Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC (30L Convertible Travel Backpack)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มิ.ย. 2024
- My new favorite travel backpack. Specs below 👇
💼 - Patagonia Mini MLC
onebagtravels.com/refer/patag...
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Patagonia Mini MLC Contents:
0:00 - Intro
0:51 - Materials and Fabric
1:17 - Dimensions and Size
2:38 - Hardware
3:10 - Exterior Features
5:34 - Laptop Compartment
6:41 - Carry System
9:34 - Interior Components
10:16 - Packing the Mini MLC
12:02 - Summary, Pros and Cons
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Patagonia Mini MLC
Cost: $199
Capacity: 30 liters
Dimensions: 20.0" x 12" x 7" (50.8 x 30.5 x 17.8 cm)
Style: Panel loading
Weight: 2.81 lbs (1.27 kg)
Laptop: 16” laptop compartment
Materials: 300d ripstop polyester; TPU laminate
Origin: Made in Vietnam
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Thanks for watching my Patagonia Mini MLC Review! If you have questions or comments about any of my travel or gear reviews, please let me know in the comments!
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Just wanted to say that your channel is hands down the best channel when it comes to reviewing travel bags. Your reviews are always fair and thorough. I’ve bought a couple of bags based on your reviews. Keep it up!
Thanks so much, glad you like the channel =)
Agree! This is my go to channel. Hope the content continues! Thanks!
You really have a knack with words, very convincing. I like all your back pack reviews.
Loved the style of your review. Covered everything I wanted to know. Thank yoU!
Great, glad you liked it!
The way you demonstrate this is so cool and shows how deeply you think about this. Thank you!
Glad you like it 😊
I agree - I love how to review travel bags. I love the suggestions on how to lock bags up or added functionality to the bags that I had no idea was possible. Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
Wow, my prayer is answered! Thank you for the amazing review!
Woot, glad you liked it!
Thank you for providing a great in-depth review on this pack! Helped me decide to buy this one for an international trip coming up. Subscribed!
Great, glad you like the channel!
One of the best reviews. very thorough indeed!!! keep up the good work
Much appreciated!
This is a great video, love your approach to reviewing bags.
Thanks!
Honestly the best review (best style and quality of the review) of any backpack I’ve ever seen
Thanks so much! =)
Great review. I have no lingering questions now. 😅. Also, fantastic idea with the shock cord. I wouldn’t use it very often, but comes in handy when you have a large item to carry.
Thanks! Agreed, I don't use it much, but it's handy to have if you need it. Plus I like the look with the cord
Wow this review is quite detail and has it all! He even tested the volume with packing peanuts!
🥜🥜🥜
Appreciate that you demo what packing this actually looks like
Glad you like the packing demos
Thanks for another excellent review. Thanks to you my wife and I have transitioned from 45 liter carry-on travel to personal item only travel using this pack or the Cabin Zero ADV Pro 32. It’s so liberating to be able to travel indefinitely with 12-14 lbs and no lost luggage worries.
Biggest issue with this pack right now is availability. They sell out frequently on the Patagonia site and friends have had to scour the web to find them here and there at a few retailers.
That's great, glad my channel has been helpful! And yes, the Mini MLC is almost always sold out, best thing to do is put your name on the waitlist and buy it when it comes back in stock. I got lucky and found it from an outdoor store in Vermont, but they don't have it now.
what a great review which sold it to me, thanks! it was hard to find and paid for the first time the full price - but not regretting it's a great investment!
Glad you liked it!
I'll get this exactly same one for my coming christmas trip . Thank you for this vid..
Good Christmas present!
Indeed 🙂@@OneBagTravels
Nice review. I appreciate your balanced and thorough overview.
I picked up the Mini MLC a few weeks ago and it's a well designed (balanced design) and very usable. It's about the right size--big enough but not too big.
I have the MLC 45 also and it's a bit big, but when you need the volume, you need the volume. I use it when I need to move quick (multi-modal, train to plane). If it's all plane, I think about falling back to a typical luggage w wheels if I need the extra volume.
