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This bag is amazing! I can fit the black hole packing cubes in one safe zippered and strapped space and all of my tech that I need access too in the padded access pocket. Perfect size carry on for any adventure!
Hello Jane, thank you for your review. We are sorry that you are disappointed in the current version of the Black Hole MLC 45L. We appreciate this feedback as its how we improve things for future seasons. In the meantime, you might be able to find a previous version on our [Worn Wear](https://wornwear.patagonia.com/) website. If you're not seeing any, make sure to check back because we add to inventory everyday.
November 13, 2023
Perfect Travel Companion
Only used this bag once for international travel. That said, I can't fault it. The design is well thought out and has enough space to accommodate my travel needs for a week-long trip.
I’ve only done one international trip so I can’t comment on the ruggedness yet. The bag fits everything I need for 1-2 weeks of business travel. The electronics compartments are expecially well designed. The external styling is simplistic ans sleek.
If you keep some flexibility (soft items / not overpacked) you can fit this under an airplane seat. If stuffed, it still fits overhead. Comfortable to carry and excellent design. I love this bag!
I purchased both the 45L and 30L for a 2 week trip to Italy w/ just carry on luggage. 1st I received so many compliments on the Tinamou Tan color w/ red lettering. I was able to pack a suit, for dinner hiking pants and shorts, swim trunks, 3 pair of joggers, jeans, multiple long and short sleeved shirts, light weight fleece pullover in the 45L. The... Read More 30L had my laptop, rain jacket, DSLR camera, socks, underwear, toiletries, and electric shaver. Plus I had room souvenirs. Love the multipurpose / convertible strap system.
Note: I cant wait until the 50L black hole comes in this new material.
The product is very versatile and has been ace for the first month of our pet sitting travels around Australia. Two specific improvements come to mind:
- The bag has a laptop compartment which is great, but the structure of the other pockets don't lend themselves to storing a laptop charging cable with an adaptor plug. This can be quite a bul... Read Moreky item and the obvious places to store it are in the smaller pockets in the laptop area. These are all directly aligned with the laptop area, so you get a hard surface pushing up against another hard surface, which can easily cause a bulge when carrying the bag on your back. A solution might be to compart the main large section of the bag into two, a large section and small sliver at the bottom, users could put small bulky items (charger with adaptor, or even a water bottle) in the pocket.
- The storage section of the waist strap / single shoulder strap is a little tight when you also pull the rucksack straps down into it. I have found myself just putting the waist strap into the laptop area.
Great update to a previous bag. Compartments are nice for organization and easy to use...and straps/suppport are an improvement to the previous version. Used for a two week trip abroad, as well as using for long weekends.
Excellent travel bag for quick trips via land / air
I love this bag!
Great for airline carry to quick road trips. Has pretty large holding capacity in the main compartment , plus the other narrower compartment that is great to carry smaller office document folder space/ computer compartment , plus accessories. Also, has a great support straps compared to the previous MLC travel bags Very organizable... Read More! Couple of things it lacks on the outer part of the bag. One zipper compartment to be able to slide a wallet / passport into. and mesh net area to be able to slide a water bottle into.
Other than that, great product.
I have two previous versions of the MLC, I actually like the 2005-ish model I own best for its simplicity and durability, but this is a nice modern update for carrying a computer or small electronics along with your clothes and other item. In that way it is more versatile and that is how I travel these days. The old bag, I feel like you can jam mor... Read Moree clothes in, but then need a separate bag for my laptop, etc., so its a tradeoff.
One thing to note, I am not a small guy at 6 foot 2 and 250lb, the shoulder strap that doubles as a waist belt it too short to wear as a waist belt and I will need to make alterations to be able to use. Also I received this new bag via the repair program for a MLC that had a nasty and undesirable seam tear but was at least 10 years old, so I cannot complain - that is outstanding customer service /retention. Thank you.
You're standing in the security line. Your pockets have the usual: phone, wallet, and keys. Time to take those out to go through the scanner. I don't know about y'all, but I take those things out of my pants and fairly easily place them in an easily accessible zippered pocket on my backpack I carry on. Every backpack has at least one... Read More.. It could be the crown pocket, zippered one at the top of the pack, pockets on the panel facing the outside, in the worst case water bottle pockets on the sides of the bag. MLC has none of those. None. Whoever argued to remove all small pockets thought it would be a great idea to have you open up the whole suitcase, dig into it, all in the security line, just to stash your phone, keys, wallet, maybe a boarding pass, earbuds - while you take off your shoes and hurry up because people behind you are waiting. And then you need to open that suitcase again to retrieve your paper boarding pass or your phone with the boarding QR code. Unbelievable.
Small quick access compartments double for carrying charging cables for the phone and headphones at airports and on the plane. It is unfathomable to me how anyone would actually remove small quick access zippered pockets (virtually all backpacks have them) from a bag explicitly designed to be the all-in-one carry-on item, where they are most needed. Whoever thought of that is just a bad designer. No promotion, no raise. Meanwhile, my mind=blown.
