Last Updated on November 3, 2024 by Bonnie
When it comes to luggage, Grant and I both generally prefer to carry backpacks rather than suitcases. I have been using the eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack since 2017. After 7 years and countless trips, it has proven to be a nearly perfect travel backpack. From durability to organization and functionality, this bag really has it all!
In fact, I love the bag so much, I bought the slightly updated version in 2023!
My first trip with the Mother Lode Travel Backpack was a week-long trip to Italy. Grant and I had previously done two month-long trips to Europe with different backpacks. But on those trips, we knew we had time to do laundry, so we only needed to pack about 5 days worth of clothes. Actually carrying a full week’s worth of clothes in a backpack was a true test.
Spoiler Alert: the Mother Lode backpack passed with flying colors! And, it has proven itself many times over on both long and short trips.
In this article, I’ll provide my full review of the eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack. And, no, this isn’t a paid review. I purchased the bag myself and am writing this review independently and without any collaboration with eBags. That said, we do have an affiliate relationship with Amazon, as outlined in our disclosure below.
Note: Samsonite purchased eBags in 2017 and, sadly, permanently closed the store in 2024. As of early November 2024, the Mother Lode Travel Backpack is no longer available for purchase. Supposedly, Samsonite plans to relaunch the Mother Lode line of products but I do not know when. I am following Samsonite emails in hopes of an announcement and will post an update if the bag is revived.
(Disclaimer: When we link to places where you can buy our stuff or places we stayed, we are using special codes that earn us commissions on the sales at no additional cost to you. Please see our Review Policy for more information.)
Why a Travel Backpack?
If you’re new to the idea of a backpack, that’s ok. I was skeptical at first, too. In fact, when Grant and I first traveled together and he started packing his backpack, I thought he was crazy. But, I quickly realized just how nice it is to have your hands free when traveling. This is especially true when moving through the airport, getting on and off trains or subways and, really, just about everywhere!
Additionally, traveling with a carry-on size travel backpack forces you to not overpack too much! Of course, I sometimes still overpack (what can I say, I like to be prepared!). But traveling is truly much easier if you don’t have too much stuff.
The first travel backpack I owned was the LL Bean Continental Rucksack. It was the same bag that Grant carried and it served us well on month-long trips to both Italy and Eastern Europe. While that was a great pack, we eventually wanted something a bit bigger and with better organization, as well as the ability to handle a laptop.
After much research and deliberation, Grant decided on the Lowepro Highline BP 400 AW (sadly, it’s no longer being sold) and I chose the eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack. I’ve been traveling with it ever since.
- KEY FEATURES: Padded laptop sleeve fits up to 19″, zip expansion for an extra 1.5″ and stowable backpack straps
- TRAVEL BENEFITS: 2 exterior quick-grab zip pockets, side zip water bottle pocket and bottom and side carry handles and 4 exterior compression straps
- ORGANIZATION: Easy access front zip compartment with several interior pockets and key leash, large main compartment with compression straps & fold-down shelf and interior zip-around mesh panel pocket
- BREATHABLE & COMFORTABLE: Breathable back panel for comfort; removable, adjustable sternum strap
- DIMENSIONS: Exterior Dimensions – 22″ X 14″ X 9″; Linear Inches – 45″; Laptop Compartment Dimensions – 19″ X 11.75″ X 1.5″; Weight: 3 lbs, 15 oz; Capacity: 3299 cu. in.
Note: When I first purchased this bag, it was called the TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible. They have since updated the bag (based on customer feedback) to make it more user-friendly and lightweight. Additionally, they renamed it the Mother Lode Travel Backpack.
Grant recently switched to the Tortuga Travel Backpack. Read his full review here.
Top Features of the eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack
- Carry-on size
- Laptop compartment
- Lots of organizational details
- Expandable
- Can be carried as a backpack or a suitcase
- High-quality construction
Main Compartment
When searching for a new pack, a zippered lay-flat main compartment was the number one must-have I was looking for. This pack takes that feature and puts it on steroids! In fact, the main compartment zips open just like a normal suitcase.
Inside the main compartment, you will find compression straps to keep everything in place. There is also a fold-down “shelf” that you can use to divide the main compartment into two smaller parts.
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever actually used the shelf. But, it does lay flat so it’s not in the way when not in use. And, it’s a nice feature if you do need to divide your clothes.
A zippered mesh panel allows you to divide a few things out from the main compartment. I often use this for my raincoat and flip-flops, or other small other items.