One particular advantage of these backpacks (both 30l and 45l) is that when I rebook flights at last minute, or go standby, I end up boarding late and the overhead bins are full. Mini MLC can be under seat on the carriers I fly. 45l MLC needs to be overhead, but often I can find narrow space vertically and the soft shape can be stuffed in where standard rollers won't fit.
One surprise... I find the luggage pass through / handle on the back panel surprisingly useful. Never thought of needing a handle on the back panel, but once it's there, I find myself using it a lot more than expected.
For even smaller volume and even easier on the run, I just picked up a Timbuk2 Never Check Backpack (not the duffle). I've got some criticisms (no luggage pass thorough, no key chain loop); admin/org panel is a too tight; it's zippered for clamshell opening, but lid only opens part way because they added gussets (so the lid won't flop open spilling contents--I ended up cutting out the gussets). but it's a useful size. I'm fond of the tubular straps they used for handles on the top and sides--one of the most comfortable, slim design handles, and very low profile. The backpack straps don't stow away so it's full time backpack. I'd be very interested in your take on it. Hope you do a review on the Timbuk2 Never Check Backpack and their Scheme convertible backpack/briefcase.
Also, meant to express my appreciation for your review of the Patagonia Tres 25l. Your review tipped the scales and I picked it up. I'm very happy with the Tres 25l. Still wish they added a luggage pass through and a clip/loop for keys. I'm mulling over buying some tubular strap and having a cobbler bar stich it to the back (so it's like the handle on the MLC).
Good recommendation, I like the look of the Never Check Backpack, but I haven't tried it yet. And yes, I liked the Tres, I was sad to see they discontinued it so quickly. Must not have been popular even though I though it was a great pack.
Great job. No annoying music, clear video and audio, well thought out. Seems like ideal bag except for the giant logo.
Thanks! It's a little big but less obvious on the darker colorways.
Great video. You earned my sub! I opened a bunch of Mini MLC videos to see what the purpose of the lashing points was and how I could attach a jacket to it and *boom*, you delivered exactly what I was looking for. I've used this pack on a 14-day in Italy and a 7-day in Canada but am trying to figure out how to configure it for a 14-day in Iceland where I likely need more gear than I'm used to carrying. Thank you for helping with part of the puzzle!
Boom! Yeah, some stretchy cord goes a long way =)
Hi. Nice review. I’ve been using that bag for a few months and I love it. There’s a little pocket inside the main compartment, at the bottom where you can fold the mesh divider if you don’t want to use it.
Good catch, I forgot to mention the little mesh pocket =)
Wow finally someone that knows how to review bags! Kudos!
Thanks!
agree, the size test for buget airlines carry on luggage and the volume test is just really useful
Finały! Thank you for the rebusa keep it up!
Thanks!
Great review!
Thanks, glad you liked it =)
that paracord trick is ingenious! I'm doing that to mine that's coming in a few days I gotta find that trigger you have at the end. Marvelous! Fantastic review.
Glad I could be helpful!
Phenominal review, than you! Subbed
Thanks for watching! =)
9:45 this mesh zipper compartment is great for when you’re carrying it like a brief/duffle. Can easily store items in there and zip open the top side for access
Good point, makes sense
nice quality review dude!
Thanks, glad you liked it!
good video, great bag! by the way, the straps that come with all of the peak design stuff which have those little plastic hooks on the end are great for the external lash points on the MLC 30 (the dimensions of the lash points are very similar to those on all the PD stuff).
Oh that's a good tip, thanks!
The mesh can get a bit redundant, but it has a little stow-away pocket it tucks into! Great for when you no longer need it, like when it says put for a couple days and you live out of it.
Great catch, I forgot to mentioned that little pocket
Quality content 🤌 This is a good looking bag. I’d probably opt for this over the Cotopaxi Allpa 35 because of the subtle logo and colors. I like having a bucket too.
I picked up the Mini MLC (in black), but the Patagonia logo is not subtle. I wish they'd tone it down and not be so loud about it. But it is a lot less conspicuous than the Cotopaxi!!
@@zing999 The only Allpa logo that isn't conspicuous is the black color, with both companies would tone it down though
Another thought on the side loops: Might be able to run non-stretchy paracord from the loop closest to the back panel diagonally over the pack to the opposite corner to cinch down / compress the pack. You’d want a quick release option since it would run over that outside panel but, regardless, could help reduce dimensions for travel.