We're sorry to hear about the disappointing lack of an exterior pocket feature on the 45L MLC and we appreciate you sharing this feedback. We encourage you to return it under our [Ironclad Guarantee](https://help.patagonia.com/s/article/Ironclad-Guarantee). You may prefer our 30L MLC which does have a small, easily accessible pocket, along with a water bottle sleeve. Please reach out to our Customer Service team if you have any additional questions or concerns. We will be very glad to help you!
October 9, 2023
Carry on
Well built. Lots of compartments to help keep things organized.
Would be nice if it had small outer zippered pocket for phone charger or headphones for quick access while traveling instead of opening one of the large storage areas.
Hello Michael, thank you for your review of the Black Hole MLC 45L. We appreciate your user input and the outer zippered pocket recommendation. Product reviews are crucial to helping our designers know what's working and what's not. We truly appreciate you sharing your thoughts and we'll pass them along to the appropriate members of the Patagonia design crew.
October 3, 2023
Great bag overall however
Aside from really fast shipping, I have been eyeing this bag for a while and was going back and forth for months to decide whether I should get it. Build quality and materials are great which is basically stating the obvious.
However, there are two small gripes I have with it.
1. Lack of side water bottle pocket (could easily be placed at the out... Read Moreside hinge, side with no logo)
2.Small easily accessible compartment for passport or wallet
Hopefully next model will have these.
Greetings from always green Ireland.
P
My wife has had the black hole mlc 45 for 6 years and it's a great bag. Durable, stands up to rain and snow well, and plenty of room for a week long trup. The current iteration is smaller, thinner, and frankly feels like something you might find at the big box store. I hope the 45 mlc isn't representative of Patagonia quality going forwar... Read Mored.
Hi Bill, thank you for submitting this feedback on this pack. We've made changes to the MLC over previous years to make it both more environmentally friendly and more travel friendly. We're sorry these changes were disappointing, but glad to see you've returned yours. We expect the current model of this bag to hold up equally well, and if it should ever fail it is covered under our Ironclad Guarantee.
September 28, 2023
Incomplete order received.
Bought this bag for a trip to Europe. Did not receive the strap that was supposed to be included with the bag. I bought this bag due to the ability to carry on my back and on my shoulder. The shoulder strap is not included. It looks like I have received a used bag. No inserts or information on the bag included in shipment. Just a bag folded in a bo... Read Morex.
Hey Connie, thanks for the review. Our apologies for the confusion, we think we may know what happened here. The hip belt on this bag can be pulled out and also doubles as the shoulder strap. You can 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. If you find that you didn't receive a hip belt either, please connect with [customer service](https://help.patagonia.com/s/?_gl=1*1klnbfn*_ga*NjQ4MDAzMDY0LjE2ODI5NTAxOTA.*_ga_1SYPSJZYJ5*MTY5NTkyNDg2OS4zNjMuMS4xNjk1OTI1MDg5LjU4LjAuMA..) and we'd be happy to help!
September 27, 2023
Great travel bag
Practical and functional carry on travel option. It was worth the cost.
This is a very nice travel bag, but it should be noted that there appears to be an equal amount of Business/Document space compared to space for clothing. One side has multiple pockets for laptops, documents, and flat things. The remaining side is great for luggage. In my opinion this a great bag for an all-in-one business trip, but if you need a c... Read Morearry-on for more clothing, a duffle may be a better choice.
I have used this bag on multiple occasions and it's been great, separating my work stuff and my clothes has kept me organized. I've flown multiple times with no issues from either airline.
Bought this for a 2 month backpacking trip earlier this year, staying primarily in cities - it was everything I needed it to be. Had a smaller day pack stuffed inside, but used this in place of a suitcase. Perfect for hauling through the airport, and of course designed so that you can carry it on and avoid checking your luggage. It's pickpocke... Read Moret-proof and durable as hell. Compartments worked well for several changes of clothing & accessories. Ended up being one of my most worthwhile purchases. I've continued to use this pack for shorter (week long) trips that have included remote work (laptop, etc), and it's been fantastic.
No simple external pocket makes this bag difficult to use. The external material on the front gets scratched by any simple contact, even in the aircraft cabin, and the appearance becomes terrible after a few months of use. I would add a photo here if I could. Otherwise it's a good bag with good space
I think this bag tries to be a bit of everything and doesn't do it well. I think they should have kept it as a solid backpack or a solid duffle. The problem comes from the waist/duffle strap, it's not long enough. The strap makes it a very awkward duffle and then you can't use it as a waist strap because it's too short.
If you ... Read Morewant this a solid carry on and backpack go for it, but if you are carrying another backpack and want to use this as a duffle its a major pass.
We really appreciate your detailed and thoughtful feedback on this travel pack, but we're sorry that it was disappointing. You might prefer our [40L Black Hole Duffel](https://www.patagonia.com/product/black-hole-duffel-bag-40-liters/49338.html). Please don't hesitate to reach out to our Customer Service team if you need assistance. We'll be glad to help!
