Any recommendations for a 40x30x20 cm personal item bag that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?
I’d like to keep my essentials in a personal item bag in case my “carry on” gets gate checked.
We’ve not booked flights yet.
Plan is October 2026 16 ish days Rome Vienna Budapest.
Flying between cities. Budget airlines are possible.
Many thanks!
Take a look at the LeSportsac Medium Weekender bag. I throw that in my carryon and use it for a personal item coming home. It weighs about 1#.
Your specs come out to 24L and if you've determined that's what you need for essentials then I can highly recommend the RS Appenzell. It's a little pricey but very well made. I use one as my only bag when flying Spirit Air here in the US.
Perhaps my requirements for an essentials personal item are less, but I use the Civita Day Pack. It's 14L but has no structure and manages to swallow everything I want at my seat during the flight (including Bose headphones) plus a change of clothes & toiletries + medications. My main bag is an RS classic or convertible worn on my back, with the Civita carrried by the handle or worn on my front. Nice thing is, once I get to my destination I can just stick it in my carryon as it has no bulk or weight.
I am currently in the market for a backpack with those measurments. They are hard to find in the US. I'm probably going to pick one up in the UK next month.
You could do a search for a "ryanair bag" which is what bags that size are known as in Europe.
That size just isn't popular in the US. You will find many backpacks at 40 x 25 x 20. Do a search on Amazon. You will see there are many under $25. I have one from Ecohub and it's a good bag.
I also have holdalls in the size, but again, I bought them in Europe.
Here is a 20 liter bag that is close to the 8x12x16 you seek.
The good news is it is currently on sale at 40% off
Its what I use as my 'personal' (under seat) bag. For me its plenty big enough for my 'essentials'
In American you want 15.7 x 11.8 x 7.87 inches. This is the one (actually i have two) I have used for about 10 years now. It is 16 x 12 x 7 wich technically is about 1/4" too big in two dimenisions .... just dont over pack it. I have tested it in a Wizz and a Ryan sizer and it fit fine ... but again, wasnt over packed. $35 and they still look new. What I like most is the way it opens. YOu dont have to stuff it from the top.
LLBean.com
Stowaway Tote Pack. About $65 - $70. Cost just below “arm and leg” prices.
Very nice, I like the material and I like the size. A tiny bit small, but thats okay too. Big deal is a lack of a trolly strap. Still, for around town, nice. Thank you.
I bought this Bagsmart bag about a year and a half ago and love it. I’ve used it on two international flights and a number of domestic flights and it’s the perfect size. Plus it opens up in a clamshell so you don’t run the risk of things falling out or getting lost in there. And it has a number of pockets in it which I also love. I have the basic version that is 28L. You can get an expanded version but then it might not fit in with your dimensions. https://www.bagsmart.com/products/blast-travel-backpack?
A great place to shop for bags is Sierra.com. Lots of good brands. Look in the women's handbag section, as well as the travel section. They give measurements and usually also show the bag on a body so you can get a visual on the size. A lot of Forum folks like a "tote-pack" that can be carried as a backpack or a tote bag.
My go-to is from the NW :). by Portland Gear. I have this compact version:
https://portlandgear.com/products/cascade-backpack-compact
But there's a larger option, too. The top opening is really unique and very functional, so it holds more than it looks as a result. And it has a trolley sleeve. They often have sales and create a range of other bag options you might check out.
Happy searching!
I would go for the smallest than can fit what you might need during the flight. I just flew premium eco Air France and so glad I chose my backpack rather than the larger tote I normally carry that never fits. Moving around in the airport with that and my carryon that fits in the overhead was more than enough. I also wanted to minimize bumping around on the plane, seeing as how narrow the aisles are. Almost bought a new tote with a luggage sleeve but many of them are even wider than the luggage! (Backpack with a sleeve is key too.). last note- those on my flight who chose to put their personal item on top WITH their luggage were asked to remove it and put under the seat in front of them to make room for luggage - so if it's too big, it can make for an uncomfortable flight. I used my daily Tumi Leigh backpack which has a nice tote handle, holds enough for me and looks sleek and stylish.
I bought a Cabin Max Metz a couple of weeks ago here in the UK. I like it.
