Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L vs. Able Carry Max EDC
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×30×18 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $200 |
Feature by feature
| Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L | Feature | Able Carry Max EDC |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| removable | Hip Belt | optional |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 17in |
| 3 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| 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 100% postconsumer recycled polyester ripstop with a postindustrial recycled TPU-film laminate | Ripstop - 1.47kg / 3.2lbs X-Pac - 1.55kg / 3.4lbs |
Able Carry Max EDC
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×30×19 cm |
| Airline fit | 92% |
| Price | $280 |
Key differences between the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L and Able Carry Max EDC
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L; Yes on the Able Carry Max EDC.
- Hip belt: Removable on the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L; Optional on the Able Carry Max EDC.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L; 17in on the Able Carry Max EDC.
- Main compartments: 3 on the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L; 6 on the Able Carry Max EDC.
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. 167 accept both. 0 accept only the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L, and 6 accept only the Able Carry Max EDC.
Only the Able Carry Max EDC fits
Air Niugini, Belavia, Etihad Airways, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian.
Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L vs. Able Carry Max EDC: which should you pack?
The Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L carries the same capacity as the Able Carry Max EDC (26L vs. 26L), while the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L is the lighter pack at 1.3kg (vs. 1.5kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Able Carry Max EDC fits 92% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L; if you want to travel lighter, the Patagonia Black Hole® Mini MLC® 26L is the better call.