Towards the end of last year, I acquired my first CabinZero product – a wonderful piece of hand luggage in the form of a lightweight rucksack with military-style features.
I loved it so much, I included it as one of my top gifts for travellers, and it wasn’t long before every member of my family had one too!
The great thing about the whole CabinZero product range is that they’re designed to help you fit as many items as possible into your carry-on without pushing you over the weight limit.
The materials used are far lighter than a suitcase, and you’ll find it much easier to get around when you don’t have to pause and faff about every time you encounter a set of stairs.
The Urban Carry-On was introduced earlier this year and shortly afterwards, I became the proud owner of my second CabinZero bag. Retailing at £99.50, it’s the perfect hand luggage for any short break or business trip, and here’s why.
APPEARANCE
The sleek design of the new Urban Carry-On makes it perfect for any occasion. Whether you want to look fashionable while taking a weekend city break with friends, or need to impress a new boss at an overseas conference, this carefully constructed luggage has you covered.
For now, this particular model only comes in black, but they do say it’s the most sophisticated colour.
VERSATILITY
Whereas the other CabinZero bags are made to be worn as a rucksack, the Urban Carry-On has the option of an adjustable shoulder strap, as well as top and side grab handles. This means you can make it look more professional ‘messenger bag-style’ if you happen to be on a work trip.
This also makes it easier to carry extra luggage at the same time should you need to. The Urban Carry-On is perfect for bigger trips because you can bring a significant amount of stuff in the cabin in addition to your checked luggage and double it up as a useful day bag once you reach your destination.
DURABILITY
Made from Tarpaulin, the Urban Carry-On is the most durable of the CabinZero models to date. I wimped out of placing mine in a puddle to prove how waterproof it is, but only because I didn’t like the idea of having to wear it afterwards!
This material can withstand the heaviest of downpours, and mud splatters and stains can be wiped clean in seconds.
DESIGN AND PRACTICALITY
One of the biggest advantages of the Urban Carry-On over the other CabinZero bags is that it opens like a suitcase. When laid on its back with the rucksack straps on a flat surface, the unzipped top section lifts up for easy access to all of your belongings. Despite this, when you’re wearing it like a rucksack, you can open just the top, as you would any other bag.
The shoulder strap can be clipped on and off and comes with a slidable padded piece for extra comfort. Also with extra padding, the back straps can be tucked away neatly when not in use.
Weighing in at just 1300 g, measuring 55 × 40 × 20 cm and with a 42 l capacity, the Urban Carry-On will fit more of your belongings than a suitcase before it exceeds the airline specifications. You can also mould it to fit tight spaces of different shapes.
Other nifty features include a side compartment for your laptop and lockable zips.
BONUS FEATURES
As with all other CabinZero luggage, the Urban Carry-On comes with an Okoban global luggage tracker. This means you can register your bag online when you first receive it, making it much easier to relocate in the event that it’s lost or recovered after theft.
It also comes with a 10-year warranty, which you can upgrade to 25 years free of charge if you like CabinZero on Facebook.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
As if they hadn’t already ticked all the boxes, CabinZero strive to produce all their products in a socially responsible way. This means no sweat shops, regular factory floor inspections, quality control inspections, regulations-tested materials and a commitment to supporting charities in the developing world.
CABINZERO ACCESSORIES
CabinZero luggage comes in a range of designs including classic, vintage, military, urban and the occasional limited edition, but it’s not all about the bags. You can also purchase packing cubes of various sizes, and I managed to get my hands on this super cute mini rucksack, perfect for storing your passport, mobile phone, money and credit cards.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Once you’ve become a part of the growing network of gleeful CabinZero owners, keep your eyes peeled on their social media pages. The marketing folks are always coming up with great ways to spread the joy, and you could be in with a chance of winning more merchandise by posting photos of your existing gear or participating in travel-related discussions online.
For tips on packing, and to find out how experienced travellers from around the world rate their cabin luggage, hop on over to the CabinZero blog. There’s even a contribution from yours truly, if you haven’t heard enough from me already…
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