10 bags for 10 travel profiles
Even at similar dimensions, the experience can change a lot: usable space, structure, back comfort, empty weight, laptop storage and internal organisation. The best model is the one that matches what you carry and how you move.
Hayayu 24L
If your priority is fitting as much as possible into the allowance without moving upmarket, its 24 L capacity and travel-focused layout make it an easy option to consider.
Strength Plenty of usable space for a tight budget.
Limit Less established brand than Samsonite or Fjällräven; long-term durability is less documented.
Select your country at the retailer, then search for the model shown above.
Samsonite Ecodiver Underseater S
A strong fit for frequent use: 25 L, a 15.6-inch laptop compartment, waterproof material, ventilated back and more structure than a simple soft bag.
Strength Very complete construction and organisation for frequent travel.
Limit Far more expensive and heavier than budget Amazon options.
Select your country at the retailer, then search for the model shown above.
MATEIN 40×30×20
A good fit if you like separating clothes, accessories and electronics. It stays compact in normal configuration and can expand when the airline size limit is no longer the priority.
Strength Lots of organisation and features for the price.
Limit Once expanded, it should no longer be assumed to meet the 40 × 30 × 20 box.
Select your country at the retailer, then search for the model shown above.
Lossga 40×30×20
Designed for travellers who like compartments: laptop storage, a separate wet-items compartment, an anti-theft pocket and compression straps help keep items separated in transit.
Strength Very complete organisation without moving to a premium bag.
Limit More compartments also mean less completely open packing space.
Select your country at the retailer, then search for the model shown above.
Product photograph · Quechua / DecathlonEscape NH500 16L — Yellow Ochre
Quechua NH Escape 500 16L
Choose it if you want a bag that remains useful after the trip: 16 L, many pockets, laptop storage and a 10-year warranty in a more compact format than 24–25 L models.
Strength Very versatile for commuting, work and short outings.
Limit At 16 L it uses much less of the maximum box than 24–25 L models.
Select your country at the retailer, then search for the model shown above.
Xkdoai 40×30×20
Worth considering if you like built-in functions: an anti-theft pocket, bottle holder and USB pass-through reduce the need for separate accessories.
Strength Many features for a low price.
Limit Extra features do not necessarily equal premium long-term construction.
Select your country at the retailer, then search for the model shown above.
Yankony 24L
A good compromise when the same bag needs to handle work and weekends: 24 L, a 14-inch laptop compartment and a ventilated back add comfort over a simple soft bag.
Strength Good balance of travel, laptop use and back comfort.
Limit More laptop-oriented than a completely flexible clothes-first layout.
Select your country at the retailer, then search for the model shown above.
Narwey 20L
Its roughly 40 × 25 × 20 cm footprint remains within the newer 40 × 30 × 20 box, with extremely low weight and a simple duffel-style design.
Strength Very light, simple and easy to fold away.
Limit Less comfortable for long carrying and less protective than a structured backpack.
Select your country at the retailer, then search for the model shown above.
Fjällräven Re-Kånken 16L
At 38 × 27 × 13 cm and 395 g in recycled polyester, it does not maximise the allowance but brings established durability and everyday versatility.
Strength Very light, durable and useful beyond air travel.
Limit Only 16 L and simpler straps than technical travel packs.
Select your country at the retailer, then search for the model shown above.
JanSport Half Pint 10L
At 10 L and only 200 g, it mainly suits travellers who pack very light or want a small, discreet day bag.
Strength Ultra-light, established brand and easy to reuse every day.
Limit Only 10 L: it is not designed to maximise the free allowance.
Select your country at the retailer, then search for the model shown above.
Why choose a 40 × 30 × 20 backpack?
The 40 × 30 × 20 format targets Ryanair’s small underseat bag allowance. As a backpack it keeps your hands free, handles stairs better and avoids the weight of trolley wheels and handles. The trade-off is that comfort depends heavily on shoulder straps, the back panel and how the load is packed.
