Patagonia Black Hole Waist Pack Review- The Slick One

I was first turned onto this pack by two amazing lady-shred friends during a recent trip over the winter to Sedona. My first response to seeing their packs was: “What, Patahoochie makes a fanny pack?” They both loved their pack for shredding the red and said it was super stable and held all the things they needed for most of their riding. I loved the way it looked and have plenty of other Patagonia gear, that I know is great quality so I figured I needed to test it out for myself.

Interested in our Hip Pack Shoot OUT? We tested and rated 8 different BUMBAGS. You ought to read it.

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Patagonia Black Hole Waist Pack pack is a boxy little pack with room for two water bottles, a front pocket for your phone and plenty of room to stash all you’d need for a ride up to about 2 hours.  This is my average ride time and this is not an average pack.  The fabric with its durable water repellant coating holds its shape, looks slick and keeps the water out so your snaks and phone don’t get soggy. The coating also makes it easy to wipe clean after a wet ride, while not leaving the pack stained.

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It’s a plus for me to have my fanny pack match my black hole gear bag and toilet bag. It makes me feel like a world traveller to have matching luggage. I love the color options that Patagonia offers, but basic black was the one for me.  It just goes with everything- being all the colors!

Carries 2 Bottles:

The Black Hole carries two bottles easily in the side stretch pockets that are cinched with webbing. I find it’s best to go with two smaller bottles on the sides for a balanced pack with the buckles evenly spaced and not squeezing into my “hip bones” or anterior iliac crests more specifically.

The wide side flaps are nicely padded and ventilate well when things heat up. As with most packs and my small waist, there is a lot of extra strap flapping around and the elastic keepers do a good job of collecting and stowing the excess.

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Where Do I Put My Keys?

If you are like me and tend to lose your keys easily, a key fob strap is essential.  This pack has one in the outside pocket that I keep my phone in. Both really do not fit safely for me in this pocket.  There is a stretch compartment in the main pack, but no key retention strap.  My keys sometimes get lost in the bigger main compartment and may inadvertently fly out when getting my jacket or snacks. I would prefer the strap sewn in the main compartment.

Patagonia Black Hole Waist Pack | $59 | Weight: 305 grams  | Dims: 16″ x 4″ x 6′” (LxWxH) 2L

?

• Nice size with two side bottle stretch sleeves if needed.
• Inexpensive.
• The pack looks slick literally due to the durable water repellant coating and is easy to wipe clean.
• Font facing pocket for easy phone access and thoughtful stretch internal pocket to keep things separated.
• Great color options (Of course I chose black:})

?

• No internal water bladder, if that is something you need.
• If you are small waisted and not using the water bottle holders the buckles dig into your hip bones a little when cinched really tight for the downhills.
• Water bottles are a little difficult to reinsert compared to other packs I’ve used.
• If packed super full and not cinched it can bounce around on repeated drops.
• Key retention strap in the wrong pocket for me.

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Bottom Line:

The Patagonia Black Hole Waist Pack is a nice alternative to the popular brands with a little extra “Patagonia” outdoor style. Surprisingly it does not carry the expected higher price tag that some of Patagonia’s other luggage does. I also love Patagonia’s commitment to the environment and ongoing support for environmental activists.  Solid features, low price and slick style make this pack easy choice.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]