16 of the Best Carry On Bags + Backpacks for Women [2025]

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A round-up of the best carry on sized bags or backpacks for women and female travellers…

If you’re travelling on a budget, whether it’s a short break or a long-term round-the-world trip, packing everything into hand luggage can help you save money – as well as saving you time at the airport.

In this post, I’ve chosen my favourite bags and backpacks, and also gathered recommendations from fellow travel bloggers, to make sure this list ONLY includes tried-and-tested cabin bags that you can trust…

Some (not all) of the carry-on bags and backpacks included below were gifted to me or to the bloggers who recommended them. But all opinions are 100% honest.

My Top Picks

Quick Note about Hand Luggage Sizing

Hand luggage allowances vary from airline to airline, although it’s usually around 55x40x20cm and 10kg. There’s a table at the end of this page with allowances for the most common airlines.

Important: Some budget airlines only include a “personal item” for free, which needs to fit under the seat in front of you. So you may need to pay extra to add a large cabin bag. Check the table at the end of this page for clarification. There are also some really small bags and backpacks on the list below, which will fit that stingy personal item allowance!

Best Carry-On Bags for Women

1. Travel Hack Tote Bag

Recommended by Emily: One of my favourite bloggers, Monica from the Travel Hack, has a range of luggage, which is both brilliantly designed and absolutely gorgeous! The Travel Hack Underseat Tote Bag is the perfect carry-on bag for people who don’t like backpacks or prefer a shoulder bag.

It’s a huge tote bag with about a million pockets (OK, ten pockets) so you can stay super organised. And you can easily pack enough for a one or two-night break as it’s surprisingly roomy. The design is super-stylish and feminine: faux leather with rose gold details and a pink interior. So pretty!

2. Kipling Darcey Small Spinner: 30L

Recommended by Shobha from Martha’s Vineyard Tourist: “The Kipling Darcey Small Spinner cabin bag is super lightweight, so it’s easy to pick up and haul into the overhead bin, and easy to wheel. It’s very durable (mine has lasted nearly a decade). The bag easily fits enough for a weekend away – or a week if it’s a beach holiday.”

3. Jewel Small Suitcase by Rock Luggage

Recommended by Emily: I’ve had the Jewel Small Suitcase from Rock Luggage for a few years and I’m still a big fan! It’s bang-on the right size for TAP Air’s (and Ryanair’s) large cabin bag allowance, so it’s ideal for a short break on a budget.

This is such a pretty bag: I have it in black with rose-gold trim, and it just looks so stylish. It’s also super lightweight (just 2.5kg) and really maximises the space inside. I can pack several outfits, a spare pair of shoes, and all the usual travel essentials. Plus, there’s a big outside pocket (big enough for my 13″ laptop) and a larger interior pocket for organisation.

READ MORE: Best carry-on luggage and suitcases for women

Best Carry On Backpacks for Women

1. Travel Hack Cabin Backpack

Recommended by Kylie from Between England and Iowa: “The Travel Hack Backpack has a stylish black and rose gold design, making it much smarter than many carry on backpacks. With a 20L capacity, the backpack is on the smaller size.But it fits within the dimensions of Ryanair’s underseat luggage allowance, so it’s guaranteed to fly for free on their flights.

“There are eight pockets altogether. This includes: a 13inch laptop pocket, an easy access top pocket and an expandable water bottle compartment. Inside is a roomy main compartment with two smaller internal mesh pockets, great for organising everything.”

2. Cabin Max Metz Cabin Bag

Recommended by Emily: I bought the Cabin Max Chicago backpack for my trip to Seville, to use as my underseat personal item on Ryanair. It’s really compact and exactly fits the dimensions for a free item on all budget airlines. It’s small, but you can fit a surprising amount inside, and there are compression straps on the sides to help you get it all in.

