I recently ordered a Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L and a Cotopaxi Allpa 42L for a rugged travel carry-on comparison. I was puzzled by online threads claiming that the Cotopaxi could hold more despite its smaller liter measurement. So, I decided to do my own capacity measurements.
I used a ruler to measure the main compartments of both bags. The Patagonia Black Hole MLC measured at 15x50x34 cm, which translates to 25.5 liters. Surprisingly, this was only half of the advertised 45 liters. The Cotopaxi Allpa, on the other hand, had a total capacity of 33.75 liters, with dimensions of 15x50x30 cm (22.5 liters) and 10x45x25 cm (11.25 liters).
As I dug deeper, I found discrepancies between the actual and advertised capacities of these bags. The Patagonia Black Hole MLC, which was supposed to be 45 liters, only measured up to 39.4 liters in its full size. Similarly, the 55L Black Hole Duffel turned out to be 47.3 liters, not the advertised 55 liters. In contrast, the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L surpassed its advertised capacity, measuring at 54.4 liters instead of 42 liters.
The dimensions of the bags clarified the confusion further. The Cotopaxi Allpa measured at 56x36x27 cm, which aligned with its actual capacity. However, the Patagonia Black Hole MLC had dimensions of 56x37x19 cm, indicating a capacity of 39.4 liters rather than the advertised 45 liters.
Considering these findings and other specifications, the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L emerges as the superior choice. Its actual capacity exceeds the advertised 42 liters, making it a more spacious option than the Patagonia Black Hole MLC. Additionally, the dimensions of the Cotopaxi bag align better with its true capacity, unlike the discrepancy found in the Patagonia bag.
In conclusion, my measurements and analysis indicate that the Cotopaxi Allpa 42L offers more value in terms of capacity and size compared to the Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L. When it comes to rugged travel carry-ons, it’s essential to consider not just the advertised liter measurements but also the actual dimensions