September 8, 2023
First Purchased From Pantagonia - Blackhole MLC 45L
We appreciate you taking a moment to send us a review! When you've had a chance to use the bag for a while, we would love to hear from you about the sizing, fabric, performance and features like zippers, pockets and different straps. Thanks Janson!
I initially tried the smaller MLC Black Hole Convertible suitcase. I think it was a 30L or 35L size. I reviewed that one, but also included my own review including the bigger one. The smaller one wasn't big enough for me, so I sized up to the 45L. I think both of these bags don't have enough miscellaneous pockets for clothing, and too man... Read Morey "pockets" inside suited for more electronics. In terms of this 45L travel pack specifically, it is way to big for my frame and the squared off top doesn't help it fit to my body. It is also missing the load straps to take away the weight from the shoulders. I found a 40L travel pack that I am very happy with, that opens up like a suitcase, but wish I could have gotten a Patagonia.
Hi Jane, thank you for submitting this review, and for returning a pack that wasn't going to work for you. The MLC bag does have a lot of features that are suited to tech; we're sorry they didn't meet your needs better, and we appreciate your feedback.
August 23, 2023
Love the redesign!
I love the redesign of the MLC. I first had one about 20 years ago that was great, but not as burly or durable. My partner ended up using it for business trips. The new one is marvelous. Its a great adventure bag. You can chuck it, sit on it, cram it full of gear and guidebooks, and it takes it all and compresses it into an overhead bin sized packa... Read Morege. The compression straps help ratchet it all down and the shoulder straps and burly waist belt make it all comfortable to carry through the airport and around town. The only thing I would change would be to add a burlier zipper to the electronics and document compartment. This one works fine but feels less sturdy and is not as smooth to use when the main compartment is already jam packed.
That sure dates me! I bought the predecessor to this bag in 2008. I've used it almost exclusively for all my travel. It's remarkable how much you can pack in it. 2-7 day trips. No problem! It's such a good bag. Im here, looking at possibly a newer version of it. Although, I really don't need it. Water resistance/proofing would b... Read Moree a great addition for my kind of travel.
This bag seemed promising so I would not need to carry two bags for trips or work. The problem is that it lists it can fit a 19" laptop, but my 17" laptop barely fits in either compartment. It sticks out of both compartments and I cannot close the zipper or secure the Velcro strap and my laptop moves around in the bag.
We're sorry to hear that the laptop feature has been a disappointment. This bag is designed to accommodate most 19" laptops, but it sounds like it didn't work for the one you have. Our [Patagonia-owned retail store locations near you](https://www.patagonia.com/store-locator/) can definitely take a look, troubleshoot and recommend another bag that might be a better fit, or they can process a return for you onsite. Please reach out to us if you have any additional questions or concerns. We'll be glad to help!
July 16, 2023
Anti roller suitcase.
I can't stand roller suitcases and I love carry ons, so win/win. The fact that it has hidden shoulder straps and waist belt is a bonus. Carry casual style with handle or shoulder strap or backpack it when there is a long transfer. While in Europe everyone laughed at my non-wheelie bag...until we hit a 1/2 mile cobbled/gravel road that eats lam... Read Moree wheeled bags for breakfast. I didn't say anything, but they saw the light. :)
Just before 17 days in Scandinavia this June '23, I dashed into my local Patagonia store to buy the 45L MLC. Now home, I wish to report that the bag exceeded my expectations. It is so well thought out, with each inner pocket functioning to keep my things organized throughout. I used the backpack straps for many comfortable steps of distance. C... Read Moreombined with my other Patagonia products (shoulder bag, vest, rain jacket, and jeans), the MLC proved itself to be my essential travel bag for carrying on airlines! -Josiah Daniel, Dallas, Texas
My 11 year old son went on a 10 day camping trip at his school, and this bag fit EVERYTHING he needed. The best thing about this bag is that it is small enough to carry on in the plane. The waist buckle helps to even out the weight of the bag. My son being only 11 years old, I was worried about the weight and checking in luggage by himself but it s... Read Moreolved all my worries. Highly recommend.
This bag is so awesome! All of the compartments in the various areas are so smartly thought out. It sturdy and durable and I love the handle placement in various spots for either briefcase style, over a rolling suitcase, or grabbing it off of baggage claim. I absolutely love this bag and cant rave about it enough. Whether its a weekend or a week aw... Read Moreay, this is the bag to use! Fit everything from my laptop to snacks to chargers to books to all the clothing and toiletries needed.
After using this bag for 12 days of traveling, I would definitely recommend this bag to someone who brings a mix of clothes and accessories/toilet tries. The compartments really separate stuff well and kept it all organized, however the main space for clothes was small and I resorted to not bringing bulky items. This bag loaded 35 lbs of clothes/ge... Read Morear when maxed out and still fit in overheard on flights. Unfortunately, the hip belt does not cinch down tight enough for me, so some weight is on my shoulders. If you are a small person you will likely find that this bag is made for a taller and larger person. Would love to see this product in more colors because the all black look obviously made it difficult to spot in baggage claim. Great price for what you get!
