Bottom Line
The Patagonia Black Hole Pack is a tough and highly weather-resistant backpack perfect for weekend trips or minimalist travelers. Built with the same durable fabric with a hearty coating as the rest of the legendary Black Hole line, the Pack can take heavy use and weather, keeping all contents inside safe and dry. Landing near the top of our selection of the best travel backpacks, the Black Hole Pack is sure to please experienced travelers and weekenders alike.
At 32 liters, the Black Hole Pack fits a sweet spot for size. Perfect for a weekend trip or a week for the minimalist traveler, the single main compartment is easily accessed via a wide zippered opening.
While lacking the segmentation and compartmentalization that some travelers prefer, we found that the main compartment, combined with two zippered pockets for essentials, provided more than enough organization.
All in all, this simple, durable, and well-built travel pack is a worthy companion for the trail, the plane, or the daily commute.
How We Tested
The Patagonia Black Hole Pack was used for a week-long trip across the western US. We used this bag on cross-country flights, public transit, road trips, and day hikes. We tested its capacity and features by packing everything we needed for a week-long trip and using it as our only bag to test its ability as a one-bag travel companion.
Quick Specs
Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L
Best Minimalist Travel Backpack
CleverHiker Rating: 4.4/5.0
Price: $180
Volume: 32 L
Weight: 1 lb. 11 oz.
Dimensions: 20.5 x 11 x 8.3 in.
Pros
- Durable
- Strong weather resistance
- Versatile
- Made with sustainable materials
- Comfy back panel
- Carry-on friendly
Cons
- No waist belt
- Limited organization
- Small laptop compartment
Organization & Storage
With a capacity of 32 liters, the Black Hole Pack is versatile as either a day pack or week-long luggage for the minimalist traveler. We were able to fit everything we needed in it for a week’s trip, albeit with the pack at almost maximum capacity. Perfect for a weekend trip, this is a great pack for moving fast and light.
The Black Hole Pack is notable for its simplicity. The main compartment is accessed by a large top zipper. Inside, the main compartment is unsegmented, and we relied on packing cubes and stuff sacks to stay organized. A small zippered pocket on the back panel is enough for small essentials.
On the outside of the pack, a medium-sized vertical zippered pocket on the side is perfect for a lunch or small electronics, and a top zippered pocket is great for smaller items needed within reach. While those preferring more segmented and compartmentalized packs might find the Black Hole lacking, we appreciate its dedication to simplicity.
Features
Staying true to its stripped-down, simple design, the Black Hole Pack has limited features, but the ones it does have are well-designed to enhance functionality. It comes equipped with three handles to accommodate different carrying styles. Two top handles allow a roller bag’s handle to pass through for stacking the pack on luggage, and one handle on the back panel allows briefcase-like carry.
Two water bottle sleeves easily fit one-liter bottles, and daisy chains on the back allow you to lash extra gear to the outside. The Black Hole Pack comes equipped with a padded laptop sleeve, though it is slightly small. Likely too small for a larger computer, especially when the pack is fully loaded, we easily carried an iPad and keyboard in it, even with the main compartment at maximum capacity.
Comfort & Fit
The back panel is constructed with Patagonia’s Airmesh that is comfortable and ventilated, keeping sweaty backs at bay. Similarly padded, the shoulder straps were comfortable even when the pack was loaded to capacity.
However, without the aid of a waist belt, carrying heavier loads is limited and slightly uncomfortable over longer distances. If you plan on hauling heavier items, this may not be the best choice, but for light packers, the Black Hole Pack is still comfortable for all-day wear.
Durability & Protection
The Black Hole Pack is built with some of the most durable materials in our lineup. The 100% recycled ripstop polyester has a weather-resistant TPU-film laminate that gives the pack an almost rubbery feel. This gives the pack superior weather resistance and durability.
After hiking in this pack in the rain and brushing it against rock and concrete, all items remained safe and secure inside. If durability is your top concern, then the Black Hole is one of our top picks.
Should You Buy The Patagonia Black Hole 32L?
At 32 liters and 1 pound 11 ounces, the Black Hole Pack can be both your weeklong luggage and a durable trail pack for a minimalist globetrotter, bike commuter, or gear thrasher. Otherwise, it could be too small as a stand-alone for a week’s worth of items. While the comfort under load is somewhat limited by its lack of a waist belt, moderate to low-weight loads are comfortable thanks to the soft yet supportive back panel.
What Other Travel Backpacks Should You Consider?
The Black Hole is our favorite minimalist travel pack, but our full gear guide has more options that might better suit your style of travel.
Osprey Nebula 32 Review: With identical capacity, but more segmented storage, the Nebula 32 is another great option for quick trips or daily use.
Matador GlobeRider 45 Review: If you’re looking for a pack with more capacity, the GlobeRider is one of the biggest in our lineup that is still carry-on size compliant.
Topo Designs Global Travel Bag Review: The large external laptop compartment of the Global Travel Bag makes it a great option for quickly accessing tech while on the go.
