 45L
• Black Hole Mini MLC 26L (Black Hole Mini Messenger)
• Patagonia Headway MLC 45L (940 denier Cordura Nylon) – Discontinued, now the Patagonia Tres MLC

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carlos is a nomad, slow traveler, and writer dedicated to helping others live abroad and travel better by using his 7+ years of experience living abroad and background as a management consultant and financial advisor to help other nomad and expats plot better paths for an international lifestyle. Click here to learn more about Carlos's story.

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Black Hole® MLC® 45L

Travel Gear

Still unsure which size is right for you? Reach us via email or phone.

AU: 1800 326 889 Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:30pm AEST

Available Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm AEST.

If the size isn’t quite right, we can happily exchange, refund or supply a store credit for any online order that has not been worn and still has tags attached.

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We do our best to process and ship orders within 1-2 business days. Please keep in mind that we get backlogged during sales or the holiday season and it could take longer. If you have any questions about your order, please contact our friendly Customer Service team and we'll be glad to help.

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• For more information visit our Size Guide

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Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 45L Review

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on a link, we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. Please read our full policy below , thank you for your support!

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 45L Review

Cost: $129.00 Capacity: 45 liters (2019 version is now 40 liters) Dimensions: 21″ x 13.7″ x 10.6″ (53 x 35 x 27 cm) Style: Duffel bag, convertible backpack straps Weight: 1.69 lbs. (0.77 kg) Laptop: No Materials: 900 denier polyester ripstop, TPU laminate, DWR finish Origin: Manufactured in Vietnam

Check Price at Patagonia

Every time I pick up a Patagonia bag I’m impressed. Their packs are so solid, and the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 45L is no exception. It’s an awesome little travel duffel made from super sturdy fabric and hardware. It’s lightweight, well made, durable, and minimalist. If that’s what you’re looking for, this is an awesome choice.

Materials, Colors, and Size

I tend to advocate for bags that are made from nylon over polyester on this site. Pound for pound, nylon is stronger than polyester for the same denier (weight), however it absorbs moisture better and degrades faster in UV light. This where a good laminate or coating makes a huge difference.

The Black Hole Duffel uses a TPU laminate , as opposed to a bag like the Eagle Creek Load Hauler which uses a PU coating . Laminates bind to fabric better than coatings, and tend to hold up better over time. This pack also uses a DWR (durable water repellent) finish, which increases its water-proofness even more.

This duffel bag combines a thick 900 denier ripstop polyester, with a TPU laminate, and DWR finish. This gives you a very thick, sturdy, rubberized material with great abrasion resistance, tear strength, and water resistance. Much stronger than a non-treated nylon pack with similar weight fabric.

Large #10 non-locking YKK zipper on main U-opening and a smaller #8 on the front pocket. The main compartment doesn’t have a locking mechanism, however can easily use a mini locking carabiner to secure the zippers together. You can technically get into the main compartment front pocket, however it would be difficult to access.

Size and Color

For some reason manufacturers can’t keep duffel bags within standard carry on dimensions. Like some other duffel bags I’ve looked at (eg. Cargo Hauler , REI Big Haul ) also just outside the standard 22”x14”x9” minimums, which makes it hard to know if they will fit in the overhead. This duffel is soft sided with a small profile, so you shouldn’t have any problem. Just don’t over-pack it.

The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag comes in a rainbow of colors. They may be considered either charming and vibrant, or loud obnoxious depending on your view. I have the Dolomite Blue, a lovely bright steel hue, adorned with a bright PATAGONIA front label. Love em or not, your gear will not be mistaken for another brand. If you prefer to fly under the radar, pick up the bag in Black, it’s not quite as loud.

External Components

External organization.

You have limited external organization on the Black Hole Duffel. But this is a duffel right? We don’t ask for much. The bag does have one where it counts though. One large front access slash pocket. Actually it’s the packable pocket in reverse. It’s a LARGE capacity pouch for easy access items, like passport electronics etc.

Compression Straps / Buckles

Nope. But the fabric is STURDY. This thing can stand up empty on its own like a cored-out watermelon (I don’t understand this reference either). Trick all your friends into thinking you’re carrying a big pile of expensive travel goodies, when in fact you’re just toting around the paper stuffing that came with the bag.

Water Bottle Pocket

Again, no. Remember that time we did a review on a minimalist duffel bag? Yeah, that’s still happening. This one doesn’t have a water bottle pocket either. BUT, this thing is big enough so you can put one inside. Or if you’re a rebel with with a penchant for outside attachments, attach a foldable Vapur bottle to the exterior daisy chains.

Waterproofness

The TPU laminated ripstop is a waterproof fabric, but the bag as a whole is not. At least not completely. The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel lacks waterproof zippers, as well as sealed seams. Which makes it water resistant. But for most people in normal situations, this bag will keep your gear dry. Just avoid torrential downpours and don’t use your bag as a floatation device and you’ll be fine.

Carry Options

Backpack straps.

These are sturdy and comfortable, a great way to carry the duffel. They are detachable from the bottom with side-release buckles, and from the top with a D-ring buckle attachment. They stay in place pretty well, and don’t come loose on their own like I had happen with the Eagle Creek Load Hauler . One downside to the straps, no dedicated stash pocket.

Like the similar REI Big Haul 40 , the backpack back is unadorned. A rubberized ripstop fabric greets your sweaty back making this pack uncomfortable to carry for long distances. There is also a complete lack of padding and ventilation channels. Be careful what you put in the interior mesh pockets, as they might soon be poking into your back as you walk.

Shoulder Strap

By far the biggest complaint I see from other users about the bag is the lack of shoulder strap. The previous version of the Black Hole Duffel came with one, but this newer version does not. Frankly it’s an inexcusable oversight. You really need a shoulder strap for this duffel bag.

