For the budget traveller who would like to stretch their dollar, every single cent counts. This means that more often than not, we end up on budget airlines. The problem though, is that they charge extra for check-in baggage and are fairly strict with the size of your carry-on baggage.
Credit: @Rachelwonggg
Whenever I’m on a shorter trip, I always try to fly with a cabin bag only, and that means having to make the tough decision of deciding what not to bring. And even after that, I often still end up hand-carrying my jacket because it can’t fit with everything else.
Recently I got the chance to get my hands on a CabinZero bag, and was pleasantly surprised at how useful it is! Here’s a quick review of my experience with the product.
It’s BIG
Actually it’s not just big. It’s very big. In this case, size really matters. :P
With a capacity of 44L, it’s almost 2/3 the size of my usual check-in luggage. I can literally pack a week’s worth of clothes inside with my camera gear and laptop. While I still have to watch the carry-on baggage weight limit, at least I don’t have to worry about having to pile on layers of clothes to avoid the extra surcharge.
The rectangular shaped CabinZero bag is designed to max out all the available space on almost every single major airline. So you’ll never have to worry about not getting past carry-on luggage regulations.
While there are only 4 different compartments, it’s pretty optimised so most needs are fulfilled.
- The big front zipped compartment is useful for documents and small things you might need to use often.
- A net area for random items.
- A smaller zipped pocket inside the bag for passports and things you will not use often.
- A laptop compartment that is bigger than my 15″ MacBook Pro.
CabinZero also has useful packing cubes that help you segment all your stuff. I’ve previously only used ziplock bags, but packing cubes are seriously a lot more compact and fuss free. And because they are rectangular shaped, you can fit a lot more into your bag.
It’s Light & Durable
Most airlines have a carry-on luggage limit of 7kg. So it’s really useful that the CabinZero bag only weighs 760g. While some prefer using trolley bags, I personally like using a backpack for my carry-on luggage because the rollers take up a lot of weight and space. Why have extra frills when we want to maximise our space right?
While the CabinZero bag is light, it’s also surprisingly hardy. I’ve used it on 2 trips so far, and despite having to squeeze it with all the other bags on the plane luggage compartment, can foresee that it’ll last a long time. Even the zippers are the best in it’s class. They use Japanese YKK zippers, which are used by trusted brands all around the world. The last thing we need is for a faulty zipper to render the entire bag useless.
The bag seams are also well sewn to handle well beyond 7kg. There are durable top and side grip handles on top of the shoulder straps so you can carry it in many ways to suit your needs.
It’s Trendy
One would think that a bag with as much utility would be pretty boring in terms of design. Yet I was torn when I had to pick a design. They have 15 colours for the basic bag, and 3 colours for their hardier military version. From super vibrant colours to muted less conspicuous ones, there is definitely something for everyone.
In the end I got a Classic Royal Blue and Black Military bag!
Bonus: Safety Features
While the bag can’t prevent you from losing it or getting stolen, it does have some small useful features.
All CabinZero bags come with lost and found technology built in (even on their cabin cubes incase you leave them behind in the hostel). In the event that a kind stranger finds your bag, they can use the global OKOBAN Tracking tags to trace it back to you while protecting your privacy. I found this to be a pretty elegant solution to sticking an ugly “return if found” tag with your details on the bag.
The tough also fabric makes it harder for slash and grab crime, and the zippers are lockable. Even though it’s not a foolproof solution, at least it acts as a deterrent.
If you’re ever looking for a cabin-sized bag for your travels, I highly recommend the affordable CabinZero! It’s currently retailing for £50. It’s honestly a small investment for the amount you’ll save from buying additional check-in luggage.
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Doing my own review blog today and look at what I found in the net hahahah. :)
:D