I need to get a cabin sized luggage bag

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Is it better to get a hard shell suticase or soft shell fabric one?

I have a hardshell case for longer trips that I love but I won't be able to take that on the plane with me and I am only going away for a few days so I only have a carry on allowance of 10kg.

Personally I use a rucksack. So much easier for getting through airport and using public transport. I have what I think is a 50 litre one and it fits the Ryanair 10kg carry on size.

I’d choose the lightest possible bag, so usually soft shell. Maybe a hold-all-on-wheels type. A rucksack is also a good call - less likely to be picked as the person whose carry on case is going in the hold for space reasons.

I have both but I MUCH prefer a soft sided case for air travel. You can squeeze more in, and they usually have zipped pockets on the outside that are invaluable for putting last minute items and bits you left on the bed/drawer in..

The hard shell is fine for travel by car though.

I travel frequently and have a small hard shell on wheels. Look at Ryan air as theirs is the smallest allowance of all carriers - that way you won’t be cause out.

Yoi can take the hard shell and a back pack - which goes under the seat.

I got one of these years ago (in Debenhams, long before they went bust). It’s been so good that I bought another for DC. It does me a week for hot weather, long weekend for cold weather. I’d recommend it (though do check against the size for whoever you’re flying - when I bought it EasyJet was the smallest and it was ok for them, but it may have changed).

I combine it with small backpack or handbag.

https://www.tripp.co.uk/tripp-holiday-7-slate-cabin-suitcase-55x40x20cm/p3800

Yes, this exact scenario happened on my last trip - my friend's case was taken off her to go in the hold but I was allowed to keep my soft backpack even though it was actually bigger!

Moron Ryanair unless you pay for the bag. It's the under seat one only if you don't pay.

I got the soft bag from Amazon that was all over tik tok, perfect size, and had enough space to fit my handbag in which they made me do at boarding or I would have had to pay for the bag.

Same here. I use a rucksack (40l Osprey) and haven't used a suitcase for a few years now. And I've also seen the staff go down the queue of busy flights and pick the hard cases to go in the hold.

The choice of rucksack over hard case is also influenced by the fact that we often do multi-stop holidays by public transport, and it's much easier for me to stick a rucksack on my back to go to the station than to wheel a case around, especially when you have to deal with stairs/escalators/rough pavements/potholes.

I bought a Ryanair size cabin bag off amazon for less than a tenner and it's actually really spacious. I packed it to the max and it still fit in the metal checking thing at the airport.

I've got a brilliant one, rucksack type by CabinMax. Really light, so all of your allowance is taken up by contents rather than luggage. Comfortable shoulder straps plus waist strap and adjustable side straps so you can squash it down once you've packed it.

https://cabinmax.com/collections/backpacks-2

I have one of these from Amazon and I do love it but I struggle with sizing even for a domestic stayover for 2/3 nights.

I am also experiencing back ache so I don't know if I feel like carrying a load on my back around with me.

I see the benefits of a backpack but I think I would prefer a bag with wheels.

Hi, which one has the waist straps please? Your link brings me to the main page, not the one you mention. Thanks!

I think mine is the 44L. Mine has a waist strap but I can't see it on the photo of the 44L on the website so maybe mine is an older model and they've changed it?

It looks like the Equator model has waist straps though @lesdeluges, it's a bit heavier but still loads lighter than a hard case.

I ended up getting this one a few weeks ago and it’s been decent tbh https://www.kramersandco.com/products/wheeled-travel-backpack-cabin-bag
used it on easyJet from london, fit under the seat fine. it’s got wheels but also backpack straps which I didn’t think I’d use but actually handy when you’re dealing with stairs or cobbles etc. not the cheapest thing out there but feels solid and doesn’t look too plasticky