Top and Side Handles

The top handles are simple, comfortable, and fantastic. Two sturdy nylon webbing straps come together on top of the bag, and connect with a lightly padded button fabric handle. The side handles are sturdy, but unadorned with padding. It’s comprised of one folded over nylon webbing strap, with a thinner strap sewn to it. So basically the thickness of 3 nylon webbing straps.

Interior Components and Design

Packing style.

The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel opens with a large U-zip opening. It has one large capacity pocket that can be easily packed with packing cubes, or just throw in your loose gear. That’s the fun of duffel bags, right? If you want packing cubes, these medium Cubes from Eagle Creek work great with this pack.

Interior Organization

No internal compartments, slidey zipper things, or organizational separators here. But they are nice enough to attach 2 small mesh pockets to the underside of the lid. They’re pretty small and will press up against your back in backpack mode, so don’t expect to use these for anything bulky (or sharp).

Laptop Compartment

You won’t find a dedicated laptop compartment in the Black Hole Duffel. But it’s big enough to fit most any laptop, the bottom dimensions are 19”x10.3” and my 15” laptop fit 15”x10.5” and it fits with plenty of room to spare. There is a small amount of padding on the bottom of the bag, but still I would use a laptop sleeve if you have one

Packing The Duffel Bag

I packed the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag with my usual gear list. Click the drop-down below to bring it up. Everything fit in fine, this bag is spacious and easy to pack. Again, one of the reasons why I like duffel bags. It’s just so straightforward. I tend to lose things in the bottom when I don’t use packing cubes, they really help stay organized with open compartment duffels like this.

Click here for a drop down packing list for the REI Ruckpack 40

This is what I packed for this demo, for a full list of my travel gear click here .

• 2 Eagle Creek Medium Packing Cubes (14” x 10” x 3”)
• 5 – t-shirts (3 cotton and 2 merino wool )
• 1 – pair Outlier New Way shorts
• 1 – long-sleeve Wool & Prince button up shirt
• 2 – pair Eddie Bauer Travel Pants
• 6 – pairs underwear
• 6 – pairs of socks
• Electronics
• 8” Kindle tablet + charge cord
• USB power adapter (US plug)
• iPhone +  charger cord
• Canon M50 with EF-M15-45 Lens
• GorillaPod 1K Tripod
• Wire security cord
• Leatherman Style PS
• Small paper notebook
• Mechanical Pencil
• Black ballpoint pen
• Travel wallet
• Travel towel
• New Outlander Packable Daypack
• Eagle Creek Specter toiletry kit
• Tom’s 1.0 oz toothpaste
• 3 oz shampoo in silicone bottle ( Eagle Creek )
• 2 oz hand sanitizer (mini bottle from travel section at Target)
• Mini shaving mirror
• Small roll of toilet paper
• Mineral sunscreen ( Bare Republic )
• Mineral deodorant ( Crystal )
• 2 oz travel soap ( Dr. Bronners )
• Moleskin (for blisters)
• Small roll of athetic tape

First-aid kit (Ibuprofen, antibiotic gel, Pepto Bismol, decongestant, antihistamine, Immodium AD)

All and all, this is a fantastic little minimalist duffel. Its durable water resistant fabric makes it great for adventure travel. Top carry handles, carry on friendly dimensions, and removable backpack straps make it a good option for one bag travel. The design is decent as-is, but could be improved with backpack stash pockets, backpack padding, and lockable zippers. And it could really use a shoulder strap.

Best Features

• Removable backpack straps
• Low profile minimalist aesthetic
• Sturdy TPU coated fabric
• Spacious interior

Worst Features

• No shoulder strap
• No stash pockets for backpack straps
• No padding on backpack back
• No lockable zippers

Affiliate Disclaimer

I run One Bag Travels as an independent website, I am not directly associated with, nor do I take payments from any of the companies featured on this site. My opinions are based on my personal experience with these products, as well as years of experience as an independent traveler.

Any revenue I receive from One Bag Travels is from affiliate marketing relationships, meaning if you click on one of the product links, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. I strive to review products that I like, or are popular in the one bag/minimalist travel community, not just brands that I receive a commission on. Sometimes a company will send me a free product to review, I am however under no incentive or obligation to give them a favorable review.

The continued existence and success of One Bag Travels relies on the support of my readers. I believe providing thorough, honest, unbiased information is the best way to grow this support. I put a lot of work into my reviews, if you find this information was helpful in your decision, we encourage you to purchase through one of our affiliate links, at zero extra cost to you. This support allows me to continue providing the best reviews and content for you. Thank you for your support!

I used the original blackhole duffel as my goto travel bag for years. Think it might be time to upgrade. The new ones are wayyy better. Thanks for the great review

You’re welcome! Glad you liked it =)

The clamshell design of the main zippered compartment features two separate chambers for easy packing, access and organization

That would be the MLC series. The Blackhole duffels don’t have a clamshell design, or interior organization.

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Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L Review

This Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L Review post may contain affiliate links meaning if you click on a link, we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you. Please read our full policy below, thank you for your...

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.css-ryjapq{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin-bottom:var(--chakra-space-2);} .css-1g043sj{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;color:var(--chakra-colors-btn-brand);font-family:var(--chakra-fonts-base);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-sm);font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-normal);}.css-1g043sj:hover,.css-1g043sj[data-hover]{color:var(--chakra-colors-btn-brand);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1g043sj:focus,.css-1g043sj[data-focus]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);} Patagonia .css-1oyyk97{color:var(--chakra-colors-txt-primary);overflow-wrap:normal;font-family:var(--chakra-fonts-base);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-xl);font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-bold);} Tres MLC 45L Bag

Out of stock, tres mlc 45l bag.