That's a great idea too!
Thanks!
Great idea with the shock cord, just added that to this bag, a feature on other bags, mainly backpacks the I love so I can smash my jacket. Odd that Patagucci did not think to do that and those little spring toggles are good to secure clothing strings in the laundry so they don't run through the garment and the hassle of running it back through...just a thought when you end up with extra toggles. Overall I feel the bag is 7/10 stars, had one TSA agent appreciate the ease of checking the laptop.
I didn't think of that, but you could totally use a longer cord, maybe double it up or run it through the loops a few more times, bring some clips, and use the cord for drying laundry 🤯
Great review, greetings from Panama.
Thanks! Greetings from the US =)
@@OneBagTravels I have a question what do you think is the best color the black or dark blue for these model?
@@abdiel3030 I really like the smoulder blue color, that's the one I have. I almost always go for non-black bags though because I have so many black ones.
11 months later and this bag is still available in Tokyo. I copped this bag in a heartbeat
Oh good deal.
Ive managed to fly with this as a personal item several times. It sticks out a tiny bit but I’ve never been called on it even on spirit. It is probably officially a little too long but so far no issues. Your mileage may vary depending on how stingy the cabin crew is though!
Exactly! I've gotten away with slightly oversized bags many times, really depends on the airline and gate crew. Glad it worked out for you, cheers!
very helpful thorough review (made me realize this is NOT the bag for me) thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
What’s the reason is not for you, if I may ask?
@@ohooper I don’t recall, I posted that 6 months ago. probably size, I’m 5’4, 120lbs. bigger bags, designed more for men, don’t really work. I landed on another similar bag and it is not good, it kills my within minutes of wearing
Just impulse ordered this 😅. Usually when I go to japan I just use a standard suitcase and then a timbuk2 spire backpack and/or a Muji sort of hybrid duffel/tote things for side trips. I'm going back this fall and was thinking of getting a pack that could handle both the backpack and duffel duties for when I take the train and this review answered most of my questions. So hopefully a good decision haha. My side trips are 4 and 4 nights basically, and I'd be leaving the suitcase in a major city. The only questionable thing is if I'll have space for my small size peak design camera bag (I forgot which model it is offhand). My estimate is it would work where you place the small cube in this video 🤔 or maybe even on top of it. Do you have suggestions of where to buy some of that cord and the tying piece on the shell? Not used to buying those things. Thanks!
It's a great bag, you won't regret buying it, especially if you like duffel style bags. I bought the cord at a local craft store so I don't have a link, but it's easy to find. The cord is 1/8" elastic cord, connector is a spring toggle. You can get them both in a bunch of colors.
Would love to see a side by side comparison with the dragonfly; they seem like good options for a dialed in one bag for the plane.
That's a good comparison, I'll be doing that sometime this summer.
Great video, thanks. Need an additional carryon for long Europe trip, have to take a checked bag and also want a convertible bag with luggage handle pass thru that fits on Ryanair/Vueling overhead bins. This MLC mini is a possibility,. Any other ideas?
AER has some great options in different size ranges with luggage pass-through handles, Go Pack, City Pack Pro Pack, lots of great choices.
I have the blackhole 25L backpack that I have used for years for under my seat travel. I might upgrade to this 30L. The shoulder strap will let me use my black hole 55L as a backpack and carry-on. It would be easier to carry both together like this. No more checking bags for international travel with 85L total. Now I need a 20% off coupon.
20% off coupons going on at REI right now
I believe this bag is the same as the MLC Mini 26L. It was just rebranded to more accurately reflect its size. From a Reddit post I read it has been confirmed my customer support that it is the same bag
Love your reviews. As of June 6 the referral link above links to an Able Carry bag, not the Patagonia, FYI.
That's what happens when you upload videos at 10:00 pm on Friday night 😆 I fixed it, thanks!
@@OneBagTravels Your reviews really are some of the best anywhere on the interwebz. Thanks for posting these!
That Liter test is the best.
I think so too!
W review.
