Customer Reviews Eagle Creek Load Hauler Expandable

Versatile. Thoughtful design. It will become my go to pack

I was looking for a bag that I could use for all purposes and be able to always go carry on. I have fly a fair amount and usually have tight connections. I fly out of a regional airport that makes you gate check most items which you receive back at the jetway when you land. While this isn't a large issue that 10 minutes can be the difference in making a 45 minute connection or not, which is why I purchased this bag. So far I have not had to gate check the bag and it fits in the smaller sized over head compartments. As the bag is a bit larger than I expected I have not had to load it up or expand it yet. If i had it most likely would not have fit and would have been to large to go under the seat. For the over head compartments of regular planes it will fit no problem. Built well and the backpack straps have more padding than any of the other EC Backpacks that I have, it is light weight and very well built. I recommend the bag, but just know what you plan to use it for.

Looks like a good size

This bag has a large capacity and is lightweight. I used it for a week-long trip to the Costa Rican rainforest. It fit in the overhead compartment so I did not have to check a bag, and the fact the back straps could be hidden helped. Features noticeably missing however were an exterior water bottle pocket, and a diagonal strap for over-the-shoulder carry. It would also be nice if it had a pocket or two on the inside to delineate items. Over all, however, this is a great bag that is highly useful.

can I say it one more time ... black bags should have black handles, or at least offer colors as an option. Wouldn't want to be seen in public with blue handles on a black bag.

the material may look good and strong but it will stain and wear out by the air lines companies buy some think cheaper if you can this is to expensive for the results

Defective. Built incorrectly. DO NOT PURCHASE

Same problem as another customer. Bag is made upside down. Useless, now I have to pay to return this bag. Why is Eagle Creek still selling these bags? Are they simply hoping people will just accept not being able to use it as advertised?

Although this bag looks like it would fit my needs, I RECEIVED THREE CONSECUTIVE BAGS THAT WERE MANUFACTURERED INCORRECTLY from Eagle Creek. At this point, I have simply given up. Although I am a long-time Eagle Creek customer, I may never buy an Eagle Creek product again. I ordered the Load Hauler. When it came, the triangular clips to hook the backpack straps were on the top not the bottom where they should have been. Called Customer Service. The only way to get a new one quickly for my upcoming trip to Africa was to buy a new one and return the old. So, two bags now on my charge. The customer service rep assured me that the warehouse had been checked to make sure that these defective bags were now removed. Second bag arrives a few days later- with the same exact manufacturing defect. When I call Customer Service again, they take the problem to Corporate. Corporate sends me another bag, two day delivery. They said that the people at Corporate would check to make sure this bag was manufactured correctly. But, the expedited service was all for naught. When the THIRD bag arrived, it HAD THE SAME MANUFACTURING DEFECT. More phone calls with Customer Service and at this point, only one day left before my trip. No functioning bag. And no information about whether a replacement will arrive in the next 24 hours or whether that replacement will have the same flaw as all the others. Although I encountered some helpful customer service people along the way, each of my calls lasted from 30 minutes to an hour -- as I was passed back and forth between Customer Service, Warranty Service, Web Customer Service and more. People promised to call back and they never did. My last contact was with a cheerful Customer Service manager whose "I'm sorry" was perfunctory. In all this process, I haven't gotten the sense that anyone believes that they should be bending over backwards to correct their triple mistake. What a terrible experience - from both a quality of product and customer service standpoint. MY ADVICE- DON'T BUY THIS LOAD HAULER IN BLACK. THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THAT THEY ARE ALL DEFECTIVE.