LOCALadk Magazine

Summer 2015 LOCALadk Magazine 57 LOCALadk When we first started camping at spots that were only accessible by boat, our packing system was pretty sub- par. We lacked a good backpack or duffel bag for our clothes that was water resistant and moldable; some- thing easily stowed in the bow of a kayak. While the dry bags that we had worked, it was not easy to find a shirt you knew you packed but somehow wiggled down to the bottom of the bag. From kayak camping to packing for a day on the slopes, we found a great fit for our needs in the Patagonia Black Hole duffel bag. The Black Hole is a durable bag made of a strong 1,200-denier, highly weather-resistant polyester with a foam-padded bottom that protects your gear. Though the bag is not completely waterproof, the water repellant finish of the fabric repels light rain and decreases overall dry time. Its design enables the user to pick from three different and well-designed options for carrying - removable and adjustable shoul- der straps (handy for airport travel when straps need to be tucked away), side handles, and traditional grab handles. One of our favorite features of this bag is that you can wear it like a backpack. While the Black Hole does not fit nearly as well as your typical back- pack, it is still incredibly functional and perfect for those trips from the ski lodge when your hands are full of skis and poles. In terms of storage, the Black Hole comes in four different sizes, ranging from 45 to 120 liters. In the Black Hole line, there are also versions of the duffel bag with wheels, as well as a daypack style backpack and a messenger bag. We have the 60L bag, which we have found to be perfect for our needs. A U-shaped opening with large durable zipper provides access to the spacious compartment inside that contains two zippered mesh pockets. We have found that we can pack a lot of gear and clothing inside, compressing the gear as we close up the bag, and still feel comfortable zipping it shut without worrying about damaging the duffel. All sizes of the Black Hole duffels feature a quick access exterior pocket, perfect for a book, small electronic devices, plane tickets, etc. Four sets of dai- sy chains are located on the side of the duffel, allow- ing users to latch additional gear to the outside - very handy for keeping water bottles accessible. While we do not have any complaints about the bag, there are a few suggestions that we think would take the Black Hole duffel to the next level. For example, adding a few more zippered pockets on both the inside and outside would make the bag even more convenient for storing small items like keys or toilet- ries. It would also be beneficial to have a small com- partment near the top of the backpack straps, which would allow the straps to be easily stowed without completely removing them. Closing thoughts: Overall, we have found this to be a very durable and useful duffel bag for our weekend getaways. The Black Hole bag is well-designed, practical, and comes in various sizes and a selection of great colors. Retail Price: $99-$159 Gear Review By Evan Williams

• Cover