Anyone using a Patagonia Black Hole Pack 25L as their only bag on strict personal‑item‑only trips? I’m thinking of buying one secondhand to avoid carry-on fees on ultra‑budget airlines and to use as my all‑in‑one bag for 4-7 day trips. I’m a beginner at one‑bag travel and mostly do hostels, buses, and lots of walking in cities. Real‑world experiences would help more than specs. What I’m trying to figure out: Personal‑item fit: Has anyone actually put the 25L into the sizers for Ryanair/EasyJet/Wizz/Spirit/Frontier? If you underpack it, will it pass as an under‑seat item without getting flagged? Comfort with weight: How does it feel for 8-12 km days carrying 6-8 kg? Any hot spots on shoulders or lower back? Does the back panel get super sweaty? Weather: In a proper downpour, how long before water gets in through the zips? Is a rain cover still necessary or overkill? Airport/security workflow: With the top-opening design, is it annoying to pull out liquids/laptop in line? Does the laptop sleeve handle a 14" and still leave space for packing cubes? Packing shape: Can it take two small packing cubes plus a pair of sandals without bulging weirdly? Any tricks to give it structure (thin foam sheet, folder, etc.) so it stands upright? Durability quirks: Any peeling/delamination or zipper issues on older versions? Does the shiny fabric scuff or look too flashy for low‑profile travel? Repairs on the road: If I buy it used, has anyone actually used Patagonia’s repair/guarantee while abroad? Worth it vs just going with a cheaper Decathlon/Quechua/REI alternative from the start? Hostels and buses: Can you lock the main zippers together with a tiny cable lock? Are the daisy chains useful for strapping a jacket or flip‑flops without sagging? Secondhand price check: What’s a fair used price you’d pay in US/EU for good condition? Alternatives: If your goal is “personal item only, walks well, good in rain, cheap,” what specific model would you choose instead? Context: I’d pack 2 tees, 1 pants/shorts, 3 underwear/socks, lightweight fleece, rain shell, toiletries, 14" laptop + charger, small camera, packable tote, and a 1L bottle. Reasonable in 25L, or should I look at a sleeker 20-22L with better squish? Any firsthand airline sizer stories, packing photos, or comfort notes would be super helpful.

Patagonia Black Hole Pack 25l

dealsonthego

Anyone using a Patagonia Black Hole Pack 25L as their only bag on strict personal‑item‑only trips?

I’m thinking of buying one secondhand to avoid carry-on fees on ultra‑budget airlines and to use as my all‑in‑one bag for 4-7 day trips. I’m a beginner at one‑bag travel and mostly do hostels, buses, and lots of walking in cities. Real‑world experiences would help more than specs.

What I’m trying to figure out:

Personal‑item fit: Has anyone actually put the 25L into the sizers for Ryanair/EasyJet/Wizz/Spirit/Frontier? If you underpack it, will it pass as an under‑seat item without getting flagged?
Comfort with weight: How does it feel for 8-12 km days carrying 6-8 kg? Any hot spots on shoulders or lower back? Does the back panel get super sweaty?
Weather: In a proper downpour, how long before water gets in through the zips? Is a rain cover still necessary or overkill?
Airport/security workflow: With the top-opening design, is it annoying to pull out liquids/laptop in line? Does the laptop sleeve handle a 14" and still leave space for packing cubes?
Packing shape: Can it take two small packing cubes plus a pair of sandals without bulging weirdly? Any tricks to give it structure (thin foam sheet, folder, etc.) so it stands upright?
Durability quirks: Any peeling/delamination or zipper issues on older versions? Does the shiny fabric scuff or look too flashy for low‑profile travel?
Repairs on the road: If I buy it used, has anyone actually used Patagonia’s repair/guarantee while abroad? Worth it vs just going with a cheaper Decathlon/Quechua/REI alternative from the start?
Hostels and buses: Can you lock the main zippers together with a tiny cable lock? Are the daisy chains useful for strapping a jacket or flip‑flops without sagging?
Secondhand price check: What’s a fair used price you’d pay in US/EU for good condition?
Alternatives: If your goal is “personal item only, walks well, good in rain, cheap,” what specific model would you choose instead?

Context: I’d pack 2 tees, 1 pants/shorts, 3 underwear/socks, lightweight fleece, rain shell, toiletries, 14" laptop + charger, small camera, packable tote, and a 1L bottle. Reasonable in 25L, or should I look at a sleeker 20-22L with better squish?

Any firsthand airline sizer stories, packing photos, or comfort notes would be super helpful.