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Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L Review

A duffel-style backpack with an unmatched weight to volume ratio and excellent durability that is well suited for multi-day vacations or expeditions
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patagonia black hole duffel 55l travel backpack review
The Black Hole Duffel is lightweight and stuffable.
Credit: Hayley Thomas
Price:  $169 List
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Manufacturer:   Patagonia
By Liz Chamberlain and Hayley Thomas  ⋅  May 15, 2023
79
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 10
  • Comfort - 25% 6.0
  • Features - 25% 8.0
  • Packing and Accessibility - 25% 8.0
  • Volume to Weight Ratio - 15% 10.0
  • Durability - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel offers ample space while remaining very lightweight and without compromising durability. This duffel is tough yet pliable, meaning the ripstop nylon is durable and water resistant, yet the material is flexible enough that you can squeeze a seemingly endless amount of items into each corner. The mesh pocket on the zippered flap and the small external easy-access pocket offer enough organization for those who have a smaller bag to support their travels, but packing cubes may be necessary if this is your only travel bag. If you're a throw-and-go packer looking for a duffel that offers the convenience of a backpack carry, the Black Hole Duffel is a solid choice.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Very spacious
Backpack straps
Waterproof
Super durable
REASONS TO AVOID
One open compartment
Limited organizational pockets
Can feel slouchy when not full
Editor's Note: We retested this bag and updated this review on May 15, 2023.

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Pros Lightweight, very spacious, backpack straps, waterproof, super durableAirplane-friendly shape, comfortable harness system, thoughtful pocket placement, lightweight, versatile designDistributes weight nicely, highly organized structure, comfortable & removable straps, sturdy handlesProtective and durable shell design, affordable, good harness system, useful clips and strapsRemovable straps, compact, waterproof, attachment loops, handles on each side
Cons One open compartment, limited organizational pockets, can feel slouchy when not fullDoes not sit upright, laptop sleeve unpadded, may not fit under an airplane seatToo many pockets for minimalist travelers, does not fit under an airplane seat, not the best for loose/large itemsProtrudes from back, may not fit under airplane seatLimited organizational pockets, lacks comfort when fully packed
Bottom Line A duffel-style backpack with an unmatched weight to volume ratio and excellent durability that is well suited for multi-day vacations or expeditionsWith a spacious and thoughtful design, this is a versatile bag meant for airplane travel and outdoor adventures alike at an affordable priceA stylish and slim 40-liter three-way travel backpack with stellar organization and a comfortable harness system, perfect for a weekend warriorThis travel backpack is easy to pack, organized, and very durable, though a little bulky for quick tripsA compact duffel style bag perfect for the minimalist weekend traveler who doesn't need the added organization of backpack straps
Rating Categories Patagonia Black Hol... REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 Topo Designs Global... Osprey Porter 46 The North Face Base...
Comfort (25%)
6.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Features (25%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
5.0
Packing and Accessibility (25%)
8.0
7.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Volume to Weight Ratio (15%)
10.0
9.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
Durability (10%)
9.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
6.0
Specs Patagonia Black Hol... REI Co-op Ruckpack 40 Topo Designs Global... Osprey Porter 46 The North Face Base...
Volume of Main Compartment 55L 40L 40L 46L 42L
Measured Weight 2.57 lbs 2.10 lbs 3.65 lbs 3.23 lbs 2.6 lbs
Volume to Weight Ratio (bigger is better) 21.4 19.05 10.96 14.24 16.15
Detachable Daypack? No No No No No
Dimensions 26.7" x 15.7" x 11.8" 24" x 13" x 10" 22.5" x 14" x 7.5" 21" x 14" x 12" 23" x 14.67" x 10.2"
Carry-on Size Compatible? (22" x 14" x 9") Yes, if squished No Yes Must be cinched down Yes, if squished
Measured Stuffed Dimensions 27" x 16" x 12.5" 22" x 9" x 14" 22.5" x 14" x 7.9" 22" x 14" x 12" 22" x 13 " x 9"
Fabrics 900D recycled polyester, 200D recycled polyester Recycled nylon ripstop and recycled polyester lining (bluesign approved) 1000D recycled nylon, 400D recycled nylon, 210D recycled nylon, 1680D recycled ballistic nylon 420D nylon hex diamond ripstop, 420HD nylon packcloth 300D recycled polyester tarpaulin, 840D recycled ballistic nylon
Frame Type None Ventilated mesh Foam with nylon padded backpanel Stiff foam None
Access Type Clamshell Top loading U-Zip Panel loading, zips all the way open Clamshell
Number of Pockets Internal/external zippered side pocket, interior mesh lid, 6 zip, 7 no zip, 2 water bottle External: 2 large zippered security, 2 water bottle
Internal: 1 laptop, mesh organization
7 zip, 8 no zip 4 zip, main compartment divider option
Laptop Sleeve? No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Waist Belt Type None Padded Removable Padded N/A
Sternum Strap None Yes Yes Yes, whistle N/A
Different Sizes Available? Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Volume Options 40L, 55L, 70L, 100L 18L, 28L, 40L, 65L 30L, 40L 30L, 46L, 65L 32L, 42L, 62L