The main compartment is also expandable – something that can be both exciting and terrifying! I love the idea of being able to expand “just in case” it is needed. In a backpack, however, I don’t like the idea that my pack could become heavier as I travel. Overall, though, it is a nice feature to have even if you don’t use it regularly.
Front Compartment
There is a separate front compartment with a U-shaped zipper. I often pack the eBags Pack-it-Flat Toiletry Kit, along with a few other items, in this part. This location is easy to get to for pulling out liquids when going through security. It’s also great for small items like socks and underwear or anything that you want separate from the main compartment.
- OVERALL PRODUCT DIMENSIONS: 2.2″ x 14″ x 9.2″. Four separate compartments: each 2.25″d x 9.25″w, center section is 7.75″ wide
- SUPERIOR QUALITY: Made from breathable, TechLite diamond nylon fabric. Includes premium self-healing zippers with corded pulls for a lifetime of opening and closing.
- DURABLE & CONVENIENT: Features a slim silhouette, perfect for packing in any bag or luggage, and a webbing grab handle for portability. Includes hanging hook and a removeable pocket mirror.
- STAY ORGANIZED: eBags travel toiletry kit makes organization easy and features four separate compartments. The center section has a mesh retainer to keep items in place, while the left section is lined with clear material for liquid-filled items
- LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY*: Protects against defects in materials and workmanship. eBags products are made with high quality materials and forward-thinking design.
The front flap of the compartment has three zippered pockets and a place to store a couple of pens and a small notebook. I can easily place my iPad Mini into one of those pockets. In that location, the iPad is easily available to me, but not on an outside pocket where it would be easy for someone else to get to.
Extra Compartments
There is a small front zippered pocket where you could store a boarding pass or maybe a small book. When traveling in the car, I will usually put the iPad mini in this pocket since I’m not as worried about security. It is also great for things that I need to put my hands on quickly while in the airport or traveling to/from the hotel.
The top compartment is perfect for glasses, keys, tissues or any other small items. It also provides a good place to put stuff when going through security.
These two exterior pockets really do provide easy access to small items that you need to reach quickly. For me, that means I don’t necessarily feel the need to carry a purse along with this backpack.
Laptop Compartment
The laptop compartment is on the back, exactly where it should be for security. Sadly, this is one feature that the current version doesn’t do quite as well as the original.
On the original version, there was a “laptop sling” that securely held the laptop in place within the compartment. This allowed you to position the laptop at a location that is comfortable for your body. It also provides an extra layer of security, in that it is one more thing to “undo” to get to your laptop.
With the update, it’s just a standard laptop slot. My 13-inch MacBook Air just slides all the way to the bottom. Perhaps they’ll update this again in the future.
Other Features
Other features of the Mother Lode Travel Backpack include packable backpack straps – a plus for if you should need to check the bag. There is also a chest strap, which I generally prefer to not use. Thankfully, it is removable, so I took it off.
There are also three padded handles (front, side and top) so that you can easily pick up the bag from just about any angle. This is particularly useful when getting the backpack in and out of an overhead luggage compartment.
Finally, there are four compression straps outside the pack. With compression straps both inside and outside, you really can cinch things down quite a bit.
In terms of size, I have never had any issues fitting the eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack into the overhead bin on the plane. In fact, we’ve been on several flights where the attendants made the announcement during boarding that carry-on suitcases would have to be gate-checked. When we are carrying a backpack, we don’t get questioned at all. That is just one more reason I love carrying a backpack!
Water Bottle Holder
The one negative about the original version of this backpack is the water bottle pocket. It really was just about useless. Thankfully, that has been updated on the current version of the Mother Lode Travel Backpack. Now, the water bottle pocket zips open to securely hold a full-size water bottle. Best of all, it zips closed to be out of the way when not in use.
This was the biggest (and most needed) update on the redesigned backpack. It’s the main reason I purchased the updated version and I can say it absolutely was worth it!
Construction
The eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack is made of 840D Twisted Filament Polyester. While not necessarily waterproof, it is a thick enough material that your stuff should stay dry in light rain. I always carry a rain cover with me just in case, though.
The interior is 210D orange nylon lining. I’m sure you won’t have too many items packed inside that would camouflage with the bright orange lining! It may not be the most popular lining color, but at least your stuff won’t be hidden as you unpack.
All zippers are strong and sturdy. I have not had any issues with zippers sticking or falling open even after years of use. The main, front and top compartments all have double zippers that will accommodate a luggage lock.
Unfortunately, there are no built-in security features aside from the ability to add your own lock.
