CabinZero Backpack: Is it worth it?

Do you like packing? Me not too much, but well, it’s a part of travelling; no way to escape. To make it as easy and light as possible, it’s best to choose a good and comfortable bag or backup. There are so many options now.

In this post, I will share my CabinZero backpack review and tell you if CabinZero backpacks are worth it and comfortable.

I’ve had my CabinZero backup for over 4 years now. So my opinion and this article are based on my personal experience.

CabinZero, Is it worth it?

In short, yes. In my opinion, it’s a very good backpack that you can use for years and for many trips. It’s comfortable to pack and carry, and it’s light. It has good value for money. And there are many colours that will fit your travel style.

In the article, I’m describing CabinZero Classic 44L. In Navy colour.

So if you ask me, I really recommend it. But I will describe more details and pros and cons in the next chapters.

Check it out here if you are wondering to buy it.

What type of travel is CabinZero good for?

Standard or extreme trips?

CabinZero is a good back for all: city-breaks, road trips, calm holidays, even ‘being in nature’ holidays. During my travels, I rarely stay in one place. I usually change an island, city, or even country at least once. My CabinZero is very helpful during these changes, as it’s just light and easy to carry because of the comfortable shoulder straps. Also, because it has two handles (the top handle and the handle at the side of the bag), so you can carry the backpack in your hand in either a vertical or horizontal position.

However, it’s rather a bag for ‘standard’ travel. I don’t think it would be good for more extreme forms of travel, let’s say walking trips (like, for example, Camino). It’s because it doesn’t have a hip strap.

It’s comfortable to carry on your back, but for a reasonable time. It’s not going to be comfortable to walk all day without any straps on the waist or hip.

I bought my backpack over 4 years ago. Now, I see there is a newer version Classic Pro, which actually has a padded waist belt. I’m thinking I’m going to buy this one after my current CabinZero gets overused (which is going to take some time more, as it’s not really getting old yet, even after being used often).

If you know that it’s absolutely necessary for you to have a padded waist strap, look at the Classic Pro version. If you are looking for more ‘adventure-oriented’ equipment, check out:

Classic Pro Backpacks Adventure Backpacks

For how long?

I read opinions that the backpack is good only for short trips. Well, it does depend on your packing style. There are different sizes; I have the largest size, which is 44L and for me, it’s enough for longer trips, even for 7-10 days. When a backpack is packed for such a trip, it usually weighs around 8 kg (17.6 pounds) or up to 10 kg (22 pounds).

My CabinZero was with me in Croatia, during Greek islands hopping, in North Macedonia, just to name a few. But also in Oman and Abu Dhabi for a longer trip.

Airlines

What’s great about this bag at this size is that it fits airlines’ sizes of hand luggage.

I travel a lot in Europe, quite often with budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizzair.

But backpack fits many other airline cabin baggage sizes. Usually they are around 50-55 x 40x 20-25 cm, and this is almost exactly the backpack size.

Just note that if we talk about low-cost, this is the size for carry-on luggage, not in ‘the basic’ tariff but with the ‘priority one’.

Is it good for business trips?

Frankly speaking, I don’t think so. One reason is obvious, it’s less elegant than a small suitcase. The second reason is that it doesn’t keep your clothes so well and not folded as a suitcase. And since we usually need more elegant business clothes for such meetings, a backpack will not be great for it.

I was on two business trips since I’d bought my CabinZero, and for them, I took a small cabin suitcase instead.

It was a better choice for my clothes, but I have to say I was happy to go back to my backpack. I don’t like suitcases so much, as they are heavy before even packing anything!

Is CabinZero worth it: Sizes and Description

CabinZero is a British company that specialises in versatile and minimalist backpacks and bags. It’s not only backpacks; they have more equipment, like shoulder bags or hip bags. But the most known are backpacks. I think the biggest number of travellers that I see airports etc. I see with Classic Backpack (*just my own impression, not really based on any stats).

There are 3 types of CabinZero backpacks: Classic, Adventure, and Military. Each of them has additional subtypes and a few sizes.

Classic Backpacks have 5 options: Classic, Classic Tech, Classic Plus, Classic Pro, and Classic Flight. For me, the pure Classic version is enough for now (and in the future, I will probably go for Pro because of the additional strap), but check the other options if you want to have some extra features too,  for example, water bottle pocket.

There are also different sizes to choose from. Classic Backpack comes in 28L, 36L and 44L. 28L is the typical small backpack size; this is the one that even low-cost airlines allow you to take for free. It’s probably fine for weekend trips, but I don’t think it’s enough for a week-long trip.

I would advise checking exactly the dimensions and comparing it with the rules of a few airlines you fly with the most often. It’s not always easy to understand it in litres; dimensions might be easier.

A classic backpack has side compression straps to make the bag smaller after it’s packed.

Material

The material depends on the bag type. Classic Backpacks are produced from Denier Polyester.

It looks and behaves like quite a strong and solid material. The waterproof coating also works well.

Colours

Obviously, functionality is the key. However, it’s still pleasant to have a bag that also looks good. CabinZero backs and backpacks have many colours, and you can choose which one is best for you.

Mine is in Navy. I wanted something darker, not to worry and to be able to just put the bag wherever needed. Plus- very important reason- it was fitting to the branding colours of my first travel blog (you see, priorities😉).

I just looked at the CabinZero website and saw the new 2024 Classic Backpacks colours: Gobi Sands and Sage Forest. Both look really great. I would have trouble deciding which one to buy now.

Is CabinZero Worth It: Pros and Cons

Let’s look again at the summary of the positive and negative sides of the CabinZero backpack based on my experience.

Pros:

• Good value for money
• Very light
• Comfortable for the back and comfortable shoulder straps
• 2 handles (top and side)
• ‘Packable’,  it has plenty of room
• It opens widely ‘like a suitcase’ with easy access to find things in the main compartment without full unpacking (clamshell opening)
• Water-resistant coating (I’ve had chances to check it and it worked well)
• Good sizes for flying
• Different colours

Cons:

• It could have 1-2 more pockets (it has 2 interior pockets and 1 outside)
• No hip-waist strap or chest strap to make it even easier to carry (they are available in other versions of CabinZero Backpack, for example, Classic Pro)
• Not too great if you want to pack more elegant clothes

CabinZero, Is it worth it: Summary

Packing is quite a personal thing. We wear different types of clothes and need different things with us. One thing is sure: everyone usually takes too much staff with them. Isn’t it?

There are many options to pack now: different bags, backpacks, suitcases. Sometimes it’s even hard to choose which one is best for you. If you are looking for something solid and comfortable, yet not super expensive, look at CabinZero backpacks. They have different sizes, styles, and colours, so it’s easy to find something that fits you.

Usage- and comfort-wise, I can recommend this backup very much; for me, it’s a perfect bag. Especially if you like to ‘travel light’ 😊.

You can check it out and buy it here.

Where are you planning to go with your new backpack? CabinZero bag will be very useful during visits to Croatia, Greece, or North Macedonia (generally speaking, you can expect quite a lot of stairs, so it might be easier to carry backup than a suitcase with you).

Quick Links to organise your trips in Europe:

Check and book your ferries here.

Book your accommodations here.

Here, you can compare prices and rent a car.

And on this website, you can review and book your flights.Here, you can book guided tours and attractions.