If you are looking for practical and durable carry-on luggage, but a suitcase doesn't fit your travel style, then read on. I want to introduce you to the CabinZero Classic 44l, a versatile companion for traveling with low-cost airlines.
Great cabin backpack
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| + very low weight | - less padded back system without ventilation |
| + maximum volume | - lacks chest and waist straps |
| + meets standard carry-on dimensions exactly | |
| + durable materials and construction | |
| + easy to carry by hand like a suitcase | |
| + easy to pack | |
| + 10 – 25 year warranty | |
| + backpack can be tracked if lost via okoban.com | |
| + low purchase price compared to a quality wheeled suitcase | |
| + zippers can be locked with a padlock | |
| + sufficient number of color variants | |
| + pleasant clean design |
My first encounter with the CabinZero Classic
When I was browsing the exhibitors at the ILM trade fair some time ago, I came across CabinZero backpacks. And it immediately occurred to me that it would be really cool to have a backpack that meets the parameters for carry-on luggage for air travel. I don't fly that often, but sometimes it's necessary, and such a handy piece of luggage could come in handy. I'm also more of an adventurer, and a wheeled suitcase doesn't seem practical for my travels.
Well, it didn't take long and I was adding CabinZero to our store's website because we decided to give this brand a try. As soon as the first batch arrived, I enthusiastically went to the warehouse to check what they looked like in reality. Mainly because I wanted to choose the best color, as I was already convinced about buying it beforehand, but there is a whole range of color variants to choose from. In the end, I chose royal blue because I think it's a universal classic, but not as boring as black or gray...
What is the best thing about CabinZero?
The deciding arguments for getting my own CabinZero were definitely the size, weight, and volume. The backpack is truly very lightweight. It doesn't even weigh one kilo! Specifically, it weighs 760 grams, which is comparable to some cycling backpacks, so it is truly ultra-light. Airlines most often have a weight limit for carry-on luggage set at 10 to 15 kilograms. If you are traveling for a longer period, you count every gram, so the lighter your carry-on luggage is on its own, the better.
Also, the dimensions of the luggage correspond exactly to the most common maximum dimensions for carry-on luggage, i.e., 55 x 40 x 20 cm. And that's even when you pack the backpack to the brim, because that was taken into account during production! It's no wonder that the volume is also slightly larger compared to other wheeled carry-on luggage; up to 44 liters of cargo can fit into the backpack without any problems.
What catches your eye at first glance is definitely the quality of workmanship. Massive zippers and durable fabric are the basic prerequisites for this little pet to experience a lot of adventures with you on your travels without worrying that something might go wrong. In this regard, you will certainly be pleasantly surprised; the fabric is truly strong, firm, and waterproof. YKK zippers are standardly the best zippers on the market. Here, they are also used for the main compartment, truly robust zippers, which facilitates handling and at the same time means secure protection of the internal cargo. An advantage is also the possibility of locking the zippers with a padlock when you leave the backpack unattended on your travels.
Gadgets, details, and pockets
The CabinZero Classic doesn't have a particularly sophisticated interior. Its main advantage is that it can be opened almost completely, so you can pack comfortably. In other words, you can fold your clothes almost like in a travel suitcase. On almost the entire back side, there is a pocket with elastic, which perfectly fits a laptop, book, or something similarly flat. On the side further from the back, there are then two large pockets again across the entire surface.
The bottom zippered pocket fills almost half of the area, it is excellent for things you need to keep hidden. Above it is a mesh pocket for things you need to have at hand more often. The rest of the main space can be filled with clothes and other necessities. On the backpack, there is also an external pocket with a smaller zipper, which fills the entire front surface of the backpack. Here you put everything you need to have quickly accessible on the road.
The backpack is equipped with four compression straps. They fasten with buckles and allow you to tighten the backpack when it is not fully loaded. The bottom and back of the backpack are slightly reinforced, as are the adjustable shoulder straps. I would appreciate a more sophisticated back system with ventilation, but it would certainly be at the expense of the low weight and quite possibly the space of this basic model. Besides that, I miss a chest and waist strap.
Better back systems and straps are featured on the CabinZero Military models. However, in my opinion, it is not for long hikes even in this case. If you want to buy a tourist carry-on backpack directly, then the best choice are the Adventure 32 / 42, Adventure Pro 32 / 42 or the Classic Pro 32 / 42 versions or the Classic Plus 32.
Besides carrying it on your back, the backpack is also great for carrying in your hand, because it has handles on the top and side. They are padded, so the backpack is quite comfortable to carry in your hand even when fully loaded.
Okoban
The last clever component is a tag with a unique identification number, which is connected to the Okoban system, thanks to which you can track your backpack in case of loss. You just need to register it for free on the okoban.com website. If you lose the backpack, someone finds it and enters the code that is listed on the plastic tag under the words: "If found: okoban.com" into the database on the website, the system will notify you as the owner about the find and allow you to communicate with the finder. You can thus more easily arrange for sending/handing over. However, the best option is still not to lose the backpack at all.
Who is CabinZero suitable for?
CabinZero Classic is a backpack intended primarily for those who like to travel light and on a budget. It is most suitable for traveling where you don't cover long distances on foot; it is simply not a hiking backpack. It is ideal for those who travel with low-cost airlines for a longer period. With a little effort, you can pack for a month or a year into a CabinZero, because it always carries the most important things. It is excellent for adventurers who like to explore cities around the world, use hostels or couch surfing for sleeping.
It is suitable for a way of traveling where you can leave your main luggage somewhere. You can explore cities and surrounding areas completely light with a smaller backpack or bag, while the CabinZero with your entire wardrobe rests in a hotel room or with friends who decided to live in another part of the world. I like to lend my CabinZero to friends during their plane trips; everyone is simply enthusiastic about this backpack. One friend even eventually bought her own... Why?
Everything just fits in there! Are you going to a friend's wedding and want to lounge by the sea at the same time? No problem. Are you going surfing and need to cram a wetsuit in there alongside everything else? No problem. Are you going somewhere where it's cold and expensive, so you need plenty of supplies alongside a lot of clothes? No problem! I have also used it countless times myself and it still looks like new, so I am already looking forward to the next adventure with the CabinZero Classic 44l in another urban jungle!
update: 6/2023
