eBags

eBags Mother Lode eTech Mini 21" Wheeled Duffel

• Large upper main compartment measures 21 x 14 x 4.5 and has the following features:
• Full-size U-shaped zippered opening for easy loading. Opening measures 13.5 x 11
• 10 heavy-duty nylon coil zipper with lock-ready sliders

Product Description

Based on overwhelming customer demand, we've built a carry-on version of the Mother Lode family - this 21.5 wheeled duffel is for the traveler who wants great packing flexibility as well as style. Check it out - it's got all of the best Mother Lode features jam-packed into a carry-on compliant size.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 21.5 x 14.5 inches ; 7.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B004C0TMOY
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My new favorite bag for long international trips, February 26, 2011

By 

Edward Barnett (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: eBags Mother Lode eTech Mini 21" Wheeled Duffel (Apparel)

I travel a lot, and 1-2 week multi-city international trips are always the hardest to pack for, since you might be covering a lot of different climates, need to keep the weight down, need a bag that can be unpacked/repacked every couple of nights, and probably want a bag that can be carried on or checked, depending on circumstances.

For twenty years, I used the original TravelPro Rollaboard 21" carry-on. It was very durable and simple -- basically a rugged 21" box with wheels. The TravelPro finally lost a wheel in Frankfurt late last year, so I went looking for a new bag. After a lot of research and comparisons, I decided to get two bags and put them through their paces. I bought the Rick Steves 21" wheeled carry-on (which was the closest thing I could find today to my old TravelPro) and the eBags eTech Mini 21". Having used them both, I have to say I've become a huge fan of the eBags Mini. I wasn't sure I'd like the "compartmentalized" approach to luggage, but it's been great.

Here's what I like about the Mini 21":

- The bag's compartments are very well thought out, and make it super easy to pack for a long trip. I use the bottom half of the bag as the main clothing area. It has an adjustable divider, and each half of the bottom is well sized for folded clothes. A set of four eBags medium-sized packing cubes perfectly fill the bottom half of the bag and make it very easy to pack/repack as you move from city to city. The top half can be used almost like a duffel bag area. I fill it with two Rick Steves small packing cubes, which fit perfectly. There's also a separate zippered area that's the perfect size for a shaving kit or a bunch of snacks for really long flights. The multi-compartment design of this bag is its biggest selling feature from my point of view.

- It feels very rugged. The material is heavy weight, the zippers feel sturdy, and the wheels are roller-blade wheels (much more durable than cheaper cylinder-style wheels). It rolls very nicely through long international terminals.

- The empty bag is light for a wheeled bag of this size and durability, saving pounds. It's not feather weight -- just light for a rugged, wheeled bag.

- Having handles on both the top and bottom of the bag is convenient when lifting the bag into awkward places (like an overhead bin on the aircraft).

Having said that, the bag's not perfect. Here's what I wish they'd improve:

- As another reviewer noted, the handle is very long. At first, I couldn't figure this out -- it seemed like the bag had been designed for and tested only by 6'6" folks. I'm not that tall, and the handle (in locked position) seemed excessively long. My opinion on this issue changed recently, however, when I bought a separate strap that allows me to hang my briefcase on the bag. With the briefcase attached, the bag balances perfectly over the wheels and is almost effortless to move. Maybe they knew what they were doing after all.

- The bag does not come with a strap to attach a second bag like a briefcase. It should be included and built into the bag. Add-on handles are not as convenient and they're expensive when bought separately. Also, because of the duffel-style design of the top half of the bag, a hanging briefcase won't lie perfectly flat when hanging and tends to slip to one side or the other if you don't get it centered. For me, this has proved to be a minor annoyance -- one of the things I miss relative to my old Rollaboard.

- The duffel-style handles on "top" of the bag aren't really that useful. The bag is clumsy to handle that way. It would be better to have a handle on the side of the bag for when you don't want to wheel it.

- Inside the bag, the channels for the handle and wheels take up more space than seems necessary.

This has become my new favorite bag for long international trips. The quality is good (rugged ... rolls smoothly), but the real selling point is the compartmentalized design, which I've found to be very convenient for long trips. If you get this bag, I'd highly recommend picking up at least one set of packing cubes (the eBags medium size fit nicely) and a strap for hanging a second bag (personally, I like the Brookstone strap).

P.S. I bought this bag directly from eBags, but bought the packing cubes through Amazon. Depending on promotions, it seems like it's sometimes cheaper to buy directly from eBags.com, and sometimes it's cheaper to buy through Amazon. Doing a comparison might save you a few bucks.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars eBags Mother Lode mini duffle, September 20, 2010

By 

Cindy Peryea-Peterson "Firedanse" (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: eBags Mother Lode eTech Mini 21" Wheeled Duffel (Red) (Electronics)

I did a good amount of research and ended up with this item. Also bought the roller duffle buy haven't used it yet. I like the sturdy construction and the extra lack of things that hang off of it (such as straps). Seems that it is made sturdily and it rolls easily. It doesn't fit under the seats like my old roller but with the variety of handles, it is easy for a short person to fit it overhead. Would recommend it to friends and family.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Carry-On Bag, August 4, 2011

By 

M. Paul Holsinger (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: eBags Mother Lode eTech Mini 21" Wheeled Duffel (Apparel)

After years of traveling with almost enough luggage to fulfill a 19th century European Grand Tour, my wife and I decided that, for a three-week trip to Alaska, we would, finally, travel as lightly as possible. We didn't know if we could do it or not but as a prelude, we purchased two Mother Lode eTech Mini 21" Wheeled Duffels from E-Bags, and determined to take nothing with us that would not fit in them. Much to our surprise, we had a wonderful time and, without question, one of the main reasons was our new luggage.

What superb craftsmanship E-Bags has brought to their luggage! The inside space is unusually large; the several inter-changeable compartments cleverly constructed; the zippers well-made. We were simply amazed at how much we were able to pack in such small bags. The quality of material used and the workmanship that went turning it into each bag also was impressive. The bags fit easily in all airline overhead storage bins but, even when fully packed, are light enough to lift anywhere. And clearly the wheels are perhaps the best and most maneuverable that we have even seen. From now on, our luggage of choice no matter where we go will be our new E-Bags. All the rest of our not inconsiderable supply of suitcases are going out with the next trash pickup.

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