Review: EXO 2.0 Hardside Spinner Carry-on from eBags

If you’re a chronic overpacker, then you’ve had the experience of wrestling your bag into the overhead compartment only to realize its bulging makes it impossible to shove it in and sit down. While everyone is giving you the stink eye for taking up space in the aisle to drag it back down to unpack the outside compartments, you vow to never pack too much again…you know, until it happens again. As much as I love those outside pockets on my carry-on bags, it can be too tempting to stuff them full of things that didn’t necessarily fit inside. Then I get the angry look from both my husband and other passengers, so it only happened twice before I stopped doing that.

Does your carry-on take you sitting on it to get it closed, even when it’s expanded? Then maybe you need to try a hard-sided case. The EXO 2.0 from eBags is fantastic. It has all the inside features you want along with all the necessary outside requirements with the exception of extra compartments and an expansion zipper. Think you can’t get everything you need into this bag? Think again.

I put together all the clothing I would need for my trip to the East Coast this fall and decided to find out if I could get it all in the EXO 2.0 Hardside Spinner. Believe it or not, everything fit, including two packable rain jackets, sandals, a large travel towel and toiletry bag. Above you’ll see both my travel wardrobe and my husband’s laid out. Because the weather is going to be both warm during the day and cold in the evenings, I needed to pack both pants and shorts, so this was an especially challenging packing job, with layering being necessary for both ends of the weather spectrum.

Eric’s clothes take up more room than mine, which is fine, since I can normally pack his and then fit mine in the nooks and crannies left. It’s nice to be able to organize your clothing though and be able to open your bag and immediately find what you need, even if you’re just totally unpacking when you get to your destination. This carry-on is perfect for you if you like this as well. There is an adjustable divider/shelf on the one side that can be moved into a variety of positions to separate your items. In my case, I used it to put Eric’s heavier clothes on the bottom and my lighter ones on top. As you can see, it’s easy to see whose clothes are where, as the divider fits perfectly, plus it’s very sturdy, so if you haven’t packed your bag totally full, even when things are jostling around a bit, your belongings stay on the right side.

Compress your clothing to make sure it all fits snugly by using the innovative six-point adjustable tie straps. They seem to work better at evenly compressing your clothes and eliminating that wrinkle you might get with the traditional tie-down straps in regular luggage. This means you don’t get that side crevice either, giving you the illusion that you can (should?) actually pack more.

The other side of bag has a great mesh zippered compartment, so you can see the contents easily. I always use this side for sandals, flip flops, undergarments, socks and swimsuits. I found that it had more room than the usual mesh compartment, so I was also able to pack it in such a way that my toiletry bag fit inside and also my travel towel and waterproof phone case (for when I go to the beach or pool).

I’d also like to take a second to address the fact that the inside of this bag isn’t black, so it’s not like packing your clothes inside a cave. The light reflects off the inside fabric instead of sucking it all in and making it impossible to differentiate between articles when the room isn’t all that bright to begin with.

Though it might seem pretty straightforward, the outside of the bag is just as awesome as the inside. You have eight large and incredibly sturdy spinner wheels on the bottom, giving you an amazing rolling experience on all types of surfaces, including being able to glide your bag down the squishy airplane aisle without banging into everyone’s shoulders and/or knees like when you have to hug your regular rolling bag to your chest, because it only wheels one way. As much as I would like to be strong enough to carry it over my head, I’m not, and I’m sure that would create different sort of issues.

Have you heard of those people who’ve been robbed out of their carry-on while it was in the overhead and they were sitting four feet away? If not, apparently this has become a problem on some flights, because people never know whose carry-on is whose and nobody suspects someone is going to try to sneak things out of other peoples’ bags on a plane full of people. I’ve never been the victim of this, but if you’re worried, this bag has your back. You can lock the zippers without making the TSA mad. Anyone can take a set of clippers to a zip-tie, and they are only one-use. The cross-over X zipper pulls lock easily and restrict access with a number lock. TSA can get in quickly with a universal key, but the lock is found on the side in the middle, so someone would have to pull your bag almost all the way out of the overhead to even try to open it and steal your stuff. Foiled!

And while we’re talking about the zipper, let me point out the fact that it is self-healing, in case someone attempts to break it open with a pen – because that’s how some thieves do things. You don’t have to cry and buy a new bag. Just run the zipper back over the broken part and then watch it repair itself when you re-zip it. eBags has used the strongest zipper available, so even if you pack it a little too full, you won’t ruin it by pulling on the zipper a little too aggressively.

There are two heavy-duty handles on the outside – one on top and one on the side – making it easy to carry up and down stairs, get it into the overhead on the plane and also get it in and out of the trunk. On the side that doesn’t have a handle, you’ll find four recessed feet, so you aren’t putting your bag directly on the floor and possibly damaging the polycarbonate shell (though the pattern on it also reduces the chance of you scuffing up the outside and making it look super-used).

Are you tall or short and travel with someone who is the opposite, or at least a noticeable enough difference that when you drag a bag behind you the handle may not work right for one of you? This can be a problem for us. The EXO 2.0 adjusts to three different heights, so everyone can pull it comfortably.

And can we talk about the colors? I picked this bright yellow and I love it. It is easy to see, no one will mistake it for their bag, even on the baggage carousel, and it makes you excited to pack. Black, blue and red bags are becoming the norm. Don’t you want one that stands out and makes you happy? I sure do. This bag fits all my criteria. I even like the giant eBags logo on the back, because when people like something, they always want to know where you go it. Now they don’t have to chase you down the terminal to ask you. If only more bags had bigger logos that won’t catch on things and then fall off after your third trip with it.

