Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack vs. Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 35 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×31×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $260 |
Feature by feature
| Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack | Feature | Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 2 | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| front, side | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| hideable | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 16in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 3 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| X-Pac VX42 in Black Axoflux Recycled Fabric (POLY 600D) in Black, Army Green & Blue | 8.7-oz 300-denier 100% postconsumer recycled polyester ripstop with a postindustrial recycled TPU-film laminate |
Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $200 |
Key differences between the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack and Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L
- Compression straps: 2 on the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack; No on the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L.
- Passport pocket: Front, side on the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack; Top on the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack; Hideable on the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L.
- Hip belt: Hideable on the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack; Removable on the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L.
Both have: luggage passthrough, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, 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. 167 accept both. Every airline that takes one takes the other.
Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack vs. Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L: which should you pack?
The Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack carries 9L more than the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L (35L vs. 26L), while the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.6kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack fits 88% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Alpaka Gear Elements Travel Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L is the better call.