• Soft-sided, carry-on suitcase styled for world travel
• DWR, PU-coated, partly recycled materials are rugged water-resistant
• Carry options include shoulder strap and stowable backpack straps
• Zippered clamshell opening provides two compartments for packing
• Rear sleeve slips tote on and off rolling luggage handles
• Item #PAT02ZV

Overall Rating

4 based on 1 ratings

Review Summary

Fits true to size.

What do you think about this product?

July 15, 2020

Carry bag for Vaonis Stellina Telescope

This bag was purchased specifically for carrying the Vaonis Stellina telescope. The telescope fits perfectly and is provided a significant level of protection. The quality of workmanship is excellent and the number of pockets and pouches warrants the relatively high cost. For my purposes, it has too many of these features and I would have preferred a much simpler bag. However, it is dimensionally unique in this product category and having the extras was only at the expense of weight and extra cost. The only negative is the large Patagonia advertising text. Overall I am happy with the purchase and buy again

Need Expert Advice?

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The Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks

By Kit Dillon

Kit Dillon is a writer focused on bags and travel gear. He has worked for Wirecutter for a decade and lost count of the number of bags he has tested.

When you open up your favorite carry-on travel backpack, it should feel like you’re opening the door to a well-organized closet or sitting down at a clean desk, with everything in the right place and easy to reach.

This is your moment to center yourself, no matter how chaotic the journey.

What we considered

A 45-liter bag maximizes overhead space but can get heavy when fully packed; 35-liter bags tend to be more manageable.

A bag with a clamshell design opens like a book and is the easiest to pack, but a bag that opens traditionally tends to have more structure.

Ideally, a travel backpack has handles on all sides—especially the bottom—so you can pull it out of overhead bins or from under seats.

Some internal pockets are useful, but major organizing is better managed with packing cubes.

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack and the larger Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L offer the best combination of features, quality, and durability. Both bags are exemplary carry-on travel backpacks that are designed for comfort, durability, and organization. Though these backpacks are great as companion bags for any trip, they’re designed to ultimately replace all of your other luggage and become your exclusive bag as you travel.

This style of packing is not for everyone, but once some people try it, they’re forever hooked. Finding the right bag is a personal choice, though, and no single bag will appeal to everyone. That’s why we also have picks that are great for people who travel for work , others that are designed to be carried over long distances , and a bag that’s basically luggage on your back .

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, best small carry-on bag for most situations: cotopaxi allpa 35l travel pack, best large bag for most situations: peak design travel backpack 45l, best mobile office: patagonia black hole mlc 45l, best bag for long journeys on foot: osprey farpoint 40 and fairview 40, best bag if you need a large suitcase on your back: tortuga travel backpack pro 40l, other good carry-on travel backpacks, how we picked and tested, the competition.

I’ve been covering aspects of luggage and travel bag design for Wirecutter for nearly a decade, and I have personally researched, tested, and compared hundreds of bags in that time. I personally try to do most of my travel with a single backpack, whenever possible. I spent nine months roaming around Hawaii with not much more than that, and I spent another six months nomadically couch-surfing in New York City.

I reached out to writers who specialize in traveling the world carrying everything they need in a single bag: Eytan Levy, the owner and operator of the Snarky Nomad travel website; James Feess, founder of The Savvy Backpacker ; and Sharon Gourlay, of the Where’s Sharon? travel website. I also spoke with moderators of Reddit’s r/onebag and r/heronebag forums, as well as with Chase Reeves, bag fanatic, reviewer, and owner of Matterful .

We researched and tested bags designed for those who want to travel light and stay flexible while flying, without the burden of checking luggage. For some people, the challenge of cutting down a packing list is intimidating. But if you can get past that initial hurdle, traveling with a single bag is a revelation. With fewer items, you have more time to concentrate on and appreciate the journey.

• When you’re not loaded down by heavy luggage, it’s easy to remain more mobile. And it’s easier to adjust your plans mid-trip. If you’re willing to do laundry on the road, then one bag is all you need to travel indefinitely. At its heart, one-bag travel allows you to discover more—not just about the places you’re going but also about yourself and what you really need day to day.
• Size and weight still matter. If you desire more creature comforts or more gear, or if you plan to be away for a long time across multiple climates, you’ll want a bigger travel backpack . These larger bags tend not to be carry-on-friendly, however, especially in Europe, so be prepared to check them.
• No single backpack is perfect for everyone. Before you make any purchase, consider some basic points. How much can you carry? And where do you usually visit: the city or outback? Travel gear should feel like a welcome companion—there to support you when you need it but unobtrusive when you don’t.

45-liter bag vs. 35-liter bag

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L

A versatile small pack for a week or a weekend.

This durable bag’s clamshell design makes it easy to organize your stuff. And due to its strap design, this bag can be worn on your back or carried in your hand while you’re on the move.

Buying Options

The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack is an easy-to-organize, comfortable-to-carry bag for getaways lasting just a few days or a whole week.

It’s one bag that can do it all. This is a great all-around bag for any traveler who’s dedicated to packing light, or for a smaller person who wants less to carry. There are handles on all four sides of this bag, so it’s easy to grab no matter where you’ve stowed it. It’s also protected by a full lifetime warranty, and it has the build quality to back that up. After more than four years of testing, this single backpack (plus a personal item ) has replaced nearly every travel bag or piece of luggage I use.

It comes in various sizes, but we think the middle-of-the-road version is the best. Cotopaxi also makes the Allpa in 28-liter and 42-liter sizes. But for us, the 35-liter bag is the best option. At 42 liters, this bag becomes heavy for most people to carry when it is fully packed, and we’d prefer that it had a more-robust hip belt. At 28 liters, the bag becomes a touch small for most people, and its internal organization feels fussy for shorter trips, such as an overnight. Cotopaxi also makes a hip pack , which is designed to fit snugly into the Allpa bag’s front top compartment. It’s a neat little addition to the bag, and it is worth getting if you like wearing fanny packs while you travel.

