Why you should choose a Cabin Max backpack

Updated December 2021

I have used Cabin Max backpacks and bags for over 10 years and love them.

My cabin backpack has endured travel on planes, trains, buses and boats all over the world and in the U.K. It has been sat on, slept on and vomited on (not by me)!

I don’t have a partnership with Cabin Max and promote them because they are the best rucksacks for budget travellers who are looking for durable, practical, value for money carry on luggage.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, helping to meet the costs of running this web site.

Reasons I love a Cabin Max backpack

Cabin Max backpacks are designed specifically for carry on travel

How many times have you packed your bag hoping it will magically fit your airlines carry on bag size restriction? Or used straps or bungee cords to compress it so it will fit in that sizing rack?

Avoid this with Cabin Max backpacks which are specifically designed for current carry on size restrictions.

If you are worried about the cabin bag size for Easyjet or the infamously strict cabin bag sizes for Ryanair, there is a Cabin Max bag for you. A useful ‘shop by airline’ section on the Cabin Max website helps you choose the right carry on bag for your airline.

Cabin Max have also developed a new range of under seat bags to fit recent cabin bag rule changes.

We travel light and completed our family gap year with hand luggage only. Read our tips for carry on only travel here. 

Cabin Max bags are affordable

A ‘big’ brand name with a big price tag does not necessarily mean a better bag.

For example, a 44 litre Osprey bag costs around £120 whereas a 44 litre Cabin Max backpack starts from £34.95.  My low budget Cabin Max bag lasted our family gap year and beyond.

Before splashing out on high price gear, consider the risk of theft and damage during transit. Big brand names stick out and most insurance policies not only charge extra for baggage cover but also have single item limits.  You may not recoup your money if you purchase an expensive backpack that goes missing or gets damaged.

Quality

I bought a carry on wheeled backpack, the Cabin Max Lyon, for our family gap year. I wasn’t sure if my budget bag would withstand the rigours of daily travel with kids but it did and I am still using it.

Its wheels are small but strong and durable with zero chips or cracks after years of use.

The zips are intact and the stitching on the straps and seams is as good as the day I bought the bag.

A range of designs and colours

Go into any outdoors shop and its rucksack display will be a bland block of navy blue, khaki or black.

Dark colours are great for hiding dirt on your backpack but will make it harder to distinguish your bag from others.

Why add ribbons, tags and stickers to your bag when you can purchase a unique, eye catching design in the first place?

Cabin Max backpacks are available in a range of colours and patterns that will help your bag stand out on a carousel or luggage rack. My children say my grey/bright green Cabin Max Metz  makes it easy for them to identify me in a crowd.

Practical features

Cabin Max backpacks are designed for ultimate practicality.

Bags have large and small front pockets for easier to get at items, lockable zips, secure interior zip pockets, mesh pockets, compressions straps and zip away backpack straps.

There are waterproof bags, bags made from recycled plastic bottles plus a choice of cabin luggage with laptop compartments.

But my favourite feature is the side zip so my backpack can open like a suitcase. Flat opening bags are the best option for people who move frequently and can still be packed carefully to ensure weight distribution for comfortable carrying.

Adaptability

My Cabin Max Metz XL backpack has an extendable zip so my 44 litres bag can extend to 55 litres as needed. This is useful if you vary your transport options.

For example, I can use the 44 litre to fit Ryanair hand luggage size for flying to Ireland but, as we travel overland and sea wherever we can, I am able to use its full 55 litre capacity on the ferry.

I love the new, practical ‘2 in 1 cabin backpack’ that unzips into two separate bags so one can fit under your seat and one in the overhead locker.

Choice

Cabin Max make soft carry on luggage, hard sided bags and wheeled rucksacks so you will find one to suit your style of travel and personal preference.

You can buy business style trolley bags, get a traditional backpacker look with the Cabin Max Equator (with a fold away rain cover) or go for a smarter traveller look with the stylish Cabin Max Manhattan, a 30L trolley backpack made from recycled bottles.

Check out the full range here.

Sustainability

Cabin Max have a range of backpacks and bags made from recycled plastic bottles such as this Metz backpack.

But sustainability is not just about what a bag is made from. It means buying a durable bag that will last more than one trip.

Cabin Max backpack reviews

Cabin Max Lyon – a carry on wheeled backpack

I bought my Cabin Max Lyon when I started travelling solo with my children as I needed to be hands free for the kids but my bad back persuaded me to buy a backpack with wheels.

I never expected to be a convert to a wheeled backpack but it proved invaluable and versatile for my changing travel styles and for different forms of transport.

It is comfortable to wear as a backpack as the handle contracts into a protective zipped pocket. I pack my heaviest items near the wheels to ensure weight is distributed on my hips.

