eBags Weekender Convertible Junior bag

As there are two Weekender Convertible Juniors, please clarify which one you have--the Motherlode or the eTech?

Frank, it's the eTech bag. Sorry, I had a link to it on the thread where I was made aware of it.

Looking at the Motherlode bag, the main differences I see is that the Motherlode is expandable (I don't need that; the Jr bag is still too big for me, but the cinch straps will help with that), it has two compartments, only one of which opens like a book, instead of one big one that does, and has a pocket for a laptop.

I weighed it at the Post Office (I trust their scales) and it weighed 2#, 11 oz, about 2.7#, so I guess their advertisement is correct. Funny, it seems lighter.

It doesn't have a shoulder strap, but I stopped using mine years ago.

I have this bag. It's an awesome bag. Fits me better than RS bag, and is cheaper. Still has too much room for me, but has lots of cinch straps. Great bag!
http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/etech-20-weekender-junior/261000?productid=10264762

Anyone else find it odd that the eTech version doesn't have a laptop slot while the TLS Motherlode does. Going by the name you would think it would be the other way around!

"Anyone else find it odd that the eTech version doesn't have a laptop slot while the TLS Motherlode does. "

Not really. What I find odd is that anyone wants a laptop slot in the first place. I travel with a small "laptop" (Netbook) which would rattle around in a laptop slot anyway. I don't want a laptop slot. I carry my netbook in a separate case, like a purse; it's always with me, not in my suitcase. On the plane it goes under the seat in front of me, so I can get to it while I'm flying.

BTW, I just packed by new Weekender Jr with most of what I usually pack. I was impressed. The cinch straps pull everything together so it doesn't sag. What really surprise me was the waist belt. It supports the entire weight on my hips. I was able to completely loosen the shoulder straps to the point that they were carrying no weight at all. So much for the people who say they can't bear the weight of a backpack on their shoulders.

"Not really. What I find odd is that anyone wants a laptop slot in the first place. I travel with a small "laptop" (Netbook) which would rattle around in a laptop slot anyway. I don't want a laptop slot."

Not saying you would. My point was that the bag has the eTech name but no tech features. ;-)

I'm not sure that the name "eTech" has any significance.

BTW, the Motherlode bag has a lot of extra weight-adding features that I'm not particularly interested in, particularly for an extra 10 oz.

If anyone's thinking of buying one, Amex has a bonus offer where if you spend $75 at ebags you'll get a $25 statement credit. I bought the Motherlode Junior and am very happy with it. There is a five minute video on all of its features on youtube. I added zipper pulls so I could intertwine them to lock shut (google "secure your zippers with a quick twist", lifehacker.)

I have used eBags for quite a while. As a matter of fact our whole family uses eBag products. The biggest seller for me was the Lifetime Warranty. We had issues with my oldest daughters bag and I called them and about 5 days later a replacement bag arrived. When I was on the phone with eBags Customer Support, I asked them if I needed to return the bag for verification and they said no. The only thing wrong with the bag was the travel handle wouldn't extend.

Well, after batting the idea around for a couple of months, I decided to buy the eTech Junior. Unfortunately, I'd like it in black but it's only available now in plum or olive. Anybody know whether this means they are just temporarily out of stock or if this indicates the bag is being discontinued or redesigned?

Lee, have you had a chance to actually travel with the bag and does it still live up to your original high opinion?

Frank

I had ordered the motherlode weekender junior from ebags. I then cancelled it and switched the ebags order to an SOC Gear Bugout Bag. It has internal aluminum stays to help distribute the weight to the hip belt. I bought it during a big promotion so it was cheaper than the motherlode at the time. It is pretty good, but weighs about 4 pounds,

Interesting looking bag, but larger and heavier than either of the "junior" eBags models. I already have two MLC sized bags plus one slightly smaller (previous version of the Patagonia MLC) and am looking to go smaller and lighter.

Yes. It is heavier with the aluminum, extra padding, molle webbing, etc. When I bought it, I was concerned about the advertised 22" length. I am not home now, but when I received it, the measurements seam to seam, the length was less than 21" and width was only 14". Being a soft pack, you can compress it. I was able to compress it and carried it on in Italy. I am sure I could make it fit the smallest of luggage sizers. But if you over pack, it will bulge out an extra 2 or 3 inches. Also, if I unzip the extension, the depth of the bag is huge. I like the option to go really big if necessary.

If you want the ebags Convertible in black, I suggest that you call ebags' toll free number. That was how I was able to change my order in mid-delivery and I found the customer service to be very friendly and helpful.

Frank, no I haven't had a chance to use it yet. I am going on a trip next week, but I don't think I will use it. It's already packed with everything that I take with me to Europe for 2-3 weeks (e.g., cotton polyester shirts for quick drying), and I'd rather not unpack it. This will be a 3 night local trip by car to Steamboat Springs, and we'll drive right to the front door of our B&B, so I won't be needing the backpack straps.

As I said earlier, I've already carried the bag around packed with my Europe stuff, and it felt good. I was able to loosen the shoulder strap so that there was no weight on my shoulders; it was all on the waist belt. I was just testing the effectiveness of the waist belt. At less than 12#, packed, the weight on my shoulders is not a problem.

Pig, you said the Bugout bag weighed about 4#. The SOC website says 5½#. Which is it? I don't feel that at 12# packed, my eTech Jr bag needs anything more to distribute the load, and I like the lighter weight.

The specs on the websites (even on the Sandpiper of California website) are misleading. The Bugout normally comes in two fabrics: 1000D cordura military spec camouflage (more expensive) and 600D solid color like black (cheaper). The latter is lighter because the material is thinner, but on the website shows the same weight. Sometimes, I see that the the camouflage model is mislabeled as 600D. But it is the 1000D version which weighs over 5 pounds.

Mine is black and is 600D. When i took delivery, the total weight including cardboard box and plastic packaging was less than 5 pounds. I weighed it without the packaging but the best i can estimate is about 4 pounds. I wish the black version came in the heavier 1000D. The 600D is adequate, but just does not feel tough.

There is a lot of extra stuff on this pack. If I wanted to be weight weenie, i could probably save six to eight ounces by cutting off all the extra length off of the straps, removing the velcro strap end holders, velcro name patch, molle webbing and all the extra D rings. I don't need any of this stuff. This bag is very popular with survivalists who want to prepare for the zombie apocalypse and be able to attach a lot of gear to the pack.

The advertised dimensions are also a bit off. The website says 22x15.5x8. When i measured edge to edge, the bag is about 21x14x8. If you stuff it, it can easily bulge at least a couple inches on each side. But at the same time, you can also compress it. I am sure I can squeeze it to fit 20" sizer if i had to do so.

I always prefer a backpack with an internal frame and proper hip belt. I can easily go over 20 pounds. I don't mind checking the bag in if necessary. But when you have to carry it around for any length of time, the proper support helps a lot. The Bugout is also expandable, so if you buy a lot of stuff, the bag can get large and very heavy.

Anyone who wants an eTech 2.0 Weekender Convertible Junior bag in the immediate future should order one now. They have just 8 left in the Olive color only. I chatted with a rep who indicated they will restock in 4-6 weeks.