It’s organized, easy to pack, and easy to carry. The Allpa bag has a clamshell design, so it opens like a hard-sided suitcase—a large YKK zipper runs around three sides of the bag, allowing it to fall open into two halves when unzipped. On the right side is a deep compartment, spacious enough for two large packing cubes or half a suitcase’s worth of clothing (which you access through a mesh zippered flap). On the left, there’s space for one more medium-size packing cube behind a zippered flap. Above that there are two smaller pockets with high-visibility backing—useful when you’re looking for hard-to-differentiate personal items.

It’s secure but still accessible. The Allpa pack has two side-access zippers—great for on-the-go access, especially when the bag is hanging from your shoulder. One of these reveals a flat computer pocket with a padded false bottom; so if you drop the bag, it won’t land on the corner of your computer. The other reveals a “secret” pocket with a hidden zipper and access to the main compartment. All of the main compartment zippers are protected by security loops, which you thread the zipper through at the end of its run. This prevents anyone from subtly or quickly grabbing a zipper and opening your bag when you aren’t paying attention.

It’s comfortable to carry. The Allpa bag’s hip belt—which can be removed while the bag is on your back—is substantial enough that it’s comfortable to wear when you need it. With or without the hip belt, the Allpa bag is comfortable to carry over long distances. However, folks who have longer torsos (over 19 inches) may find that the waist belt sits a little high off the hips, unless you fully extend the shoulder straps. Speaking of shoulder straps, unlike the ones on our other picks, the Allpa bag’s straps are contoured to fit people who have large or small chests. It’s not a specifically gendered design, but our female tester noticed the improvement right away.

The Allpa pack is made with 1680-denier ballistic nylon, similar to the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . (Denier is a measure of a fabric’s fiber thickness.) It feels similar to a strong canvas, but it has a more prominent weave. This is the type of bag that’s as easy to toss into an overhead compartment as it is into the back of a rusty pickup truck. And it also includes a rainfly, which is unique in this category.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• Though this pack is well organized for packing, it’s less ideal as a mobile office. The Allpa pack has a minimal amount of administrative organization—places to keep pens and papers, spaces to hold tickets, and so forth. This is where a good personal item comes in handy. However, if you want to travel with just this one bag, there are a few nooks you can hide things in. The front organizer is deep enough that you can also fit several small organizing pouches, if you want, or the aforementioned fanny pack.
• We prefer the model without the TPU front. Cotopaxi does enjoy playing around with fabrics and colors. Sometimes the company has released the Allpa pack without the TPU-lined front panel. The TPU panel improves water resistance, but after many years of traveling with our bag, we’ve found that the TPU layering can begin to flake in spots.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight: 3 pounds 5 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: adventurous Colors: assorted

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

An easily customizable large bag for long trips and expensive gear.

This bag was built with photographers in mind. Yet most travelers will appreciate its easy accessibility, clever tuck-away straps, and the elegant way the bag expands and contracts. The accessory cubes cost extra, though.

The Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is a good choice for those carrying more expensive gear—especially camera gear. It’s also great for those who prefer a large, backpack-based packing system.

One bag provides many configurations. Some bags in this category are built to do one thing extremely well—be carried on your back. But the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L is built to adapt. It’s the Swiss Army knife of backpacks: adjustable, customizable, and (if you spring for the extra cubes and organizers) an almost perfect system for a photographer or gearhead on the move. Most bags’ expanding mechanisms aren’t worth the extra zipper they’re built on, and they look about as attractive as a boiled ham splitting out of its plastic packaging. That’s not the case with the Peak Design: This bag looks just as good fully packed at 45 liters as it does compressed to a 30-liter daypack.

It’s expandable, with clever folds and zippers. You can access the bag through a back panel (which doubles as a computer and tablet pouch) as well as a front one (if you unzip the pass-through divider). You can also get into the main compartment via two wing-like trapezoidal flaps, which run along each side of the pack. In its natural shape, the Travel Backpack holds 35 liters, but an expansion zipper lets the bag swell to 45 liters. If you want to use the bag as a daypack, you fold in the top corners and snap them down, reducing the bag’s volume to a slim 30 liters. In this configuration, it will still feel larger than a normal daypack, but we think that’s a small compromise for being able to use one backpack as both your travel bag and your daily explorer. The bag itself consists of 400-denier nylon and polyester fabrics. It feels tough but not as tough as some other bags we’ve tested, such as the Cotopaxi Allpa.

It has fold-away straps, for easier storage. The Peak Design lets you tuck its shoulder and hip straps away when you’re not using them. But unlike any other bag we’ve ever tested, this pack has magnetic flaps on the back panel that open and close with an almost magical snap. Once you’ve played with them, you’ll wonder why every backpack doesn’t have something similar. A small, childish part of me still gets excited about tucking away the straps when I put the Peak Design into an overhead bin. Although the straps are thin, they’re still comfortable. The hip belt isn’t quite as plush as the one on the Tortuga pack; still, even when the Peak Design is fully loaded, the belt doesn’t pinch or dig into the body.

It’s great for carrying expensive gear. If you travel with a camera, you don’t have to use Peak Design’s camera cubes , but they do make carrying that gear a whole lot easier. The cubes come in five sizes. And if they’re situated properly in the bag with the provided clips, they line up with the Travel Backpack’s side-access flaps for quick access. Caleigh Waldman (a photographer for this piece and, full disclosure, my spouse) took this bag across the country for a wedding shoot. “I want this backpack,” she said after three weeks of travel. “I want to travel with it everywhere. With my cameras. Without my cameras. It doesn’t matter. I want to travel with it.”

