by With flight prices and checked baggage costs rising exponentially, it’s no wonder that more and more of us are opting for carry-on bags to avoid extra charges. Yes, in case you didn’t know, many airlines charge extra not only for checking a bag but also for using the overhead lockers – and that’s on top of the fees for seats, extra legroom, in-flight snacks, or priority. boarding.
But don’t worry, because I’m sure I’ve found the perfect carry-on bag. Introducing the smart travel backpack that’s worked well for city trips, commuting and short weekend getaways: Antler’s Chelsea Backpack.
Quickly becoming one of my most recommended bags (and I have a few), it’s available in a variety of colors, comes with lots of handy compartments, is made from durable, waterproof nylon, and – more important – fit those pesky luggage dimensions for free.
Also, at the moment, the popular bag is on sale, discounted from £140 to £84 in selected colours.
🛍️ Product review: Antler Chelsea Backpack
⏰ Test for: Two months
⭐ Rating: 5/5
💸 Reasons to buy: Styles, multiple handy compartments, unisex design and comfortable to wear
✋ Reasons to avoid: Expensive, not as big as other carrier bag designs
💰 The best deal we found: Get it for £84 down from £140 in selected colors and save £56
peaks
Dimensions: 40 x 28 x 17cm | Weight: 0.98 kg | Ability: 19 liters | Content: nylon | Departments:7| Pocket laptop: 16.5″
The smart, streamlined backpack you’ve been looking for. Complete with several compartments for organized packing, a chic clamshell design and secure zips, it’s perfect for commuting, city breaks or short weekend getaways.
- Bye
- Chic design
- Multiple compartments
- Fits a 16.5″ laptop.
- Sleeve slots back over suitcase handle
- Compression straps to keep everything in place
- Slightly smaller than other designs
£140 at Bentra
Airline underseat bag dimensions:
💸 Reasons to buy
To start with a wide list of design quirks of the backpack, it must be a variety of convenient compartments. There are seven compartments in total, which means I’m never short of secure pockets to hold my essentials – keys, make-up, ballpoint pens, boarding passes, you name it.
Inside the main part is a detachable internal packing pocket, as well as compression straps to keep everything in place. There is also a mesh pocket and a zip pocket.
The front of the backpack has a zipped front partition complete with a card sleeve and key clip, and each side of the bag has an elasticated side pouch perfect for storing your water bottle or umbrella.
If that wasn’t enough, there’s a zipped, padded 16.5″ laptop pocket and a built-in tablet pocket in the back.
The bag itself has a clamshell opening – a full zip opener that extends across three sides of the backpack so you can lay it flat for a bird’s eye view of your pack, rather than just cram your belongings in through the top .
I have found that it fits quite a lot of clothes, enough for a short weekend away, provided they are tightly rolled and not too bulky in size. Anything longer than a few days or requiring heavier and warmer clothing, I would probably recommend using something larger.
When I use it for commuting, it fits all my daily essentials including my laptop, water bottle, notebook, reading book, stationery, make-up, headphones, umbrella and more. With plenty of space left.
It comes with a back sleeve that easily surpasses the handle of your suitcase while you’re traveling too, and it’s made of durable nylon material that doesn’t scratch easily and is weather resistant.
✋ Reasons to avoid
Not the most affordable underseat cabin bag on the market. There are other variations out there that are much simpler in design that also work well for travel or commuting.
It’s not as good as most. If you’re a repeat offender of overpacking, this may be difficult for you to work with. But, if you consider yourself organized and like to plan your clothes in advance, there is plenty of room for a short weekend or overnight stay.
💰 The best deal we’ve found
Right now you can shop Antler’s Chelsea Backpack at a reduced price of £84 down from £140 in selected colors including mineral and blush. Other colors are still fully priced at £140.
peaks
Get the luggage brand’s signature backpack for less in select colors, including mineral and blush.
£84 at Bentra
Browse the colors on sale
Shop now: Antler Chelsea Backpack | £140 peaks
Browse all Antler backpack options