Start with your use case, not the brand
For a weekend, usable space is often the priority. If you walk a lot, the back panel and shoulder straps matter more. With a laptop, a stable structure and dedicated compartment are useful. If the bag also needs to work every day, weight, durability and access to small pockets become more important.
20 to 25 L to maximise a weekend
Bags around 20 to 25 L make better use of the allowance and suit travellers who want to leave with as little luggage as possible. Models around 10 to 16 L are easier for everyday use but naturally hold fewer clothes. Litres are only a guide: shape and internal layout strongly affect usable space.
With a laptop, choose more structure
A dedicated compartment keeps the laptop away from loose clothes and makes it easier to access. A slightly rigid back panel also protects contents better, although it adds weight. For work + travel use, that compromise is often worth more than one or two extra litres.
If you walk a lot, comfort matters more than pockets
A highly organised bag can still be unpleasant if the straps are thin or the back lacks support. For connections, long walks and city breaks, look first at strap width, padding, ventilation and how the weight is distributed.
Soft or structured: two different approaches
A soft bag compresses more easily into a baggage sizer and uses space efficiently, but protects contents less. A structured model keeps a cleaner shape, protects electronics better and is easier to organise, at the cost of more weight and less flexibility.
Useful pockets are the ones you actually use
Separate wet-items compartments, laptop sleeves, bottle holders, anti-theft pockets and USB pass-throughs can be handy, but every divider also takes space. If you already use packing cubes, one large compartment may be more efficient than a bag full of small pockets.
Which model suits which traveller?
Hayayu focuses on volume for a low price. MATEIN and Lossga prioritise organisation. Samsonite is aimed at frequent travellers who want more structure. Quechua and Fjällräven are easy to reuse every day. Yankony fits work + weekend use, Narwey suits light travel, Xkdoai suits fans of built-in accessories and JanSport works for travellers carrying only the essentials.
Summary of the 10 bags
| Model | Size | Weight | Main strength | Best if… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hayayu 24L | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 640 g | 24 L · budget-friendly | You want to maximise space without spending much |
| Samsonite Ecodiver Underseater S | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 1 kg | 25 L · structured · 15.6-inch laptop | You travel often with a laptop |
| MATEIN 40×30×20 | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 800 g | Expandable · multi-compartment | You want lots of organisation on a budget |
| Lossga 40×30×20 | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 700 g | Laptop · wet-items compartment · compression | You want separate zones for clothes, tech and wet items |
| Quechua NH Escape 500 16L | 40 × 28 × 20 cm | 700 g | 16 L · 10-year warranty | You want one versatile bag for travel and daily use |
| Xkdoai 40×30×20 | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 700 g | USB · bottle holder · anti-theft | You like built-in accessories |
| Yankony 24L | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | 700 g | 24 L · ventilated back · 14-inch laptop | You mix work and weekend travel |
| Narwey 20L | 40 × 25 × 20 cm usable footprint | 100 g | 20 L · very light · foldable | You travel light or want a secondary bag |
| Fjällräven Re-Kånken 16L | 38 × 27 × 13 cm | 395 g | Recycled · everyday | You prioritise durability and daily use |
| JanSport Half Pint 10L | 29 × 25 × 11 cm | 200 g | 10 L · ultra-compact | You really carry only the essentials |
How we work
We verify information, cite sources where relevant and date our updates. Prices, availability and rules that may change should always be checked again with the relevant source or service.
Read our full method →Sources and references
- Ryanair – official baggage policy
- Amazon – Hayayu 40×30×20 (ASIN B0CBVFL64Z)
- Amazon – MATEIN 40×30×20 (ASIN B0D7BSGM9H)
- Amazon – Lossga 40×30×20 (ASIN B0CHDVJ8JD)
- Amazon – Xkdoai 40×30×20 (ASIN B0CSYSC19R)
- Amazon – Yankony 40×30×20 (ASIN B0FMY184GQ)
- Amazon – Narwey (ASIN B0BDG79DVC)
- Samsonite – Ecodiver Underseater S
- Decathlon – NH Escape 500 16L
- Fjällräven – Re-Kånken
- JanSport Europe – Half Pint