Review on EBags Mother Weekender Convertible Backpack: Versatile Casual Daypacks with Added Style by Amanda Kathol

FUNCTION: I ordered two of these bags for a family outing last summer. We took a two week trip to France to visit friends. I love efficient packaging, and the challenge of packing for a two-week trip with only hand luggage is actually my idea of having a good time. I was able to do this with packing cubes without any problems. If the weather in France were relatively normal for August I would be in gold. But unseasonably cool for the time of year and a lot of rain, it took me and the kids to buy some warmer clothes than what you see in the photo in the original box (see photo). I was able to pack the clothes I bought there in a bag so that the bag could hold all the clothes I needed, only my original packaging was insufficient, not the bag itself. MISSION: EFFICIENCY IS IMPLEMENTED me and our two children (3 and 1 Year old). The second bag belonged to my husband. Men's clothing is taking up more and more space, so he needed a whole bag for himself. I am attaching a photo of the contents of the bags and how they are sitting on me. I'm 5ft 7in, short build. I didn't photograph my son's clothes before putting them in the cube, but they were comparable to my daughter's outfit and also fit into a small packaging cube. Space for 4 small cubes (2 for me and 1 for each child), 3 mesh pockets with underwear and swimwear, cosmetic and washing products, hair towel, 3 pairs of shoes, spare scarf, belt, travel accessories. Hair dryer, magazine and travel documents. I also folded a large bag into my backpack and used it as a bag on a long flight. Diaper supplies, snacks and blankets were stored in the Kelty storage compartment. Since this backpack was meant to be stowed on top, I pulled out my large bag, took a few supplies from Kelty's backpack and packed them into a bag that fits perfectly under the airplane seat with easy access to those instant deliveries.When we were on the go, we were able to keep our hands free.DETAILS:The versatility of carrying options allowed us flexibility in carrying our bags and our kids. I can't tell you how much peace of mind you have with just about anything I could need in a salon at our place. In terms of comfort, this bag isn't as comfortable as a real travel backpack, but I don't think it's reasonable to expect that and have the flexibility that this bag offers as part of real luggage. It's a compromise and worth it. Having your hands free on long journeys has been a real boon, and the lack of a retractable handle really frees up a lot of room inside the bag compared to wheeled carry-on luggage. Imagine traveling to international airports with two young children and their toilet/diaper/food. Speakerphone is required. I have also used this bag and only filled it for myself on 4 day trips to weddings. In these cases, the focus isn't so much on efficiency as having everything I need for different activities/activities/+more beauty products than I use in my daily attire. Reading other reviews, it seems that the company fully supports their product. I'm sure they will find plenty of use in our family and will be durable enough to see our kids on their first "adult" trip around the pond in years.