ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack vs. ILE Default XL
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 41 L |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Dimensions | 50×36×23 cm |
| Airline fit | 66% |
| Price | $140 |
Feature by feature
| ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack | Feature | ILE Default XL |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| Y | Compression | Y |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 2 |
| N | Passport | N |
| N | Passthrough | N |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 18in | Laptop | 15in |
| 1 | Main Compartments | 1 |
| N | Organizer | N |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2 | Water Bottle Holder | 2 |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 840 Denier polyester, YKK and eBags brand hardware | Durable Cordura or XPAC Sailcloth exterior |
ILE Default XL
| Capacity | 40 L |
| Weight | 0 kg |
| Dimensions | 55.9×30.5×20.3 cm |
| Airline fit | 47% |
| Price | $280 |
Key differences between the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack and ILE Default XL
- Opening: Clamshell on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack; Rolltop on the ILE Default XL.
- Backpack straps: Hideable on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack; Yes on the ILE Default XL.
- Hip belt: No on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack; Removable on the ILE Default XL.
- Laptop sleeve: 18in on the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack; 15in on the ILE Default XL.
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. 87 accept both. 37 accept only the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack, and 1 accept only the ILE Default XL.
Only the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack fits
Aer Lingus, Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air Caraibes, All Nipon Airways, ANA, Austrian, Azerbaijan Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Czech Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, Fiji Airways, Flair Air, Gol Linhas Aereas, Iberia, Interjet, Iran Air, Japan Airlines, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Mahan Air, Mesa Airlines, Norwegian, Oman Air, Peach, Porter Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, SAS Scandinavian, Scoot, Swiss Int'l Air Lines, Tiger Airways, Turkish Airlines, WestJet.
Only the ILE Default XL fits
Cayman Airways.
ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack vs. ILE Default XL: which should you pack?
The ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack carries 1L more than the ILE Default XL (41L vs. 40L), and the two are closely matched on weight. For carry-on flexibility, the ebags Mother Lode Jr Travel Backpack fits 66% 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.