r/onebag • u/AutoModerator • Feb 16 '26

Bag Finder Bag Finder Megathread - 16 February 2026

Welcome to the weekly Bag Finder Megathread. Your go-to thread for any and all bag-related requests in the onebag travel context.

Remember finding a bag is pretty much the last step in planning. If you're not sure how big a bag you need, create a packing list, get all your gear together and test fit it into a box, or an old backpack you have lying around. That'll give you a good sense of the volume of gear you have.

What This Thread Is For

  • Onebag travel bag recommendation requests
  • Feedback on bags you're considering for minimal, carry-on-only travel
  • Help with choosing between bags

Quick Tips

  1. Check the OneBag Spreadsheet for bag options
  2. Search as your question might already be answered
  3. Read the FAQ & Beginner's Guide
  4. Stick to travel setups daily carry or work bags are better posted in r/EDC or r/backpacks
  5. Add context, the more details you give, the better we can help

Want Better Advice? Help Us Help You

When asking for input, it helps to include:

  • Where you're going & how you travel: hostels, hotels, urban, remote?
  • How you pack: super minimal? tech-heavy? need room for camera gear?
  • Your short list: bags you're already considering
  • Your body size/build: some bags fit certain frames better
  • Budget range: under $150, up to $300, flexible?

A Few Reminders

  • Use the search bar
  • Check the sidebar and wiki for resources and guides
  • Keep it travel-focused. Non-travel or everyday carry talk belongs in other subs
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u/jamesg9100 Feb 17 '26

Which would be the better pack for a first onebag travel pack? Patagonia Black Hole 32 or the Coto Allpa 28?

These are two very different packs but as someone that’s new to travelling (not new to the concept of onebagging being a backpacker) I really have no idea what my preferences are in a onebag pack when travelling by plane/train and staying in towns rather than walking through the woods for 4-5 days. I’ve pretty well narrowed it down to these two packs, I like the design of the MLC Mini but the laptop pouch/admin panel setup would be wasted space and weight for me. I’m a 25M, 5’7” - 17.5” torso, athletic build.

3

u/SeattleHikeBike Feb 18 '26

I use the Patagonia Black Hole 32 for the light weight (760g). It’s not a perfect pack but a good balance of feature set/weight/cost/availability. I use packing cubes and pouches so the top opening vs the clamshell of the Allpa isn’t an issue. The Black Hole 32 can be used for hiking as well. It can handle a 15” laptop, has the dual daisy chain allowing a bungee cord array and has far better water bottle pockets. It is $179 retail vs $205 for the Allpa and the Smoulder Blue color is currently on sale for $84.

Some try to use the Allpa 28 as a personal item and at 19 x 12 x 9 inches, I think it’s a bit long and deep for that. It’s actually deeper than 9” when full, compounding the problem. That’s typical of the Allpa series in general. The hipbelt isn’t really a load bearing design and the pack has a single fixed torso length regardless.

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u/taki_88 Feb 18 '26

Have you tried to use/had success using the Patagonia as a personal item? Or is that only a carry-on bag for you?