This video is a comprohensive review of the 25 Liter Black Hole backpack by Patagonia. This Backpack is great for travel and everyday use! To Buy: www.amazon.com...
Hey man. This video has been out for a while and I watched it at least twice before finally deciding to get the Blackhole 25l. The pack is pretty cool - I have to say. And it most surely has more than 25 liters of capacity... What put me off at first is that there are no compression straps. Would have been great for Hiking poles or a tripod - I usually put them in the water bottle pocket and use the compression straps (for example on the Arcteryx Brize 25) to keep them in place. Anywho - I accidentally decided to keep the Black Hole by forgetting to return it on time :-) And I'm glad I did. It is a great pack, and I would highly recommend it.
Thanks for the feedback! Yeah I totally feel you on the compression straps thing. I’ve tried to put a full-size tripod in before and it just falls out. I still use it everyday though and it’s been great for me too.
@@DansVoyage So I did the math :-) According to the dimensions given for the bags, the Brize 25 has a volume of 25.7 litres, and the Black Hole 25 actually has a whopping volume of 32.24 litres :-) Funny how no one ever mentions this fact. Wonder why Patagonia advertises it as less than what it holds? Anyhow, another reason to get this bag.
I love the bucket or clam shell opening backpacks, as well as backpacks that have a side zipper entrance for you to access the main compartment, and a shoe compartment at the bottom. I wish brands would consider more adding these features to their backpack products
The second pocket (for iPad presumably) could really use a retention strap at the top so the iPad doesn't slide out if the pack is tossed in an overhead compartment on a flight. Or even laid down under the seat. When I saw this in the store it seemed like a water bottle probably won't fall out easily because the Black Hole glossy surface treatment is grippy. Not sticky to the touch, but grippy if you try to rub your hand on it. I have mixed feelings about the Black Hole lineup. They have been a huge seller for Patagonia in the duffels, and North Face and others are copying them (but they might be copying Ortlieb). I really have doubts whether someday the surface isn't going to start splitting or cracking. The material looks great though.
I haven’t tested out that pocket much, but as far as the water bottle slipping out, you got it right. I use both regularly and I haven’t had any slippage issues. I’ve had mine for around 11 months and the pack still looks brand new. I plan on traveling extensively soon and hope I stays that way.
Could you do a packing example with this pack? Travel gear, school stuff, and hiking stuff? I really liked this review but I'd like to see what all it could fit! Thanks. :)
For sure! So on a typical day I have my 15 laptop, the charging cord in the back pockets, three folders in the main compartment, a change of clothes (running shorts, gym shirt, and running shoes) and a few books also in the main compartment. I also typically have some pens, and random school stuff in the smaller pockets on the inside. Then I usually have a jacket and sometimes a sweater too, in the front zip. Some snacks and a pair of over the ear headphones in the top zip, and a water bottle tucked into one of the side pockets. Unfortunately I haven't gotten a chance to hike much with this pack yet. On a short weekend trip my setup was pretty much the same, but minus the books and folders adding more clothes, and filming equipment like a steady cam and drone. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the great review. I have mine in blue and quite like it. At first I was not so happy with the capacity - it is so wide and spacious that everything bunches up at the bottom. Aside from that, the pack is awesome. I found it too spacious from my everyday carry, so now it is my business-travel companion. One thing - not sure why you mention it being heavy (twice). It is absolutely among the lightest of Urban/Outdoor hybrid packs. It weighs a mere 680g. That is nothing... The North Face Kaban weighs over 1 Kilo. Which packs are you benchmarking it against in terms of weight - I'd love to know which backpack with all of these features and capacity weighs less :-)
Yes, I still use this pack all the time. I recommend the 25L if you’re going to be carrying a laptop because it has a dedicated padded laptop sleeve inside. The padding on the straps is also going to be a bit thicker so it’ll be more comfortable with heavier loads. If you’re not hauling a bunch of stuff though, and looking for something that will pack up small than the 26L might be a better option.
@@DansVoyage Thank you for response I plan on buying and using it for university to hold my 15.6 in laptop, a 20 oz water bottle and a medium sized text book
That’s actually what I use mine for primarily. Since it does a good job at warding off water it’s not too bad. The downside is that there isn’t a dedicated camera area, and it isn’t 100 percent waterproof, but I fit my camera, mic, tripod, computer and other stuff into it no problem.
Hey Jordan sorry for the late reply! It isn't really maybe half and inch or so, but when you set the bag down the bottom of the laptop will basically be on the ground.
@@DansVoyage No worries! I actually ended up buying the bag and absolutely love its roominess. I also wanted to note that the padding on the backpack actually seems to curl under the bag a little as well, so in that sense the laptop has an extra layer of padding underneath it in addition to the sleeve padding itself. Unfortunately one thing that irks me is that the bottom of the bag seems to slide out whenever it's set on the ground when you want to open it up. A little grip tape on the bottom may help. Thanks for the review!
Nice video, thank you.
Next time you may show the bag on your back, how it looks, and to see how big or small it appears.
Thanks again :-)
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank for the suggestion about how to display it next time.
Hey there, thanks for the awesome review! Exactly what I needed!
No problem!
Perfect. Thank you! I was looking for an every day bag for my gym stuff and work stuff.
Hey man. This video has been out for a while and I watched it at least twice before finally deciding to get the Blackhole 25l. The pack is pretty cool - I have to say. And it most surely has more than 25 liters of capacity... What put me off at first is that there are no compression straps. Would have been great for Hiking poles or a tripod - I usually put them in the water bottle pocket and use the compression straps (for example on the Arcteryx Brize 25) to keep them in place. Anywho - I accidentally decided to keep the Black Hole by forgetting to return it on time :-) And I'm glad I did. It is a great pack, and I would highly recommend it.