The backpack straps tuck away into a zip pocket (which also protects them in transit) and the wheels are hard-wearing.

Some travellers argue that precious space is sacrificed to accommodate the wheels and handle in a carry on wheeled backpack. But I found that having the choice to pull or carry my bag depending on how I am feeling or where I am outweighs the minimal space lost.

Cabin Max Lyon features

• Lots of space at 44 litres
• 55 x 40 x 20 cm including wheels
• Weighs just 1.7 kg
• Easy access pockets, front organiser pocket with mesh, zip closing dividers
• Shower proof anti-tear polyester
• lockable zips
• side compression straps.

Cabin Max Metz backpack

My Cabin Max Metz backpack is well made with a great design and is comfortable to carry on my back or by the padded handle.

I have not needed to repair or replace zips, straps or clips and the side compression straps are great for keeping your bag trim.

The kids can access the front zip pockets for me so I rarely take the bag off my back when travelling.

The Cabin Max Metz is available in a range of sizes including an under the seat bag. I gave my first Metz backpack to my daughter and upgraded to a Metz XL which expands with an extra zip into a 55 litre bag.

Cabin Max XL features

• 44 litres measures 55x40x20cm
• Expands with a central zip to 55 litres measuring 56x45x25. By adding just 5cms to your bag, you get a whopping 25% extra packing space.
• Pack away backpack straps over air mesh back padding 
• Internal packing straps and pockets 
• The Cabin Max Metz range include bags made from recycled plastic bottles

Cabin Max Manhattan

The Cabin Max Manhattan is available as an under seat 20 litre bag (40 x 20 x 25cms) or a hybrid trolley backpack (50 x 40 x 20cms).

It is a stylish bag for those wanting to avoid the backpacker look!

Cabin Max Manhattan features

Cabin Max Daypack

I love Cabin Max backpacks so much that I bought a Cabin Max daypack to use for day trips at home. It was such a good bag that I then bought one each for the children for school!

My favourite feature is the padded laptop/iPad compartment (in selected bags).

Cabin Max daypack features

• Measures 40x30x15 so can comfortably hold A4 sized folders and books 
• Showerproof, durable fabric
• Adjustable shoulder straps and carry handle
• Side mesh pockets for water bottles

Cabin Max backpacks for children

We bought two Cabin Max kids bags for our youngest children for our family gap year.

They loved their adorable ‘bear trolley bags’ so it made leaving home a little easier for them.

These wheeled backpacks have fully opening zips so our children were able to pack/unpack independently and the bags were easy to pull along.

The sleeve on the back is a fantastic feature that enabled me to slip their bag over my trolley handle when they were too tired to pull their own bag.

However, our children didn’t find the bags comfortable to wear on their backs due to the bags rigid frame. If I was buying a child’s hybrid backpack now, I would opt instead for the 30 litre under seat bear bag.

It is still a wheeled backpack but it has a softer back section so it will be more comfortable to wear.

I love the fact that the teddy harness can unzip with its own mini bag which is ideal for journey essentials when you want to stow the main part of the bag.

I think it would also make the bag last longer and grow with the child as they can ditch the teddy part when they are past that stage.

Cabin Max under seat children’s bag features

• 30 litre bag measuring 45x36x20cm 
• Detachable mini bag (28 x 25 x 25cm) is perfect for keeping your child’s travel essentials close to hand 
• Extendable handle or  slip-away backpack straps
• Water bottle pocket, padded carry handles and a large internal pocket.
• Luggage strap to use on larger adult trolley backpack
• Weighs 1.9kg
• Teddy gets to travel too!

Cabin Max packing cubes

Packing cubes are essential for keeping your belongings organised, compact and easy to find. They are invaluable when travelling with children as even the youngest child can find their own underwear!

I recommend buying a different colour for each family member as it saves so much time knowing which bag belongs to which person.

Packing cubes aren’t just for flying, they are indispensable for road trips. We do not remove our large bags from our vehicle each night at each new accommodation. Instead we have an ‘overnight’ packing cube each with nighttime essentials. This saves time, space and hassle.

On our campervan road trips in Australia and New Zealand, we used our packing cubes to store our most frequently used items and then stowed away our large bags in the luggage compartment under the van.

Check out the sizes and colours of Cabin Max packing cubes here.

So, because I own Cabin max wheeled backpacks, backpacks, daypacks, packing cubes and a new under seat bag, you could say I am big Cabin Max fan!

Cabin Max backpacks are one of the best cabin luggage brands on the market. They have practical, versatile design, are well made, hard-wearing, attractive and budget-friendly. Cabin Max bags are adaptable for different transport and travel styles.

I just have to try to resist buying more…