Anyone used the TLS Mother Lode Rolling Weekender rolling backpack?

Our family rules are simple: Everyone carries their own bags.
I would suggest you get out a tape measure and measure those old Rick Steves rolling bags. And also weigh them.
We are now using 6.5 pound TravelPro swivel wheel 31 inch carry on suitcases. European airlines have lowered their maximum sizes for carry on's. We can really feel the weight difference between our old TravelPro and our new TravelPro carry on's.
Even my clothes horse wife can make it indefinitely with a 31 inch rolling bag, and she has had shoulder and elbow surgeries.
If your daughter is too small to handle a 31 inch roller, you and your son might need to take slightly less clothes and put part of your daughter's clothes in each of your bags. She could then get by with just a small to medium size backpack.

I suppose my question is if you are completely committed to the idea of a backpack? It sounds like you would benefit from simply having a roller bag. I have used a rolling bag (the Rick Steves version) on 5 different trips to Europe and it has always worked fine for me. I only use public transportation and transferring from train/gondola/bus have not been an issue. You simply pick the bag up and carry it when going up or down stairs. It has worked well on cobblestone streets as well.

You really can't (or at least should not) wear a backpack when getting on/off or riding on public transport anyway. It will need to be taken off your back and carried when you enter, exit, or walk down an aisle. Otherwise, you will inadvertantly be smashing others around you as you go. I've received some pretty bad "whacks" from people who didn't know that they needed to remove their backpacks.

So, I'm back to my original question: I agree you need the roller part of the bag, are you sure you really need the backpack configuration as well?

PS, I'm pretty sure that David in the previous post meant 21 inches and not 31 inches........

How about changing your thinking.....

1) Your daughter"s size and strength may prevent her from carrying a backpack. Why not just get her a small, lightweight, rolling bag? Something she can easily handle.

2) If you have shoulder problems, why take the risk of carrying a backpack? Get yourself a lightweight rolling bag as well. Contrary to what some people here say, it will not hinder yourself at all.

It almost sounds as if you are determined to only take backpacks when in reality you would be better off with a wheeled bag.

I have been a one bag traveler ever since I bought my first ETBD bag in 1991. But after time, it was easier for me to switch to a two wheeled bag. And on my current trip, I'm using--waiting for the gasps--a spinner. And loving it.

My daughter and I both use the RS rolling backpack and like it.

I use mine only as a roller, since I also carry my disabled son’s bag (his is a backpack with trolley strap). I like that the rolling backpack is smaller and lighter than the standard RS rolling carryon.

My daughter is age 13, 5’5” and 92 lbs, athletic but not a lot of muscle mass. She packs very light (around 15 lbs total weight including the bag, for any length trip). She alternates between rolling her bag and backpacking it, depending on where we are. The bag works well for her.

Sarah Murdoch, one of Rick's guides, does packing light videos and a website. Here is her post with prepping to travel with her son
https://adventureswithsarah.net/packing-for-kids/
Maybe it can offer insight.

Your daughter sounds like a candidate for a small rolling bag. Traveling light is important but it can be done out of rolling bags. As a parent I can say that having kids manage their own bag is so,so helpful. At 12 and 13 yours can but it may need to be a roller for the 12yo.

My 11 year old boy is similar size to your daughter, and he’s also not strong. He has a small, cheap, light rolling bag we got at a kids luggage store. It’s not the sturdiest thing but it is so light he can manage it himself. He can’t always carry it up flights of stairs but either an adult carries it for him, carrying 2 bags for a minute, or we do the dance where an adult takes 2 trips up the stairs and he watches the bags in the meantime. The rest of the time he’s rolling it or lifting it up over curbs etc himself.

I am at the other end of the age spectrum and found myself switching from a backpack to a two wheeled rolling suitcase. There are times I miss the backpack (getting on and off trains and long flights of stairs) but it is still better than a twisted back.

My daughter had a rolling backpack all through elementary school because we walked to school and home each day. Now that she’s is in middle school and carrying a backpack, she prefers carrying. I’ve offered the rolling suitcase and she doesn’t want it. I’ve also offered to pack her things in her brother’s bag and she wants her own. We did a trial pack of 4 outfits, PJs, undergarments, and personal items. Her stuff is under 8lbs. It actually all fit in a Civita day bag. But she wants room for souvenirs, especially at the Harry Potter studios and shopping in Paris.

The ETBD bags I have are 21x14x9 and weigh about 2 lbs. so they are compliant with carry on size. I think I’ll stivk with this for my son.

I do have a rolling RS suitcase. From all your replies I’m thinking that might be the best option and I won’t have to buy a new bag. I was just having some unsettled feelings about not being 100% hands free with two kids.

Yeah, I get the hands free thing. But at 12 and almost 14 your kids probably don’t need literal hand holding. Unless there are special needs (physical or otherwise) they are not going to run off, you can easily teach them a plan for if you get accidentally separated, and they can manage their own bag. If they have trouble with a bag (can’t lift it or reach an overhead rack), they can wait for you to help. They can stand alone with a bag while you take 2 trips up stairs, hold the door open so you can carry 2 bags, or whatever else needs to be done. Basically at this age you can figure it out as you go, you don’t need to worry about the logistics of how to keep a kid in arms reach every second.

