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I love travelling light and will always try to fly with just hand luggage if possible to save money and avoid dragging a large case around. But what bag is best for your next holiday? If you're hitting the beach or indulging in a fancy city break, a cabin bag is one of the most essential items you'll need for a vacation. Ideally, you want a durable, lightweight bag with enough room to fit all your travel essentials and a capsule wardrobe for looking stylish on the road. As a travel journalist and podcaster, I have flown on many airlines and tested many bags in pursuit of the perfect cabin bag to avoid those pesky extra charges. One of my favourites is the Travel Hack Hybrid 30L bag , which fits easyjet's under-seat sizer. It is currently available on Amazon for £54 and I think is worth the higher cost. Designed by Welsh mum and travel blogger Monica Stott, the Travel Hack Hybrid is part of a range of 'Travel Hack' bags. It has been created with frequent travellers in mind and features many handy features for pro packers. It’s recently become my go-to for short breaks and last-minute trips, and I love how roomy and stylish it is. It was created by luggage manufacturer Cabin Max, which designs affordable, high-quality cabin bags for budget travellers looking to beat the airlines and not pay for any luggage. Many reviewers on Amazon have praised their luggage quality, and I'm certainly a big fan. Sized at 45x36x20 cm, the Travel Hack Hybrid is advertised as fitting EasyJet cabin bag requirements (though I wouldn't overstuff it, you know what gate staff are like). It’s also compliant with most other major airlines, like BA and Jet2, which makes it stress-free at check-in. What really sets this bag apart is its hybrid design. One minute, it’s a sleek trolley with sturdy wheels gliding effortlessly through airports, the next, it transforms into a backpack if you need to be hands-free. This switch is seamless, making it perfect if your itinerary includes busy city streets, hotel lobbies, and airport terminals. I found myself reaching for the backpack straps whenever I wanted to keep my hands free, especially on historic city breaks where dragging a trolley bag up a cobbled alleyway just isn’t massively practical. Despite its compact cabin size, the Travel Hack Hybrid surprises with just how much it can hold. At 30 litres, it’s deceptively spacious. The large suitcase-style opening makes packing almost fun, and the internal compression straps and mesh pockets mean everything stays in place. There’s even a laptop compartment for devices up to 13 inches, a side bottle holder, and a front organiser pocket for travel essentials like chargers, cables, and earbuds. For a weekend break, it can easily fit clothes for two or three days, a couple of toiletries, and even a pair of extra shoes without feeling squashed. The build quality also deserves a shout-out. The 600D PU material with eco-leather detailing feels robust and looks stylish, while the rose gold zippers add a little touch of glamour to your travel gear. I’ve definitely knocked it around a fair bit, and it holds up beautifully, keeping my things safe from the occasional rain shower or suitcase collision. If you’re someone who’s always trying to maximise your weekend trips without overpacking, this bag really delivers. It’s flexible, practical, and stylish all at once, and I’ve found myself grabbing it every time I’ve got a couple of nights away planned. Amazon reviewers seem to agree. With a solid 4.3 out of 5 stars from 160 ratings and over 50 sold in just the past month, travellers are loving the Travel Hack Hybrid too. One delighted reviewer said, "I am somewhat obsessive with finding the perfect luggage and it couldn't have been designed better for me if I had designed it myself!" Another wrote, "I am SO impressed with this bag! It is so well designed. The bag has multiple compartments and pockets; space for passports, documents, tablets, laptops, a key holder, a bottle holder etc." It isn’t perfect, though. Some people have mentioned that while the bag rolls beautifully, it can be a little uncomfortable when worn as a backpack for long stretches. One reviewer pointed out, "The bag works well on the ground, but it is a little uncomfortable when worn as a rucksack." That’s definitely something to keep in mind if you’re planning on hiking with it, but for short walks through airports, stations, or streets, it’s absolutely fine. Looking for a cheaper alternative? This carry-on travel backpack is currently £22.49 on Amazon and complies with Ryanair's hand luggage regulations, so you don't have to worry about paying extra for your travel bag. Also, Decathlon is selling a Metx 20l underseat cabin back with a a huge 43% off, at £16.95. Find that, here. Fancy a minimalist, sleek backpack? Try Antler's Urban Light Backpack.
