How to choose the right Carry-on for you travels
Shopping . TravelThe Patagonia 40L Black Hole Duffel Bag is the best carry-on for international travel.
I was in need of new luggage. I really needed a whole set: Checked bag, Carry-on and backpack. After much research, and thought, I decided on going with a Duffel Bag for a carry-on, as I thought it would be easier than having two wheeled bags. (Read more about Duffel vs Wheeled)
Also, International Carry-on baggage dimensions are smaller than domestic USA. I needed one that would hopefully work for both. The wheeled carry-on bags that met international airline dimensions seemed so small when compared to the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel.
I went to REI, and compared the Thule Aion Carry-on spinner with the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel. The Patagonia Duffel was significantly lighter, and I was able to fit more than the Thule Aion wheeled Carry-on spinner.
I purchased the Patagonia 40L Black Hole Duffel Bag to use for my multi-country trip as a carry-on.
Baggage Dimensions for Airlines I travel on the most:
| Icelandair | 55 x 40 x 20 cm (21.6×15.7×7.8 inches) |
| SAS | 55 x 40 cm x 23 cm (8 kg) |
| Atlantic Airways | 55 x 40 x 25cm (8kg) |
| Iberia Express | 56 x 40 x 25cm (10kg) |
| El AL | 56 x 45 x 25 (Total 115 cm) |
| Lufthansa | 55 x 40 x 23 cm |
| Alaska Airlines | 56 x 36 x 23 (22 x 14 x 9in or 45 linear inches) |
| British Airways | 56 x 45 x 25 cm |
| American Airlines | 56 x 36 x 23 cm |
Technical Specs for Patagonia 40L Black Hole Duffel Bag
| Dimensions | 50 x 32 x 22 cm (19.7 x 12.5 x 8.5 inches) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 2 lbs. 7.5 oz. |
| Volume | 40L |
– The Patagonia Duffel Bag is lightweight with a large capacity. It has a high weight to volume ratio.
On my Icelandair flight out of BWI they made everyone place their carry-ons in the sizer at the gate. If the bag did not fit they made you gate check it for free. The Samsonite wheeled carry-on my sister had did not fit at all. They made you put it in the sizer on its side, and the wheels did not fit at all. My Patagonia Black Hole fit without any difficulty. The sizer was definitely smaller than the dimensions they advertise, and is also smaller than the actual overhead bins. This did not occur on other Icelandair flight that I took.
The Patagonia 40L Black Hole Duffel Bag fit easily in Icelandair overhead bins.
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag compared with Osprey Fairview 40 Travel Pack
In comparison to the Osprey Fairview 40 Travel Pack, the Patagonia seemed to fit more, and when fully packed it still fit in overhead bins. Because of the Osprey’s rounded shape, if overfilled you may have trouble fitting it in overhead bins. (On a previous Icelandair flight, fitting my Osprey Fairview 40 Travel Pack in the overhead bin was a struggle.)
The advertised dimensions are similar, but due to the shape, the bag my not fit if overstuffed. I was able to fit way more in the Patagonia Black Hole.
I personally prefer the rectangular shape and minimal design of the Patagonia. I used packing cubes for organization
| Dimensions | 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3 lbs. 7 oz. |
| Volume | 40L |
Reasons I love my Patagonia Duffel Bag:
- Lightweight
- Takes up minimal space for storage
- Larger capacity (no wheels to take up space)
- Less likely to be told to gate check your carry on
- Easier to run through airport to catch a flight
- Easier to walk down stairs (I recognized this benefit when deplaned onto tarmac in Iceland)
- Durability
- Can easily navigate rough terrain
- less worrying about if it will fit in overhead
- Backpack Straps – comfortable to wear
- Easy to pack
- Patagonia IronClad Guarantee
I am so happy with my purchase of the Patagonia 40L Black Hole Duffel Bag. I used it on my recent travels to Copenhagen, Faroe Islands, Reykjavik, Madrid, and Tel Aviv.