Two Travelers Review the eBags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack

Two Travelers Review the eBags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack | How To Pack

Рет қаралды 19,617

Күн бұрын

Two travelers review the eBags Mother Lode Jr Travel Pack after owning/using it for 5 years!
Formerly known as the eBags TLS Motherlode Weekender Jr (what a mouthful!), Carly & I traveled with this bag for 6 weeks through Europe, plus other shorter trips. We pack this bag very differently, so we wanted to show you how we both use it and how versatile of a bag it can be.
#eBags
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🎒 Links to the bag:
eBags:
bit.ly/3000Ou6
Amazon:
amzn.to/3c0Sb9E
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PACKING CUBES:
I used 2 of each of the below packing cubes:
Eagle Creek Specter Clean/Dirty Cube:
amzn.to/3fOLLwe
Ebags Classic Small Packing Cubes:
amzn.to/3vScrBG
LL Bean Toiletry Bag:
bit.ly/3uUSj0x
Eagle Creek Specter Shoe Bag:
amzn.to/34QORcB
Small Pink Pouch by Sea to Summit:
amzn.to/3vPjQ4K
Inflatable Neck Pillow:
amzn.to/3pmPggl
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00:00 Intro
00:40 Bag Features & Things We Like
08:25 Things We Dislike
10:52 How Does It Fit?
12:06 The Cost & Is It Worth It?
13:31 Packing The Bag
Thanks for watching :)
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🎵 M U S I C
“Made It To Carrollton" by Blue Topaz
Music from Epidemic Sound - try it for free: bit.ly/3bGF5gi
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📸 I N S T A G R A M
@chasingchey
/ chasingchey
✈️ T R A V E L B L O G
www.chasingchey.com
🎯 Interested in gaming? Check out my other channel:
CheyNanigans
bit.ly/3vDvd05
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🔗 This video and description may contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps my channel continue to keep making videos. Thank you for supporting my channel!

Пікірлер: 49

@Mr.DJones 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for your time and posting. Right now, it is US$45. :) Also, There are two plastic loops on the back bottom and you can buy a hip belt for about US$20 and hook it on.

@HowardBlevins Ай бұрын

Link to see this? Thanks!

@davidmarell3694 2 жыл бұрын

You guys are delightful and great communicators thank you for the demonstration I happen to own four different products made by eBags and I love them all.

@Magpieme98 Жыл бұрын

this is such a comprehensive review! i’m trying to get away from checked luggage and am thinking of a carry on and this as a personal item. thank you for all the details. 🌺Mary in Florida

@irenea7987 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you thank you; awesome review! I want a bag as a long weekend 3-5 days to fit on Spirit carry on

@ChasingChey 2 жыл бұрын

This bag is perfect for 3-5 days! I hope it works for you!!

@barbarahallowell2613 Жыл бұрын

I have the bigger original from wayyy back in 2006 and the weekender that you are reviewing for about 6 years. I love them both, but just as you said, please, oh PLEASE GIVE ME A HIP BELT.

@HisValor 3 жыл бұрын

Great review! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences with this bag

@ChasingChey 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching! Let me know if you have any questions about the bag :)

@HisValor 3 жыл бұрын

@@ChasingChey by the way, what year was your WeekendJr made? I saw another review where the speaker showed a WeekendJr with a hip strap (not the nice one you normally see on backpacks), it was thin. I believe he said it was a 2019. Have you noticed any updates on ebags equipment?

@ChasingChey 3 жыл бұрын

@@HisValor the bag does come with a piece of webbing that can be clipped on/off as a "waist belt" ...it keeps the bag a bit closer to your body (which is nice if you have to run with it) but otherwise it didn't offer any support and does not really take the weight off your shoulders. Mine is a 2015, I check the eBags website about once a year to see if they've finally added a substantial hip belt. The only changes I've seen over time are the colors and exterior materials of the bag, otherwise it seems to be the exact same design!

