Cabin Max Manhattan 20L review (2026): Ryanair approved cabin bag that actually fits
Cabin Max Manhattan 20 litre - Ryanair Approved Cabin Bag Review
With flight costs continuing to rise, the last thing most travellers want is to pay extra for hand luggage or checked bags.
At the same time, airline cabin bag rules have become stricter and more inconsistent. Budget airlines in particular—such as Ryanair and easyJet—use different size allowances, which often leaves travellers trying to squeeze everything into one “universal” backpack.
In this review, we test the Cabin Max Manhattan 20L backpack, a bag designed specifically to meet Ryanair cabin size requirements, and see how it performs in real travel use.
Why cabin bags are more confusing than ever
Most airlines now enforce strict underseat bag dimensions, and exceeding them can result in extra charges at the gate.
For example:
- Ryanair cabin bag allowance is typically 40 × 30 × 20 cm
- easyJet underseat bag allowance is 45 × 36 × 20 cm
This variation often means travellers either:
- pack too lightly to “play it safe”, or
- end up paying extra for overhead or checked luggage
First impressions of the Cabin Max Manhattan 20L
After searching for a bag that would reliably fit Ryanair’s cabin requirements, Cabin Max stood out thanks to its clear website and the ability to shop by airline something that makes choosing far easier.
We tested the Cabin Max Manhattan 20L backpack in lavender (grey base with coloured trim options).
The key selling point is its size:
- 40 × 25 × 20 cm
- Designed to fit Ryanair’s free cabin allowance
Despite being compact in dimensions, the bag looks noticeably larger in person than expected once it arrives.
Key features
The Cabin Max Manhattan includes:
- Convertible design: backpack or shoulder carry
- Padded straps for comfort
- Lightweight construction
- Rear padded device pocket (fits small laptops/tablets)
- Full suitcase-style opening main compartment
- Front quick-access pocket
- Lockable zips
- Rear luggage strap for attaching to a suitcase
- Side mesh bottle holder
- 20L capacity
The full clamshell style opening is particularly useful, as it allows you to pack it like a small suitcase rather than a traditional backpack.
Real-world use: how much can it actually hold?
For a weekend trip, the bag comfortably fit:
- outfits for 2–3 days
- sandals
- a laptop
- toiletries
- small travel essentials
The space efficiency is one of its strongest points—you’re effectively using all of your cabin allowance without needing to “underpack”.
Price and value
The Cabin Max Manhattan is priced at around £30, which is competitive for a bag designed specifically around airline cabin restrictions.
Given its size efficiency and durability, it offers strong value compared to generic backpacks that don’t always meet strict airline dimensions.
Who is this bag best for?
This bag works best for:
- weekend city breaks
- budget airline travellers
- light packers
- anyone regularly flying Ryanair or similar airlines
It may be less suitable for longer trips where more flexibility or space is needed.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fits Ryanair cabin size
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Excellent space efficiency
- Opens like a suitcase
- Good value for money
Cons
-
Limited space for longer trips
- Not rigid (can be overpacked easily)
Final verdict
Overall, the Cabin Max Manhattan 20L is a well designed cabin backpack that does exactly what it claims to do.
It’s not a luxury travel bag, but it is one of the more practical solutions for avoiding cabin baggage fees - particularly on strict airlines like Ryanair and easyJet.
We actually enjoyed using it so much that we purchased a second one after the trip.
Disclosure
Note: Cabin Max provided this product for review purposes. However, all opinions are our own and we retain full editorial control. We would not recommend a product we did not genuinely use and rate positively.
Further Reading:
Ryanair baggage rules 2026: cabin bag size, fees and what catches travellers out
