Gear Review: Patagonia Women’s Blackhole Backpack 23l

Are you trying to find out more about the Patagonia Blackhole backpack’s features, pros and cons, and wondering if its worth the price tag? Are you debating whether to get a 23l pack or a 25l and thinking how they might be different? Then this post is for you.

(My) Background

As a traveller, I’m a city hopper and a cyclist and not so much of an outdoor-mountain-climber-hiker-camper. I like my backpack to be comfortable, to look good and have easy access to things I need when I’m out and about or on the road.

For a long time, I have been using my Eastpak backpack for daily use and travelling. This backpack is light, durable, packs a lot and is comfortable to carry. However, a one-main-compartment-only pack was not ideal for carrying my 13” laptop (it caused me a backache) and I looked for a backpack with a laptop sleeve.

I would have liked Eagle Creek’s Wayfinder backpack which has a completely separate zip compartment for a laptop and a tablet. The direct access to your electronics means a smooth(er) airport security experience and just less hustle in general as you don’t have to fight with whatever else is in your bag when you want to reach for your laptop. However, currently Eagle Creek’s Wayfinder backpack with a separate electronic compartment comes only in 30l or 40l. That’s too big for my normal use.

I actually initially bought Patagonia’s 25l Blackhole backpack, but it was too… long (and big in a way) for my 5’1” (155cm) body.

So, here is my review of Patagonia Women’s Blackhole Backpack 23l.

Features

• zipped top pocket
• zipped front pocket
• main compartment closes with two-way zipper
• elastic mesh pockets on the side
• back system: body-contact back, designed for women
• backpack straps: breathable padded
• front daisy chain lash points + grab handle
• back loop/handle
• adjustable chest strap
• mesh pocket + key fob
• padded laptop compartment
• padded compartment for tablet / iPad
• hydration bladder compatible

What can you fit?

In my bag today: 13″ laptop, 10.5″ tablet, fleece top, capri trousers, packable jacket, bag with chargers and cables, bag with small clothing items (T-shirt, socks and underwear), wash bag (+ toiletries separated in a plastic bag for airport security), inflatable pillow, water bottle, book.

A zipped mesh pocket and the key fob in the main compartment. Nice for organisation, but when not in use and the pack is full to the top, you don’t even notice it.

Size is roughly 47cm x 28cm x 13/15cm and fits under the airplane seat.

By the way, I usually carry a small shoulder bag when I’m travelling and this is where I keep things like tickets and passport.

Pros 🙂

The look

For me it was love at first sight. It has this smart and unique look without being too ‘fashiony’ or too ‘mountainy’. They also often come in really pretty colours. The design is great and the backpack retains its stylish shape and is always super comfortable to carry whether it’s full or empty.

The material

As the name suggest, this backpack uses Patagonia’s Black Hole fabric – a 100% recycled ripstop polyester laminated with a TPU-film. It’s light but durable and any dirt can be wiped off really easily. The material itself offers good water resistance, but water can get in quite easily through the zippers when it rains.

The shoulder straps and the padding

This 23l backpack is designed to fit a women’s frame with curved shoulder straps and shorter torso length. It is so comfortable to carry and I feel well supported even when it’s full with a laptop, a tablet, a camera and all other bits and pieces. I like the chest strap which gives nice support when you need it, but at the same time it doesn’t bother you when you’re not using it as it’s small and not very long. No waist strap which is a plus for me as I simply don’t need it with my day backpack.

Side pockets

These side water bottle pockets are wonderful. They are stretchy, durable and hold a wide range of water bottle shapes. They are great also for other things that you want a quick access to, such as umbrellas, sunglass cases, hats, gloves, scarves etc… When not in use, they just sit flat against the pack which is fantastic.

Main compartment

I’m not usually a big fan of top loading packs, but this one opens wide and is spacious so I can see and access what’s inside pretty easily. It also closes with a two-way zipper which means I can secure it with a small lock when I’m travelling.

Cons 🙁

Laptop sleeve

I have a 13” laptop (in a plastic cover as you can see in the photo) which fits snuggly and comfortably in this pocket. I attempted to slot my laptop in whilst in a soft case. It kind of went in, but with a lot of struggle. The product description says this backpack is ‘suitable for a laptop up to 15inches’, but I’m not sure if all 15” laptops really fit in this space. If you are a 15” laptop user and if you can, visit a store and test before making a purchase.

Top zip pocket

Quick access to things and so spacious even my camera fits in easily. However, this is not an extra space and whatever you put in here, will eat up space in the main compartment. So, the more you have in this pocket the more it sticks out and is in the way and this can be annoying. Technically, the contents of the top pocket do not stop you from accessing the main compartment as it opens really wide, but the pocket swings down due to its weight and that is something I can do without.

Front zip pocket

Nice to have, but the opening is narrow and therefore has limited use. It’s good for small thin objects like a passport or a ticket, or a soft material like gloves. An A5 sized book with 2cm thickness actually does fit in comfortably once inside, but the process of putting it in and taking it out is not that comfortable. I had to squeeze the book in from the bottom and then grab the head and wiggle it out. I might miss my bus whilst trying to put my book back in this pocket!

Price

As much as I love this backpack and it has many great features, it is pricey and I personally wouldn’t pay £100 for it. At the end of the day, this is a simple backpack and not without minor flaws. I would say £70-80 would be more acceptable.

23l or 25l?

25l tends to have more colour options. I see many women using the 25l and it’s probably okay for a tall(er) person. For me (5’1”), the difference between 23l and 25l was big. 25l just did not fit right on my back and shoulders, whereas 23l feels like it’s an extension of my back – so comfortable to carry. For me, 23l is also not as deep and more manageable. I have just the right amount of space for my travel, commute, a day out or even for 1-2 night/s trip. 23l and 25l may not look too differently when you compare photos on websites, but if you are a not-very-tall-person like me, 23l is worth considering.

Conclusion

All in all, I’m very happy with my Patagonia Women’s Blackhole Backpack 23l. I like how the material is light and durable and enjoy the sleek look and beautiful colour. But most importantly, this is a backpack that I can carry with all of my electronic gadgets and everything else I need, so comfortably all day.