Following their wildly-successful Black Hole luggage range, Patagonia now offers a lighter-weight mutation, the Lightweight Black Hole™ 28L Gear Tote. I’ve been testing this bag on urban errands and outdoor adventures.
While the original line was built from 900-denier fabric, the new products are 210-denier. Not exactly wispy, but noticeably softer and more flexible. The ripstop nylon fabric is laminated to a TPU plastic, and sports a durable water-resistant finish.
The Patagonia Lightweight Black Hole™ 28L Gear Tote is about the size of a paper grocery bag but oriented with the widest sides on the bottom and the top (opening of the bag). So, it’s squat and wide, with a webbing-reinforced opening, a pair of shoulder straps, and featuring an internal pocket that’s meant for stowing the bag in (more on this in a moment). Clever pleating at the tote’s top and bottom helps it to stand open unsupported. For that reason alone I find myself taking it to the grocery store every single trip.
This bombproof carryall’s up to dirtier tasks as well; I recently tossed in a couple pairs of muddy hiking boots and various pieces of wet clothing after a romp in the woods. My one beef, and there truly is only one, is that I can’t pack the tote back into its smaller travel pouch. There’s just a touch too much bulk and stiffness.
Available in black, blue, and pink.
Bottom Line: This lightweight, packable tote takes a beating, doesn’t get wet, and holds a ton.
Manufacturer’s Site: Patagonia.com
$49 at Patagonia, REI, Moosejaw