• It’s expensive—especially if you commit to the entire system of packing and camera cubes.
• More complexity means more things that can break. The adjustable design and multiple zippers do add complexity, and complexity adds potential weaknesses. Peak Design covers all of its bags with a lifetime warranty , which should alleviate most people’s concerns. But if you’re particularly hard on your gear and still need to carry as much as possible, you might consider the Tortuga bag instead.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: back-panel loader Style: minimalist and unobtrusive Color: black, sage

Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Combines more organization with a simple interior.

This bag’s split interior makes organizing easy. Those who travel for work will appreciate this bag’s dedicated panels for organizing tech, books, papers, and assorted miscellaneous items.

If you travel often for business and prefer a bag that’s much easier to work out of than most of our other picks, you may like the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L . This bag has a front panel and assorted pockets that make it feel like a small traveling office.

It’s built like luggage but organized like your office. Of all the bags we recommend, the MLC (short for Maximum Legal Carry) comes closest to being a suitcase on your back, due to its large size, simple interior, and minimal external features. The MLC is also one of the simplest bags we tested, divided into two leaves (imagine a book with only one page), with a main compartment for packing and a second compartment for document organization and tech storage. The MLC has a built-in laptop compartment that fits 17-inch laptops and is situated close to your back; this protects the computer and keeps its weight closer to your body.

Despite its size, it’s comfortable enough to carry. Most carry-on backpacks of this size, without frames, become somewhat unwieldy when fully packed. Thankfully, the Black Hole MLC bag, like the Cotopaxi Allpa, is a welcome exception to this rule. The MLC has two shoulder straps, a hip belt, and an optional shoulder strap, for easy carrying. When they're not in use, or when you’re checking your bag, all of the straps can be stowed away easily. When fully loaded, the bag was pleasant to carry—not as comfortable as the Peak Design or the Osprey, but decent enough. I wouldn’t want to carry it all day across a city, but I wouldn’t mind carrying it through an airport to a car and to a hotel.

It’s built from high-quality materials, with durability in mind. This pack is made from recycled polyester, and the fabric is woven in a cross-weave that’s very similar to what Patagonia uses in its long-lasting Black Hole series of duffle bags . This is a material I’ve come across a bunch with Patagonia gear, and I’ve tested it thoroughly; it’s very tough. The front of the bag is coated in a weather-resistant TPU, for extra protection from the elements. The bag has large YKK zippers (the industry leader) and smaller YKK zippers throughout. Unlike the Cotopaxi Allpa pack, the Black Hole MLC bag has no security loops.

It comes with one of the best repair programs and a lifetime warranty. Similar to our other picks, the MLC is backed by an excellent lifetime warranty , and we’ve always found that Patagonia’s repair program goes above and beyond other comparable companies.

• We wish the Maximum Legal Carry (despite the name) came in a few more sizes. The 45-liter capacity may be intimidating for some people, and there is no alternative.

Capacity: 45 liters Weight: 3 pounds 10 ounces Main compartment access: clamshell Style: retro Colors: tan, black, olive, green

Osprey Farpoint 40

For long distances on foot.

A great starter option for one-bag travel, this bag is easy to pack, adaptable to most situations, and sturdy enough to take with you as you travel the world.

Osprey Fairview 40

For long distances and smaller torsos.

A scaled-down version of the Farpoint, this bag has shoulder straps that are slightly lower, to keep the bag’s bulk more aligned with smaller torsos.

Updated in 2023, the Osprey Farpoint 40 and Fairview 40 packs are both built around a hiking backpack frame that’s easy to carry over long distances.

It’s built for travel but designed for hiking. The Farpoint 40 bag is well made, easy to pack, and comfortable to carry over most mid-length distances—such as walking across a city for an afternoon. (For simplicity’s sake, everything we say here about the Farpoint bag also applies to the Fairview bag.) Osprey makes excellent backpacks for hauling around, and its lifetime warranty is renowned within the industry . The Farpoint pack also has an optional messenger bag–style strap, which offers some flexibility when you’re maneuvering tight spaces like subways or crowded city centers.

It’s simple to pack, but not as spacious as it seems. Opening the bag reveals a clamshell design; it’s deep enough to accommodate most large items, yet you won’t have to fumble awkwardly with zippers once it’s time to close up the bag. The feeling you get is not unlike when you’re packing a bit of sturdy luggage, and that’s something we love about bags like this one—especially when you use packing cubes . Osprey says this bag, when fully packed, can carry 40 liters. But after using the Farpoint bag for a few years, we’ve decided that its rounded shape seems to cut into that theoretical packable space more than other bags do. In practice, the Farpoint pack’s available space is closer to—but still less than—that of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L .

It’s the easiest bag to carry among our picks. Like all Osprey bags, the Farpoint 40 has very comfortable shoulder straps. The years of design and consideration Osprey has put into its hiking backpacks are quite evident in the Farpoint 40. After more than seven years of long-term testing this bag, we’re still surprised by how great it feels to wear when fully packed. Crucially, the straps of the Farpoint 40 stow away neatly behind a zippered panel. However, when you’re using the shoulder straps, the design forces you to also use the hip straps. Though this isn’t a huge issue, if you prefer a sleeker look or would rather have the option of using shoulder straps without hip straps, the Cotopaxi Allpa pack is more flexible, and it lets you hide the waist straps while the bag is on your back.

