Hi!

I am reading as much as possible about travelling with just one bag, and I think that the Ebags Mother Lode TLS Weekender is the one I need.
Now I have a Cabin Max (Amazon.UK), but is not very strong and have few compartments...it is quite big and light and I like it for that...
The problem that I have is that right now I live in Macau, and the shipping costs are extremely high...I wanted to buy 2 bags and 2 packs of cubes, and its, at least, 100USD just for shipping costs...over 300 USD in total...

Does anyone recomend a nice backpack/convertible light and big bag from a worlwide brand, that is easy to finf anywere? 55cmx40cmx20cm, carry on size...

Thanks!

Tiago

Or would you prefer to pay the 100USD because it is a great bag...

You might also try ebay for the Motherlode TLS Weekender and see if you can find a seller willing to ship internationally.

Sorry, I meant to say ship internationally at more reasonable rates.

Tiago, I feel your pain. I'm across the water from you in Hong Kong. I tried eBags for the EC Adventure Weekender and the cost of shipping was about 50% of the bag's price. Similar thing with PackingLight. I'm currently banking on it being in the shops here as I've used up all my favours from US-based friends.

Hi, Maggie! Please let me know if you find something interesting. Macau is very small and i cannot find anything...
You one day you find someone that can send it from USA, let me know and maybe we can split the shipping costs....ebags told me around 100usd for 2 bags and 2 cube packs,. Maybe a bigger order is not much more expensive...

I think that $100 shipping for 2 bags and 2 packing cubes isn't outrageous for international shipping. That said, you could try bongous.com or similar shipping consolidator to see if you can save.

You could try to see if this Australian bag is any cheaper to ship:
http://www.summitgear.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_84&products_id=491

But, the cost converts to 145 USD each plus shipping. You may as well go with eBags!

You actually need to make sure those stores sell that particular item. I've been to some of those in Hong Kong and didn't see them.

REI is also a retailer and does not stock those items in the store. Even TNF store's don't carry that much.

These can be expensive in Hong Kong if you can find them locally.

Frank, I've previously approached the EC stockists in Hong Kong but they don't know whether they will even stock the Weekender. An email to EC itself produced a "don't know".

My hope is that a certain online store gets its act together and puts the Weekender on its website (apparently they have it but it's not up, you have to call them - yes I emailed them too!). At Thanksgiving, they have had voucher codes for free US delivery, but they put it against international delivery - I had to pay the difference but it wasn't too bad as I bought a few things.

In the meantime I'll employ some patience and stick with my current convertible carry-on.

Tiago, check the online sales. Plenty going on for US Thanksgiving.

I checked one of the places that I knew sold the EC Weekender and it was at $30 off, effectively reducing the shipping to $20 (at least in my head - and that's my excuse!). I couldn't help myself so, yes, I ordered it. Will put it to the test at Christmas.

Frank, the Hong Kong stockists carry limited EC items, except packing cubes/system, so I doubt it would make it here. People here love their wheels and the wheeled version is in the shops.

Sure, it was packinglight.net (not com). The price was $119.95, cheaper than I found elsewhere. It might say 'In stock. There is 1 in stock' but I've found it said that a few weeks ago, yesterday and still says it today. Perhaps they are rationing them!

Did you look the Code Alpha Convertible Carry-on,
ships worldwide.
It does look similiar to the eBags eTech Weekender.


http://www.botachtactical.com/coalcoca.html