Be Travel Ready with Bags by eBags {eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible Review}

Although I wouldn't consider myself an expert traveler by any means, I'm proud of myself for how far I've come in the past few years.

Having dealt with motion sickness and a considerable fear of all things airport-related, five years ago I would have laughed at the absurdity of traveling on my own. How am I going to know where to go in the airport? What if I do something wrong at a security checkpoint and the TSA arrests me? Whose hand could I grip tightly during takeoff, landing and at every bump of turbulence?

However, thanks to an increase in trips, both for leisure as well as blog-related, I just might call myself a pretty competent traveler. And, among the other things that I've learned along the way, one aspect that makes everything easier is the importance of having high quality luggage that works for your situation.

As soon as I was introduced to the Bags by eBags collection, it was clear that, as world's largest online retailer of bags and accessories for all lifestyles, they were the experts when it comes to all things bags.

Offering every type of suitcase, bag or travel accessory that I could think of, as I browsed the eBags website I was more and more impressed. Instead of having to grab the first suitcase you can find or make a purchase based on the lowest price available, eBags has quality, adaptability, variety and affordability all wrapped up into each of their categories of bags.

Considering that my ideal bag would be lightweight, include organization capabilities, and be versatile and roomy enough to come along for trips of varying lengths, the eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible arrived and was the answer all in one.

Unsure of even where to start, it seemed that every time I turned this bag over I found a different smart feature that eBags had thought to include. This unstructured suitcase converts into a backpack in seconds, meets carry-on size requirements, weighs less than four pounds, and has a pocket for absolutely everything. All I needed it to do was pack my clothes for me and it would have been my dream come true!

Starting on the front, I found a slim zippered pocket that is easily accessible and perfect for items such as boarding passes or paperwork. Instead of having to dig around into a purse or traditional backpack, this pocket makes it easy to reach your items quickly.

On the top of the bag, there is a double-zippered "forehead" pocket that also provides quick access for convenience. This is a great place to store small apparel pieces such as gloves, a hat or an extra pair of socks (I carry them when I'm wearing sandals because I often find my toes cold on an airplane).

This pocket is also completely perfect for stashing your 1-quart bag of miniature bottles of liquids that you are carrying on the plane (shampoo, hair gel, etc). There is no need to worry when you reach a security checkpoint, as you can simply unzip this pocket and pull the bag right out.

Finally, the front of the Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible features a strong double-zipper that allows you access into the main front packing compartment. Inside the front flap, I has happy to find a great little organizer for quick access to items that would typically be found in a briefcase, such as a pen, your phone and other small items.

The packing compartment has enough room for multiple items or clothing or pairs of shoes, and also includes a key ring attachment... for people like me who return from a trip and can't remember which pocket the car keys were dropped into when I left.

The main compartment of this bag is secured with four external compression straps and double zippers for easy open and close.

Once open, the interior features an upper section with a zippered mesh compartment and a lower section that has a shelf in the middle to help keep your items from shifting around and sliding into one another.

Or, if you prefer to not use the shelf, simply unsnap it and it lays down flat out of the way on the bottom.

I love the amount of space available in this bag! This is definitely not a backpack that provides only enough room for one sweatshirt, the Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible allows for nearly as much as a typical roller bag that would be carried on an airplane.

But space isn't all, eBags wisely included many more great features that make this a one-of-a-kind piece of luggage that users love. For instance, I would never toss my laptop into my suitcase along with my clothes, but this bag has a hidden adjustable laptop compartment that is accessible from the top.

While giving your laptop a place to stay safely tucked away, this bag also includes a sling system that allows you to adjust it to fit to the size of your laptop. No worrying that your computer will be sliding around when it has its own custom holder!

Turning this bag around, the contoured, padded shoulder straps can be quickly unsnapped and stowed if you would rather not use it as a backpack (there is also a removable, adjustable, contoured shoulder strap that comes with it if you prefer to sling the bag over one shoulder).

When in use, however, the shoulder straps (and waist and chest straps) are very well padded and extremely comfortable, helping make this bag feel light no matter how much you have weighing it down inside.

Along the side of the Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible, eBags included two features that I consider nice bonuses: a tuckaway ID pocket and a hideaway water bottle pocket.

The ID pocket allows the user to slip their info in there (e.g. a slip of paper, a business card, etc) and not have a luggage tag hanging off and potentially getting in the way or getting lost...

...while, at the same time, the water bottle pocket (which, as far as I'm concerned, is complete genius) can be quickly pulled in and out when needed so that you always have your water handy and within reach.

Finally, this bag features three grab handles well-placed on the top, bottom and side so that you can easily pick it up to load it into your trunk, up into an overhead bin of an airplane, or more. No matter where you are going, this is one piece of luggage that is the perfect size and is extremely easy to transport!

Whether you are headed on a weekend trip and don't want to pull out a massive suitcase or you are flying for a 3-day business trip and don't want to deal with broken wheels or the idea of checking (or gate checking) any luggage, the Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible is the epitome of convenience.

Retailing for $79.99, this bag is available in five different colors and is your soon-to-be favorite travel companion. Every piece of it is durable, high quality, easy to use, simple to adjust, and designed with convenience and versatility in mind. No matter where your next adventure is taking you, this bag by eBags will effortlessly come along for the journey!

To find out more about this and all of eBags' great collection, visit their website and see their drool-worthy photos on Pinterest. You'll also want to connect with this innovative company on Facebook and Twitter so that you never miss a new product release, coupon, travel talk and more.

This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media but all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.