3. Deuter Trans Alpine

Recommended by Milijana from World Travel Connector: “Deuter Trans Alpine 24L backpack is the perfect hiking, travel, biking, and commuter backpack with many well-thought-out features. I’ve hiked 828 km of Camino de Santiago and carried all my Camino packing necessities in it for a month.

“It’s a perfect carry-on backpack: it’s lightweight and comfortable, with compartments and pockets practically everywhere! There’s also an integrated removable rain cover and a hydration sleeve. I can not recommend Deuter Trans Alpine Unisex 24L backpack enough, especially to female travellers who want something lightweight, practical, comfortable, and versatile.”

Recommended by Emily: I’ve been using the Arcido Saxon backpack for the last two years, usually in conjunction with hold luggage, but it’s very roomy and works well for short breaks. It’s so well-designed: sleek, neat, and simple, with an abundance of pockets!

There are also some great safety features, including a hidden laptop compartment along the back of the bag, which has a hidden zip. There’s also a discrete padded top pocket, ideal for your phone and other valuables.

4. Tropicfeel Shell Expandable Backpack

Recommended by Cazzy from Dream Big Travel Far: “The Tropicfeel Shell Backpack is perfect for a city break, or even longer adventures. The wardrobe system inside helps keep everything organised, especially if you’re a naturally messy person! It can be expanded and reduced with ease, so it’s a great day bag as well as hand luggage. It’s also genuinely comfortable to wear!”

5. Peak Design Travel Backpack (Expandable)

Recommended by Jessica from Uprooted Traveler: “I’m a devout one-bag traveller and after looking for the right backpack for years, I have fallen in love with the Peak Design Travel Backpack. The bag is incredibly versatile, with tons of pockets and zippers for easy organisation and access, and backstraps that can be effortlessly tucked away so the bag can be carried like a duffel bag.

“Given that I only travel with one bag, I love the ability to use the bag at its smaller 30L capacity and, when needed, expand it to the more beefy 45L, which is the maximum volume for most carry-ons.”

CAPACITY & SIZING
Compressed: 30L, 56cm x 33cm x 24cm
Standard: 35L, 56cm x 33cm x 24cm
Expanded: 45L, 56cm x 33cm x 29cm

6. Gomatic 40L Travel Bag

NOTE: The brand is called Nomatic internationally

Recommended by Lora from Explore with Lora: “I love the Gomatic 40L bag because it has so many features designed with the needs of digital nomads in mind. Every part of the bag has a function! The exterior side pockets and laptop sleeve keep my electronics safe and secure, while the bottom compartment is great for storing dirty shoes or laundry.

“As a female traveller, I find the size of the bag perfect for my frame, and the adjustable waist straps make it easy to carry while it’s on my back. But it’s nice that they are removable as well, so I have the option to carry it as a duffle when needed.” This bag meets all of my needs – and then some!”

7. Osprey Fairview

Recommended by Larch from The Silver Nomad: “The Osprey Fairview 40L carry on backpack is designed specifically for women. It has padded shoulder straps that gently curve to fit a female body, as well as comfortably padded waist straps to help distribute the weight.

“Inside, the main section is very roomy, and the Fairview can be laid down and unzipped like a normal suitcase. It has a small top pocket for your essentials, as well as netted pockets on the front for carrying water bottles. Inside there’s a padded slot for a laptop as well as another full-sized pocket.”

8. Cabinzero Military Backpack

Recommended by Veronika from Travel Geekery: “I’ve had the cabinZero Military Backpack 44L in Desert Sand for about 6 years now, and it’s never disappointed. Even though I have a petite figure, so a heavy load on my back normally leads to severe back pain, but the Cabinzero backpack provides good support and hasn’t let me down.”

9. Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45

Recommended by Mayuri from To Someplace New: “The Pacsafe Venturesafe 45L is perfect for safety-conscious women. It’s made of anti-theft material, so it’s great for travelling in crowded touristy areas.

“I love that the backpack opens like a suitcase, and has extra room to store hats, cosmetics, accessories or even a pair of shoes! The exterior part of the backpack has a very generous pocket, which I use to store charging cables, documents, etc.”