Great bag for international (or domestic) travel if you prefer to do so with only a carry-on. Plenty of room for travel clothes and necessities. Cinch straps help keep an overstuffed bag reasonably sized. Great that it can quickly transform from a backpack to a shoulder bag; the hip belt smartly transforms to the shoulder strap. Backpack straps tuc... Read Morek out of the way so the bag can be stowed without crushing buckles or snagging straps on other things.
This bag really isn't a gear-hauler (look elsewhere in the Black Hole line for that). It has ample storage for a large laptop or tablet and any accessories to go with them, but you might find this part of the bag to be wasted space if you choose to travel without these items.
Very pleased with this purchase because it works well for what I'm up to. I've paired with with a Black Hole Cube for extra organization. Strongly recommended for anyone who wants to travel fast and light, by air, and carries a laptop.
Thank you so much for this detailed review, Matthew! We're stoked to hear you're so happy with this bag!
May 19, 2023
Excellent bag
I was in the market for a backpack style suite case for a trip to Japan this summer to make train travel easier. Already a user of other Patagonia products, I started here. I am just coming off a week trip out of this bag and am extremely happy. I can fit more clothes in this bag than my normal wheeled carry on! The tech compartment is great. My on... Read Morely gripe as others have mentioned is the waste strap is comically small. It is a tight fit on my 5 foot 4 inch girlfriend! Patagonia, can you make a replacement strap or an extender???
This is a great piece for travel when I need to organize lots of little things. This piece makes it easy to separate all of the various things that I take on airplane travel. It feels pretty sturdy as well, but I have only taken it on one trip.
This thing is the perfect size and shape. It is basically a souped-up duffel with a built-in laptop case, and what is exactly what I was looking for. It holds a lot more than you'd think it would and is comfortable to carry through the terminal. I am glad Patagonia did not break the interior into compartments, but I ended up using packing cube... Read Mores on my last trip and found them helpful.
I love everything about this backpack other than the hip belt. It is way too small when fully extended. The hip belt was a big draw for me on this bag and its now useless. Super disappointing Patagonia has neither an extension for the belt nor even a recommendation of where to buy one.
Hi Rich! Thank you for taking the time to write us a review on the Black Hole MLC. We're really sorry to hear the hip belt is too small. This is incredibly helpful feedback to make improvements for future seasons so we'll share this with our design team. Please note, your satisfaction is always guaranteed so you're welcome to [return](https://www.patagonia.com/returns.html).
April 30, 2023
Good but previous version better
The product is designed as a compromise between clothes storage and office/computer storage. I have read reviews mithattet the previous version had more clothes/general storage. That indeed would be better for me. The bag fits in airplane overhead compartments
I use the Patagonia Black Hole® MLC Convertible Suitcase 45L as a carry on bag that allows me to take my electronics plus a change of clothes. Compartments work well and size is perfect for my needs to make sure I do not caught out if my checked luggage does not arrive. Also great for those overnight adventures. Would have liked to have an external... Read More pocket access to place my travel documents and iPAD to have more convenient access.
I use this bag for M-F work travel. It easily fits my week of clothing and manages to meet carry-on dimension for any airline I have flown on. I made a 9 day trip overseas (US based) with this bag recently and had no issues. My travel wardrobe is lighter weight fabrics that fold easily (no jeans) plus some toiletries, MacBook Air + charger. I start... Read Moreed with the 30 liter but it was a bit small. The 45 liter was perfect.
I was looking for a good sized backpack duffel for a backpacking trip and this one is perfect! I can fit all of my clothes, shoes, computer in it and there are enough pockets and zippers for any additional needs.
The backpack is excellent, it has a large size, the compartments for technology items are great.
Charging ways are practical and smart.
I only missed an external pocket for smaller items and a bottle pocket.
I didn't love this pack. I got it and 3 other packs in the same size range from different brands to compare for a 2-week trip abroad. This pack feels like it's made for a digital nomad, ideal for transporting work gear and electronics vs. clothes and toiletries for longer trips. It's nicely made and comfortable, but it's not wha... Read Moret I was hoping for in terms of practicality. I found the inner pockets to not work for packing multiple outfits/shoes/toiletries for a trip. I ended up going with an alternative from another brand. If you are using this as a pack mainly for a laptop, tablet, and some light layers, it might work perfectly for you!
I bought this bag to use as a carry on (overhead, not under the seat in front of you) for flights and weekends, and it has been great for both. Plenty of pockets for organization, sturdy and comfortable as a backpack. The only thing I would change is to add a small zippered exterior pocket somewhere. That being said, the "laptop" compartm... Read Moreent has it's own clamshell zipper, has small pockets and is very accessible.
Exactly the size Im looking for. Have a trip planned in a month and will be able to travel and live out of this for a month. Another win for Patagonia.
