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Oct 25, 2024

Best carry-on backpacks UK 2024 – recommended by our editors

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. These are the backpacks our editors stash under airplane seats These days, it’s not just the weight of your suitcase or

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

These are the backpacks our editors stash under airplane seats

These days, it’s not just the weight of your suitcase or the size of your cabin bag that you need to think about when you’re travelling by air. You also need to make sure your extra bag or backpack will fit underneath the seat in front of you.

And if you’re flying with an airline that even charges for an overhead carry-on, then having a backpack with room to cram in all your necessities and outfits (so that you’re not wearing a hundred layers on your flight) is essential.

To solve this packing conundrum, we asked the Good Housekeeping team – all frequent flyers – to tell us what backpacks they always travel with. Here's our list of best buys:

The smallest carry-on restrictions come from Ryanair, which only allows a bag that measures 40 x 20 x 25 cm as part of the ticket price. This must fit underneath the seat in front of you, and there are fairly hefty additional fees to put luggage in the overhead lockers, not to mention the hold.

Other key under-seat airline restrictions to note include EasyJet (45 x 36 x 20 cm), WizzAir (40 x 30 x 20 cm) and British Airways (40 x 30 x 15cm). We detail all the main airline luggage restrictions in our detailed suitcase buying guide.

Below, you'll find a mix of sizes, including some that precisely meet Ryanair's stringent requirements, and others that may squeeze under, provided you don't fill them to the brim. Ultimately, it's worth picking the one you'll get the most use out of.

Curated by the Good Housekeeping Institute's homes editor (who has reviewed countless suitcases over the years), all the bags on this list have been tried out and loved by a member of the Good Housekeeping team.

We’ve compared and listed each of their measurements, so you can check them against your airline of choice. We also looked for extra features and benefits, including pockets, laptop sleeves, if they fit over a suitcase handle, and assessed their overall design, so you can find your perfect travel buddy.

“I love this sleek backpack – it’s available in a chic selection of colours (I opted for navy) and it slips easily over my suitcase handle, which is handy if you want to take the pressure off your back. The zip opens fully and there are packing straps, so I can organise it neatly rather than having to stuff everything in from a narrow opening at the top. Plus, there’s a laptop slot and lots of pockets, including a detachable one that I like to use to keep dirty clothes separate on the way back.

“I’ve stashed it under airplane seats before, but I'd struggle to fit enough in it for more than one night away (I'm a chronic over packer). It’s such a great all-rounder for travel though that my mum was inspired to buy the same one!”

Hannah Mendelsohn, Homes Editor

Cabin Max designs its rucksacks with airline size restrictions in mind, so you can find one to fit perfectly under your Easyjet or Wizz Air seat.

This one was recommended by our Consumer Affairs Director, Jo Finney. “It's amazingly roomy and has lots of compartments so it’s easy to find stuff and comfortable to carry,” she says. “It’s so good, I’ve now got several of them!”

"This under-seat suitcase from Antler is a game-changer. Its compact design fits snugly under a plane seat, making it the ideal carry-on for busy flights. Equipped with a TSA-approved lock, it keeps belongings secure even during security checks. Despite its size, it held enough for a week-long trip!

“The 360-degree spinner wheels and lightweight handle make navigating the airport easy. Its compartments and pockets maximise packing space without extra weight, meeting most European airline restrictions. Two layers of zips and numerous pockets offer additional security for valuables.

“Stylish and practical, it's the perfect companion for those impromptu weekend escapes."

Rebecca Johnson, GHI SEO Manager

"Since I started testing it, this has quickly become my favourite backpack – for commuting and travel. The rectangular shape fits easily under a plane seat and while it’s not too bulky, it still has room for everything I need, thanks to its many storage options. There's a cushioned laptop pocket, a waterproof zip-up compartment and more, so it’s easy to organise well. The main compartment opens a fair way, too.

"If I’m being picky, I'd like a water bottle pocket, and also an additional small pocket positioned near the top of the main compartment, so it’s easier to grab my keys. There is one on the back with a magnetic clasp – I just prefer zips.

"But, that’s where the unique selling point of this rucksack comes in: its detachable front compartment. Again, there are lots of dividers inside it to keep things neat, so on days when I’m carrying more small bits and pieces than usual (like a gym day or a holiday), I attach it and everything’s nicely within reach. It adds a bit of depth to the bag, but that’s a small compromise to make."

Hannah Mendelsohn, Homes Editor

If Easyjet is your budget airline of choice, this cabin backpack, recommended by GHI SEO Manager Rebecca Johnson, is a top pick.“It's the ideal size to go under a seat on the plane, which saves me luggage costs on flights,” she explains. “The compartments make it easy to pack, it has a laptop section and an anti-theft pocket for valuables.

“It's surprisingly roomy – I managed to fit a week's worth of clothes, toiletries and books with ease. The adjustable straps also make it comfy to wear when travelling. I love having my hands free to hold a much-needed coffee rather than dragging a suitcase around the airport.”