If by "W" you mean "The best!"
looking at this for my first one bag trip next march. 1 week in vancouver. think it will serve my purpose? i've thought about going with 40L packs but they honestly just seem too big to me for a week in a large city where i can buy anything i need if it comes down to it.
It holds more than you think it would, good luck on your trip!
Very nice. A lot more streamlined and modern than previous iterations. Im really digging patagonia as a travel pack.
All these aer, able carry, goruck, black ember travel packs just looks over engineered and heavy
I like that Patagonia is keeping it simple, large volume, low weight bag that holds a ton and is easy to pack. I've watched those bags you mentioned get larger and more complicated as time goes on. Aer always makes great gear, but the beauty of their original travel packs was the simplicity.
What's your feeling on this bag vs the ULA Dragonfly? Is one more comfortable to carry than the other? And would the Dragonfly be easier to use as a personal item? It seems so from the provided dimensions, but I wonder what its pockets would add.
Good comparison! They're pretty similar in carry comfort. I like ULA for its sheer simplicity and light weight, great pack to just grab and go. While MLC is more functional and easy to use because of better organization. Dragonfly will work better as a personal item because it's just smaller, but yes if you stuffed the pockets full that would make a big difference.
Thanks for the video . I am debating between this and the cotopaxi allpa 35l travel pack. It's slightly bigger by 5L ..
They're both good, kind of just a different packing style and aesthetic, duffel vs clamshell. MLC holds a lot, I"d just go with whichever one you like better.
I'm also debating this! I actually have the allpa 35 and love it - I've used it for 7+ years on several multi--month trips. The downside is it's too tall for my torso size, and very uncomfortable to carry. It's also a bit too big, while the allpa 28 is too small. I'm wondering if the MLC would be a better fit, because it's a bit shorter and smaller. Do you have any insight @OneBagTravels?
@@smskyla I don't have the Allpa 35 to compare, but the 28 has a very similar shoulder strap length and bag height to the Mini MLC. Allpa is taller and skinnier where Mini MLC is a little wider and deeper, so it holds more and I think it looks less "tall" on your back. I haven't compared them, but the packing style on the Mini MLC holds a lot more than the Allpa 28 because it doesn't have all the zippers and compartments that take up space. Not sure about improvement in carry comfort, Mini MLC straps are thinner and slightly less back padding. Probably the problem is the orientation of the straps, it may be could be better but I think you'd just have to try on the Mini MLC and see how it fits.
Thank you for the thorough response! I found an MLC on fb marketplace for cheap and will try it out on my next trip. It fits my back better than the allpa 35, now I’ll just have to see if I can cram all my stuff in there!
It's been almost a year. Wondering how you feel about MiniMLC after so many other similar 30L light weight travel bags? A look back after a year's experience would be awesome!
There's been other tempting go-to bags, but some of compelling options are pushing past $300. At sub-$200 (barely), MiniMLC seems very competitive to me. Would be great to year your thoughts.
(FYI. I'm still mulling over covering the gawdy patagonia branding with black gear-aid repair tape, as ugly as that would be. I bought a roll of 3-inch wide gear-aid tape that's sitting around waiting to be used.
Great suggestion, I'm putting that on my video list. Mini MLC is still one of my go-to bags for easy packing. Tomtoc Navigator has entered as a contendor due to the quality for the price as a budget alternative to the MIni MLC. The only downside I've seen with the Mini MLC is a rather large laptop/tech pocket relative to the bag weight. Fine if you're carrying a lapto, but wasted space/weight if you're not.
I've had a Rocky Mountain Underground 40L Briefcase. I love it, but I'd like to get something new & they don't make them anymore. I just found that Patagonia is making these, but my main critique of the previous MLC was the lack of structure. The RMU briefcase has some structure & can stand up on it's own, the MLC not so much. When fully loaded, bags without structure are a bit more cumbersome to carry. Can you say more about the structure of this 30L? I travel often, the 30L seems decent enough for 3 days, but I travel 4-5 days. Would the 45L be a better fit? TIA.
I haven't tried the RMU Briefcase, but it looks like it has more structure than the Mini MLC. This bag has a decent amount of structure, all coming from the back and laptop padding. It's quite thick, at least 1/2", but it's medium density soft foam and not a hard plastic or metal panel or framesheet. I haven't tested the updated 45L version of this pack, but the older model was notoriously floppy. My guess is they have similar structure, but the 30L will feel more solid just because it's smaller.