I am beyond disappointed by this new version of the MLC 45L bag. My husband and son have the previous version of it and it's an amazing bag that worked so well for travel and fit a ton of clothing. My son has used his to go back and forth across the country for breaks from college and manages to get a week or more worth of clothing in it. Howe... Read Morever, the 2023 MLC 45L is full of multiple lame compartments that completely cut into one's ability to pack lots of clothes. We did a side by side comparison with last year's model and found that the main compartment is more shallow and smaller overall than the previous version and that's the only place you really have to pack clothes. There is then a small area with two zipper pockets that you could pack some socks, underwear, maybe a t-shirt or two. The features continue to let me down as the lid is basically useless unless you carry a 20" laptop (no one carries laptops that big) and want to organize a drawer full of office supplies from your desk. If you're a business traveler looking for bag to carry all of your electronics, office supplies and an outfit or two then this is your bag. If you want a carry on bag for travel that isn't business, I'd look elsewhere. The over engineering on the Multiple Lame Compartment bag is just sad. Thanks Patagonia for taking something that was awesome and making it unsatisfactory.
Thank you for your review Margaret, we're sorry to hear this bag has been such a disappointment. We'd be happy to double check the information on your husband and sons bag, there is a chance they could be a different model with more liter space. Please reach out to customer service so we could gather all needed information. You can find past season versions of this bag on our [Worn Wear website](https://wornwear.patagonia.com/shop/search?q=mlc). Additionally, we welcome you to send the bag back for a merchandise credit or refund.
March 12, 2023
Perfect for airline travel
I bought this bag for an upcoming international trip where I dont want to check a bag. It is perfect and the mauve color is beautiful. I have a Patagonia backpack that Ive had for years and I am so happy with the durability.
All in all the MLC is near perfect, the only place I can see a short coming is that it is more suited to an overnight business traveler who wants a backpack for lots of office items (laptop, calculator, papers, file folders etc.) vs. a business traveler or globe trotter who needs more personal items and less office items, btw who wants to drag thie... Read Morer dirty socks and under garments to a business meeting? Patagonia, cut back on pockets and just stop increase the useable volume by doing less.
This is my third MLC from Patagonia and the best thus far. I am not currently flying anywhere but I do a lot of road trips. It is the perfect bag for shorter trips and a good companion to other black hole bags to keep things organized for longer trips. The variety of carry options and handles makes it easy to pack into the car and to move from car ... Read Moreto lodging, particularly where a wheeled bag is impractical (no paved sidewalk, stairs, etc.
I bought this specifically for a long-haul flight from LA to South Africa. I didn't want the hassle of checked-in luggage, and this size is perfect for that. I have everything I need for my six week stay: six t-shirts, four shirts, three pairs of shorts, two pairs of trousers (Patagonia Performance Jeans and Quandary pants), underwear, toiletr... Read Moreies, and laptop.
I like the zippered compartment organization, and since I used travel packs/cubes for my items, I didn't miss the lack of internal cinching straps. I found the external ones did a sound job for some extra compression. The bag's construction is very rugged. And it did fit in the overhead bins without any problem.
The bag itself is well thought out and laid out. Room for my laptop, iPan, DAKA pouches for organization of cables. Room for a change of clothes and a few toiletries.
The weakness is the shoulder strap/hip belt is too short if you are wearing a bulky coat; mine is a leather B3 bomber jacket. And a good riding "backpack" and hip belt are... Read More necessary if you're running from gate B2 to B95 on the B concourse at Denver International. Your service department helped me engineer a work-around. They graciously sent me an extra buckle and I mated that with a length of appropriately sized webbing to create and extension of the belt.
I do hope a longer hip belt is in the works.
This is much lighter than most wheel carryon. Yet it has a slightly more volume. I purchased this mainly for international travel as there are different restrictions amount the many airlines. This bag carry as a backpack should held get pass the airline checking counter more easily.
Purchased as a gift for my son who is 6 foot 2. The backpack comes with all the features he wanted and needed for an upcoming trip to Europe. It fits him well, except for the waist strap; too bad an extension strap is not available on your website. Otherwise, it is a perfect backpack that opens like a suitcase for easy packing and access, along wit... Read Moreh pockets for travel accessories.
I bought the Black Hole MLC for my 2 Month travel around South East Asia. To put it simple this thing is awesome. It has the right size and Pockets to store everything you need and still counts a carryon for most airlines.The Durability seems also to be on point for what I have already been through with this backpack . The only let down is that som... Read Moree how i lost the hip belt / carrying strap it must have come loose on the airplane or on a Bus and I cannot find a replacement. Without the Hip belt the carrying experience is much worse since its not designed to be a full on bagpack. So if somehow dear Patagonia Team you could offer a replacement Belt that would be greatly appreciated so I can kept exploring the world with this awesome backpack.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review Robert! We are very sorry to hear about your lost hip belt. Please feel free to reach out to our [Customer Service Team](https://help.patagonia.com/s/?_gl=1*16kjyk9*_ga*MTQ5ODEyNDA3OS4xNjUyMjExNDc2*_ga_1SYPSJZYJ5*MTY3NjU4Mzg1Mi40MjMuMS4xNjc2NTg0MDk1LjAuMC4w) at any time and we will be more than happy to help get you a replacement belt if they are available.
