Antler's Chelsea Backpack is the perfect travel bag and is currently on sale
It comes with seven compartments, a full zip opener and built-in compression straps.
With flight prices and check-in luggage costs exponentially rising, it's no surprise that more and more of us are opting for carry-on cabin bags to avoid extra charge. Yes, in case you weren't aware, many airlines now charge not only extra for checking in a bag but also for using the cabin overhead lockers — and that's in addition to charges for seats, extra legroom, in-flight snacks, or priority boarding.
But don't fret, as I'm convinced I've found the perfect carry-on bag. Introducing the clever travel backpack that's worked a treat for city trips, commuting and short weekend getaways: Antler's Chelsea Backpack.
Fast becoming one of my most complimented bags (and I own a few), it's available in multiple colours, comes with a whole host of handy compartments, is made from a durable, water-resistant nylon, and — most importantly — fits within those free-of-charge pesky baggage dimensions.
Plus, right now, the popular Antler bag is on sale, discounted from £140 to £84 in selected colours.
🛍️ Product reviewed: Antler Chelsea Backpack
⏰ Tested for: Two months
⭐ Rating: 5/5
💸 Reasons to buy: Stylish, multiple handy compartments, unisex design and comfortable to wear
✋ Reasons to avoid: Expensive, not as big as other carry-on bag designs
💰 Best deal we've found: Get it for £84 down from £140 in selected colours and save £56
Dimensions: 40 x 28 x 17cm | Weight: 0.98 kg | Capacity: 19 litres | Material: Nylon | Compartments: 7 | Laptop pocket: 16.5"
The smart, streamlined backpack you've been searching for. Complete with multiple compartments for organised packing, a chic clamshell design and secure zips, it's perfect for commuting, city breaks or short weekend getaways.
- Secure
- Chic design
- Multiple compartments
- Fits 16.5" laptop
- Back sleeve slots over suitcase handle
- Compression straps for keeping everything in place
- Slightly smaller than other designs
Airline underseat bag dimensions:
easyJet: 45cm x 36cm x 20cm
Wizz Air: 40cm x 30cm x 20cm
Jet2: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm
💸 Reasons to buy
To kick off this backpack's extensive list of design quirks, it's got to be the various handy compartments. There's seven compartments in total, meaning I'm never short of secure pockets to house my essentials — keys, make-up, ballpoint pens, boarding passes, you name it.
Inside the main section there's a detachable internal packing pocket, as well as compression straps for keeping everything in place. There's 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, while either 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 complete with a built-in tablet pocket situated in the back.
Antler Chelsea Backpack
The bag itself features a clamshell opening — a full zip opener that extends across all three sides of the backpack so that you can lay it flat for a birds-eye view of your packing, rather than just aimlessly cramming your belongings in via the top.
I've found it fits a good amount of clothes, enough for a short weekend away, providing they're rolled tightly and not too bulky in size. Anything longer than a few days or requiring heavier, warmer items of clothing, I would probably recommend using something bigger.
When I'm using it for commuting, it fits all of my day-to-day essentials including my laptop, water bottle, notebook, reading book, stationary, make-up, headphones, umbrella and more. With plenty of space leftover.
It comes with a back sleeve that slots over your suitcase handle for ease when travelling too, and is made from a durable nylon material that doesn't scratch easily and is weather-resistant.
✋ Reasons to avoid
It's not the most affordable underseat cabin bag on the market. There are other variations out there that are much simpler in terms of design that also work well for travelling or commuting.
It's also not the biggest. If you're a repeat offender when it comes to overpacking, this might be tricky for you to work with. But, if you consider yourself organised and like to pre-plan your outfits, then it's got enough room for a short weekend away or overnight stay.
💰 Best deal we've found
Right now you can shop Antler's Chelsea Backpack for a reduced price of £84 down from £140 in selected colourways including mineral and blush. Other colours are still full price at £140.
Get the luggage brand's signature backpack for less in selected colourways, including mineral and blush.
