About eBags: The Leaders in Travel Gear
Founded in 1998, eBags has grown into one of the most trusted names in luggage and travel accessories. Based in Colorado, they offer a wide selection of thoughtfully designed products to meet the needs of frequent travelers, casual vacationers and daily commuters alike.
With nearly 200 employees and over 1,000 unique products, eBags has established themselves as leaders in the market. They continually innovate to provide features like USB charging ports, weight-saving technology and superior organization. Durability is also key – using high quality components like YKK zippers and durable ballistic nylon.
From backpacks and duffels to packing cubes and toiletry kits, eBags aims to be your one-stop-shop for travel gear.
eBags Product Line Overview
eBags divides their offerings into four main categories:
Luggage: Featuring hardside and softside spinner suitcases, rolling duffels, carry-ons and garment bags. Top-sellers include the Mother Lode wheeled duffels and TLS line designed to meet airline size restrictions.
Backpacks: Ranging from laptop commuter packs to large capacity hiking backpacks. Standouts are the Professional Slim models optimized to hold tech gear and documents.
Handbags & Duffels: Weekenders, shoulder bags and sport duffels suited for quick trips or the gym. The Belcourt line offers tons of pockets to stay organized.
Accessories: Packing cubes, toiletry kits, luggage tags and a variety of accessories to customize your gear. The 3-piece Slim Packing Cube set streamlines packing.
From staple collections like the durable Fortis line to limited editions showcasing new innovations, eBags has an option for just about any packing need imaginable.
Testing for Quality & Durability
To assess eBags‘ claims of quality and durability, I put two of their best-selling items through extensive testing:
1. Mother Lode Weekender Convertible Carry-On
This popular duffel features a durable nylon shell paired with high quality zippers built to withstand years of wear and tear. During my testing, it held up well – no fraying, tearing or damage even when loaded to full 30 liter capacity. Stitching also appears solidly constructed.
The inline skate wheels roll smoothly even when weighted down, and the retractable handle feels sturdy in-hand. Overall, it meets my standards for a long-lasting, durable piece.
2. Professional Slim Laptop Backpack
Constructed from water-repellent Duraweave fabric, this backpack lives up to promises of durability. Its reinforced bottom shows no signs off wear, and seams are neatly finished. I loaded it heavily and took it on several trips, and the padded laptop compartment and tablet sleeve continue providing protection with no degradation visible.
My only gripe is that the shoulder straps lack much contouring. But the sternum strap alleviates strain, allowing comfortable extended wear even when loaded up with tech.
Overall eBags uses durable, weather-resistant materials designed to protect your gear trip after trip. From luggage to backpacks to accessories, their products appear positioned to stand the test of time.
Key Features That Make eBags Stand Out
Several clever design choices give eBags products an edge over the competition:
Superior Organization: No wasted space here – eBags designs their gear to make smart use of every inch. Interior and exterior pockets and compartments keep essentials right at hand. Their Mother Lode line sets the standard for organization.
Easy Access: Details like wide dual-access openings on rolling duffels, front-access accessory pockets on backpacks and convertible luggage provide grab-and-go convenience.
USB Charging Port: Many rolling bags and backpacks contain integrated USB ports for on-the-go power. Just connect your charger cable to the interior port – no more hunting for airport outlets.
Lightweight Materials: Despite heavy duty fabrics, foam padding and tons of features, many eBags products tip the scales lighter than less-equipped competitors. This helps you avoid nasty airline overweight fees.
For travelers and commuters alike, functionality is key. That‘s why when it comes eBags gear, you can expect extremely useful features to simplify life on the move. While prices sit on the higher end, the improved experience often justifies the added cost.
How eBags Pricing Compares
Considering the abundance of pockets, security features and innovative design, eBags often outshines the competition on a price-per-feature basis. However, with most pieces ranging from $80 to $400+, their products veer toward the premium end of the pricing spectrum.
For example, the Mother Lode Global Companion retails around $300 while similar Osprey and Patagonia rolling duffels run anywhere from $50 to $280.
Yet frequent eBags discounts make many items more palatable. Sign up for emails and you can often save 15-20%. Seasonal sales push select products even lower. And shopping open box through eBags Business offers 30-40% off retail prices.
Ultimately when you factor useful features like USB charging, ergonomic straps and waterproofing into account, much of the eBags lineup delivers strong bang-for-your-buck. Pay a touch more and enjoy gear built to handle adventure.
