Patagonia’s Black Hole Bags are a weatherproof and versatile series of bags that you can take anywhere. Your only challenge is deciding which style to choose.
We already know that Patagonia makes amazing jackets, but can they compete with other high-quality brands when it comes to their backpacks? Well, their Black Hole range of products is proof that they can. This range includes several different types of bags, all of which are weather-resistant and incredibly versatile.
Wouldn’t you like to get a backpack or a duffel bag that you can carry around wherever you go? One that you could use every day, but that can also double as a travel bag when you need to be on the go? If you would, then I think you should definitely check out the Black Hole bags – they are incredibly versatile, made of high-quality materials, but they are somehow still quite affordable.
That’s all I can say for now. If you want to find out the details about each of the bags in this detailed Patagonia Black Hole review, then scroll down! You will find out everything there is to know about them, and I bet you won’t be able to resist them then!
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Who doesn’t need a good daypack? And an awesome one, which will really protect your stuff even if you find yourself out in the open when the spring showers hit. If that is the case, I think you might really like the Black Hole Laptop backpack.
For one thing, it is made of ripstop polyester, which features highly weatherproof TPU laminate and that has a DWR finish. In other words, it will do a great job at protecting your laptop from rain and snow – just like a raincoat would protect you.
This pack also has a padded laptop sleeve, which can fit all laptops that are up to 15”. And when you aren’t carrying your laptop around with you, the sleeve can also hold a hydration pack, which makes this backpack very versatile, and a great choice for any outdoor activities.
The strong and waterproof fabric is coupled with a heavily padded back panel that will ensure your comfort. And there’s also a sternum strap on the shoulder straps that will ensure this pack stays in its place the entire time you are carrying it. It’s a classic feature, and Patagonia cleverly incorporated it into the design of this awesome pack.
One more thing – the main compartment is spacious, with a capacity of some 25 liters. It features a folding lid that you completely close off with buckles that also double as compression straps. That makes packing (and unpacking) the bag very easy and quick, but also protects all of its contents perfectly. Overall, it’s a pack you’ll definitely use a lot, and you won’t regret getting it.
The Black Hole Lightweight Tote is an awesome everyday bag. Its exterior is made from 100% recycled nylon ripstop, which is treated for weather resistance. And the lining inside the bag is coated with DWR, ensuring that even if the bag gets soaked, the items inside it won’t get wet.
This Patagonia tote is incredibly lightweight, at just a little over 13 ounces. That’s actually what makes it such a great everyday bag – when you’re carrying a lot of items with you on a daily basis, the last thing you need is a heavy bag that will weigh you down.
And with a capacity of 27 liters, the Patagonia Tote is more than capable of carrying your everyday necessities. Its main compartment is quite spacious, with internal compression straps just below the opening zipper. These let you tighten up the bag a little when it is not entirely full, and also help keep your belongings extra safe.
There’s a small zippered pocket inside the bag, as well as another one on the exterior. And the bag also has two stretch side pockets, which are large enough to hold water bottles. Even though it’s not the best tote bag for organization, you still get a decent amount of pockets.
The cool thing about this Patagonia Black Hole Tote is that it actually packs into one of its own pockets, making it an excellent bag for travel. In addition to that, you can choose whether you want to carry it like a tote or a backpack.
It comes with two shoulder straps that are stowable, and that features a sternum strap
The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag is a great addition to this range. Everyone owns at least one duffel bag, and it is something that can be used for a number of different purposes. So, whether you need a new gym bag or a carry-on, this Patagonia bag is a good choice for you.
It is also weather-resistant, just like the rest of the products from this range. It is made of polyester with TPU weatherproof laminate, and it also features a DWR finish – just like the laptop backpack.
The Black Hole duffel bag is available in these sizes below:
So, you can get a bag for a trip that’s just two days and then also one for two weeks, which is awesome. And all four are basically the same; they are just different-sized versions of the same bag. That is something I really appreciate because I hate it when I have to sacrifice a few features just because I don’t want to get a huge duffel bag.
The duffel has a padded base, which will do a great job at protecting its contents. The main compartment is very spacious and it features internal compression straps, as well as two zippered mesh pockets on the lid. This will allow you to stay organized during your travels, regardless of how much stuff you pack inside it.
