eBags TLS Mother Lode Mini 21" Wheeled Duffel

"I am writing this review from Dulles International airport. This is my second weeklong international trip using the Mother Lode TLS Mini 21". Let me start by saying that I can be a rather OCD shopper. In addition to this bag, I also bought a Travelpro Crew 9 and a LuggageWorks Aurora 22. I packed each and compared style and quality. Based on reviews and visible quality I quickly eliminated the Travelpro, leaving the LuggageWorks and the Mother Lode. Based on looks, the Mother Lode won hands down. It is a sharp bag. I even received compliments in the security line at Heathrow. On quality, it was a draw. Both the Mother Lode and the LuggageWorks looked very good in the key components of wheels, telescoping handle and zippers. Actually, the wheels and zippers seemed marginally better on the LuggageWorks. The LuggageWorks was a bit bigger and could hold a fair bit more than the Mother Lode but that was also a negative for me. My objective was to carry five days worth in the smallest bag possible for ease of travel and fit in all overhead compartments. For this the Mother Lode scored high. I was actually able to load: 2 pairs dress pants 1 Pair jeans 1 blazer 5 dress shirts 5 unmentionables 5 dress socks 1 belt 1 shorts 2 T-shirts 2 workout unmentionables 2 workout socks 1 Jawbone Jambox 1 Pair dress shoes 1 Pair sneakers All this WITHOUT using the available expansion. Not too shabby! Since I travel to Europe often, I typically arrive in the morning, take a shower at the airport lounge and head straight to the office. I love the way I can load my first days requirements in the top compartment which is accessible via the front of the bag without opening it up. I also keep my toiletries there which makes getting through security a breeze. It's too early to talk about durability but from what I've seen so far, I have high hopes for this bag. Finally, my experienc dealing with eBags has been exemplary."

"I purchased this product primarily for business travel, in which I am doing weekly. This bag is simply fantastic! You need no other suitcase, except maybe your laptop bag or backpack, depending on your travel purpose. This bag fits in most plane's overhead compartments with ease, and if it does not, the gate agent will provide you with a tag to attach for baggage check on the jetway, which is nice, because you can retrieve right after stepping off the plane in the jetway, as opposed to at baggage claim. The functionality of this bag provides you with the capability of traveling for a week. It is easy to pack and figure out how to optimize your space. I can fit two pairs of dress shoes, two-three pairs of slacks, four-five dress shirts/polos, a weeks' worth of socks and under garments. I can also put my toiletries, belts, and under shirts in the bag. Lastly you can hold your itineraries in the front pouch, if necessary. It has a clasp that you can attach your backpack or laptop bag, if necessary or you can just rest it on the top of the bag and handle as you stroll through your destination/airport. The only thing I would like to have seen on this bag would be four wheels to roll so you can move through traffic with ease and less stress on your arms. However, I love the rollerblade wheels they did choose and I do not have any problems wheeling the bag through traffic at airports. Not to mention, if there is any problems with your bag, just give eBags a call and they will resolve your issue without any hassles. After traveling weekly for a year, my handle decided to get stuck and after calling customer service, the female representative explained they would send me a new one and I can keep my old one and try to get it to work, no questions asked. Unreal service, unreal bag, unreal eBags!!! I am a customer for life! Well worth the price...no need to look any further for another bag!"

"I took this bag on an 8-day business trip to Hong Kong and China. I planned to do laundry once during the trip, and packed accordingly. As it turned out, I could have packed enough clothing for the entire trip without doing laundry, and still would have had enough room to bring back the few obligatory gifts and trinkets that I purchased while there. The bag is great. I kept my passport, camera, and earplugs (for the flights) in the little upper front compartment for easy and quick access, even with the bag in the airplane overhead bins. The larger front compartment contained my baggie of fluids, which was also very easy to access while going through security. I used the divider inside to make compartments for a pair of shoes on one side and for clothing on the other. The top front compartment has a small strap with a quick-clip that I used to attach my laptop case handle so that it would hang down across the front of the bag while wheeling them around. This is extremely convenient because it lowers the center of gravity of the combined bag and laptop so that there is very little weight on your hand from the handle. Also, the extendable handle can be locked into position at three different lengths, which allows you to adjust the balance point for best comfort and maneuverability. I found it helpful and easy to adjust the length for different situations, such as when on escalators or ramps. Finally, the bag also rolls very nicely when pushed. All told, I am very happy with this bag, and I'm thinking of buying another one for my wife."