“I can’t recommend Stubble & Co’s newest Hybrid backpack enough. While it's not quite compact enough that you’d be able to stash it under a plane seat, it’s the ideal bag if you’re travelling for a long weekend and need lots of room to carry all your essentials. It has a full wrap-around zipper to open up the backpack and pack it like a suitcase, with a roomy 30 litres of space that easily beats most rivals at around this size and weight.

“The top pocket has plenty of space and is accessible both from the outside and inside for versatility, while it has a big dedicated laptop compartment for both a 16-inch laptop and a tablet. Add in the strong handles, comfortable padded straps and back panel, a luggage passthrough sleeve and water-resistant zips and I'm left struggling to think of anything missing from this capable backpack. It’s a little pricey and bulky, but definitely worth it for an all-in-one carry-on bag.”

Simon Cocks, Technology Ecommerce Editor

Backpacks aren't for everyone, and Away has established itself as a stylish luggage brand, so when our Senior Beauty Writer, Florence Reeves-White, recommended this, we decided to include it anyway.

“My Away weekend bag is the best and it slots nicely onto my Away case,” Florence says. “I use it for long weekends and it has a handy slot for my laptop, which is crucial when I’m off on a press trip and need to make notes and get work done while on the plane.

“It fits under the seat if it’s not too overpacked (guilty), and goes really easily into the overhead compartment.”

This one is designed to fit perfectly under a Ryanair seat, and it has the most stringent luggage requirements of all the airlines, you should be able to take it with you, whoever you fly with.

“I tested out the Manhattan 20L Backpack in black and loved it,” says Georgie D’Arcy Coles, GH cookery assistant. “I managed to pack everything I needed for a four-day trip to Barcelona into it, including two pairs of shoes!

“It has lots of compartments (a great feature to keep everything organised), a sleek laptop storage area, a side pocket for a water bottle, a zip front pocket for important items, and even a USB charging socket with a cable. This means you can attach a power bank to it inside your bag and charge your phone from the outside. Genius!

“The only downside is that I only own one of these bags and my boyfriend keeps trying to steal it for himself!”

“This is a great multi-purpose backpack that works as well for travelling as it does for a hike in the country. It's incredibly sturdy with wide straps that don’t cut into your shoulders (if you’re an over packer like me!) and a cushioned breathable mesh back so you won’t get sweaty carrying it around.

“There are handy side pockets for things like a water bottle, glasses or phone, a 13-inch laptop section plus plenty of brightly coloured compartments inside for organising your stuff as well as an easy access top toggle so you can get things out quickly.

“The expandable roll-top design is helpful if you want to buy a few souvenirs on your travels and even the zips are water-repellent – much-needed if the weather lets you down!”

Emma Justice, Special Projects Director

This is another well-designed backpack from Antler. It has a great capacity and lots of pockets. When packed full, you may struggle to slip it under a budget plane seat. But if you're careful not to overpack, then it should serve you well.

"The Antler Discovery Backpack has become my go-to for weekends away and short city breaks,” says Senior Health & Wellbeing Writer, Priyankaa Joshi. “I'm able to fit an impressive amount of stuff inside and I love the separate compartments for keeping everything tidy. There's even a dedicated laptop pocket, a water bottle holder, and a cord for attaching extras on like travel pillows.

“Despite how much stuff I pack inside, it's pretty lightweight and I like the range of handles all over the backpack, making it super convenient to carry when on the go. There's also a back sleeve that you can slot onto a suitcase handle – a feature I will make the most of on long trips. "

“The distinctive rectangular shape of these popular backpacks makes them well-suited to airplane travel. The dimensions mean you should be able to fit it neatly underneath the seat of even the most stringent airlines.

“My partner has travelled with this backpack on many holidays, so I’ve witnessed its suitability first hand – it’s also a good one if you want to pop a bigger bag inside your suitcase for excursions and adventures, as it packs down flat.”

Hannah Mendelsohn

“This is actually my running backpack, but it would make a good pick if you often jet off on adventure holidays. I travelled with it when I was heading to the mountains, and it just about fitted underneath my plane seat.

“It has straps that go around your body for extra support and a few different pockets. Plus, the 18L capacity (or 20L if you opt for the slightly bigger size) means you should be able to squeeze a fair bit in there.”

Hannah Mendelsohn

“I love this stylishly designed backpack from Australian luggage brand July so much that I use it every day – not just for travelling. There’s a padded 16-inch compartment for your laptop, which hides it away next to your back, comfortable padded straps and a wide bucket style opening at the top.

“There’s more room inside than you think, given it looks so neat and compact, plus handy side pockets and an internal flap with a zip for valuables. The only downside for me was the colour I tried. As it's white it shows up dirt – but only because I haven’t stopped using it.” PSA: This one is also available in black if you're worried about getting it messy!

Emma Justice, Special Projects Director

Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.

Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.

Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.

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