The exterior of the bag features daisy chain webbing, which makes it very useful for outdoor adventures. And the zippered side pocket also helps with this. It allows you to have some things more easily accessible than others, but with a cool twist to them. The bag can actually be folded so that it stuffs into this pocket, and you don’t have to worry about where you are going to store it.
In terms of your carrying comfort, this bag does not disappoint. It has an adjustable and padded shoulder strap, along with a pair of padded carry handles. But, the larger bags can still get really heavy and uncomfortable when you pack them full, but so can all other duffel bags. If that’s something you’re concerned about, I suggest you check out the wheeled duffel bag – it might just be the perfect choice for you.
Large duffel bags can get really heavy – especially for just one shoulder. So, why not consider a wheeled duffel bag from Patagonia; you get the (almost) practicality of a suitcase, but with the lightweight of a duffel. The Rolling Duffel is available in two sizes, and you can choose the one that is best for your travel habits.
Similar to the regular duffel, the wheeled one features a large main compartment with compression straps and two zippered mesh pockets on the lid. Inside they are pretty much the same. And the materials they are made from are exactly the same – polyester ripstop with weatherproof TPU and DWR coating.
The exterior of the bag features a large carry handle that kind of doubles as s compression strap, which is certainly useful. But you’ll barely ever have to use it, what with the wheels and the telescopic wheel handle. I guess the only way in which this duffel doesn’t really compare to a suitcase is that the wheels won’t turn 360 degrees. But that’s not really a surprise, since this is a bag after all, and not a true softshell suitcase.
There is also a large external zippered pocket on the bag, which is great for quickly packing any last-minute items. Overall, the wheeled duffel is a really good bag, but it has one significant downside – it is rather heavy. With almost 8 lbs, it weighs more than most suitcases of similar capacity. So, it all comes down to what you prefer – a wheeled duffel, or a lightweight polycarbonate hardshell?
Patagonia’s Ultralight Black Hole backpack is a great option for rainy weather. It is made from 100% recycled nylon ripstop – a fabric that is both packable and weather resistant. In fact, this entire backpack folds down into one of its pockets, for easy storage.
That actually makes it a good bag for travel – just throw it in your carry-on, and you’ll have a pack to use on your trip, without it taking too much space in your luggage.
This backpack features a drawcord closure, which makes packing and unpacking super easy. There is a top flap that covers the opening of the main compartment, ensuring that your belongings stay safe and dry. And that cover attached with a buckle to the daisy chain on the front of the pack – an extremely useful feature, which makes this backpack even more versatile.
Daisy chains are actually really great for carrying bulky items that won’t fit into your bag. Just use a carabiner, and you can attach pretty much anything to the front of this bag.
This ultralight backpack by Patagonia features two stretchy side pockets that can hold water bottles. And there’s a single zippered pocket inside the main compartment, but that’s about it when it comes to organization features. Luckily, that’s the only downside of this awesome backpack.
This pack features thick padding in both the backpanel and harness, which guarantee your carrying comfort. The shoulder straps are easily adjustable, and you can secure them in place with a sternum strap. That’s particularly useful if you decide to use this backpack for hiking or other outdoor adventures, where you need it to stay in place for hours on end.
On top of that, the backpanel and harness are covered with breathable mesh, ensuring great breathability even in really hot weather.
The entire Patagonia Black Hole line is definitely an interesting one. All the bags are weatherproof, which makes them a great companion for any season. And they are all very versatile, which practically guarantees that you will use them for more than one occasion.
But which bag should you get? Well, let’s start with the Black Hole Daypack. I think that it is something everyone will need some time, whether they are planning a weeklong overseas trip or just a hike in the nearby woods. Yes, a laptop backpack would be great for a hike because the sleeve doubles as a hydration sleeve – it’s all about the versatility with these Patagonia bags.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a bag exclusively for travel, then I suggest the Black Hole Duffel. You can get in several different sizes, and it will be easy to find the one that is best suited for you. It’s weatherproof, made of incredibly durable and lightweight materials and it has a ton of different pockets. All of that makes it a great alternative to your boring old suitcase, and it’s definitely worth checking out.
But, those are just the ones that I really like. Maybe you loved the Wheeled Duffel or the Lightweight Backpack more. If you did, be sure to also check them out on Amazon; you can see how much they cost, and maybe that will help you make up your mind.