We are absolutely in love with the Samsonite Mother Lode Travel Backpack. Between the two of us, we’ve taken our Mother Lode backpacks all over the world and it has become our carry-on bag of choice when traveling. Whether you want a functional bag to hold a lot for longer trips or a weekender type bag for smaller ones, you can’t go wrong with this bag.
Now, you may recognize this as the ebags Motherlode Travel Backpack. Samsonite bought out ebags in 2017, and a few years later, the ebags Motherlode disappeared from the website. We were SO saddened by this. But we are THRILLED that Samsonite has resurrected the backpack loved by so many!
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This bag is sweeeeet. Kayla bought it for a guided tour of Portugal where the group was encouraged to only bring a carry-on bag. She did a lot of research on travel backpacks before buying, and this one received phenomenal reviews. Almost 10,000 people have weighed in on Samsonite and given it a 4.7 star rating. After using it herself, Kayla quickly saw why. She then recommended it to Amanda who also became hooked.
Features and Specs
The exterior of the Samsonite Mother Lode Travel Backpack measures 21.5″ x 13.5″ x 9.5″, and it weighs just over 3 lbs. It fits the specifications for most airline carry-on bag policies, which means it will save you from having to pay the hefty baggage fees that most airlines charge these days.
Other reasons we love this bag:
- It unzips like a suitcase, so you don’t have to dig aimlessly in the bottom of your bag to find stuff like you do with with standard backpacks.
- Large main compartment with compression straps. It also has a mesh panel compartment.
- 3 exterior pockets (one has interior organizational pockets and a key leash)
- Padded laptop sleeve that will hold a 19″ computer
- Zip expansion of 1.5″ and 4 exterior compression straps
- A water bottle pocket that you can zip away when not using
- Stow-away backpack straps
- Handles on the top, bottom, and side. It doesn’t matter how you stow this bag in the overhead compartment, there will be a handle to grab to get it down!
You can read a complete list of everything this bag has to offer HERE.
The Samsonite Mother Lode Travel Backpack comes in three colors currently. We are hoping Samsonite brings back some of the fun color options the bag had under the ebags umbrella.
Another reason we love this bag is that our Packing Cubes fit perfectly inside! These packing cubes are lightweight but incredibly durable and have a mesh top, allowing you to easily see what’s inside each one when you go to unpack.
There is something so incredibly satisfying about having all of your items packed snugly and secure in little cubes instead of tumbling around in your suitcase. You can also fit more in your suitcase if you use them! If you couple packing cubes with the Samsonite Mother Lode Travel Backpack, you will be setup for success in packing the maximum amount of items in an impressively compact (and visually appealing) way.
We are big fans of this bag, and think you will too! If you already use the Samsonite Mother Lode Travel Backpack, tell us in the comments below why you love it so much!
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- 18 Incredible Bucket List Experiences Around The World
RIP to the most iconic legendary travel luggage ever. Samsonite bought it and now it’s discontinued. If you find any still for sale grab it fast! eBags site has been taken down. I don’t even know what I’m doing to do if mine wears out. I use it for travel, compress it and use it as my work briefcase, everything!
I’m hoping they’re going to bring them back, if you search motherlode on Samsonite’s site, they have an option to subscribe for news about it.
Ohh we didn’t know that! Hopefully it’s a sign they will be bringing it back then – fingers crossed!