@HisValor 3 жыл бұрын

@@ChasingChey bummer! I like the design and the ease of use, but I'm glad I saw your video, that hip belt is a game changer. Thanks again!

@janjaylangelo4 Жыл бұрын

I used mine once on a trip to Vegas. I’m 5 ft, it was a torture on my back and shoulders. Never used it again, I might need to sell it like you did.

@marya3134 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you ladies. Your Video is very helpful. I bought my first one forgetting about it not having a waist strap for more support while wearing it. But, I'm a smaller frame lady and thought this size bag would work for me. My first trip to UK. I want to pack light without dragging luggage. Maybe, I can sew some Straps into it. Love how you pack light.

@ChasingChey 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I hope you have a great trip & the bag works well for you!!

@bellaluce7088 Жыл бұрын

@Mary A I always love it when people talk about customizing their luggage! Why not! I know there are hip straps designed to be added to backpacks without sewing (not sure how well they work), and I've also thought about sewing load lifters to the top of the shoulder straps. Zipping the expansion zipper closed and tightening the compression straps would also help move the load closer to one's center of gravity. - Curious to hear if you ever DIYed it, and if so how it felt!

@bellaluce7088 Жыл бұрын

I wonder if buying one of those cheap add-on hip belts would shift the load enough to make this comfortable for more users when heavily packed. It definitely helps to pull the center of gravity as close to your back as possible in any backpack, so the compression straps are a good feature. I've also thought of sewing load lifters to the tops of the shoulder straps. If they made this with a more neutral pale lining instead of that garish orange I would have bought it already! It is just TOO MUCH for me!🔥😎🔥

@MsIcicle 2 ай бұрын

This is what I did. One of the reviews on the eBags site recommended a clip-on hip belt made by Aer - it's about $15 and you just clip it to the same clips the backpack strips clip to. The straps are nicely padded and work pretty well. It's annoying that they aren't part of the original design - I'd like to be able to tuck them away without unclipping them - but this workaround has worked really well for me.

@Chrisnina84 2 жыл бұрын

I picked up an older version, it has a removable hip belt.

@VJ-fy5wi Жыл бұрын

Hip belt needed AND trolley pocket or sleeve to put over a rolling carryon.

@shippermd 3 жыл бұрын

I love my Jr except It is Heavy, as an empty bag, and no hip belt! That being said, I still love and use it!

@ChasingChey 3 жыл бұрын

It is definitely a great bag! Glad you are loving yours 😁

@papaeli123 2 жыл бұрын

I am no hip belt expert, but the bag comes with a 1 inch wide strap/belt, adjustable with buckle, that can connect where the bottom of the back straps connect. This seems like it is intended as a hip belt, but that is my guess. I will not carry this bag for long, so not missing a hip belt. I would like to know if the 1 inch strap/belt is for something else.

@grantw7 2 жыл бұрын

It was great seeing how differently you packed the bag. Excellent review of a very versatile and well thought out bag. My question, Chey, is which bag did you purchase after you sold this one?????

@ChasingChey 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching! My next purchase was the Osprey Porter 46, it solved a few of my issues with this bag, but also created a few of it's own! My search for the *perfect* bag continues :)

@grantw7 2 жыл бұрын

@@ChasingChey yes, I too am searching for the perfect bag. I guess we just have to be satisfied with a bag that tucks off most of what we want.

@robheb1355 3 жыл бұрын

I love my Fanny pac you put your shirt over it if you want the no look but if you have money and iPhone EarPods etc nothing beats a Fanny pac just go small size

@ChasingChey 3 жыл бұрын

Team fanny pack, all the way 🤪

@bellaluce7088 Жыл бұрын

I really want a simple lightweight backpack with a suitcase-style clamshell opening with storage on both sides and they are surprisingly hard to find! Still haven't found my perfect bag yet, but for those also looking for that feature, some options I've found besides the Ebags Mother Lode Jr. include * Cotopaxi's Allpa 35L (also comes in smaller and larger sizes) * Gregory Border Traveler (30L or 40L) * Pakt backpack (international travel sized) * Minaal 3.0 (the lack of structure bugs me, but could possibly sew in a soft frame * cheap Target options * Knack Expandable bags. My dream is something like the Allpa 35L in black but with outer materials more like the Pakt bag and a lighter interior. I'm starting to think I will have to settle or sew my own!