More information

Size: 21.75" x 14" x 9" | 7 lbs, 3 oz

Colors it comes in: Black | Blue | Yellow (shown) | Crushed Graphite | Celestial Bronze | Grey | Purple

How much is it?: $149.99

Where you can buy it: eBags website or Amazon  The 2.0 is no longer available, but the 3.0 is an upgrade and cheaper at $132.99 or less - Purchase on ebags website or Amazon

Other specs: 100% pure polycarbonate shell

Like eBags? You can also find them on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Right now is the perfect time to buy the EXO 2.0, because Ebates is running a great deal:

Save an extra 10% off + free shipping + 12% cash back (that's 2x the usual!). If you haven't signed up for Ebates, do it now quickly and easily and start saving big!

Disclaimer: I was provided with the EXO 2.0 Hardside Spinner Carry-on for the purposes of this review, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Why I Love the Farmers' Market

Fresh fruits and vegetables are awesome, aren't they? I totally think so. I also think being able to get local produce is pretty awesome and there's no better place to get such things than at a farmers' market. We make a point to hit up markets wherever we are if we can. Sometimes, they are just cute little roadside markets that sell yummy things, but often there are many merchants gathered with their goodies in a formal market. Some are open everyday and some only sell on certain days. Our local farmers' market, which we are lucky to be very close to, is open only on Saturdays and then on Wednesday evenings during the summer. A lot of markets we've been to have limited days like this, but they are worth the effort if you can go to them.

Try new foods

I'm all for trying new foods. How else will you know if you like something? This is the next best thing to picking it yourself. It's super fresh and probably a better deal than getting it at the supermarket. Likely, it doesn't have pesticides on it either. Produce I buy at the farmers' market always tastes better than the same things I buy at the store, which is why I frequent ours two or more times a month. Local foods are a great way to learn about a place, too. Have you ever tried dragonfruit or fresh papaya? I have, in Hawaii!

Buy staples for meals

You're staying in a vacation rental, right? Of course you are, because you like having more room and saving money. Well, that means you have a kitchen and can make your own dishes. If it works out, head to the market near the beginning of your trip and then you have fresh veggies, spices and herbs to make dishes with. Woo! Not sure if you can make entire meals with what you find? You can, and soon I can show you as I'm currently working on a travel cookbook. It'll be full of recipes on things to make before your trip and while you're on it.

Pick up fixings for a picnic

Travel during warm weather deserves to be celebrated with a picnic! If you can't find bread, cheese and meats to make sandwiches with, I'd be really surprised. Grab a bunch of carrots or other favorite veggie to have on the side. Delicious! 

Find food products you can take/ship home

You know those fancy jams, pastas, dried fruits, candies and stuff people always bring home with them? You can do it, too. Sure, you can buy them in specialty shops, but at the markets they are normally all in one place and you can sample them to know what you actually like. If the items are liquidy, like jam or wine, put them in your bag and check it back home, unless it's cheaper to mail them back, then do that. It'll be like Christmas after you get home.

Food trucks

This might not be the norm, though I've seen food trucks and carts more often than not at outdoor markets. Ours has a few and also a coffee truck, which makes morning so much better when you're up early enough to find a parking space (people here really like the market) and aren't totally awake enough to drag around your heavy bag of freshness.

Meet with the locals

Engaging with the locals is a fantastic way to learn more about your destination. You can ask them questions about good places to eat (when you aren't making your own food) and cool places to visit. You may even make a new friend. If you're in a place that speaks a different language, this is a great way to practice, too.

Support the economy

Supporting the local economy is important. Even better than shopping small businesses is giving money directly to the growers and makers of things. You purposely chose your destination for a reason, so maybe spend more time going to local shops and restaurants than chains and you'll be doing your part as a good tourist.

How to Save Money on a Waterfront Vacation

You may be thinking about going on a beach vacation this summer, but many other travelers are planning the same thing. Do you really want to try to relax on the beach by elbowing your way through the crowds to find a space big enough just for your beach blanket? That doesn't seem very relaxing or fun. Avoid the crowded coastline and still get a beachfront vacation by heading toward the lake. You can do a lot of the same activities as you could at a traditional beach, but usually it is cheaper and much less crowded, so you can really relax.

Find A Quiet Lake Cabin

People can visit brokenbowlakecabins.com to learn more about having a quiet vacation, or they can visit a similar place for relaxation. There are many ways to take a vacation, but the family that needs a rest should invest in a quiet lake cabin that is going to provide them with all of the amenities that will make the trip enjoyable. A quiet lake vacation can be just the thing that helps them rest and recharge.

More Room

The space in the cabin can be organized in a number of ways. Travelers can set up everyone in the rooms any way they want. The kids can stay up in a loft and the parents can rest in a quiet room on the first floor. The fireplace can run every night and they can relax on the couches while they watch a little TV. Your family may also want to rest out on the porch by the lake to get a little bit of the fresh lake air.

The Lake

Your travel group can take a small boat onto the lake, or can make your way onto the dock to simply relax. Many of these cabins have private piers to give you a little place where you can relax on the water. The cabins may have a boat, or vacationers can bring their own boat to go out on the lake. 

The Amenities

These cabins come with washers and dryers so your family can wash their clothes when they are on a long vacation. The kitchen has all the appliances that are necessary for cooking full meals, and it is easy for you to wash dishes after a huge party.

These cabins are designed to keep your family in as much quiet as possible. They are lined up on the lake with other cabins, and your family may make friends in the cabins next door. The families around the area are also looking for quiet, and everyone can relax together after they have gotten away from home. Families will be recharged once they return from these amazing vacations.

What are some of your favorite ways to get away from it all when it's crazy crowded at the traditional summer spots?

Disclosure: This is sponsored post, but tips and opinions are my own.