Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC Review

Our favorite aspect of the Black Hole Micro MLC is its interchangeable carry straps that easily convert it from a backpack to briefcase to shoulder bag.

Comfort and Fit

A simple design mixed with soft, pliable fabrics allow the Black Hole Micro MLC to form quickly to most body types, earning it solid scores for this metric.

No fancy stuff, this bag is simple and soft. Most of our testers liked the overall comfort and fit of the Patagonia. Both the shoulder straps and the back panel are lightly padded, so when heavily weighted, we did notice this bag's decreased ability to ride comfortably on our backs long term. However, the padding is adequate for carrying average cargos. The majority of this bag's fabric is soft recycled polyester. We really liked how plush and pliable it was and how easily it contoured our shoulders and back. However, don't expect a ton of support.

The Patagonia rides equally well on broad shoulders or smaller frames. It's simple design allows it to be very accommodating.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The shoulder straps don't offer a lot of padding, but they are extremely pliable. This allows them to mold around the contours of the upper body.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

There isn't much to this pack's back padding, but once again, it's very dynamic when it comes to fitting your body's shape.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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The Patagonia comes with a sternum strap, which helps bring a bit more structure. This pack's three additional grab handles are made from nylon webbing. They are large, well-placed and reasonably comfortable. When worn as a backpack, the Black Hole may be a little snug on larger bodies, but the majority of our testing crew was pleased with its fit. We loved the option of converting this pack into a shoulder bag; however, we didn't like that the shoulder strap doesn't have any padding.

We often opted for carrying our Patagonia on one shoulder. It works well that way too.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The top handle is larger and easy to grab.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

We liked the large double briefcase handles. Grab one or both.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Laptop Protection

Honestly, we think the Black Hole Micro is a little light on laptop protection, mostly because the overall pack lacks a bit of structure.

We loved this backpack's fabrics when it came to comfort, but we weren't as overwhelmingly satisfied with their protective nature. That's not to say this bag isn't reasonably tough, well-built, or water-resistant (our water tests showed it is). However, when compared with other models that have more substantial shells, we feel the Patagonia is simply thinner, less padded, and not as robust. That said, our testers consider a score of five to be average, so this pack is still slightly better than a typical bag.

Lining our Patagonia with a paper towel to help us detect water.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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The Black Hole opens like a clam shell, offering a two-sided main compartment. Its laptop protection consists of an open-ended laptop sleeve. We absolutely loved the convenience of its design, because we could access our device without having to open the entire case. However, we think a designated, zippered laptop compartment would be a better option.

Storage and Organization

We liked this bag's overall layout. We felt it was simple, accessible, and convenient. But, when it comes to organization, this model is fairly minimal and wide-open. Some of our testers liked this freedom, but others did not.

The Patagonia has a nice exterior pocket and a few interior ones, but that's about it. We loved that one entire side of its clam-shell format offers a zippered compartment that can hold one to two days' worth of clothing. This is an excellent option for travelers or people who like to take their gym clothes to work, but it may not make a lot of sense to other users. We loved this bag's exterior daisy chain loops. They make it easy to clip on a water bottle or other accessories (the Patagonia doesn't have a water-bottle pouch).

Ease of Use

We love easy. And, we think the Patagonia does it better than most packs in our lineup. If you like simple, minimal, and straightforward, this bag is definitely your jam.

The reason behind this pack's top scores, is its minimal design. Besides a few zippers and buckles, there's really not much else to this model. Additionally, its fabrics are scuff-resistant, it wipes down in a jiff, and the manufacturer even says it's machine-washable (although we chose to hand-wash ours).

Carrying our Patagonia briefcase-style into the hotel.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

We liked how the Patagonia's luggage strap allows it to sit sideways on our carry-on. We felt it was more stable and gave our hands more space.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Versatility

We absolutely loved this bag's versatility, particularly its ability to easily switch between three distinct carrying options.

The Black Hole is primarily a backpack, but it also can be carried like a briefcase. In fact, the shoulder straps can even be tucked away to give it a more professional appearance. We also loved the option of turning the Patagonia into a shoulder bag. Simply release the extra strap, clip it in, and wala. And, if you're headed for the airport, this pack has a luggage strap that allows it to ride on top of your carry-on.

Should You Buy the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC?

If you're on the move a lot and like the option of a laptop backpack that also acts like softshell luggage, we think the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC may be a great option for you. We also think this model will appeal to those with more minimal mindsets. This pack would be a great option for students, casual professionals, or travelers, although it isn't as tech-protective as others on our list.

What Other Laptop Backpacks Should You Consider?

The The North Face Recon is another backpack option created by an outdoor manufacturer. We've used ours for nearly a year and love it. The Evergoods Civic Panel Loader 24L also has a nice outdoorsy flair, but tones down the colors a bit to be more office appropriate, and it offers much better laptop protection than the Patagonia or the North Face. The WANDRD Nimbus 18 was one of our favorite bags for travel, also for its flexible packing space. Lastly, if you want something that offers a classier bent on the traditional laptop backpack, the Troubadour Apex Backpack 4.0 is really cool.