February 9, 2023
Mini MLC
Really thought out piece of luggage. I was happy purchase one before they were sold out again. Fits under the seat or standing straight up in the overhead luggage area.
I bought this bag to use as a carry-on for domestic flights in the US. It worked perfectly on my Delta flight, though one of the two small gotchas I encountered was that because it's a soft case, it can expand beyond what will fit in the overhead compartments. Had to kind of push it a bit to get it to fit, but I mean I really had this thing pa... Read Morecked full! Only other thing is that because the waist strap doubles as the shoulder strap, it can't extend very low when you're using it as an over-the-shoulder bag. I had the strap extended as far as it could go and the bag rested about at my waist, even with the strap on the shoulder on the same side as the bag. This was not the most comfortable while traveling through the airport, but by no means a deal breaker. Otherwise, it fit an impressive amount of clothes and supplies for my four day trip, and had more than enough compartmentalization to keep my things separate! Would absolutely buy again!
I was excited for the MLC 45, and hoped to use it for extended work travel and travel with kids. Its a huge bag, but only a portion of can be used for clothes.
The laptop flap is huge, and just wasted space. It is designed for a 19 inch laptop. I live with a software dev, and have still never seen a 19inch laptop.
In addition to the laptop storag... Read Moree, there is a whole bulky flap with tech organization on one side and some packing options on the other. This flap plus the laptop flap take up 1/3 of the bag size, leaving a too-small open area to actually pack clothes. The bulky extra flap should not even exist, and tech organization pockets could be added to the laptop flap (which needs to be sized down to hold a max 17 inch laptop).
As an aside, thanks for the compression straps.
Recently returned from 2 wks in Taiwan. This bag was perfectly enough for myself and some of my 6yrs old belongings (this was the only bag I brought with me by the way. I pack light when traveling international because I move around different cities a lot). I liked that I can carry like a backpack or a sling bag (was very helpful during busy commut... Read Moree on the bus and train). There are some caveats though and might not apply to others. The problem I have with this bag is the weight limit when traveling to certain Asian countries or on certain Asian airlines where the weight limit for carry-on is 15lbs! To Taiwan I had to unloaded some weight at the ticket counter. At 5'4 this bag is huge on me! I wished they have a 35L version like the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L. I noticed Patagonia has the 30L version but I think it's small for me for international travel with only a backpack. I also wish they have a smaller outer compartment for a quick easy access to smaller items like a passport going through security. As much as I want to keep this bag, the 45L version is too big for me. Wishful for 35L version in the future. Going to settle on the Cotopaxi allpa 35L for my next international trip.
This bag has a lot of different configurations to carry it which is nice for traveling. It also has multiple partitions and storage areas that keep the contents from mixing together. It seems very well constructed.
Bought this from an outfitter last min for a 10 day fly fishing trip to Cuba. This thing is incredible. well thought out. Lots of space, more than it looks like it can carry. Well thought out pocket placement. Didnt even need packing cubes as each segment holds specific items. Comfortable straps, looks good. Maybe an exterior pocket would be great ... Read Morefor next gen. for phones easy to access items. Otherwise this replaces my black hole duffle for trips.
I purchased this bag ahead of a 3 week backpacking trip and it was everything I hoped it would be - organized, lightweight and versatile. It fit easily into the overhead bins on my flight and the two zippered pockets made it easy to grab things on the go. I'd recommend this to anyone looking to replace their carry on!
Because I can carry this bag on my back, I've never been issued the dreaded pink gate checked bag tag. Yet it carries as much, if not more, than the ubiquitous black roller bag that always gets nabbed at the gate for less than prompt priority boarding passengers or unfortunate Zone 7 passengers.
This bag brings organization to the sloppiest commuter. Plenty of room for laptop and multiple chargers; clean and dirty clothes, + hidden features throughout. This bag is so adaptable for 1-4 day trips, seems durable - and great color combos make it easy on the eyes. This is my go-to bag for any short term traveling.
Simple and clever design; the bag separates business/office and apparel, while giving you options on how to move through the airport/train/ruck. Very smart details throughout - but missing a small exterior pocket for keys, sunglasses or snacks. Still a 5 star product - bulletproof and stylish.
This bag works perfectly as a travel carry on, overnighter, daily work/school shoulder bag, or even a smaller backpack. Super versatile for the size and compliments the rest of the Black Hole lineup.
Another excellent product from Patagonia. Bought this with with the immediate intention to replace my old laptop bag and then promptly used it on a week long trip to Costa Rica, the pocket and compartment layout was intuitive and easy to use, and the padded/zippered laptop compartment put me at ease when putting my computer in it. I get the feeling... Read More that this bag will be my new sidekick on adventures in work and travel, highly recommended!