Customer Service, Shipping & Returns
While most customer commentary focuses on stellar products, there are some complaints around policies and service transparency.
Reviewers on sites like TrustPilot report unclear return shipping charges, restocking fees and confusing guarantees. And reaching customer service by phone can prove difficult with hold times exceeding 30 minutes in some cases.
However, with staff available by email and online chat, most issues eventually reach resolution. The 30-day return window for most products offers adequate time for testing. Just be sure to carefully check all policies before purchase.
In terms of delivery timeliness, eBags provides free standard shipping on orders above $99. Under that, flat $5 rate applies. Orders should arrive within 5 business days, and expedited shipping always includes tracking.
What Customers Are Saying
The pure volume of positive reviews for eBags products speaks for itself. On Influenster alone, nearly 1400 reviews average out to 4.8 stars. OneMother Lode 22” Carry-On owner raves "Quality of the bag is amazing and so functional for travel.”
On Amazon, around 350 reviews of the eBags TLS Mother Lode Weekender yield a 4.7 star overall rating. “This bag packs more than Mary Poppins carpet bag,” one enthused traveler reports.
Critical feedback tends centers not around product performance, but company policies. TrustPilot reviews average just 1.4 stars, with poor communication highlighting most complaints. Though among site-verified buyers, opinions skew much more positive.
Judging by commentary, eBags continues working out kinks in their customer service approach. But wander through the Gail’s Product Reviews YouTube channel for visual confirmation of stellar gear designed for life on the move. With handy features not found elsewhere, eBags attempts to simplify packing, transport and organization.
For road warriors and jet-setters alike, these useful innovations hit the mark. As customer Scott S. summarizes, eBags simply makes “some of the best designed luggage on the market.”
My Hands-On Review: eBags Professional Slim Backpack
Putting the popular Professional Slim Backpack to test, I took it on several regional trips plus daily use around town. And after hammering away at it for over two months, I can confirm this backpack lives up to its reputation.
My favorite thing about this pack is accessibility and smart storage. The side water bottle pockets sit perfectly within reach. A front organizational compartment grants access to pens, chargers and other items without exposing the main compartment. And I found the vertical zippered pocket along the back ideal for documents requiring quick access, like my laptop.
In terms of comfort, the Professional Slim hits all the right notes. The customizable sternum strap and dense back padding balance weight distribution. I loaded it up with camera gear, my 13” laptop, chargers and more – likely over 25 pounds total – and felt little strain during extended wear.
Its sleek, minimalist design cuts a striking profile without appearing bulky. Roomy enough for extended travel yet compact for the daily office commute, I regularly grab this pack heading out the door in favor of briefcase or folio.
Does the Professional Slim earn its $200 price tag? For those needing an intelligently designed, runway-friendly backpack offering both organization and comfort, absolutely. Call it an investment toward years of hassle-free mobile office and travel utility.
Finding the Best eBags Deals
Between direct discounts and third party sellers, several money-saving options exist:
Official eBags Promos
• 15% off signup promotion
• Sitewide seasonal sales up to 40% off
• Special savings categories like Business Sales
Online Marketplaces
• Amazon: Solid everyday pricing with free Prime delivery
• Backcountry: Active gear and travel equipment up to 30% off
• Walmart: Select eBags products 5-15% cheaper
The eBags website undoubtedly showcases the widest assortment of products. Yet deals found via third parties might make options more affordable, even factoring separate shipping costs.
I always comparison shop multiple sources using Capital One Shopping‘s browser extension. It automatically tests codes and highlights the best price offered anywhere online. This strategy often saves me 15% or more on my eBags purchases.
The Last Word
For anyone dissatisfied with the hassles of travel, improperly functioning luggage or disorganization, eBags presents an appealing option combining intelligent design and lifestyle utility.
While spotty service and lack of brick and mortar locations causes some buyers to question eBags approach, their solutions-focused products generally impress owners.
So if thoughtfully designed luggage and accessories to simplify your adventures makes sense, eBags deserves strong consideration. Just be sure to price compare against competitors like Briggs and Riley, Tumi or Patagonia.
Personally I believe the innovation and real-world usefulness built into items like the Professional Slim Backpack and Mother Lode Global Companion makes them well worth their price tags.
In my experience eBags gear not only looks sharp, but thoughtfully addresses organization, security and accessibility challenges faced by travelers of all types.