The Fairview 40 has the same features, in a scaled-down size. The Farpoint 40 and the Fairview 40 packs basically have the same design, but the Fairview pack is made for someone with a more-diminutive torso. It’s also slightly lighter. However, it has the features and durability of the Farpoint bag. It also has the same hip belt and adjustability. On both, the chest-strap clip is also equipped with a small security whistle that’s surprisingly loud. It’s a handy feature for anyone traveling in unfamiliar environments.

• For a smaller carry-on travel backpack, this one has little to not like. However, we do wish Osprey would trade some of the sleeker contours for a little more interior space.

Capacity: 35 liters Weight (Farpoint): 3 pounds 3 ounces Weight (Fairview): 3 pounds 2 ounces Main compartment access: front-panel loader Style: active Colors (Farpoint): green (Gopher), gray (Tunnel Vision), blue (Muted Space), black Colors (Fairview): blue (Winter Night), red (Zircon), blue (Night Jungle), black

Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L

A suitcase to carry on your back.

For dedicated single-bag travelers, this water-resistant, durable bag is easy to pack and to travel with. And it’s comfortable to wear over endless miles—as long as you don’t mind the heavier weight.

The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L maximizes packing space in a bag that’s durable, water-resistant, and customizable to fit most torso lengths (there’s also a 30L version ), with plenty of organizational features to suit any digital nomad.

It’s like a suitcase, with backpack straps. The Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro 40L is built to occupy the maximum carry-on space available. It’s a nearly perfect blend of backpack and luggage. On the outside, its tear-resistant sailcloth and sealed zippers provide ample protection from sharp objects and the elements. Opening the main clamshell zipper reveals a cavernous interior and a few organizational features that make the bag a cinch to pack. The front panel is a particular standout, great for keeping track of electronics and chargers. Of all the bags we tested, the Tortuga strikes the closest balance between the carrying comfort of a hiking backpack and the space and organization of a piece of luggage.

It’s as easy to pack as luggage. When it comes to packing, the Tortuga pack has a soothingly minimal interior, as any good suitcase should. In addition to the bag’s cavernous main pocket, its interior lid has a large vented panel. The panel is too narrow to hold additional packing cubes, but it’s great for holding light jackets or doubling as a dirty-laundry bag (if you’re really committed to one-bag travel). The Tortuga is available as a 40-liter pack (the maximum space for a carry-on bag), which we tested; there is also a 30-liter version, which is compliant with some intra-European flights. The more-diminutive version is a decent choice for weekend travel or for minimalist travelers—but for those uses, we prefer the space-saving profile and extra internal organization of the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L bag.

It’s very customizable. The Tortuga pack is the most adjustable model we tested, thanks to its adjustable torso length, shoulder straps, and waist-belt system. The adjustable strap system lets you manipulate the location of the shoulder straps (video) to fit a wider variety of body sizes, in both the 30- and 40-liter versions. Of the packs we’ve tested, this one (with its included load-adjuster straps at the top, to prevent the bag’s weight from sagging toward your lumbar region) is the best at distributing its weight (4½ pounds when empty—roughly 1½ pounds more than most of our other picks, except the Peak Design ). The hip straps are removable if you need, but the shoulder straps are not stowable.

• Its straps don’t stow away. Some people, especially those who are hard on their gear, may consider not being able to remove or stow the shoulder straps (as they can with our other picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa ) a disqualifying factor. But after years of testing, traveling with, and occasionally checking our bag, we haven’t had an issue. However, if these mysteries beneath the airport also make you nervous, you might prefer our picks with easy-to-stow straps, such as the Peak Design.
• It's heavy. We’ve fielded complaints from some testers who said that older models of this bag were too heavy for them to carry, even with the padded hip belt and adjustable straps. The additional padding does add weight. At 4½ pounds, this latest Tortuga bag is more than half a pound lighter than it used to be (the difference is noticeable), and it weighs the same as the equally large Peak Design pack. We are currently testing a new, lighter, and less-expensive version of this pack—aptly named the Travel Backpack Lite 40L —and will report back soon.  In the meantime, if you think you would struggle carrying the Tortuga, we strenuously encourage you to consider one of our more-manageable picks, like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L.

Capacity: 40 liters Weight: 4½ pounds Main compartment access: clamshell opening Style: minimal, with a rigid construction Color: black

If you want to travel like a backpacker but also fit in at a board meeting (and you have the budget for it): Consider the Tom Bihn Aeronaut 45 . This bag’s reputation for durability, adaptability, and a low-key aesthetic make it a favorite among many dedicated one-bag travelers. And after testing it, we think it’s a great bag too. That said, for the bag to really stand out against other backpacks—and to take full advantage of its carrying adaptability—you need to buy the internal frame , the hip belt , and (if you’re traveling with a suit or jacket) the shoulder strap . On a bag that already costs $330, all of this adds up. Everything about the Tom Bihn bag (the fabric, the zippers, the quality of construction) feels like an upgrade from other bags, but it’s simply too pricey, and its design is too rarified and specific for most people. The biggest flaw, from our perspective—apart from the price—is that the Tom Bihn bag lacks a dedicated laptop pocket. In its place, the company sells laptop sleeves (a fine version if you don’t have one) that clip into the bag’s central compartment. Not everyone needs a dedicated laptop pocket, but we prefer the more secure feeling of bags that do.

If you want a budget pick (but only when it’s on sale): The eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack (our former budget pick) is still your best budget option, if you can catch it on sale for at least half off the list price. It’s not comfortable enough for trekking long distances on foot, but there are plenty of external pockets for organization, a laptop sleeve (which holds the weight of your computer high up on your shoulders), and an easy-to-access main compartment. This pack also has the largest capacity of any bags we tested, expanding to 65 liters—well beyond any airline’s regulated 45-liter limit. However, the bag’s casual-to-basic looks might not be to everyone’s taste. In 2024, eBags raised the price of the Mother Lode to $200. We have seen it on sale for $100, and in our opinion it’s worth getting only at the sale price.