Packing for Eight Days in Italy with the eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack
For me, the true test of a travel backpack is how well it works in Europe when traveling around by plane and train. Sadly, this pack has only been on one of those trips. That was our 8-day trip to Italy in 2017 with EF Tours. Since we were chaperoning a school group, we didn’t have the same flexibility that we would if traveling just the two of us.
We also were there over Spring Break (early April), when the weather is somewhat unpredictable. Needing lots of layers and not being in control of our itinerary definitely made packing a bit harder than normal. Still, this bag handled it quite well, even if I did load it a bit overweight from my original goal.
What I Packed
So, let’s take a look at exactly what I was able to pack into the eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack. It is worth noting that I had everything packed into eBags Ultralight Packing Cubes. I used one large, one slim and two small cubes. They fit into the bag perfectly and made packing a breeze!
The benefits of packing cubes are that they help to compress your clothes, in addition to keeping things a bit better organized.
Looking for more packing tips? Check out my article How to Pack Like a Professional Traveler.
Clothes
- 3 convertible pants – my favorites are prAna Sage Convertible pants and just about anything by Columbia
- 1 pair REI shorts
- 1 pair yoga pants (for lounging at the hotel)
- 4 long-sleeve button-up shirts (the Columbia Saturday Trail III is one of my favorites)
- 1 short sleeve button up
- 1 short-sleeve polo (like this one from Columbia)
- 2 short-sleeve moisture-wicking t-shirts (this Amazon Essential Women’s Tech Crewneck is my current go-to)
- 1 fleece (similar to this Columbia fleece)
- 1 zip-up cardigan
- 1 scarf – great for a light-weight wrap or to dress up your outfit
- 4 pairs socks (Wrightsock Women’s Coolmesh are my favorite light-weight hiking and travel socks)
- 4 bras
- 7 pairs of underwear (I love this new pair from ExOfficio)
- 1 raincoat (both Eddie Bauer and Columbia make good packable raincoats)
- 1 belt (Grant and I both love this belt from Croakies)
- 1 ball cap
- 1 pair Teva Women’s Olowahu Flip-Flop – my favorite flip-flops ever
Other Gear
- First aid kit
- Ziplock bags – misc sizes (snack, sandwich, quart, gallon)
- Toiletries (packed in the eBags Pack-it-Flat Toiletry Kit)
- iPad Mini
- Apple Watch charger
- Inflatable Travel Pillow
- Backpack Rain Cover
- Packable Backpack/Day Bag (the Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable Backpack is our favorite)
- Refillable Water bottle
As you can see, I packed quite a bit into this one travel backpack! But, it handled it easily. I even had room for a couple of small souvenirs to bring home. And that was all without needing to expand the bag!
Since then, I’ve used the bag for other week-long trips by air and on the road. With all the compression straps, the eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack is also great for short weekend trips. If it’s not stuffed, you can easily cinch down the straps and not feel like you are carrying more bag than you need.
Other Versions of the Mother Lode
If you like some of the features of the Mother Lode Travel Backpack but aren’t sure about the size or want a roller bag, eBags makes several other versions of the Mother Lode. I haven’t used any of them personally but they are similar enough in design that I feel they would be worth a look if you want something bigger or smaller.
- Mother Lode Jr. Travel Backpack – Same design, just a little smaller. This would be good for kids or someone who wants to keep their backpack a little lighter.
- Mother Lode Rolling Travel Backpack – Roughly the same size but with the option to carry it as a backpack or roll it like a normal suitcase. If you’re unsure of the backpack, this would be a good convertible option.
- Mother Lode Rolling Duffel – Same design but not a backpack. This is actually offered in three different sizes: Carry-On (about the same size as the backpack), Medium Checked (a little bigger but not too big) and Large Checked. While these bags only have two wheels, they also have front “feet” to prevent the bag from tipping.
On the eBags website, you can easily check out the dimensions of each bag and compare them, which is a nice feature! At the time of writing, some of these are available on Amazon, but not all of them.
- KEY FEATURES: Padded laptop sleeve fits up to 19″, zip expansion for an extra 1.5″ and stowable backpack straps
- TRAVEL BENEFITS: 2 exterior quick-grab zip pockets, side zip water bottle pocket and bottom and side carry handles and 4 exterior compression straps
- ORGANIZATION: Easy access front zip compartment with several interior pockets and key leash, large main compartment with compression straps & fold-down shelf and interior zip-around mesh panel pocket
- BREATHABLE & COMFORTABLE: Breathable back panel for comfort; removable, adjustable sternum strap
- DIMENSIONS: Exterior Dimensions – 22″ X 14″ X 9″; Linear Inches – 45″; Laptop Compartment Dimensions – 19″ X 11.75″ X 1.5″; Weight: 3 lbs, 15 oz; Capacity: 3299 cu. in.
