Recommend me a big carry-on rucksack (Cabin Max?)

[Laquila]

We’re gojng away without kids to a cold city in Nov (with cobbles!) and taking carry-on only. I’ve been looking at the Cabin Max Talllinn and Metz - are they durable? Comfy?

Even though the place we’re going to is pretty non-trolley-friendly, I can see that it might be good to have one of the convertible ones that are a backpack and a trolley in one - or are they much heavier?

Any recommendation much appreciated - thank you!

Not familiar with those but they look quite boxy (a bit like a suitcase with rucksack straps). I had a Lowe Alpine bag which was a similar shape and it was quite uncomfortable to wear over any distance, so I got an Osprey Farpoint www.wiggle.co.uk/osprey-farpoint-40-rucksack-2/ - they now also make a version for women called Fairview.

Very durable and comfortable and has been fine as carry on even on the strictest airlines (eg Ryanair). If you use it to go somewhere cold though you probably need to wear winter jacket etc rather than trying to pack it, as it's not huge - but if you are going from the UK in winter you would probably be wearing jacket etc anyway. There is a bigger (55 version) but I think it's too big for some airlines carry on rules, although you might get away with it. Ryanair are charging by weight from November (£6 to take onboard) £8 to go in the hold, for a bag up to 10kg, not sure if the size requirement is changing though. Easyjet allow a slightly bigger bag I think (but then only one and not a second smaller one/handbag like Ryanair).

I have a cabin max. It’s lasted really well and I take it on every city / short break I do so it’s got plenty of use. It doesn’t distribute the weight well on my back though: it’s all in the shoulders, so it’s not comfortable to wear for a long time. I use it with packing cubes to make the most of the space which I also recommend.

If it’s just for the flight and a relatively short journey to accommodation at the other end you it’ll be great, if you’ll be walking a lot maybe look at something with waist straps.

I would never get a wheelie / rucksack combo as I think they are the worst of both worlds.