Wirecutter

The Allpa’s clamshell design makes organizing your things simple. The strap design lets you easily wear this durable bag on your back or carry it in your hand while you’re on the move.

Best for Most

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walmart

bazaarvoice

expert-review

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack Review | Pack Hacker

The Mother Lode offers the organizational features most travelers want, at an affordable price. However, it’s not as comfortable as pricier options, and it can expand well past the limits of most overhead bins.

Upgrade Pick

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OutdoorGearLab

What we like: Versatility, thoughtful design (with lots of mesh pockets and cubbies), carrying comfort, and ample capacity make this the go-to bag wherever you’re going.

What we don't like: It might not fit under the seat if you fill it to capacity.

Patagonia is known for its durable material, and this is certainly the case with the Black Hole MLC. The fabric comes from their extremely durable line of expedition duffel bags &mdash; with which we are intimately familiar and infinitely impressed. Not only is this bag durable, but it is well organized and has enough features to be useful for a variety of travel adventures. The characteristic we are most impressed with is its packability. The soft body and clamshell style allows for ultimate stuffing potential, and the mesh dividers provide full visibility into each compartment when the bag is open. 
If we have to get nit-picky, we would note that the shoulder straps are not the most comfortable for a hefty load or long-distance travel. Due to its lack of structure, the bag also tends to feel lumpy if not loaded intentionally. We found that this was a non-issue as long as you put your softer clothing closer to the back panel to avoid anything protruding while using it as a backpack. Otherwise, there is little to complain about regarding the MLC and its excellent construction.

Consumer Reports

Patagonia is known for its durable material, and this is certainly the case with the Black Hole MLC. The fabric comes from their extremely durable line of expedition duffel bags &mdash; with which we are intimately familiar and infinitely impressed. Not only is this bag durable, but it is well organized and has enough features to be useful for a variety of travel adventures. The characteristic we are most impressed with is its packability. The soft body and clamshell style allows for ultimate stuffing potential, and the mesh dividers provide full visibility into each compartment when the bag is open. 
If we have to get nit-picky, we would note that the shoulder straps are not the most comfortable for a hefty load or long-distance travel. Due to its lack of structure, the bag also tends to feel lumpy if not loaded intentionally. We found that this was a non-issue as long as you put your softer clothing closer to the back panel to avoid anything protruding while using it as a backpack. Otherwise, there is little to complain about regarding the MLC and its excellent construction.
Read more: Patagonia Black Hole MLC review

Budget Pick

yotpo

Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC Travel Backpack Review

A great starter option for one-bag travel, the Farpoint is easy to pack, adaptable to most situations, and sturdy enough to take with you as you travel the world. And it’s backed by a lifetime warranty.

powerreviews

What we like: The polished look makes it board-room ready. Smart organization, generous capacity and compression straps let you squeeze your mobile office—and a change of clothes—into tight spaces.

What we don't like: The lack of a waste strap leaves your shoulders carrying all of the pack’s weight.

Travel Backpack Comparison