Great pack but with the amount of stuff you can put in it, it should have a hip belt. I see the new version does, how about a retro fit for all of that bought one earlier.
Just returned from a week in Europe and used this bag as my carry-on bag. It holds a ton, I had no trouble getting it in the overhead bin in the plane, and I love the organization built into the bag. I usually use packing cubes to organize my clothing, but did not need to with this bag. I only used it as a backpack, not a shoulder bag, and that wor... Read Moreked really well through the airports. Also like that it has a way of attaching to the handle of a rolling bag, which a lot of packs do not have. I am excited to use this on my next trip. It is a new fav!
I've owned this pack for a couple years and have used it for one week trips as well as a four week European travel.
The good: Workmanship, comfort, size -- holds an impressive amount of stuff, durability, easy accessibility to contents.
The bad: No bottle holder. Seems remarkable that Patagonia didn't include one.
Would I buy it agai... Read Moren and recommend it to others? Probably, but I would shop other brands to see what the alternatives are.
I can't praise this bag enough, it is sturdy, lots of pockets with really well thought out placings, it's roomy enough for a long weekend or if you're really organized in your clothing a week away.
Patagonia Black Hole® MLC® Convertible Suitcase 45L
I really wanted to love this bag- it had pockets and a strap and could also be used as a backpack...but at it was just too big for my frame. I'm 5'2, and the backpack was gigantic on me. The design is amazing, and for sure, buy it if you are 5'5 or taller. If not, go for the 45L black hole duffel; it will fit your frame better!
Hi Randi! THank you for taking the time to write us a review. We're sorry to hear that the bag was too large for your frame. We greatly appreciate this feedback and we'll share it with our design team.
November 22, 2022
everything you need but small it enough to be easy
I have been traveling on planes with my black hole duffels for years but they always felt a little overqualified to sit on a plane. This is my dedicated weekend or eeklong tavel bag. Bigger than a backpack but smaller than a 90L duffel. And it's just like any other Patagonia product, you are amazed at the quality when you open it and then say ... Read Moreto yourself "Yeah they thought of that too". I will still be amazed at the quality 10 years from now.
This is a great bag for travel, whether by plane, train, or car. The bag is very thoughtfully designed and it is perfect as a carry-on when flying, but equally well suited for traveling more locally via train or car. I mainly use it as a backpack and look forward to getting the 26L version to use in tandem as a shoulder bag. I can easily fit a week... Read More's worth of clothes/gear in it.
Before purchasing this I looked at Tom Bihn, Osprey, and many others. I think this bag has the best balance of versatility, functionality, and robust construction. I always steer clear of anything with wheels as I see them as a liability and limitation. This bag is perfect for adventures on or off the trodden path. I look forward to using it for many years to come.
I am beyond pleased with this bag. Ive used it exclusively for travel and it has been perfect for my needs.
The pockets and pouches are plentiful and make sense. I typically carry a 15 inch laptop, an iPad Pro, power banks, chargers, and my Nintendo Switch in the back compartment. The way the compartments open completely makes taking out my elect... Read Moreronics through security quick and easy.
The front compartment has so much space as well. I put my travel pillow, extra clothes, and and extra electronics bag for easy access. The top pouch is perfect to get to my headphones quickly.
It fits completely under a plane seat when placed perpendicular to you, but will stick out quite a bit when placed parallel to you.
The shoulder strap doubling as the waist strap works exceptionally and is easy to convert as needed. Wearing it over the shoulder is comfortable.
I typically carry about 9kg or almost 20lbs of stuff and configure it with the straps and waist belt. The weight is unnoticeable and fairly comfortable. The only thing is the chest strap just kind of seems to be an afterthought but it gets the straps tight nonetheless.
Overall, I love this bag and am beyond happy with the quality and feel. I am looking forward to putting it to further use in the future.
I recently used the MLC black hole convertible suitcase for a 3 week trip to Patagonia (yes, the irony is not lost on me). The bag was the perfect size for the 22 lb carry on weight limit. The internal compartments made it easy to pack all of our layers with extra pockets to organize our other essentials. When fully packed, the bag is quite large o... Read Moren my small frame, but the chest and waist straps help distribute the weight relatively comfortably. The straps to synch the pack down also help make the size more manageable.
My one concern is the fabric. While most of the fabric seems very durable, I noticed that the wax-coated fabric on the back of the pack gets beat up quickly. After only a couple days of travel on buses I had multiple scratches that make the pack look old and used. I can't imagine how it will look once I have to check the bag through an airline. I stopped by a local Patagonia store to ask for recs to maintain the fabric, but they didn't know either.
It would also be nice to have an easily accessible smaller, external pocket that could fit a wallet, phone, passport, and some food on the go as well as a water bottle holder in the future.
This is the perfect bag for a quick trip. I use it mostly for work travel, but for other shorter personal trips as well. Its super easy to carry and great for organizing all of my stuff.