@@OneBagTravels thanks a bunch, I may try to scoop one up, the 45L too. if i can find them!
Thanks for this killer video! Honestly the best travel bag channel I’ve come across on TH-cam.
Do you think if not FULLY packed, I could make this work as a personal item on budget Euro flights? I’m 6’5” so thankfully most bags look small on me.
Maybe, depends on the airline and your ticket. It's still a little big for airlines like RyanAir so you could get caught and pay much more than you would have paid if you just paid for a carry-on.
I had the same question I will try to do it on my next trip but I think i have to make a big effort to fit it on the box.
Hey both, any news to report back, I’m in the UK so I’m wondering the same!
I'm looking for an underseat backpack and am trying to decide between this and the ULA Dragonfly. Any suggestions? I really like that the ULA is made in the US.
These are both great bags. ULA Dragonfly I'd say looks a little more like a hiking backpack, is much more minimalist, and you will likely have to rely more on outside pockets. Mini MLC looks more like a traditional backpack, but isn't as light.
How do you think this bag would work for edc to the office? Some say it does not have enough structure when its not packed out. What is your opinion?
You can use any bag for EDC, but how well it works will depend on what you're carrying. This is a duffel style pack without a lot of structure or organization. I think it would work fine for a laptop and some larger bulky gear like a change of clothes. But it won't work as well if you're carrying a lot of heavy electronics, documents etc.
hi lovw your channel which one is more economical for 18x14x8 the allpack 28l or the MLC? the MLC looks too big for a personal item. it's so wide!!!
Mini MLC is a little of a stretch as a personal item but most of the time you can get away with it.
Great review! Think the water bottle pocket can hold a 1L yeti?
Should fit. I tried it with a 1L insulated Kleen Kanteen and it fits. Stretches the pocket a little.
@@OneBagTravels thx
What is the internal height of the main compartment. Trying to see if it will fit a peak design camera cube. They are 6” high. Thanks
That's a litte tight, it's about 5 1/2" deep
Anyone with this bag have experience using it as a personal item with frontier? I think that the diy box was the same size, just curious about in person interactions.
For someone thats 6'3, wanting to travel to New York area in October / November for over a week, would you recommend the 45L instead for the extra room?
Also how does this compare to the Thule 40L Landmark?
Trying to transition from going normal checked in luggage due to a few bad experiences.
Have you traveled with a 30L pack before? Your clothes take up more room than someone smaller but the 30L is still doable for a week. However NY in the fall you will need more clothes so 45 may be more practical if you don't have much experience packing light. Landmark is a good bag too, MLC is more minimalist but I like both those packs.
@@OneBagTravels thanks for your reply, I have never tried a 30. I have an Osprey nebula 32L for edc and gym but it’s too open so not as convenient for travel.
Another option I’m considering is the updated Osprey fairpoint 40L, but worried about the lack of organisation.
@@michaelfarrow5754 Get all the gear together for your trip and see if you can fit it in the Nebula 32, that way you'll know if you need a bigger pack.
I just got the north face base camp duffel in XS and managed to fit a weeks worth of clothes with 2 medium eagle creek packing cubes. thinking of returning it to get this instead. Is it worth it? Can I fit a weeks worth of clothes still and extra items in the pockets? Say a Nintendo switch?
If you can travel with the Base Camp duffel you should be able to make it work with the Mini MLC, they're about the same size
@@OneBagTravels appreciate it bro 😎
Could you please make a comparison with Topo Design Global Travel 30L?
Been awhile since I've done a Topo review, I like it!
@@OneBagTravels could you please make a comparison video between two?
One issue with the previous MLC's was the shape or lack there of, meaning it was at the whim of it's contents. Does this one hold it's shape better than say a duffle bag???
Yes, the original MLC was one of my first reviews and I remember how floppy it was. Patagonia came out with the Mini MLC somewhere around 2019 with the Black Hole fabric. I didn't have the opportunity to test it, but it looks similar to the current model, just with the older shinier fabric. Compared to the pre-2019 model, this version is much stiffer/sturdier and holds it's shape well, and depending on the duffel, I say it holds it shape quite well. Meaning it stays relatively rectantular and doesn't really "poof out" like some bags with less structure do.