Final Thoughts on the eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack
The organizational components of the eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack are exactly what I was looking for when I purchased the bag. After using it for many years, I can say it is perfect for just about any type of travel.
Additionally, the one I purchased in 2017 is still in great shape and is showing no real signs of wear or tear. Truly, I didn’t “need” to buy a new one, I just wanted to. And, with the sale price I got, it was certainly worth it for the upgrade.
I love how easy it is to open up and find what you need in the bag. The extra compartments provide multiple locations to tuck stuff away that you don’t need often or just want separate. On the outside, small pockets make it easy to store and access small items.
If you pack the bag completely full, it will be a bit on the heavy side. But, the backpack is still easy to carry and easy to move around with. The straps are comfortable and it is fairly easy to make sure everything is secure. I also love that the straps pack away in the event that you do need to check the bag.
The only small downside of the Mother Lode Travel Backpack is that it really is more of a suitcase that has backpack straps than a true backpack. Basically, it is a bit bulky and boxy for a backpack. The great organizational features and the price, however, more than makeup for that.
Add in that eBags frequently runs sales and you can generally purchase this travel backpack for a very reasonable price.
Ultimately, I highly recommend the eBags Mother Lode Travel Backpack for any kind of travel.
Travel Resources
What do you use to find a flight?
We use Skyscanner to find deals on flights. Skyscanner has a great interface and compares tons of airlines for the best pricing and routing. That said, it does not always have every airline and some airlines will have better deals on their website. Still, Skyscanner is a great place to start.
Click here to search for a flight.
What do you use to find a hotel?
We typically stay at Hilton properties, so we use the Hilton website. You can find good Hilton Honors discounts or AAA discounts for a hotel there. We make great use of our free night certificates from our Hilton Honors American Express.
Click here to book a Hilton property.
If there are no Hilton properties available, we use TripAdvisor to read reviews and book the hotel. We find we can get the best price that way.
Click here to search for a hotel.
We recently partnered with Stay22 to add interactive maps to each of our destination posts. This will allow you to see a plethora of hotels and vacation rentals all in one responsive map of the area.
Click here to search an interactive map.
What if I need more space than I can get at a hotel?
We use Vrbo for the times when we have rented a cabin for a weekend getaway, like this cabin in Townsend, TN, or needed to rent a house for a large family vacation. We had a great experience with them in terms of refunding deposits when COVID hit and will continue to use them.
Click here to search for a vacation rental.
Who do you use for rental cars?
As a general rule, we book with Hertz for rental cars. We have had nothing but good experiences with them. Plus, we really like unlimited mileage and not worrying about crossing state lines. We have even rented from Hertz overseas in both Slovenia and Croatia.
Click here to book a rental car.
How about booking a cruise?
We have found some amazing prices for booking a cruise through Cruise Direct. We have saved a lot of money on our cruises compared to what we found elsewhere, making a last-minute Bahamas cruise even cheaper.
Click here to book a cruise.
What if I want to rent an RV?
We highly recommend Outdoorsy for RV rentals. We rented a camper van for a week to visit Rocky Mountain National Park for the elk rut and Custer State Park for the Buffalo Round-Up and had a blast. The program was easy to use and we really enjoyed the freedom of having a camper van for that trip.
Click here to rent an RV.
What do you use for booking tours?
We don’t often book tours. Typically, we like to do stuff on our own. That said, there are some experiences you can’t have any other way. So, when we do want to book a tour, we always check Viator first.
Click here to book a tour.
Do you use anything to get discounts on the road?
We make extensive use of both Good Sam and AAA on the road. Good Sam is normally regarded as a discount card for RVers at campgrounds and Camping World but anyone can use the 5 cents off a gallon at the pump at both Pilot and Flying J.
Click here to get a Good Sam membership.
We have had AAA as long as we have been married and it has more than paid for itself in discounts at hotels, aside from the peace of mind of having roadside assistance. Add in paper maps and the ability to get an international driver’s license and it is more than worth it for any traveler out there.
Click here to get a AAA membership.
Where can I get Travel Insurance?
We have partnered with Global Rescue for travel and evacuation insurance. This provider will put you out of the worst situations and get you to medical care promptly. You can even purchase “cancel for any reason” insurance from Global Rescue. This is our go-to provider of travel insurance. Traveling somewhere dangerous? They will even extract you if war were to break out on your trip.
Click here to get Global Rescue for your upcoming trip.