Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L vs. Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $200 |
Feature by feature
| Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L | Feature | Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | Y |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 16in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 5 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 8.7-oz 300-denier | Axoflux 400D ripstop nylon |
Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×28×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L and Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L; Yes on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L; No on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L; 16in on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L; 5 on the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, sternum strap, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 169 accept both. 0 accept only the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L, and 7 accept only the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack.
Only the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack fits
Air Niugini, Belavia, Etihad Airways, Great Lakes Airlines, Qatar Airways, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L vs. Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack: which should you pack?
The Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L carries the same capacity as the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack (30L vs. 30L), while the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Alpaka Gear Traverse Backpack fits 93% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L; if you want to travel lighter, the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L is the better call.