Franz Eliz
As a petite person, I always avoid travelling with a lot of stuff for reasons like mobility, convenience, and peace of mind. Hence, finding the right backpack for keeping all my travel essentials is always a priority. My ideal bag is comfortable, lightweight, carry-on-friendly, and durable – like the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L.
Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L is a packable tote backpack by Patagonia, perfect for everyday use or travel. This versatile backpack is made from 100% recycled nylon. The bag features hidden pockets for storing the bag’s mesh harnesses when not in use.
Despite lacking organisational pockets, the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L remains practical, regardless. For that reason, it has been my go-to bag for several years. If you’re interested in this tote pack, keep reading as I explore its features and whether or not it’s worth buying.
The No-Fuss Everyday Bag
If you want a practical bag for everyday use, be it for shopping or when hanging out with friends and family, you might want to consider the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L. It’s a tote+backpack that can be carried on both or either side of the shoulders.
While the bag can be carried by hand, I don’t do it much as carrying it that way isn’t as comfortable as carrying it on the shoulders whether in a tote or backpack mode. Plus, I’m short, so carrying the bag by hand is not practical as the bag, unfortunately, is close to the ground.
Now, why do I consider the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L a no-fuss everyday bag? Well, that’s because it’s lightweight and very easy to use. It’s not gimmicky, at least in my opinion, and does what any good bag should do – carry stuff without breaking down easily.
Also, as it’s made by Patagonia, a company well known for its high-quality and sustainable products, I feel great carrying this bag wherever I go, even while travelling overseas.
Reasons To Own the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L
There’s a lot to like about this tote pack by Patagonia, from its design to material quality. Sure, it might not be the best backpack out there, but it works well in many situations.
In my opinion, it’s an excellent bag despite it being underrated. I’ve owned one for about four years now. Up to this date, the bag is still holding up and going strong. Now, let me explain why I love this bag.
The Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L Is a Versatile Bag
This tote pack is made of quality nylon material, meaning it is strong and durable and can tolerate even rough handling or heavy loads. The bag feels comfortable on the shoulder when not heavy. However, carrying it in backpack mode is best when the bag is heavy.
The bag has a pair of comfortable mesh harnesses that can be stowed away in hidden pockets. To hide the shoulder harnesses, simply access the velcro opening on the hidden top pocket located at the back of the bag. At the bottom of the bag, there are small holes on each side to hide the strap clips. There’s also an adjustable sternum strap for more support when carrying the bag in backpack mode. I usually don’t need the sternum strap.
Apart from having mesh harnesses that can be stowed away in hidden pockets, the bag itself can be packed into its own pocket, similar to many packable jackets today..
It’s Lightweight, Easy To Carry, and Can Carry a Lot of Stuff
Made with recycled nylon ripstop, this Patagonia tote bag may be lightweight – weighing only 370 g (13.05 oz) – but is tough. I’m impressed by the content amount it can carry. There’s no need to worry about carrying heavy groceries or books – this bag can carry them. I often take mine to markets, malls, and even overseas while travelling.
To ensure the longevity of the bag, I usually wear it like a backpack when it’s heavy. While it’s possible to carry the bag in tote mode even when heavy, I find it uncomfortable and might just shorten the bag’s lifespan.
There Are Multiple Pockets for Some Organisations
Having multiple pockets in a bag is useful, especially when travelling. While the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L doesn’t have as many organisation pockets as many modern backpacks today, it’s still a fairly good multi-pocket bag for everyday use.
The bag has a big front pocket for keeping small items, like makeup, food, etc. I usually use the front pocket to keep lip balm, tissues, or anything I need quick access to.
There’s an internal zip pocket where more small items can be stored, including coins, feminine products, socks or underwear, and so on. The internal pocket also comes with a key keeper, which is a nice touch to the bag. It also packs the bag when not in use.
On each side of the bag is a double stretch-mesh water bottle pocket. I usually use the side pockets for keeping my water bottle and umbrella. Some days I use the pockets to store other things, including food or beach slippers. Note: If you want to store footwear more discretely, consider wrapping it up in a non-transparent plastic.
The bag doesn’t have a laptop compartment, which might be a bummer for some people. But it doesn’t bother me. My laptop has its own cushiony cover.
The Bag Is Ideal for Minimalist Travel
If you’re looking for a simple backpack that’s easy to use, lightweight, and durable, the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L might be worth looking into. As discussed, this bag has multiple pockets for keeping small items, including an umbrella and a water bottle, and it’s packable when not in use. For these reasons, it makes a good secondary travel bag. I often use it as my main bag.
The backpack may lack a more practical organisation system when compared to savvier travel bags such as the Cotopaxi 25L Allpa travel bag or the AER TP3. But it still is a pretty solid bag. The lack of organisational pockets can be solved with packing cubes. When travelling, I usually have 2 to 3 packing cubes for keeping electronics and clothes.
This tote bag has a drawstring at the front side for tightening the bag. The Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L also has compression straps within its main compartment.
It’s Carry-On-Friendly and Goes Easily Under the Plane Seat
One of the best things about the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L is how light it is. Despite being only 27L, it can carry plenty of stuff, from clothing to electronics. When packed with travel essentials, my bag usually weighs between 9 and 10 kg.
Even when fully packed, the bag can still fit nicely under the plane seat, even on budget planes. That’s cool as I always prefer having my bag close to me. On public buses and trains, I can easily keep my tote bag next to my legs, against the wall, on my lap, or in the luggage compartment.
A Bit of Rain Won’t Hurt the Bag As It’s Weather-Resistant
The Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L is weather-resistant, meaning it can handle a bit of rain and cold or hot weather. I’ve travelled with mine in Asia, New Zealand, and Europe. The bag has no problem handling light rain, little spills, or hot and humid Malaysian or Thai weather.