We’ve narrowed our specifications for a great bag to the following list of features, ordered from most relevant to least:

• Front- or back-panel loader or clamshell opening, for the main compartment: As with any good piece of luggage, with this type of bag, you should be able to open it and see everything you’ve packed. When you have a bag with a panel-loading or clamshell design—rather than a traditional, top-opening design—you can pack and unpack it just as you would a suitcase.

• Backpack strap comfort and design: You never know when you’ll be walking farther with your bag than you’d intended. The more comfortable and well designed the straps are, the easier traveling will be. “Ideally, you want a bag’s shoulder straps to adjust to the angle of your shoulders,” said Eytan Levy of Snarky Nomad. “Good shoulder straps are the difference between an easy trip and a hard trip.”
• Hip-belt comfort and design: A hip belt transfers heavy loads from your back and shoulders onto your hips, letting your legs—not your back—bear the brunt of the weight. Just having a waist belt is a plus, but having a padded and sculpted one—especially on bags with over 40 liters of volume—makes a world of difference.
• Material quality: Durability is critical for any type of luggage, but especially for a backpack that will be your only bag. Most bags worth considering are made of nylon, which resists abrasion more than polyester fabrics of similar density. Spending more, however, can get you exotic, light, and strong materials, such as Dyneema or sailcloth.
• Weight: Once the bags arrived, we weighed each one ourselves. Most of the bags weighed within a few pounds of one another. But unless you’re very strict with yourself, by the time you’re packed for a two-week journey, all bags are going to feel equally massive, even if one is just 2 pounds heavier than another when empty.
• Stowable straps: These are nice to have, but they aren’t absolutely necessary. “The more often you need to check a bag, the more often you need to hide away the straps,” Levy said. “But if the straps are tough enough, it doesn’t matter.”
• Accessory pocket layout and design: Some people will love an accessory pocket that has a specific space for everything; others may find that feature constricting and unadaptable. We prioritized bags with simple designs that guided our packing without constraining us.
• Style: This is purely subjective. We preferred bags that had a minimalist exterior style, but not all of our picks will please everyone. Most of the people we spoke with, however, preferred not to stick out like a tourist wearing a large, colorful backpack, if they could avoid it.

During testing, we flew across the country with these bags, took weekend trips to nearby cities, lived out of them on extended trips, and tried them locally in our daily routines. We also packed and unpacked each bag, using a standardized set of weeklong travel necessities and accessories, to see how well the internal organizational features (or lack thereof) aided or got in the way of efficient packing.

This is not a comprehensive list of all of the carry-on travel backpacks we have tested. We have removed any models that have been discontinued or that no longer meet our criteria.

The Away Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L is a rare miss from the Away team. This bag is resoundingly average for the price. Although it’s made from excellent materials, the bag is let down by its overall design, which lacks any kind of structure or attention to comfort. There are better options.

The cheap, no-frills Cabin Max Metz bag is intriguing for the price. Any bag at this price should almost be considered disposable. That said, if you need a simple bag that costs less than a seat upgrade, this might be the way to go—unless you can pick up the eBags Motherlode bag for under $100, which we think is a better deal at that price.

The GeniusPack Travel Backpack is the only model we came across that tried to fit a suit into a travel backpack. Though some people might need that, we think those who have to travel with a suit (or clothes that require pressing) would be better off with a piece of carry-on luggage . GeniusPack now offers a second version of this bag, but our conclusion hasn’t changed.

For certain people, the GoRuck GR3 is almost worth the cost. It’s strong and simple and covered by an iron-clad repair guarantee. The removable hip belt is comfortable to wear, and it’s good at displacing the weight of a 45-liter backpack. This is a decent bag. After testing it, however, we weren’t thrilled with the internal Velcro lining for compatible Velcro packing cubes. Velcro isn’t great: It wears out, it’s difficult to keep clean, and it clings to dirt. That might seem like a small thing, but for the price, this bag should feel perfect.

The Minaal Carry-On 2.0 was designed to be a backpack for business people. But if you’re carrying it for business, you’re probably wearing at least a blazer, so you wouldn’t use a backpack in any case. If you’re a business traveler who falls more on the casual end of the business-casual spectrum, and you’re not on a budget, this is a well-thought-out pack. But we think our picks are more versatile for world travel, and they come at a better price. Minaal has since introduced a 3.0 version of this bag ; our thoughts about it remain the same.

The Osprey Sojourn Porter 46L is a slightly larger sibling of the Farpoint pack. The Sojourn Porter bag is about 2 inches longer, and it pushes right up to most airline limits. If you don’t mind possibly having to check your bag at the last minute, this would be an excellent alternative to the Farpoint pack.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Chase Reeves, Matterful.co , phone interview , October 10, 2018

Addison Ryan, moderator, r/onebag , email interview , September 8, 2018

Lindsay Lorraine Calderón, moderator, r/heronebag , phone interview , September 28, 2018

Meet your guide

Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

Further reading

The Best Travel Backpack

by Geoffrey Morrison

For trips ranging from a week to multiple months, the Osprey Farpoint 55 and Fairview 55 carried everything we needed comfortably.

Wirecutter’s Favorite Bags, Totes, Backpacks and Carryalls

by Truth Headlam

Whether you’re going to school, work, the gym, the store, or on vacay, you need a bag. Here’s the Wirecutter-recommended carrying gear we love most.

The Best Buy It for Life Backpack (Please Don’t Call It Tactical)

by Kit Dillon

A buy-it-for-a-lifetime backpack should last you for years of heavy use. But as with all investments, you need to decide if it makes sense for you.