Our Analysis and Test Results

This soft 55-liter pack is 27 x 16 x 12.5 inches when stuffed and weighs less than three pounds. It is great for longer trips and durable enough to potentially last a lifetime. Read on to see how the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel held up to our testing regime.

Performance Comparison


patagonia black hole duffel 55l travel backpack review - finding the right travel backpack can serve you well whether you're...
Finding the right travel backpack can serve you well whether you're traveling across the globe or just to your favorite local spots.
Credit: Hayley Thomas

Comfort


Patagonia is known for checking all the boxes, but it is difficult to make a truly comfortable duffel-style pack without a proper harness system, especially at this size. The 55-liter Black Hole Duffel is big, soft, and stuffable, which means it can get heavy very quickly. The shoulder straps are somewhat thin but surprisingly comfortable as the foam is dense.


The comfort of this bag highly depends on what you're packing and how you pack it. Since it is essentially structureless, packing things like hard shoes by the back panel doesn't feel good. It's best to put heavy items, like boots, down at the bottoms and softer, lighter items close to your back and at the top of the pack. Packing cubes are also very helpful here, and having a fully stuffed backpack helps keep everything in place.

patagonia black hole duffel 55l travel backpack review - the comfort of this structureless pack depends heavily on how you...
The comfort of this structureless pack depends heavily on how you pack it.
Credit: Hayley Thomas

At the end of the day, not having a hip belt on a 55-liter backpack is somewhat of an oversight, but the Black Hole is meant to be a duffel that can be carried like a backpack and not the other way around. When considering that, we understand why the design doesn't prioritize backpack-style comfort.

patagonia black hole duffel 55l travel backpack review - a hipbelt sure would make the black hole duffel more comfortable.
A hipbelt sure would make the Black Hole Duffel more comfortable.
Credit: Hayley Thomas

Features


The Black Hole Duffel offers two different carry modes: a snap-secured set of handles that carry like a duffel and a backpack-style with over-the-shoulder straps that attach and detach via D-rings and Duraflex buckles. The D-rings are super incognito without the backpack straps attached, and they work very well, despite what our testers expected when first inspecting the design. The buckles at the bottom of the bag don't have a garage to tuck into, so they flop around a little, but they still remain mostly out of the way.


There are daisy chains on each side, great for clipping water bottles, climbing shoes, or any irregularly shaped items that might make the inside feel too bulky. The two hauler handles on each side of the bag, made of folded nylon webbing, are great for moving the duffel around while it's open or pulling it out of an overhead bin. The main compartment zipper is covered with a storm flap for weather resistance. That, paired with hefty YKK zippers, truly helps keep moisture out, even in heavy rain.

Daisy chains add bonus room for adventurous travelers who like to...
Daisy chains add bonus room for adventurous travelers who like to tag on rope, sandals, helmets, etc. that are otherwise too bulky to put inside.
The removable backpack straps are very quick and easy to connect or...
The removable backpack straps are very quick and easy to connect or remove and surprising stable and strong for the simplicity of the design.

