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Best cabin bags for a hassle-free weekend away
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Best Lightweight
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Lots Of Space: IT Luggage Worlds Lightest Cabin Size Lightweight Suitcase |
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Check Price |
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Best 4 Wheel
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Easy To Navigate: VonHaus Lightweight 4 Wheel ABS Hard Shell Travel Set |
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Check Price |
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Best For Ryanair
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Smallest Size: Travel Ready Underseat Carry On Cabin Luggage Suitcase |
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Check Price |
Travelling light definitely has its pros – you don’t have to worry about baggage reclaim, damaged goods or losing your luggage altogether. Even if you need a check-in bag, the right carry-on luggage can keep your e-reader safe and give you a spare outfit ‘just in case’.
The most important thing to remember is that you will likely be limited to the size of the cabin bag you can take on board with you. Budget airlines have the tightest restrictions, often going as small as 40 x 20 x 25cm.
Below, we have a cabin bag for all restrictions, whether you’re flying with Ryanair or have the freedom of Jet2 or British Airways’ more generous limitations. As fans of weekends away ourselves, we know that quality, style and protection are three other things to look out for.
To take the stress out of your decision making, we have chosen the best cabin bags out of dozens available to buy online. When you’re ready to get into the air again, they will have you breezing through the airport in style.
This is a large cabin suitcase, so it will only work for those airlines which are generous with their limits. But, it *just about* fits into these dimensions, which is really quite satisfying.
We love the storage options; keep clothing and large items in the main compartment, your passport and boarding pass in the top small pocket, and then other little essentials in the other front compartments.
It is one of the lightest on the market, which is great news if you also have to consider the weight of the bag as well as the dimensions. Despite being lightweight, it is still nice and robust, and the dimensions include the handle and wheels.
You get a 10-year guarantee, which is perfect news if you’re one to get worried about your bags becoming damaged with all that toing and froing.
Light yet robust
Spacious inside
Lots of external pockets
They say things always come in threes, and with the VonHause travel bags, there’s no truer word, so whatever trip you’re going on, you’ll have a choice of sizes.
Widely respected and taught after, VonHaus is a name that you can trust, and with its ABS hard plastic shell, you can feel safe in the knowledge that your belongings are secure. The bags have a 3-digit combination lock built into the case and come complete with a fully lined interior, a D-shaped netted pocket, and elastic clothes retainers for organised storage.
Thanks to the 360-degree wheels, you won’t have to worry about the wheels locking up and slowing you down either.
Colour options
Really easy to move around
360 mobility
This is a piece of luggage full of little handy additions and tricks, without you even knowing.
The shock-absorbing suspension wheels allow you to run through the terminal, over the hot tarmac at the arrival airport and up and down escalators without damaging the case or the contents. There is also a water-repellent PU zip that keeps the rain at bay – after all, your end destination isn’t always sunny.
You get 39L of space, but this can expand up to 45L if you have bought one too many souvenirs. There are a few options for storage inside, including mesh pockets, and the TSA-approved combination lock.
The inner is all removable so you can wash it, which is great news if something has spilt or you want to ensure your clothes are as clean as possible on your next trip.
Expandable
Shock absorption wheels
Constructed from revolutionary Curv® technology, this is a suitcase designed for impact – ideal if there is that risk that it could end up in the hold due to the cabin luggage reaching capacity.
It is known for high energy absorption and yet is still perfectly lightweight. Four 360° smooth and silent wheels are perfect for manoeuvrability, and the monotube wheel handle will be perfect for anyone who wants something sleek.
Lockable zippers will keep your items safe, and there is also a TSA lock which is good in case security need to check your case. You get a 10-year guarantee in case anything goes wrong, but chances are you’ll be just fine.
Silent wheels
Long guarantee
Easy hold handle
You’re used to tying ribbons, stickers and all sorts of other things to your main black suitcase so you can identify it from the other plain black suitcases coming round on the baggage belt.
The same can happen when it comes to your hand luggage. So, buying one in a bright colour will save someone else accidentally trying to wrestle your bag out of the overhead lockers.
Available in yellow, blue or green (as well as the classic black), it is made from polypropylene for durability and to protect your contents. It is also based on the design of a music record, so offers style too.
It can be a little cumbersome to lift overhead and can tip if loaded unevenly, but overall it is great for the cost.
