Travel & Luggage

Travel and luggage at FlipBuy UK — 22 pieces covering airline-approved cabin backpacks, weekender duffels, laptop rucksacks, packing organisers and hard-shell cases. From £15.99 to around £42.99.

How to avoid paying for hand luggage

Budget airline bag charges now often cost more than the seat, and the rules differ between carriers. The dimensions are what matter, and they're stricter than most people assume.

Ryanair allows one small personal bag free at 40 x 20 x 25cm, which must fit under the seat. Anything larger requires paid priority.
easyJet allows a small cabin bag free at 45 x 36 x 20cm, also under the seat.
Larger cabin bags for the overhead locker are typically 55 x 40 x 20cm and almost always cost extra.

Several bags here are sized to 40 x 30 x 20cm, which fits under the seat on most carriers — but check your specific airline's current dimensions before flying, as they change and each carrier differs. The measurement includes wheels and handles.

Getting a bag to actually fit the sizer

Soft-sided bags compress; hard shells don't. A soft backpack marginally over the limit will squeeze into a sizer, a hard case won't.
Don't overpack the front pocket. It's what pushes a compliant bag over depth, and it's the first thing gate staff notice.
Wear your bulkiest items rather than packing them. Coats and boots aren't counted.

How to pack a cabin bag properly

Roll rather than fold. Rolling fits roughly 20-30% more into the same space and creases less than folding.
Use packing cubes or compression bags for anything bulky. They don't reduce weight but they do reduce volume, which is what the sizer measures.
Heavy items at the bottom, near the back panel in a backpack — close to your spine, low down. This is the single biggest factor in whether a full backpack is comfortable to carry.
Liquids in a clear resealable bag, containers no larger than 100ml, one bag per passenger. UK airports are gradually changing this rule but it still applies at most, so pack to the stricter standard.
Keep documents, medication and a change of clothes in the bag that stays with you, not in anything that might be gate-checked.

How to choose between a backpack, a duffel and a case

Cabin backpack

Best for anyone using public transport, stairs or cobbled streets. Hands free, and it fits under the seat. Look for a padded back panel and a laptop sleeve if you're working while travelling.

Weekender duffel

Easiest to pack and unpack, and it collapses flat for storage. Poor for anything over a short walk unless it has a shoulder strap.

Hard shell case

Protects contents and stacks well. Heavier when empty, which eats into your weight allowance, and no give when the sizer is tight.

How to choose a laptop bag for commuting

Check the laptop compartment is padded and suspended — a sleeve that ends at the base of the bag transmits every drop straight to the corner of the laptop.
Water resistance matters more than waterproofing in Britain. A coated fabric that shrugs off a shower is enough; fully waterproof bags are heavier and rarely necessary.
Look for a luggage pass-through strap if you travel for work — it slides over a suitcase handle and saves carrying both.
Test the weight empty. A heavy bag before you've packed anything is a bad start to a daily commute.

How to make luggage last

Zips fail first. Don't force an overpacked zip; it's what breaks the slider. A rub of candle wax on a stiff zip helps considerably.
Empty and air after every trip. Damp swimwear or gym kit left in a bag causes mildew that's very difficult to remove.
Store soft bags loosely, not compressed under other luggage, which sets permanent creases in coated fabrics.
Clean wheels after gravel or sand, which grinds into bearings and is the usual cause of a wheel seizing.

Common questions

Will a 40x30x20cm bag fit Ryanair's free allowance?

Ryanair's free small bag allowance is 40 x 20 x 25cm at the time of writing, so a 40 x 30 x 20cm bag exceeds it on one dimension. Always check the current dimensions on your airline's website before flying — they change, and they differ between carriers.