Can this fit under the seat in airlines?
Yeah it should fit under most airplane seats, but if you can get it into the airline's sizer box is a different story.
curious - is that the smolder blue bag in your video?
Yep!
@@OneBagTravels thanks.
How much does it weigh without the hip strap???
Only about 3 oz less.
Seems like a tough call between this pack and the Thule Aion 28. Do you have any reasons to choose one over the other?
That is a tough choice! Even though the listed capacity is only 2L different, I suspect the Patagonia holds a lot more than the Aion 28. I like the look of the Aion better than the Patagonia, which is very functional, holds more, but is much more boxy.
I would think the Aion would be more flexible in daily use during travel or even at home. But it sounds like you might grab the Patagonia for travel first.
@@cksiam Yes I think Aion is more flexible, is better as a daypack/EDC. I think if I just wanted a big bag for storing gear I would use the Mini MLC, but if I wanted a travel bag that can be used as a day pack, I would go with the Aion.
Yep definitely in the Mini MLC vs Thule Aion conundrum. Any chance you can do a comparison packing? Both are hard to find (Thule in black,Nutria just isn’t my color, and Patagonia in anything other than black) so it is hard to get a comparison or hands on experience.
@@earleneeaton8614 Good feedback, I'll put a comparison in the queue!
strange coz usually the Max u can get is 55x40x20 cm which is about 40/44L hmmm how can be 30L>?
The listed dimensions of this bag 20.0" x 12" x 7" (50.8 x 30.5 x 17.8 cm) calculate to a volume of 27.53 lilters. Subtract some volume for pockets, padding, laptop sleeve etc. and it makes sense.
Is this the black color or the blue? Hard to tell.
It's smoulder blue, the best color!
@@OneBagTravels Thanks so much or the quick response. One last question... Is the new material still just as waterproof as the old or did they sacrifice some of that to be less shiney? Being in Southeast Asia its super critical to get something that is as water resistant as possible since it can go from bright sun to tropical storm downour in a matter of seconds.
@@JohnHarvey It's like the old fabric, but backwards. The old shiny fabric was waterproof on the surface, while with the new fabric, the waterproof layer is underneath the surface layer. When I run water over the bag it soaks through the exterior superficial layer so it looks like the pack is getting wet, but the water doesn't penetrate into the pack. However the zippers aren't water resistant, and it's not seam sealed, so water will get into the pack, especially in a downpour, so it's still not really a waterproof pack overall. But I'd say the fabric is just as waterproof as the old shiny Black Hole fabric.
what's your favorite one travel bag now?
I just posted a review of my favorite bags of all-time! 😊 th-cam.com/video/DSfZ9fP1vq0/w-d-xo.html
TIP: Another test you can or should do for your viewer is the "pen test." Most zips can be opened with a simple pen and closed without that p[eople know it. this trick is usually used by airport inspectors and thiefs. but some zips are secure for that, and the pen test can reveal it.
I've done that in a few videos, but basically almost every plastic zipper can be opened with a pen. I've found a few that it doesn't work, so I guess that would be worth adding. Basically assume it can be opened with a pen unless it can't 😆
yeah at least mention it. that will rank you to the top reviewer out there! @@OneBagTravels
This was 26 before, right?
Apparently they are the same but it was just a branding change due to differences in measuring capacity e.g. to include water bottle holder section
I don't have the older 26L version to compare, but it looks similar to the size of their older Tres 25. Dimensions on the Mini 30 are larger too, so I suspect they did actually make it slightly larger.
You dont fond it annoying that it has full panel openenings on both sides? If its laying on its straps with the main bucket open, the entire tech section is completely inaccessible. And vice versa. Haven't seen anybody complain about it, but i just cant imagine how that isn't annoying to use!
Good point, I like the laptop placement in the back, but it is rather inconvienent to have most of the small gear pockets back there as well, like you said you can't get to them easily when you have the main bag open.
1.3 KG... hmm not too light for the size.
Not too shabby!