Baggage allowance can be the bane of a traveller’s life with so many cabin bag requirements and restrictions to keep track of. Different airlines have different policies when it comes to hand luggage sizes, so it can be challenging to find cabin bags to suit your needs.
One of the best ways to reduce baggage stress is to travel with an airline with a generous free allowance like KLM, Jet2 and British Airways. Or book ‘priority’ add-ons with budget airlines like EasyJet and Ryanair, to take larger cabin bags on board.
Keeping up to date with your airline’s current baggage restrictions is vital to avoid surprise charges at the gate if your bag is too big or heavy.
READ MORE: 'I avoided Ryanair's luggage costs and still managed to overpack with this under-the-seat bag'
“Before booking your flight, check the baggage allowance for your class of service on your airline’s website, says Sylvía Ólafsdóttir, Icelandair’s Chief Customer Officer.
“This should include the weight and dimensions of your luggage and if handles and wheels are included.”
Ólafsdóttir also points out that although many airlines operate similar baggage allowances, it’s certainly not the same across the board. “If your trip has a layover or you are flying with different airlines during the same trip, pack your bag for the airline with the smallest baggage allowance.”
“Packing for the least generous airline will simplify your journey and help you avoid unwanted fees.”
After last summer’s lost luggage fiasco at Heathrow airport – which saw bags piling up at Heathrow's baggage claim after a technical glitch – travelling with just hand luggage seems like the smart thing to do this year.
“The best tip for those looking to travel hand luggage only is to embrace the freedom of travelling light,” says Creative Director of Cabin Max, Sean Gresty.
“Look at a smaller luggage allowance as an opportunity rather than a hindrance. Travelling lighter can be incredibly freeing and much less stressful than carting a large suitcase all over the globe.”
So what are the best cabin bags to take abroad? What features and specs should you look out for?
We've compiled a list of the best cabin bags for air travel based on their size, weight, durability, and features. Whether you're a frequent flyer, a city break fan, or just looking for a reliable carry-on for your next trip, these bags are sure to meet your travel needs.
Cabin Max Memphis 30L Backpack
Dimensions: 40 x 30 x 20 cm
Best for: Clothes compression and tech pockets
Carefully designed to comply with the new ‘free’ cabin bag rules of airlines like EasyJet and Wizz Air, the Memphis is stylish and saves you money by avoiding extra charges.
Compact, yet surprisingly roomy, this smart backpack also has a large 24L internal capacity with a built-in packing compression zone system for smartly squashing clothes down.
Packing pros will love the selection of pockets for storing tech, travel essentials, water bottles and chargers. There’s even a discrete rear ‘secret’ pocket to safely stash passports and documents so that you can reduce travel stress.
Cabin Max Manhattan 20L Backpack
Dimensions: 40x 20x 25cm
Best for: Short trips
Travelling on a basic airfare ticket this summer? Cabin Max’s compact carry-on can help you beat cabin bag charges and can be used as a personal item on most budget European airlines.
The Manhattan 20L is a no-frills backpack for lightweight travellers who just need the essentials on a short break. Featuring a squishy UV-coated Twill, it can be stored under an airline seat and is Flight Approved to avoid hand luggage charges on Ryanair.
Despite its small size, you can use packing cubes to fit a decent amount of clothes inside the main compartment. Other handy features include a padded rear device pocket, lockable zips & front quick-stash ticket pocket.
Briggs & Riley Sympatico Carry-On Spinner
Dimensions: 56 x 35.5 x 23 cm
Price: £549 on Briggs & Riley
Best for: Weekend city breaks
One of the main advantages of the incredibly swish Briggs & Riley Carry-on spinner is the lifetime guarantee that ensures any damage to your case will be expertly fixed.
With innovative CX compression-expansion technology that minimised wrinkles and keeps clothing flat, this sleek and durable case is perfect for a weekend city break, or a swift business trip travelling with hand luggage.
Double-spinner wheels and an ergonomic telescoping handle make travelling long distances and narrow spaces effortless as you glide around the city.
The built-in TSA-friendly combination lock also secures your bag’s contents and allows agents safely access your bag, no more cut cable locks.
Farino The Getaway
Dimensions: 35x 23x 54 cm
Price: £199 from Wolf and Badger
Best for: International trips
As seen on BBC’s investment show, Dragon’s Den, this stylish bag impressed the dragons who proclaimed it “brilliant” and “a great product.”
Made by British-based company Farino, it’s built from stylish, weatherproof neoprene and features four 360° rollerblade spinner wheels – engineered to take the weight of a human.
Suitable as hand luggage on most international airlines, the Getaway has a variety of compartments for packing organisation, with a secure laptop pocket, outside pockets, a roomy interior and a TSA-approved combination lock to keep your valuables safe.
Gomatic Navigator Travel Backpack 32L
Dimensions: 56 x 36 x 23 cm
Best for: Durability
This sturdy, showerproof backpack is made from solid, long-lasting materials and is perfect for the more adventurous explorer. Designed to neatly carry clothes and tech features 32- to 41-litre expansion that can pack up to 5 days’ worth of clothing and a 17" laptop.
The front section is dedicated to organising all your tech, cords and travel essentials with multiple mesh and zipper pockets – every item has its place inside this built-to-last bag.
For travellers on the go, straps are also adjustable to distribute weight evenly and can be hidden away when not in use.
It’s best stowed overhead in the cabin bins, as it meets most airline max carry-on dimensions.
Antler Clifton cabin with pocket
Dimensions: 23 x 35 x 56 cm
Best for: Work trips
Pack smarter for your work trips with this chic and practical cabin bag from the British brand Antler. Innovative design features include a twist-grip handle, double TSA-combination lock and double spinner wheels. Antler’s 10-year warranty offers peace of mind for frequent travellers who require a stylish case that lasts.
Inside you’ll find an organised interior with a D-zip pocket and handy mesh pockets to keep valuables and essentials organised.
Despite its small dimensions, it’s a surprisingly spacious cabin bag as you can roughly fit 38 litres of stuff inside and approximately another seven litres in the exterior pocket.
The spacious and lockable front pocket is where you can store a 15.6-inch laptop, tablet and passport to keep them secure and within easy reach.
STM DUX Backpack 30L
Dimensions: 50x 33x 24x cm
Best for: Photography and tech
While not specifically designed for photo gear, this versatile 30L bag features adjustable velcro shelves that are perfect for safely carrying your fragile camera kit and tech – a photographer's dream!
It’s one of the more study cabin backpacks around with 360-degree padding for rugged Military Spec protection for your tech, travel essentials and clothes.
Organising your packing has never been easier with a selection of multi pockets, side water bottle pockets, secure laptop storage, discrete security pocket, key clip and cable keeper all in one nifty bag.
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