So far, I have never used it with a rain cover, but I do recommend getting one for the best rain coverage. Usually, I store my stuff in waterproof bags or plastic bags to ensure my belongings stay dry. Water will quickly sip through when the bag is exposed to heavy rain.
What I Dislike About the Backpack
The Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L is an excellent bag, in general. But it’s not perfect and has some downsides. Here are a few downsides:
A Lack of a Hip Strap Is a Bummer
One of the downsides is how heavy it can get when fully loaded. I often use this bag for carrying groceries, so when the bag is filled up, the weight does impact my mobility. Plus, the heavy loads cause my shoulders to turn red by the time I arrive home.
That said, it would’ve been nice if the bag had a hip strap to provide better support when carrying heavy loads. Perhaps the bag was not designed to be a heavy-duty bag. It’s more like a bag that you take to the farmer’s market or when doing a short city exploration.
I found a way to add an external hip strap to the bag. It works (sort of) but doesn’t look all that appealing. For that reason, I often leave out the hip strap and just use the bag as it is.
It Doesn’t Always Look Attractive
Another downside is how the bag looks when used to its full capacity or when barely filled up. Okay, so this tote bag is 27L, meaning it can carry plenty of stuff. But when it doesn’t have a lot of content, it can look rather empty and unnecessarily big. When fully packed, it doesn’t look boxy; rather, it looks short and roundish, which some might find funny-looking.
The Patagonia 20L Atom Tote Pack looks more attractive from behind compared to the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L, in my opinion. Of course, their designs are slightly different, with the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L looking more like your everyday tote bag.
Mud Stains Don’t Easily Go Away
I brought this bag backpacking in Southeast Asia. It worked fine. But I had it dirty while travelling in the Vietnamese countryside during a road trip. The area I was exploring was pretty muddy, so as you can imagine, the bag had mud stains on it. Even after having it washed, the brown stains (from the mud) didn’t go away. I have the black version, so the stains stand out.
Where Can You Wear This Bag?
You can wear this bag anywhere, be it in cities, rural areas, or even jungles. It’s a pretty solid bag, made of 70-denier 100% post-consumer recycled nylon ripstop material. The bag features a silicone face coat and a polyurethane back coating, meaning it’s tough and durable.
Go ahead and use the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L for shopping, seeing the world, or enjoying your favourite outdoor activities. The 27L volume is usually enough to keep between a few days and a week’s worth of clothes. Often, I take it with me for staycations and short overseas trips.
Since the bag is packable, it makes a great second bag. Being able to keep it on standby means I have an extra bag ready in case I decide to do some shopping abroad.
In addition, the bag’s fabric is certified as bluesign® approved, meaning it’s safe for both humans and the environment. After having it used for several years, I noticed that my bag has two tiny holes on the front side. Nevertheless, they’re not a reason for me to start looking for another bag. As stated earlier, consider getting a rain cover for the bag. The rain cover can also protect the bag from abrasion and dirt.
Do I Recommend the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L?
I recommend the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L to anyone looking for a versatile everyday bag that can be worn in either tote, handbag, or backpack mode. Weighing only 370 g (13.05 oz), this bag is easy to carry and keep, making it a great second bag, even as a primary travel bag.
The Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L comes in various colours, such as black, obsidian plum, husk tan, passage blue, and burl red. Those who don’t mind wearing bags that “pop” may consider all the colour options available, except black. I personally prefer the black version as I find it more sophisticated looking.
It’s also worth noting that Patagonia offers their customers some perks when buying from them. Patagonia customers can enjoy a free product lifetime repair or replacement. Also, Patagonia’s Ironclad Guarantee allows for product returns should customers not be satisfied with their orders at the time they receive them.
Wow, everything seems good.
However, This Bag Might Not Be for Everyone
In New Zealand, each bag currently sells at NZ$279.99 (about US$137). Some people may find the price rather hefty, which I can also agree with. It’s definitely not the most affordable tote bag out there.
As of the date of this publication, I found the Patagonia US website selling the tote bag at US$99. There are used ones on the US website, selling at a slightly lower price of US$80.
Even though I like this bag and recommend it to people who want to travel light, I advise them to check out other bags as well if it means not burning a hole in their pockets. If price is not a concern, then by all means go ahead and purchase the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L.
A Significant Price Increase in Recent Years
I always thought that consumer items such as bags typically go down in price over time, but not the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L.
Back in 2019, I bought the bag for only NZ$150 (about US$89). It seems that the price has gone up significantly in the past four years, probably due to inflation. That’s over NZ$100 increase. If I were to sell my Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L today, I could probably sell it for half its current price.
Some might find the price increase a good thing, though.
It Might Be Worth It
So, if the bag is expensive, why would anyone want to buy it? As discussed, if the price tag isn’t a concern, by all means, go ahead and buy it if you like it. There’s no need to worry about the product quality; this bag will accompany you for years to come as long as you care for it or do not lose or sell it.
I’ve had mine for several years now. The bag basically accompanies me almost everywhere I go and I use it almost every day. In a year, the daily cost of using the bag is just NZ$0.40 (about US$0.23). With proper care, I believe my bag could even last for 10 years or more. To me, it’s worth it. Maybe it would be the same for you.
But don’t take my word; please do your due diligence to help you decide whether or not it makes sense to buy the bag.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L is a great bag, whether for travel or everyday use. Since it’s a strong and durable bag – despite being lightweight – it makes an excellent bag for doing groceries, storing school or work supplies, packing for a weekend trip, or travelling overseas.
While I do recommend the bag to anyone looking for a lightweight and practical multipurpose bag, I also advise considering other similar options in the market as well. For what it is, the Ultralight Black Hole® Tote Pack 27L isn’t a cheap bag.