Thanks for the feedback! Yeah I totally feel you on the compression straps thing. I’ve tried to put a full-size tripod in before and it just falls out. I still use it everyday though and it’s been great for me too.
@@DansVoyage So I did the math :-) According to the dimensions given for the bags, the Brize 25 has a volume of 25.7 litres, and the Black Hole 25 actually has a whopping volume of 32.24 litres :-) Funny how no one ever mentions this fact. Wonder why Patagonia advertises it as less than what it holds? Anyhow, another reason to get this bag.
Wow, yeah. Nice dude. Thanks for the info. A lot of time if I’m going somewhere for just the weekend, this bag is all I need.
I love the bucket or clam shell opening backpacks, as well as backpacks that have a side zipper entrance for you to access the main compartment, and a shoe compartment at the bottom. I wish brands would consider more adding these features to their backpack products
I totally agree! Do you have a pack that has a side zip?
The second pocket (for iPad presumably) could really use a retention strap at the top so the iPad doesn't slide out if the pack is tossed in an overhead compartment on a flight. Or even laid down under the seat. When I saw this in the store it seemed like a water bottle probably won't fall out easily because the Black Hole glossy surface treatment is grippy. Not sticky to the touch, but grippy if you try to rub your hand on it.
I have mixed feelings about the Black Hole lineup. They have been a huge seller for Patagonia in the duffels, and North Face and others are copying them (but they might be copying Ortlieb). I really have doubts whether someday the surface isn't going to start splitting or cracking. The material looks great though.
I haven’t tested out that pocket much, but as far as the water bottle slipping out, you got it right. I use both regularly and I haven’t had any slippage issues. I’ve had mine for around 11 months and the pack still looks brand new. I plan on traveling extensively soon and hope I stays that way.
Guys get the fluroscent green color.
It's sick
Very helpful, thank you!
Of course! If you have anything else you want to know just let me know. :)
Could you do a packing example with this pack? Travel gear, school stuff, and hiking stuff? I really liked this review but I'd like to see what all it could fit! Thanks. :)
For sure! So on a typical day I have my 15 laptop, the charging cord in the back pockets, three folders in the main compartment, a change of clothes (running shorts, gym shirt, and running shoes) and a few books also in the main compartment. I also typically have some pens, and random school stuff in the smaller pockets on the inside. Then I usually have a jacket and sometimes a sweater too, in the front zip. Some snacks and a pair of over the ear headphones in the top zip, and a water bottle tucked into one of the side pockets. Unfortunately I haven't gotten a chance to hike much with this pack yet. On a short weekend trip my setup was pretty much the same, but minus the books and folders adding more clothes, and filming equipment like a steady cam and drone. Hope this helps!
Awesome, thanks for the reply!
I have this pack. It's a great pack. Good size zipper pocket.
Thanks for the great review. I have mine in blue and quite like it. At first I was not so happy with the capacity - it is so wide and spacious that everything bunches up at the bottom. Aside from that, the pack is awesome. I found it too spacious from my everyday carry, so now it is my business-travel companion. One thing - not sure why you mention it being heavy (twice). It is absolutely among the lightest of Urban/Outdoor hybrid packs. It weighs a mere 680g. That is nothing... The North Face Kaban weighs over 1 Kilo. Which packs are you benchmarking it against in terms of weight - I'd love to know which backpack with all of these features and capacity weighs less :-)
It's not heavy at all! One if the lightest on the market actually.
great review
Thank you!
bought this recently, seems like the quality of it went way down. Padding feels cheap and the pen slots and what not aren't there. So strange
Do you still use this pack? Do you suggest I get the Blackhole 25L or Lightweight Black Hole Backpack 26L to use every day at university?
Yes, I still use this pack all the time. I recommend the 25L if you’re going to be carrying a laptop because it has a dedicated padded laptop sleeve inside. The padding on the straps is also going to be a bit thicker so it’ll be more comfortable with heavier loads. If you’re not hauling a bunch of stuff though, and looking for something that will pack up small than the 26L might be a better option.
@@DansVoyage Thank you for response I plan on buying and using it for university to hold my 15.6 in laptop, a 20 oz water bottle and a medium sized text book
@@ThirstQuencher_ Sweet. It will be perfect for that.
Got the green one ☝️ it’s dope 130 but well worth it
Would it be any good at being a camera bag?
That’s actually what I use mine for primarily. Since it does a good job at warding off water it’s not too bad. The downside is that there isn’t a dedicated camera area, and it isn’t 100 percent waterproof, but I fit my camera, mic, tripod, computer and other stuff into it no problem.
A little bit of a late comment but does anyone know if it could stretch a bit to fit a 17’’ laptop?
Hi! I was wondering if the laptop sleeve was also suspended above the bottom of the bag? Thanks!
Hey Jordan sorry for the late reply! It isn't really maybe half and inch or so, but when you set the bag down the bottom of the laptop will basically be on the ground.
@@DansVoyage No worries! I actually ended up buying the bag and absolutely love its roominess. I also wanted to note that the padding on the backpack actually seems to curl under the bag a little as well, so in that sense the laptop has an extra layer of padding underneath it in addition to the sleeve padding itself. Unfortunately one thing that irks me is that the bottom of the bag seems to slide out whenever it's set on the ground when you want to open it up. A little grip tape on the bottom may help. Thanks for the review!
What's the tattoo mean?
Depending on the orientation, either earth or air.
Will this one fit under an airplane seat??
Yes it will! I put my valuables in it when I fly.
Hey there, thanks for the awesome review! Exactly what I needed!