anyway, for anyone who wants an MLC these days, you can get them for 100-135 discounted, online.

i saw the “elephant-ear” model selling on e-bay as well for around 150$.

so which model do you like better? the current MLC, or the elephant-ear one? and with the elephant ear, where did you store your laptop?

The Patagoina MLC lets you pack lightly but adequately UNDER its internal compression panel, leaving room on the other side for a “take off” (or “put on”) jacket or fleece. The external dimensions are modest compared to huge bags like the Rick Steves and Airboss. Yet the volume is distributed very efficiently, for packing, in a rectangular, not teardrop, layout.

So there is much to like about the Patagonia MLC – except its NAME!

The issues I have with it track Kevin’s:

1. The laptop slot is very wasteful of space – a great idea when laptops were 17″, but not so good for even a 13.3″ laptop, a 13.3″ rattles around unless you stuff clothing in there. Putting a smaller laptop in a neoprene case does protect against scratches from power brick prongs etc. and provides privacy while transiting security, but having to use a neoprene case is a bit of a penalty for the ultralight travelfan. At a minimum on the next update, I hope Patagonia puts a Velcro divider option in the laptop slot so it can be configured into two compartments instead of one. The other alternative is a strip of Velcro on the inside so a laptop case with corresponding Velcro strip can be anchored in place (the RickshawBags approach).

- also note that the laptop slot does not “suspend” the laptop against actual contact with the edge of the pack, the way the Patagonia daypacks do – with a suspension design you have MUCH better protection from “set down bumps”, which are actually the most common “shock”.

2. The MLC IS the smallest of the many convertible backpack/suitcase style travel bags I own or have inspected.

For a bag called the MLC or “maximum legal carryon” the smaller size is a big negative, certainly for the overly trusting shopper.

For me, the reduced size is a plus. Volume is reduced compared to the Airboss or to a Rick Steves Classic Pack, but since the shape if a perfect “suitcase rectangle,” packing is a breeze and there are no inefficiencies compared to a lumpy tear drop shaped day pack.

Patagonia is one of my favorite brands and I agree with you that some of Kevin’s negatives are nitpicks more than major flaws. On the other hand, they certainly are things I want to consider when really critically evaluating where to spend my shopping dollars. Your post is a valid counterpoint, but I wouldn’t really say either of you are 100% right or 100% wrong – certainly for a first time consumer, it’s better to have all the possible pluses and minuses out there to consider, and then make up our own mind. And the beauty of a blog is of course the back and forth opportunities in the comments section!

P.S. – imho, the reduced entry on the front slot pocket of the MLC makes it much harder to access stuff inside. Added security vs. added inconvenience …

“Patagonia did an excellent job of addressing one of the previous iteration’s weak points (the balky, hard to operate zippers) and the upgrade to the backpack straps is solid. As for the pocket(s) on the front of the bag, in my opinion they took a step backward. Nevertheless, the MLC remains a very nice bag and at the lower price, a good value.”

If you feel that the zippers used on luggage are a trivial matter, or that it doesn’t matter if a manufacturer misrepresents the dimensions of a bag, I don’t know quite what to say.