The go-to Patagonia Black Hole Duffel receives a facelift with even more recycled fabrics. I haul it through airports, to national parks, and even to the pool to give you an in-depth look at the latest model.
Our bottom line | Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
There are a lot of options in the travel duffel category. The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel has earned its spot near the top of the pile through quality materials, bomber construction, and solid weather resistance. I find it to be a ridiculously versatile bag that I consistently reach for whether heading to a race or a family day at the lake. Sure, I have some minor gripes about its handles and straps, but overall this remains a favorite travel duffel bag. And, the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel lives up to its name as I find it surprisingly spacious in each size.
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel at a glance
Where the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel can improve
Let's start with some changes we'd like to see after using these duffels extensively:
Carry straps - I find that I most often use the duffel's backpack straps. They are removable and stow away easily. The same isn't true for the bag's handle straps. When using the backpack straps you either have to frequently snap and unsnap the handles or let them dangle off the duffel. It would be nice if you could tuck them out of the way when using the backpack straps. The snaps on the handles is my other complaint here. They take a fair amount of pressure to snap, making an already frustrating handle experience even worse. A simple hook-and-loop closure or integrated magnets would be a major upgrade.
No chest strap - Hauling the Black Hole Duffel on your back via the backpack straps is a primary feature of these bags. While not a deal breaker, I find myself wishing there was a chest strap when I'm on the move with a full duffel.
Price - Patagonia commands a premium price for premium materials and construction, but the REI Big Haul Duffel is 20-25% less expensive depending on size, making it a worthy option for some of you. When I bought my first Black Hole Duffel, I compared them side by side at REI and still chose the Patagonia, so price is only part of the story.
Features of all Patagonia Black Hole duffels
Let's start with the details that make the Black Hole Duffel a great choice for adventure. The body is constructed from 900-denier 100% recycled polyester with a post-industrial recycled Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) laminate. TPU is a lightweight and flexible way to add weather and abrasion resistance to the bags.
Patagonia has a page dedicated to their use of recycled TPU:
https://www.patagonia.com/our-footprint/recycled-tpu.html
The duffel's liner is a 200-denier 100% recycled polyester with a Polyurethane (PU) coating. Inside and out, these duffels are constructed for adventure. Another notable build detail is the padded base. Not only does it provide structure to the bag, it also protects your duffel's contents from rough terrain and getting tossed around. I use both the 55L and 70L versions of the Black Hole Duffel, and the padded base is one of the features I didn't fully consider at purchase but has become a standout against other standard haul bags in my garage.
Patagonia's Black Hole duffels also feature removable backpack straps across all four sizes. The lower end of the backpack straps offer side-release buckles, allowing you to quickly get the straps out of your way when packing or digging through the bag. To completely remove the straps you feed them through plastic rings at the shoulder.
Inside each duffel you'll find a zippered mesh pocket on the underside of lid. The 70L and 100L versions feature a split pocket with two zippers.
The last common feature to call out is the side zippered pocket that allows internal access to the bag (via a second zipper) and also functions as the storage sack. I appreciate built-in storage when done properly. While it requires a methodical approach, as long as you roll the duffel the same each time, it will store nicely in the sack.
[photos / vid of rolling duffel and in storage sack]
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel sizes and uses
40L Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
MSRP: $159
Capacity: 40L (2,441 cu in)
Dimensions: 19.7" x 12.5" x 8.5"
Weight: 2 lbs 4.9 oz (1045 g)
The smallest member of the product line is a great choice for one- to two-night trips and is a great carry-on flight companion. It also works well as a gym bag or daily ride bag (i.e. helmet, shoes, and kit).
55L Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
MSRP: $169
Gear Capacity: 55L (3,356 cu in)
Dimensions: 22.8" x 13.3" x 9.5"
Weight: 2 lbs 9.6 oz (1180 g)
What might be considered the Goldilocks of the line, I am surprised with how much I can fit inside the 55L Patagonia Black Hole Duffel every time I use it. It's a great bag for a three- to four-day trip (more if you travel with fewer shoes than I do.) When it comes to airplanes, I've never had a problem using the 55L as a carry-on, even when others around me are being asked to gate check their luggage.
As mentioned earlier, I have used this size duffel for camping gear, packing for gravel races, stuffing family towels and goggles for the pool, as well as for work travel. Hand's down it has become the bag I go to when I want to chuck a bunch of stuff together and hit the road. My biggest wish is that I could remove or stow the duffel's handles as I never really carry the bag that way. When I do, I still seem to grab the backpack straps (which I have taken off only when I roll the duffel into its storage sack).
70L Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
MSRP: $199
Gear Capacity: 70L (4,272 cu in)
Dimensions: 26" x 14" x 11"
Weight: 3 lbs 0.1 oz (1365 g)
The 70L version of the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel is ideal for week-long trips. I think this size is great for family and group camp trips, stuffing a tent and some sleeping bags, or maybe ski boots and gear for two people. It starts to feel like an expedition bag without being as massive as the 100L duffel. You also get the split pocket for storage on the underside of the flap, which at this size becomes very useful. I actually think the 55L could benefit from this.
100L Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
MSRP: $219
Gear Capacity: 100L (6,102 cu in)
Dimensions: 29" x 15" x 13.3"
Weight: 3 lbs 8.3 oz (1595 g)
The largest in the line, the 100L Patagonia Black Hole Duffel is made for extended travel and hauling lots of gear. I have a few thoughts on this size. First, if you are primarily looking for something to support your air travel, then at this size the wheeled option may make more sense. My other insight based on experience with these duffels is that they can be unwieldy when they aren't fully packed. I think it may be the padded bottom as it gives the bag structure. There aren't compression straps, so the bag gets floppy when only half full.
Packing cubes become very important at this size, not only to keep items in place when not fully stuffed, but also for general organization. If you're like me, your gear is going to be a mess a few days into a trip from digging through the massive space of the 100L. All of that said, for expeditions and transporting gear for a group, this is your best option.