The strap adjusters pull up rather than down to tighten, which is unique to some Patagonia bags. We are unsure of how we feel about it. Some testers prefer the feeling of pulling the straps up to tighten, while others prefer pulling down and back. The one thing we all agreed upon is that pulling them forward means that they flop around in front of you, which can be a little annoying when on the go.

patagonia black hole duffel 55l travel backpack review - the storm flap is very generous and effective.
The storm flap is very generous and effective.
Credit: Hayley Thomas

Speaking of annoying, the duffel straps share the same side as the backpack straps and have nowhere to go when you have the Black Hole Duffel in backpack mode. This makes it easy to get your arms stuck in the duffel-carry straps when putting it on as a backpack, and if the straps are clipped together, they tend to dig into your back.

patagonia black hole duffel 55l travel backpack review - you might want to leave the clipable duffel handle unclipped when...
You might want to leave the clipable duffel handle unclipped when wearing he Black Hole as a backpack.
Credit: Hayley Thomas

Packing and Accessibility


The Black Hole Duffel is modeled after a true duffel bag and is therefore very simple without the need for excessive organizational pockets. It has a small quick-grab zipper pocket that is accessible from both the exterior and interior. This pocket also comes with a minimal key clip.


The main compartment has tons of room with little organization, as you'd expect from a duffel. Like many travel bags with large main compartments, we suggest using packing cubes for optimal organization. There is also a shallow zippered mesh compartment on the main flap, which is great for anything you'd like to keep separate from the larger bucket-style compartment. The mesh makes finding smaller items easy, although it would be nice to have a few smaller mesh pockets for organization sprinkled throughout this pack.

The main compartment is vast, and works best with packing cubes.
The main compartment is vast, and works best with packing cubes.
A simple, but stunning duffel-style travel pack.
A simple, but stunning duffel-style travel pack.

Volume to Weight Ratio


The Black Hole Duffel is available in sizes as small as 40 liters and as big as 100 liters. The 55-liter pack we tested only weighs 2.57 pounds — this is insanely lightweight for its carrying capacity making this bag a top contender in this metric.


Durability


The TPU-coated, 900D ripstop polyester that makes up the Black Hole is an absolute dream. Duffels like this are meant to be placed on the ground, tossed up into overhead cabinets, and brought along on treacherous expeditions, so durability is paramount.


The nylon webbing daisy chain and grab handles are all made of 100% polyester and are Bluesign-approved recycled material. The number 10 durable YKK zippers and Duraflex hardware ensure longevity in all the moving parts, and the bottom of the bag is also slightly more padded for protection.

This giant, volumnous adventure duffel is easy to throw around and one of the most waterproof bags in the rain and snow.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain

Should You Buy the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel?


If you are looking for a lightweight duffel-style pack with a high volume capacity and durability to match, then this bag is pretty close to perfect. Not to mention, it's rather affordable for the space it provides. That said, if you're more focused on organization, structure, and features, this may not hold the value of other packs in this category. We feel the Black Hole bag is a high-quality duffel at a fair price with lightweight yet durable material components.

patagonia black hole duffel 55l travel backpack review - if organization is a priority, maybe check out another bag, but the...
If organization is a priority, maybe check out another bag, but the space and volume offered by the Black Hole duffel is excellent.
Credit: Liz Chamberlain

What Other Travel Backpacks Should You Consider?


If high volume is your main priority, another pack that offers high-quality comfort is the Osprey Fairview 55. It is heavier than the Black Hole Duffel but has a comfortable backpack structure and useful features like a removable daypack and internal compression straps. The Peak Design Travel 45 is another favorite, but it is almost twice the price and geared towards the traveling photographer or business person.

patagonia black hole duffel 55l travel backpack review - if you're looking for a big, snazzy, lightweight duffel, that can be...
If you're looking for a big, snazzy, lightweight duffel, that can be carried like a backpack, its hard to go wrong with the Black Hole Duffel.
Credit: Hayley Thomas

Liz Chamberlain and Hayley Thomas
 

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