Locator: 49735TRAVEL.
Backpacks.
The WSJ must have a fetish for backpacks. It sure seems like the WSJ has a lot of articles on backpacks.
Today was no exception. This article was seen in today's on-line edition (December 19, 2025). I just noticed that the article was last updated July 1, 2025. Say what? Phoning in "new" articles, Nick Guy?
Link here. The Mother Lode.
Price: from the linked article, suggested retail, an astounding $220, discounted to $113.
Today, over at Amazon: many, many versions with same name, but this appears to be the one: listed at $219.00 but discounted 11% to $195.95.
This is a huge backpack. Any backpack that will hold a pair of shoes is huge. Having said that, I don't know any true backpacker that would carry a pair of shoes in one's backpack. Maybe more on that later.
Whatever.
I've been backpacking since 1973. My first -- very first backpacking trip with literally no experience, no preparation and no map was in 1973, cross country from Williston, ND, to New York City, and then to Europe for three months, with a budget of $1,000 borrowed from my mom, and I brought back $400. That included air fare, train fare in Europe and the US; room and board, three months in Europe; and, all the museum fees.
My first backpack: pretty basic, not particularly comfortable but did the trick and lasted many, many years after that.
Since then, maybe a dozen different backpacks.
The one I've been using for the past couple of years and my only travel "case," a Matein, purchased in 2023:
One of the nice things about Amazon and backpacks: making comparisons very, very easy. Look at this -- weight:
- the Mother Lode recommended at the WSJ: 2.54 kg = 5.6 pounds
- the Matein above: 708 grams --> 0.7 kg = 1.56 pounds
Holy mackerel! Almost 6 pounds.
Will it fit under the seat in front of you (row 35)?
- Mother Lode: no; not even close; only in overhead -- which is then unreachable why flying;
- Matein: yes; easily accessible even when flying
Best underseat backpack, reviewed over at Travel+Leisure, December 11, 2025, link here. I've not look at this list yet -- let's see if there are any under $50. This is an incredibly good list! Only because I see Matein listed in the #4 position!
But then this, the top backpack looked absolutely hideous, and it's price? $250. The Cotopaxi Travel Pack.
The Matein: "best value." Today's price at Amazon for version highlighted -- $29.99, at 33% off. Wow.
The one ranked #2 was $220 -- wow. Amazing. The price.
By the way, the other interesting measurement -- volume:
- my Matein: 30 liters
- the huge Mother Lode: 56 liters -- it's not a backpack; it's a suitcase with two shoulder straps
- the Cotopaxi: 42 liters