The layout and finish are brilliant. It holds more than you'd want to carry for very far, but also trims down for smaller loads. The only suggestions would be a water bottle holder, an outside quick access pocket or two, a pass-through phone charger, and a longer waist belt. It isn't big enough to fit around my 40" waist - but might ... Read Morebe if I alter the ends of the belting. Not inexpensive, but it feels substantial enough to last for many, many years. Love that it's made with recycled materials.
I've been looking for something that would suit my minimalistic needs for the trinity of fitness, work, and travel. This bag is remarkably robust and thoughtfully designed, I wouldn't bring it on a longer hike, but it's well-suited to keep either my 2 laptops and boxing gear, grocery haul, gear for a weekend trip, or even for masteri... Read Moreng the art of urban minimalist world travel.
I've been looking for something that would suit my minimalistic needs for the trinity of fitness, work, and travel. This bag is remarkably robust and thoughtfully designed, I wouldn't bring it on a longer hike, but it's well-suited to keep either my 2 laptops and boxing gear, grocery haul, gear for a weekend trip, or even for masteri... Read Moreng the art of urban minimalist world travel.
This bag works really well as a carry-on that can be used as a travel backpack. The suspension system is pretty comfortable (for a square-shaped carry-on), and the waist band doubling as a shoulder strap works great. It has lots of sleeves and pockets inside, but they don't get in the way if you aren't using them.
This bag is pretty awesome! I just wish it had a little more padding behind the laptop sleeve. The carry options are great - back pack vs over the shoulder. The compartments work well.
Well made but not really designed to wear as a backpack thru airports, etc. I need a hip belt to take weight off my shoulders but the hip belt does not work well. I have the 45L and the smaller size may work better. Loads shift as well.
We're sorry to hear this one has been a disappointment! [Note that the shoulder strap becomes a hip belt](https://youtu.be/wfKGuMRJgy4) when threaded through the back. Please reach out to our Customer Service team if you have any additional questions. We'll be happy to help!
October 18, 2022
Great weekender bag
Great bag, lots of volume and compartments. The carrying options of shoulder strap, rucksack straps or handle add to the versatility of the bag. Only wish there was a small compartment on the outside of the bag for easy access to passports etc.
My wife gave me this bag as a birthday gift. I was looking to get the MLC 25 but she got confused and got me the MLC 45.
At first, I thought it was going to be too big and it is if you plan to use it as an EDC, but I use it for travel and it works perfect. It is almost the size of a carry-on but it doesn't feel that way unless you fill it up... Read More to the brim.
For the compartments, it is nice how you have your laptop in a separate way so going through the airport's TSA makes it a lot easy to just open the side of the bag that has the laptop and leave the rest packed.
It does not have a tablet compartment, but you can still store your tablet in the zipper pocket behind the laptop and it works just fine. I have a M2 Macbook air and it has a tooooon of extra room left.
I do like the material a lot, I've been looking to get the MLC bags for a while but the plastic feel of the previous bags stopped me from buying them but this bag has great material all around.
The fit, is great, the handle passthrough is amazing, I almost never carry it through the airport. Having the option of stowing away the backpack straps and using the hipbelt as a should strap is genius! I do wish the strap was a little bit longer but at 5'10, it fits perfect for me.
While I was reviewing the MLC25, I saw it has a water bottle pocket which the MLC 45 does not have, I wish it did as it is bigger so it has more space.
Overall, very pleased with the bag, lots of room and organization in the inside and materials feel premium.
Doing two months backpacking through Europe and this feels like the perfect size. Big enough to hold everything I need but not too big.
I think my favorite part is the versatility in how the bag can be carried - backpack, over the shoulder dufflebag, traditional suitcase handle. Depending on whether I'm going through airport security, small a... Read Moreisles on a train, or longer walks to my hotel it works for all.
So far I've only been using it for about two weeks but it seems to be a very reliable build. As long as it holds up I will be using this bag for a long time!
Versatile, Roomy; Used for Travel, School/Work, Gym
I was looking for a 45 liter backpack with a hip belt that was not too heavy; the ability to convert to a sling and duffel is a welcomed bonus. The bag is crunchier and shinier (and more attractive in my opinion) in person compared to the photos; has a durable feel. There is very adequate organization without being too convoluted in such a way that... Read More it adds bulk or eats up the internal volume. It is comfortable to wear, and consolidating the hip belt and sling into one removable, convertible strap saves on weight and bulk. Built in compression straps can both compress the bag when carrying lighter loads and hold onto bulkier items externally (like a Jiu Jitsu gi, in my case). External loops can be used to attach items via straps or carabiners, etc.. The only criticisms I have are: upon receiving the bag, there were a couple small, loose threads on the inside, and I wish there was a smaller easy access pocket on the outside (but the flatter yet still cavernous tech organization section is easily accessible enough).
Great combination of straps and handles makes it easy to use on bike, train and walking. Big enough to swallow gear for a week away, but still very manageable. One compartment for cloths and other takes all tech. Very well designed.