Well designed internal storage
Very durable
3 year guarantee
This is a very stylish cabin case, available in a host of colours for men and women in case you and your other half want matching cases in different shades.
Talking of matching, it is also available in medium or large sizes in case you want the set. But enough about extra purchases – the actual cabin bag is virtually indestructible, with one of the hardest shell materials on the market.
There is the main pull handle as well as one on the side for easy lifting, and the four wheels mean it takes no effort to move around, no matter how heavy you’ve packed everything. A built-in TSA lock gives you added security, and it is colourfast so any scratches will be the same colour as the case.
Can be part of a matching set
Reputable brand
Deceptively roomy
If you’re travelling with Ryanair, you’re a bit more restricted. But it doesn’t mean you have to take a carry-on and miss out on handy features such as wheels and handles.
This bag is quite rare, in that it is advertised as Ryanair-friendly and actually is telling the truth. Many use the guidelines for their larger 40 x 55 x 20cm bag as their own guidelines, but you have to pay for that.
It will still fit under the seat in front of you, and a single retractable handle means you can pull it behind you so it won’t bother your back. It’s lightweight which is good for the weight restrictions, and it will compress from 20cm to 9.5cm when you need to store it.
Ripstop polyester
Slim but can extend
Handy pockets on the front
If you want to forgo the wheels and use something which is within the restrictions of most of the lenient airlines, yet is easy to carry, this is the best carry-on rucksack we can find.
You get a huge 44L of space, which is one of the most generous on the market, and without wheels and handles, it benefits from being comfortably under 1kg in weight. You get 3 compartments which are all lockable – one for your main items, another for paperwork and the front one for essentials such as your phone.
It is high-strength and durable, and also showerproof which is good if home or away has less than brilliant weather. The shoulder straps are adjustable, and you also get a carry handle as well as side compression straps which will help if you’re trying to stuff as much as possible in.
The padded ergonomic back will benefit anyone who is worried about comfort, and as a bonus, we would be here all day if we listed the colour options.
Soft shell for comfort
Hugely deceptive storage
3 lockable compartments
Holiday 6 is a very popular collection of luggage worldwide, available in a host of colours and sizes.
They are made from polypropylene, a lightweight yet incredibly tough and durable material. They are also integrated with a TSA lock which will mean easy access in case security needs to check the contents.
Thanks to the 4 wheels, it is really easy to move around and keep by your side so you don’t trip up your fellow travellers. Plus, there are a few internal features such as a mesh compartment which will allow you to separate items of clothing.
All protruding parts are included in the measurements, so even if it only just fits in your minimum requirements, you won’t get caught out by the wheels or handles.
Suitable for most airlines
Lightweight
Available in small, medium or large sizes, as well as in a set, in case you have to buy completely new luggage from fresh.
A 3 digit combination barrel lock gives you optimum security, and it is on 4 wheels so you can move it at the side of you and ensure it keeps up with your pace. This also means that the weight won’t affect your control.
The double-tube handle with the push-button release is simple to put up and down and gives you a strong control. The interior has straps which keep everything in place when you’re moving, and can also separate dirty and clean laundry.
You also get an internal zipped compartment, and the colours will stand out from the drab blacks about.
Can be part of a set
Push button handle release/extension
As mentioned, you will be restricted to a certain size of cabin luggage. This can be anywhere from a generous 56 x 45 x 25cm, to 40 x 20 x 25cm, depending on your airline. It will include the handle and the wheels.
Check with your airline before you fly. Some will also limit you to one cabin bag, and others will allow a separate handbag or laptop bag. Also, check whether they will allow you on with a separate duty-free bag – most do, but a few class this as one item of hand luggage.
If you will be shopping at the airport, it could be worth leaving some room in your cabin bag to squeeze that bottle of aftershave/set of novelty fridge magnets in, too.
It is best to try not to push the dimensions, which is why most suitcases will give you a few centimetres leeway. You may not be checked, but if you are, you may have to pay a big fee.
