Best cabin bags: upgrade your hand luggage with a top carry-on suitcase or backpack

When travelling with kids, you’re going to want as many free hands as possible, making a rucksack the wise choice for Mumsnetters on the move. The Metz backpack from Cabin Max is made for air travel, and fits 94% of airlines’ hand luggage restrictions. It’s ultra light, with a massive main compartment in which you can fit everything you might need for the journey. And it features well-padded ergonomic straps and back support with a breathable panel. There are 30 different colours to choose from, all made from an eco-friendly polyester made from plastic bottles.

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For a cheap pull-along that’ll get your holiday gear from A to B, this bargain case from 5 Cities is just the ticket. Available in a range of colours (brights, patterns, classic dark shades), it’s got a tough back panel and a soft-shell main - meaning it takes up minimal space while empty. It may not last for years and years like more expensive models, but as a cheap way to beat the baggage charges, it’s a winner.

A practical choice for travelling with kids in tow, this Global Carry-On from Osprey has compartments galore and a clever, suitcase-like design. Boasting backpack straps, a side handle and a removable shoulder strap, it has a padded laptop sleeve, a toiletry pocket and a handy sleeve for slipping over a wheelie suitcase handle. The inner compartments are made from a water-resistant fabric, protecting your belongings from any in-flight mishaps.

The name says it all - these are brilliant, lightweight pull-along suitcases that most airlines will accept as hand luggage. Inside there’s a tough fibreglass structure made from a high tensile fabric, providing toughness and durability without heaviness. The two-wheel design also makes it easy enough for bigger kids to pull along.

The only bag on the list to comply with Ryanair's teeny tiny cabin baggage allowance (40 x 20 x 25cm), the Cabin Max Metz 20L Backpack has been specially designed to max out the airline's paltry hand luggage dimensions. It might look like a regular backpack, but this bag features some nifty design features that make packing and carrying easier. The suitcase-style opening is handy for loading items into (and finding them again at a glance) as opposed to stuffing everything top-down into a backpack. There's a top handle and padded carry straps as well as back padding. The side straps help to keep things neat and there's a useful front pocket with different compartments for easy-to-grab essentials like passports and travel documents. It runs a little short when carrying as a backpack and feels a little out of proportion, especially if you're on the tall side but as Ryanair-compliant bags go, this is a sturdy and affordable buy that'll prevent you from having to pay for priority cabin bag fees or checked luggage.

Another Cabin Max recommendation! And another bag designed specifically to comply with an airline's stingy cabin bag dimensions - this time, easyJet (45 x 36 x 20 cm). Many of the airline-specific cabin bag designs are backpacks so it's refreshing to see a hard case, and one that comes with a telescopic handle and in a range of bright colours. There are even two separate compartments with a divider pocket and stretchy straps to keep things neat and tidy. It features spinner wheels and glides well in transit. It's pricier than some of the more basic airline-compliant bags but it's cheaper than getting stung with a £60+ on-the-spot fee at the airport for daring to take a bag that's 1cm larger than maximum size permitted.

Nesting together like Russian Dolls until it’s holiday time, this suitcase set from Kono is great for those that like to pack the kitchen sink. While only one of the cases is designed as hand luggage, investing in a set that will fit together maximises your packing space and your storage space for the rest of the year.

Proving that style doesn’t have to come at the expense of practicality is the Mia Tui Jennie.

This pretty bag comes with a range of internal pockets that come with their own accessory bags, including clips for your keys, insulated bottle holders, and phone and pen pockets. These pockets are big enough to comfortably accommodate iPads, Kindles and tablets.

The Mia Tui Jennie also comes with a handy pocket on the bag to slip it over any standard-sized suitcase handles, keeping all your luggage together.

With all the convenience of a pull-along, and all the squishy practicality of a holdall, this duffle bag-style hand luggage from Eastpak is a great all-rounder. Available in 17 colours (we love the forest green), it’s got sturdy straps and enough space to fit a good amount of clothes, plus everything you could possibly need for a flight.

For maximum security and toughness, Samsonite S’Cure would win in a fight against any other suitcase on this list. Available in six muted shades, it’s lined with 100% recycled PET made from water bottles. With water-resistant technology, nothing gets through its tough exterior, and the four double wheels make for a really smooth glide through departures.