ILE Default vs. ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
ILE Default
| Capacity | 25 L |
| Weight | 99 kg |
| Dimensions | 50.8×30.5×15.2 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $240 |
Feature by feature
| ILE Default | Feature | ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| Y | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 2 | Opening | 1 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | hideable |
| removable | Hip Belt | N |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 18in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Durable 1000D Cordura, waxed canvas, or XPAC sailcloth exterior | 840 Denier polyester, YKK and eBags brand hardware |
ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 41 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×36×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 66% |
| Price | $140 |
Key differences between the ILE Default and ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack
- Opening: Rolltop on the ILE Default; Clamshell on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
- Backpack straps: Yes on the ILE Default; Hideable on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
- Hip belt: Removable on the ILE Default; No on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: 15in on the ILE Default; 18in on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
Both have: compression straps, sternum strap, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 122 accept both. 47 accept only the ILE Default, and 2 accept only the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack.
Only the ILE Default fits
Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Baltic, Air China, Air France, Air India, Air Malta, Air Mauritius, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles, Asiana Airlines, ATA Airlines, Blue Air, Boliviana de Aviacion, Bulgaria Air, Cayman Airways, China Eastern, Emirates Airlines, Enter Air, flybe, Icelandair, Indigo, InselAir, Jet Airways, Juneyao Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM , Liat Airlines, Luxair, Meridiana Fly, Nordwind Airlines, Pakistan International, Royal Brunei Airlines, Ryanair, S7, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Sky Airlines, Sun Express, TAP Air Portugal, TAROM, Tianjin Airlines (A320 & E190), TUI, Ukraine International, VIM Airlines (Closed), Volotea, Xiamen.
Only the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack fits
Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways.
ILE Default vs. ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack: which should you pack?
The ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack carries 16L more than the ILE Default (25L vs. 41L), while the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack is the lighter pack at 1.4kg (vs. 99kg). For carry-on flexibility, the ILE Default fits 89% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack is the better call.