The cabin bag restrictions for the most popular airlines in the UK are as follows (subject to change so always check directly before you fly):
55 x 40 x 24cm at 10kg as well as personal item at 25 x 33 x 20cm. Regional allowance flights allow 48 x 33 x 20cm
56 x 45 x 25cm at 23kg. Can also take one 40 x 30 x 15cm handbag. Can depend on where you are flying to
56 x 45 x 25cm. No weight restriction but must be able to be lifted into the overhead locker unaided
55 x 38 x 20cm for Economy. First Class and Business Class passengers are allowed an extra briefcase or garment bag
50 x 40 x 25cm at 7kg. Can depend on where you are flying
56 x 45 x 25cm at 10kg, plus one extra small bag such as a handbag
55 x 35 x 25 cm plus one small item at 40 x 30 x 15 cm
38 x 20 x 30cm underseat bag at 10kg. LowFare+ can have additional 55 x 40 x 23cm overhead at 10kg combined. Flex, Premium, PremiumFlex can have this too, but the combined weight of 15kg
56 x 36 x 23cm at 10kg. Can depend on country and class
40 x 20 x 25cm. No weight restrictions. A check-in bag at 40 x 55 x 20cm can be bought for extra
55 x 40 x 20cm at 10kg for both package and flight-only trips
56 x 36 x 23cm at 10kg. You must be able to place it into overhead lockers unaided. Upper-Class passengers can also take another small bag
40 x 30 x 20cm at 10kg. Does not include handles or wheels. Must fit under the seat in front of you. Can also take an additional bag 55 x 40 x 23cm with WIZZ Priority Boarding
Always lock your hand luggage, even if you know it won’t leave your side.
This can be with a padlock and separate key, or with a combination lock. You should ideally look for a lock which is TSA approved (read more about this below).
Most cabin suitcases will come with some form of lock. Those with a lock attached to the case (such as a keypad) are probably the most secure, as the padlock then can’t be cut off or broken and you don’t have to worry about carrying keys.
Suitcases (both large and hand-luggage) can have 2 or 4 wheels. Those with 4 wheels are sometimes called spinner cases and are the easiest to move around, as you can keep them upright and to the side of you. This also protects anything in your case.
Suitcases with 2 wheels usually have to be pulled at a tilt, and behind you, which can be harder when it comes to rushing through busy airports. But they do tend to be cheaper and are easier to pull up kerbs and other levels as opposed to lifting them.
Inside your cabin case, look for additional pockets which are great for keeping smaller items safe and separate from everything else, whether this is dirty washing, underwear or your essential documents.
Most cabin luggage pieces will have a couple of different pockets, such as a large mesh section in the lid and extra small pockets for more fragile items. Soft-shelled hand suitcases will usually also have outer pockets, which can be good for keeping your passport and boarding pass to hand.
A TSA Approved Lock is any lock that has the Travel Sentry logo on it.
Travel Sentry was created in 2003. They are in charge of making and approving luggage locks that can be opened by aviation security agencies like the Transportation Security Administration in the USA.
A TSA lock can be a combination, key and padlock or cable tie. It isn’t essential to have a TSA lock, but the idea is that if security services have to get into your bag, they will have a key which works with the lock so it will prevent it having to be cut off.
This security system is used in 30 countries and over 650 airports worldwide, so chances are it will be in place wherever you are going.
It isn’t a common feature, unlike with larger full-size suitcases. If your hand luggage bag just about fits in the limitations for your airline, expanding it would not be a good idea.
But some do have this feature. They’re hard to find, but could be good for anyone who has a generous dimension limit and an urge to buy the whole of duty-free.
Soft-shelled carry-on cases will usually be the ones to have it – you may want to invest in straps to keep it all as tight as possible, though. This won’t only cut down a few millimetres of size but will stop your case from snagging and catching on things.
This is one of the more complicated rules when it comes to flying.
For free, you get 40 x 20 x 25cm of hand luggage. The carry bag must fit under the seat in front of you and can include a handbag, laptop bag or small backpack.
Your cabin bag can usually include wheels, but they must fit into the overall dimensions. This can make it hard to find a perfect bag which fits the dimensions and is still easy to transport.
An additional 40 x 55 x 20cm bag can be purchased for an extra £10-£25 depending on your route. This is the size which many brands advertise their ‘Ryanair-friendly’ bag as – so don’t be fooled if you don’t want to pay.
Always check before you fly, however – changes can be made at short notice and based on the route you’re taking.
It is a popular destination, and this is a popular question about The Floating City.
There is nothing to stop you taking a wheeled luggage case to Venice, but the roads are narrow and it is packed with tourists, so the more experienced Venetian travellers will tell you to stick to a large backpack or rucksack which won’t get in the way of other people.