Best Carry On Camera Backpacks for Women

1. Lowepro Fastpack BP 250

Recommended by Samantha from Intentional Detours: “The Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 has excellent protection for all your cameras and camera gear, so it’s perfect for hiking, travelling, or simply neatly storing electronics. It’s as much of a photography bag as it is a functional hiking backpack. I particularly love that it comes with both a chest strap AND a decent waist strap.

“I’ve used this bag in various locations, including a glacial hike in Northern Pakistan. It truly showed its stuff when it kept all the gear I’d stored in the padded section unharmed even when it took a direct hit whilst breaking my fall!”

2. WANDRD PRVKE

Recommended by Haley of Haley Blackall Travel: “The WANDRD PRVKE 21L backpack combines attractive sleek design with functionality. The bag offers double technology sleeves for carrying your laptop and tablet or e-reader.

“The WANDRD PRVKE 21L also comes with an optional padded camera cube, and with the side access quickdraw for your camera, you don’t have to put your bag down on a muddy trail. The bag also comes with all the added features like padded waist straps, hidden passport/cash pocket, key garage, and straps for external carry.”

3. Thule Aspect DSLR Camera Backpack

Recommended by Maria & Katerina from It’s All Trip to Me: The Thule Aspect DSLR Camera Backpack is the perfect size to be used both as an everyday camera bag and a compact carry-on bag. It can fit not only all your camera gear, but also everything you need for a weekend trip.

“Unlike most camera backpacks, which are often designed for men, the Thule Aspect DSLR feels less bulky, which makes it equally suitable for women. Moreover, the upper compartment has enough space for a female traveller’s personal items.”

Carry On Bag Sizes for Budget Airlines UK – 2025

These days, many budget airlines only include a small cabin bag in the standard ticket fare, referred to as “underseat luggage” or a “personal item”. These are pretty small and have to fit under the seat in front of you.

If you want to take a larger carry on bag, you’ll need to pay extra. It’s also sometimes included if you pay for priority boarding or an upfront seat, so check out your options when booking your flight.

The tables below should give you a rough idea of what size cabin bags travellers can take on most budget flights from the UK. These are always subject to change, though, so be sure to double-check before booking anything…

Included (Free) Hand Luggage Allowance

Last updated Feb 2025:

Airline	Size	Weight
Aer Lingus	Personal: 25 x 33 x 20 cm 10kg Bag: 55 x 40 x 24 cm* *Free when checked in at the airport	10kg
British Airways	Personal: 40 x 30 x 15 cm Cabin: 56 x 45 x 25 cm	23kg total
easyJet	45 x 36 x 20 cm	15kg
KLM	Personal: 40 x 30 x 15 cm Cabin: 55 x 35 x 25 cm	12kg total
Ryanair	40 x 20 x 25 cm	NA
TUI	Personal: 40 x 30 x 20 cm Cabin: 55 x 40 x 20 cm	10kg
Wizz Air	40 x 30 x 20 cm	10kg

Large Cabin Bag (Pay Extra or Included with Upgraded Ticket Types)

Last updated Feb 2025:

Airline	Size	Weight
Aer Lingus	55 x 40 x 24cm*	10kg
British Airways	Included (see above)	23kg total
easyJet	56 x 45 x 25 cm	15kg
KLM	Included (see above)	12kg total
Ryanair	55 x 40 x 20cm	10kg
TUI	Included (see above)	10kg
Wizz Air	55 x 40 x 23 cm	10kg

*Air Lungus Update: There are now two options for your 10kg bag with Air Lingus. It is free if you drop off your bag at check-in, but you pay (from £9.99) if you take the bag on board with you. Please note the cabin baggage allowance on regional flights is slightly smaller. Read more here.

Read More

I hope you found this round-up of carry on bags and backpacks for women useful! Feel free to leave a comment with any questions – or to share your own favourite cabin sized bags.

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