Waterfield Air Porter vs. Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Waterfield Air Porter
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 42×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $420 |
Feature by feature
| Waterfield Air Porter | Feature | Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 0 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | N |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 7 | Main Compartments | 2 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 1680 Denier black Ballistic nylon | 8.7-oz 300-denier 100% postconsumer recycled polyester ripstop with a postindustrial recycled TPU-film laminate |
Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L
| Capacity | 22 L |
| Weight | 0.9 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×30×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 94% |
| Price | $150 |
Key differences between the Waterfield Air Porter and Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L
- Opening: Other on the Waterfield Air Porter; Clamshell on the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L.
- Passport pocket: Top on the Waterfield Air Porter; No on the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L.
- Main compartments: 7 on the Waterfield Air Porter; 2 on the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Waterfield Air Porter; No on the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 178 accept both. 2 accept only the Waterfield Air Porter, and 0 accept only the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L.
Only the Waterfield Air Porter fits
Air Tahiti, Gulf Air.
Waterfield Air Porter vs. Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L: which should you pack?
The Waterfield Air Porter carries the same capacity as the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L (22L vs. 22L), while the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L is the lighter pack at 0.9kg (vs. 1.3kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Waterfield Air Porter fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Waterfield Air Porter; if you want to travel lighter, the Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC 22L is the better call.