Just to add, if you bring the wheelie you discuss above, you can piggy back your daughter's backpack onto it when wheeling is easy (which it mostly is).

TLS Load Weekender Jr: I think if you read the reviews, you will find that this bag is technically too big for carryon generally...it's a case of its size not being published correctly by the company (but I could be thinking of the non-junior; just be sure to check).

I'll add for anyone else who wants a convertible, I was just looking at the Eagle Creek Expanse International Convertible yesterday at the Container Store. What a sweet bag! I would have loved to be able to justify buying it, but our eves (belly of the plane as my husband calls it) is already filled with travel bags... The size is as published.

We also did the “carry your own gear” thing when traveling with our kids. I think it’s a great idea as it makes them responsible during travel (always a good principle to learn!)

Two comments though-

We’re just back from a similar trip and I was also concerned about the train/gondola/etc. transfer. But in fact it wasn’t an issue. When we went to board a boat in Venice the driver took our bags* from us. He wanted to ensure that the boat was balanced. So no issue for us in carrying.

If you are indeed doing a lot of walking, etc., I would be concerned about your daughter carrying a bag on her back. She is small and of an age where back issues can develop - scoliosis, for example. No problem if it’s just short distances.

Enjoy your trip!

*we ended up taking a lightweight 21” spinner. Fit all planes and easy to carry on stairs etc. My back thanked me.

Your daughter probably knows what feels best for herself.

Here’s an article about traveling to Europe with kids for 21 days. Everyone used backpacks, including the kids.

The kids packs don’t need to be as heavy if mom carries the toiletries etc.

She is small and of an age where back issues can develop - scoliosis, for example.

This is an urban myth.

http://www.iscoliosis.com/articles-scoliosis-backpack.html

At 72 lbs the 12 year old can safely carry a 10.5 lb pack.

For consideration - I have the Rick Steves rolling backpack. I originally bought it for carrying heavy paperwork on work trips. I also tested it out for a few personal trips. It was actually the bag I had when caught during the great winter vortex of 2014.

Size: it’s smaller than US carry on bags. That’s good. I could easily fit it in overhead bins of planes, buses, and trains. Perfect for European travel.

Size #2: my trip was in deep winter with temps several degrees below zero Fahrenheit. The snow was hip deep. I had plenty of weather appropriate clothing. It’s big enough for any non-adventure tour trip (normal travel). I take a full size carry on when I’m mountaineering, caving, or jungle trekking because I have specialized gear.

Backpack straps: not the most comfortable, but good enough. It is awesome for going up and down stairs. The straps attach and store easily.

Width: I have wider hips but the wheels never connected with my body.

Weight: it comes in at ~5.5 lbs.

Here is a review of it from Frugal First Class Travel

And another from Frank II

Edited to add reviews.

I’m not going to chime in on the backpack versus roller debate, as that’s been pretty well covered here and elsewhere. But as to the last point of the OP, I bought the EBags rolling Weekender and returned it.

I’m of mixed opinions about EBags brand merchandise. The big plus for me is that they’re as durable as anything I’ve owned I have a TLS Motherlode 21 inch rolling duffel that I’ve used on numerous short and long trips,and it’s a real champ. It has survived trips both checked and carryon and looks the same as the day I received it about eight years ago. Great bag.

My only gripe about EBags luggage and backpacks is the weight. They tend to be heavier than most other brands, and while that isn’t that big of a deal for rollers, unless you’re flying one of the European carriers that overly scrutinize weight it can be a killer for backpacks. I’ll add a disclaimer here. I’m 61, 5’8, 170 pounds, and I’m not in fighting shape. So packing carefully and selecting as lightweight a bag a backpack as possible is a must if I’m ditching a rolling bag.

The Weekender rolling backpack is a fine bag, but with the addition of the wheels along with the weight of the bag itself, it was a bit too much for me. So kids are definitely a no-no unless they’re adolescents or use it exclusively as a roller. Or a bigger adult. I tried a practice pack with as little weight as possible when I received the thing, and it was still too much for my back just walking a mile or so. (Now that’s just me, taking into account my “dimensions”.)

I also have a Weekender Junior backpack (no wheels) that I have used for short trips, and it’s been great. Properly loaded, it will fit under an airline seat and holds a ton. Note that this is the Junior (19” long model, not the regular.). Better choice for me, anyway.

You might want to take a look at High Sierra’s rolling backpacks. They tend to be cheaper than EBags but just as durable. I have the Rev model, and it’s light enough for me. I’ll never take any of these bags for a five mile hike, but the lighter ones are great for crowded transportation and situations where a backpack is preferable to a roller. Good luck!

My small middle school daughter does well with a RS Appenzell pack and packing cubes. Kid's clothing is smaller and lighter weight than adult clothes. The key is to not let the kids pack "extras" like toys, stuffed animals, etc.. One stuffed animal is doable. You can buy the Appenzell on sale during the holidays.
My daughter also has no problem with a two-wheel rolling bag 22"x14"x9."
RS now has a 17" rolling case that would work well for kids.

If your daughter likes using her backpack for walking to and from school, I'm guessing it is comfortable filled with her school books and supplies. Would her clothing and other things fit in her school bag? If so, this would be the cheapest option. Just a thought :)
Also you might consider a bag that packs into itself for souvenirs.