Whether you’re a frequent flyer or weekend jetsetter, these cabin-friendly backpacks and suitcases are the must-have for your next adventure
Airlines are becoming stricter about the size of hand luggage travellers are allowed to take. With the holiday season fast approaching, watchful staff have been asking passengers to fit their bags in the luggage sizer.
Holidaymakers who do not double-check luggage restrictions risk paying extra, so it’s best to check the rules and get the right bag for the trip. From budget airlines to expensive first-class flights, airlines offer two types of carry-on luggage.
A personal bag that must fit under the seat or a larger cabin bag to fit in the overhead locker, with Ryanair offering the least allowance for both – a free bag measuring 40 x 20 x 25cm and a small luggage measuring 55 x 40 x 20cm with a maximum weight of 10kg.
But don’t assume long-haul airlines are more generous. British Airways passengers are allowed to bring a free bag measuring up to 40 x 30 x 15cm but with a weight limit of up to 23kg. To make life easier, we’ve compiled a list of backpacks and cabin bags so jetsetters can make the most of packing space.
Budget-friendly options:
Lossga Underseat Anti Theft Carry-on from £16.98
Dimensions: 40 x 20 x 25 cm
Backpacks are great for short weekend trips and this Lossga bag is crafted to meet the size requirements of Ryanair. It has two main compartments – one for clothes and shoes and another with multiple pockets for charger, toiletries and other small items.
At the back, there is a hidden back zippered pocket, perfect to store important documents, wallets, or gadgets securely against your body, deterring potential theft attempts. The thick padded shoulder straps also help distribute the weight evenly on the shoulders and back.
With more than 1,770 reviews on Amazon, shoppers also commented on the style with one saying: “It is not an informal backpack but rather a good-style one. Definitely would work for when I travel for business and not only leisure.”
But another customer said: “The Bag gets dirty very easily and it does not clean well.” It comes in a range of colours so those concerned about dirt marks should stick to darker shades.
Dimensions: 46 x 32 x 21cm
Decathlon’s own accessories brand Kipsta has left shoppers impressed, with the viral kit bags as their go-to travel bag. Now they have upgraded the bag range and this 30L Backpack Hardcase is a stylish travel essential including a rigid compartment for shoes.
Made with weight and abrasion-resistant materials, there are six pockets to fit everything needed for a short-haul getaway. One shopper mentioned that it has “little back support” but others liked the multi-pocket design and the affordable price. The Kipsta may not work for travel on Ryanair as a free bag, but it will be fine on Easyjet.
Narwey Underseat Foldable Travel Duffel Bag – from £11.99
Dimensions: 40 x 19 x 25cm
This Amazon number one bestseller has caused a frenzy on TikTok and is dubbed the “viral Ryanair bag.” With an impressive 14,460 reviews on the e-commerce platform, the easy-carrying holdall has scored a 4.3 out of five rating.
Known for its affordable price and perfect bag size, measuring 40 x 19 x 25cm, the bag fits everything travellers need for a short holiday and now Amazon has dropped a limited time deal with 38% discount, dropping the price from £15.99 to £9.99.
The thick nylon-like fabric left Express showbiz reporter Fran Winston surprised as she said: “The bag felt surprisingly robust for the price, it’s made from a heavyweight fabric with sturdy-looking stitching and zips. The shoulder strap is secured with metal hardware but the top straps struck me as too short.
“I could just get it under my arms unpacked.” Shoppers also suggested using packing cubes to fit more in the bag, but some said they struggle to fit their laptop in.
Xlodea Ryanair Cabin Bag – £18.99
Dimensions: 40 x20 x 25cm
Yet another popular Amazon bag loved by travellers, this backpack flight bag is approved by Ryanair with a compact 40 x 20 x 25cm measurement. Crafted from high-grade, water-resistant fabric, this backpack is built to withstand daily wear and tear, featuring reinforced zippers and safety features to keep valuable items safe.
It also has a built-in USB port, so there’s no need to carry a power bank in hand to charge a phone or tablet. Shoppers also confirmed the bag “fits into the frame testers at airports” and they managed to “avoid getting charged at check-in gate”.
Another shared: “This bag looks great and has a bit more padding on the shoulder pads for my daughter. There’s a lot of room inside for some clothes and things like tablets and it will be perfect for a travelling on an airline and you can pull the side straps down to try and make it a bit thinner.”
AVIO Atlas 45cm Underseat Cabin Bag – £27.99
Dimensions: 45 x 36 x 20cm
If shoppers have back and shoulder pain issues, getting a trolley bag is a better option but with airlines limiting the underseat bag sizes, we have found this AVIO Underseat Cabin Bag perfect for easyJet and Wizz Air customers without paying extra for luggage.
The hardshell bag, measuring at 45 x 36 x 20cm, is a lightweight suitcase offering smart interior compartments and compression straps for organised packing on shorter trips or light travel. The telescopic handle also comes in three heights, which many customers say it’s been a “game-changer”.
One five-star shopper shared: “For this price, I wasn’t expecting great things, but I was totally wrong. The colour is beautiful, the zip is smooth and secure and the construction is great. It’s really lightweight and the wheels are smooth and it’s easy to move around.” But some said the handle “flexes a lot and creaks in use”.
Pricier options:
Fjällräven Knken Laptop 15″ – £95
Dimensions: 38 x 26 x 17cm
For a stylish look, Swedish outdoor clothing brand Fjällräven offers an array of colours on their iconic backpack and now they have extended to more sizings including this one that fits a 15-inch laptop. The bag is a no-fuss backpack that has one main compartment with a padded sleeve for laptops or tablets and a zippered pocket at the front.
It’s best to use a shoe bag and lingerie bags to keep things tidy and clean. Unlike the other backpacks, the material is thin yet, very durable and water-resistant, making it perfect for travel. There’s also an open pocket on the side for fitting a water bottle.
The North Face Base Camp Voyager Roller 21″ – £215 (£150 for members)
Dimensions: 35.6 x 23.8 x 54.6 cm
This bag is cabin-friendly for most airlines as a paid large carry-on, and it offers plenty of room for essentials and everyday belongings. Inspired by the popular duffel style, the rolling bag features a built-in telescopic handle and smooth-rolling wheels to ease travellers through the airport.
The soft case fabric is made from durable polyester tarpaulin, and the practical design provides room to pack more. There’s a 15″ sleeve on the inside to keep a laptop safe and the large internal compartment features a zipped divider to help keep dirty shoes or clothes away from clean ones.
While there’s plenty of room for travel essentials, the compression straps help find space for a little more. Not to mention, there are extra pockets both inside and out for quick and easy access to passport, phone, wallet and keys. The North Face is offering early sale access to their XPLR PASS members and shoppers can sign up for free to unlock 30%.
Nere Bondi Cabin Suitcase – £99
Dimensions: 56 x 36 x 20cm
To inject a bit of fun to travel, Nere’s vibrant gelato-inspired cabin range is surely one to bring a smile to shoppers. This is the brand’s lightest hard suitcase, engineered with scratch-resistant PP hard shell for stress-free travel.
Customers will be eligible for a 10-year warranty when purchasing the Bondi case from the official website. Inside the case, shoppers can find a detachable mesh wash bag, self-repairing zippers and outside, a recessed TSA-approved combination lock.
The Bondi suitcase has amassed a 4.6-star rating as one shared: “Great little suitcase, perfect for a short trip. The pull handle feels a little flimsy but overall very happy with it. The expander works well and it’s easy to keep everything organised inside. Happy with the purchase.”
