Ebags has produced a slightly smaller version of its TLS MotherLode Weekender convertible pack:

http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible-small/241465?productid=10209115

It's not a whole lot smaller, but it is not expandable.

Oops, my bad. It IS expandable. Looks like it's just a shorter version for people with shorter torsos.

At 3 lbs.5 oz. it's still pretty heavy.

The weight, at 3 lb. 5 oz., is less than the Tri-Star or the Red Oxx, as well as 8 others on the convertible bag list on this site. I think this looks like a viable and inexpensive choice, especially for budget travelers, or those that are vertically challenged like me!

Nice to see they are making a smaller model, but at 19.5", it's still too long for someone like me who is 5'. Really wish there were a few more options for bags with an 18" length. Hoping that Tom Bihn's 'Pilot' when it comes out fits the bill. I've tried both the WF and REI's Overnighter and neither has been quite what I've been looking for.

I think the problem with 18" bags is they are limited to around 2000-2100 cubic inches. That's about 2-3 days worth of clothing at most based on my experience with the REI Overnighter. My biggest complaint with the full size Mother Lode TLS Weekender is the weight when fully packed is too heavy to carry on your shoulder or back. I wonder if this new Junior version would solve that issue. My untested theory is that ~2500 cubic inches is the upper limit of what can comfortably be carried on your back when packed.

<<Nice to see they are making a smaller model, but at 19.5", it's still too long for someone like me who is 5'. Really wish there were a few more options for bags with an 18" length.>>

Of course, for those of us 15 inches taller, and with a relatively longer torso to boot, even a 22-inch bag is just barely long enough! Obviously, the C7 to L4 (vertebral levels) span varies quite a bit. That distance I gather averages about 27% of height, but is best individually measured. See:

http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacks-torso-hip-size.html

I do know that my 16.5-inch long photo back is much too SHORT for my 75 inch height; that's 22% of my height. Prior to my next trip with such a bag, I'll plan to get one at least 20 to even 21 inches long, such as the:

http://www.guragear.com/bataflae-32l-tan/

though carrying a bag this large would, sigh, mean I'd have to gasp, choke, CHECK my clothes.

What is the Tom BIhn Pilot? Is this a new model?

Oh, thanks Frank!