I Took 5 Trips in 6 Months. My Go-To Weekender Bag Was This Surprisingly Spacious Backpack.

by Elissa Sanci

Struggling to pack for your weekend away? The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L fits so much more than you’d expect.

Travel Backpack Review: Patagonia MLC 45L

I’ve been fortunate to travel a lot in my life, and I’ve long been a fan of the travel backpack. 

When I was in high school, my family moved from suburban Maryland to Tokyo, Japan. Every summer, I would travel home to spend the break with my grandparents and sometimes see a friend in New York City. 

If you’ve ever traveled to Tokyo or NYC, you’ll know that as soon as you leave the airport to take public transportation or walk down the streets, your rolling suitcase becomes a liability. 

Hauling that thing upstairs? A feat of superhuman strength. Getting the wheels caught in sewer grates? Terrifying. Uneven pavement? Crowded train cars? The gap between the train and the platform?? They’re all your enemies when you’re hauling a rolling suitcase around town.

This post contains affiliate links.

The Backpacks I Dated Before I Met THE ONE

Us gi duffle bag.

My first solution to this problem was the US GI Duffle Bag . A no-frills option if there ever was one! I traveled with this baby for 3 or 4 years and still use it for camping gear like tents and sleeping bags. 

Pros: affordable, durable, and extremely spacious

Cons: unwieldy when full, can’t stow straps for baggage handling, no internal organization

While I appreciated the practical strength of this bag, it wasn’t the best long-term option.

Eddie Bauer Expedition 34 Duffle Bag

When I left Tokyo for college in California, I upgraded to an Eddie Bauer rolling duffel similar to the Eddie Bauer Expedition 34 Duffle 2.0 . My older version of this design does not have a pull-out handle, making it a little lighter and more flexible. 

I know you’re thinking, “That’s not a travel backpack! Why is she talking about that bag in this post?” And the answer, my friends, is that I used it as a backpack. In airports or on smooth pavement, I would drag it along on its wheels. I would sling it over my shoulders in rougher terrain by the two short straps. 

Was it ergonomic? No. Did it get the job done? Yes. 

Pros: spacious, structured, durable

Cons: not an actual backpack

I still have this bag and only use it for car-based travel now.

Related: 11 Unique Road Trip Gifts All Adventurers Will Love

Finding My Perfect Match 

In 2013, I took a job requiring me to travel all over the world – to Indonesia, Peru, Brazil, and beyond – and I knew it was time to upgrade my travel bag again. I needed the grown-up, professional, serious version of the travel backpack this time. 

I researched this investment (good bags cost money) and eventually landed on the Patagonia MLC, now called the Patagonia Tres MLC 45L or Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L . 

MLC stands for maximum legal carry-on, and that’s one of the best parts of this bag – it is carry-on size! Since it’s soft-sided, this bag even fits under the seat in front of me most of the time.

Related: Packing for Long-Term Travel in a Carry On

What Makes the MLC So Great?

Patagonia knows its way around a quality bag, and you get what you pay for. The higher sticker price on this bag is 100% worth it, given the quality and durability of the materials and the efficiency of the design. 

The Patagonia MLC is smaller than my previous travel backpacks but fits a surprising amount of gear in its many useful pockets. I easily fit in all the clothes, toiletries, and shoes I need for a weeklong trip, with room for my laptop, book, and water bottle. And if I pick up a few things along the way, the soft sides are forgiving enough to accommodate squeezing in a bit more.

One of the things I love most about the Patagonia MLC is how quickly and easily converting it from a briefcase-style bag to a backpack is. The straps slip out of their designated sleeve and clip into place in seconds. I can put the straps away and stash the bag (either overhead or underneath) without annoying any people trying to board the plane. And at the end of the flight? I’ve got my straps out and my bag on before the cabin doors are even open. 

Other great things about this bag are: 

• The reinforced zippers never get stuck
• The padded straps are extremely comfortable
• The fabric holds up well and stays looking great even after years of hard travel
• The internal organization makes stashing and finding all your things a breeze 

And when you arrive at your destination, there’s none of that awkward and noisy dragging of luggage along broken sidewalks or busy city streets. 

Read more carry on bag reviews:

• Osprey Farpoint 55
• Osprey Meridian 60L 22″ Wheeled Carry On
• Gregory Jade 50 Backpack

The only thing I would change about this bag would be adding a bit of structure to the sides to stand up on its own. Perhaps Patagonia has addressed this issue in newer versions of the bag.

Testing the Relationship 

A couple of months ago, I took my first flight in over a year and decided to take a regular duffle bag instead of my trusty MLC. I regretted it as soon as I got off the plane and had to walk 15 minutes to a train station. 

I tried using the handles as backpack straps, but they chafed my shoulders so badly I couldn’t stand that for more than a minute. I also tried carrying it in my hand but didn’t want to risk dislocating my shoulder. In the end, I wore the shoulder strap across my chest with the bag bouncing against my rear end and made it to the train sweaty and in pain. 

Never again.  

The Patagonia MLC is the only travel backpack for me. I’ve had one for seven years, and we’ve been around the country and the world together without any signs of slowing down. My bag looks as good as it did the day I bought it, and I’m looking forward to the two of us going back to NYC later this year.

Learn how to pack for carry-on-only travel:

• The Ultimate Travel Packing List: A Year in a Carry On Backpack
• Men’s Carry On Packing List for Long Term Travel
• How to Pack for a Month in 5 Countries in a Carry-On
• Podcast episode: Ninja Packing Tips: Pack Light and Carry On

By Niki Gribi 

Niki left a globetrotting job in early 2020 to work as a stay-at-home parent for her two school-aged children. She also runs an orchard care business, has a huge vegetable garden, and volunteers with food and housing justice organizations in her community. You can find Niki on Instagram @nikibi6 .

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Elektrostal

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