Unlike its smaller sibling, this pack eschews the external rails on the handle side. In their place, you’ll find a pair of hideaway backpack straps. Yet, it still has the telescoping handle. Furthermore, it has a removable shoulder strap.

For those keeping score, that means you can carry this bag four different ways: on its wheels with the handle extended, on your back like a regular backpack, or by its suitcase-style carry handles. (Okay, five ways, since there are two carry handles.)

Patagonia Black Hole MLC Wheelie two colorways
Along with the all-black version, the MLC Wheelie boasts two other colorways.
Patagonia

Black Hole, son!

The 45L size of the MLC Wheelie was chosen for a particular reason: travel. More specifically, it was chosen because it means this bag meets the carry-on standards of even smaller aircraft.

In fact, that’s what MLC stands for: Maximum Legal Carry-on.