@ChasingChey Жыл бұрын

It's a constant search for the *perfect bag*! You may also want to consider the Eagle Creek Global Companion 40L, I believe it's discontinued now, but you may still be able to find on eBay or another online retailer. I've seen a lot of great reviews for it, it's a clamshell backpack with a sturdy looking hip belt. Good luck with your search!

@bellaluce7088 Жыл бұрын

@@ChasingChey So kind of you to suggest an alternative bag! Thank you!

@mustangeek 3 жыл бұрын

I had the Motherload full sized bag, it was ok. I can feel my laptop when its on my back personally not enough protection for the laptop. Great review but one thing I hated about the bag.. It didn't have enough padding and ventilation on my back. Sadly I sent it back..

@ChasingChey 3 жыл бұрын

I tried the full size one initially & ended up sticking with the junior size. I agree - the comfort of the bag certainly has a ways to go! Thanks for watching :)

@robheb1355 3 жыл бұрын

My question I have the mother load I want to know how you carry it when you use it, as with only handles,as back pack,or with shoulder strap

@ChasingChey 3 жыл бұрын

I always use it as a backpack - it seems to be the best way to carry if for long periods of time!

@evapimentel4736 2 жыл бұрын

Is this the TLS mother lode weekender jr or the newer version mother lode jr? I’m wondering if there are differences between the versions

@bellaluce7088 Жыл бұрын

As of 11/2022 I know the new mother lode jr. has a zippered water bottle holder instead of the floppy one, and it's supposedly a bit lighter. Specs say 3 pounds. Not sure about any other changes.

@9TheGamer16 2 жыл бұрын

Is it considered as a personal item by ryan air? cos I don't want to pay for it as a cabin bag.

@bellaluce7088 Жыл бұрын

It's definitely larger than the published specs for Ryan Air's free item, but I've heard from other travelers that sometimes if you have a low-profile backpack gate agents at various airlines are less likely to scrutinize you. Perks of a backpack vs. a roller bag!

@pixalu 11 ай бұрын

How is no one else annoyed by those dumb compression straps? I hate them on mine. They are always in the way and I don't think they add much to the bag design. Also note that the large/wide grab handle on the front can be used as a pass through for a wheeled bag handle. It works ok. It's not great since it is at the bottom.

@haydeem7223 3 жыл бұрын

I’m considering to buy this backpack, Can you fit it under the seat in front of you?

@ChasingChey 3 жыл бұрын

In theory, yes, it should fit under the seat in front of you - but it depends how you pack it! If you have it completely stuffed (and expanded) it probably will not fit. I have read a few reviews about the bag where people said it fit in the seat front with no issues!

@haydeem7223 3 жыл бұрын

@@ChasingChey Great, thank you 😊

@ChasingChey 3 жыл бұрын

@@haydeem7223 of course! I hope you enjoy the bag & have lots of fun adventures with it 😄

@anadnosankoh8838 Жыл бұрын

ha ha ha...#FannyPakFriendsForever

@DD-d6d3 2 жыл бұрын

3 pounds EMPTY?.? hard pass

@bellaluce7088 Жыл бұрын

If you know of a 35 liter (ish) bag with a suitcase-style clamshell opening that weighs less than that, I hope you'll share! I've been searching for weeks and it's currently between the ebag mother load jr. (but I truly detest the orange interior), the Pakt backpack (too pricey and I hate the water bottle pocket, but love the equal clamshell interior), and the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L (would prefer a less sporty/backpacker look plus load lifters, and NO llama head design(!), but I love the big open interior with easy visibility mesh and the lack of finicky organization pockets). The mother lode jr. has so many brilliant features that I wouldn't care about the 3.0 pound weight if only it weren't for that fricking orange!