My new bag for travel: a 20 liter Ryanair-approved duffel bag

What is the best bag I can pick for travel? In terms of space efficiency and luggage maximization, duffel bags are almost perfect, and that is the reason why I just bought one. 

I bought a new travel bag!

I've discussed in this blog (HERE) that I like to travel with 16 liter Fjalraven kanken backpack or a 20 liter backpack.

However, I decided to go for a duffel bag that is Ryanair approved.

Ryanair official under the seat measures are 40x25x20 (centimeters).

Why I have always preferred to travel with a backpack?

Because it is very comfortable to carry around since it distributes weight evenly across your shoulders.

Walking around with a backpack makes it very easy to go in and out of public transportation.

Why I bought a duffel bag for travel?

I will be traveling with the low cost carrier Ryanair, and so to avoid paying extra fees and having my bags sent to the cargo hold (something I have discussed HERE, I prefer not to do), I opted for their cheapest fare, which means I can only take a small under-the-seat bag.

Ryanair official under-the-seat bag measures are 40x25x20 (centimeters).

I sometimes travel with the 16-liter Fjalraven Kanken backpack, but since my wife and I will be splitting our child's clothes between our bags, I decided to go for a back that maximizes space, while being in compliance with low cost airlines under-the-seat bag requirements.

Benefits of the duffel bag

The duffel bag's maximizes space since it has a boxy shape, which in turn allows you to pack your stuff more efficiently. 

For me, the great benefit of the duffel bag is to be able to carry the same things I would with a backpack, but either in a smaller bag or leaving some unoccupied space for something else I may need (souvenir?). 

Also, smaller duffel bags are perfect for low cost airline since they maximize the space below the seat, allowing you not to pay anything while carrying all your things.

Most of the times backpacks have more aerodynamic shapes, making them easy to carry, but the space inside is just not comparable to a duffel bag with the same or smaller size.

Last, but not the least, duffel bags are much more stylish than a backpack. In my opinion, carrying a duffel bag, just makes you feel more elegant and less like a random tourist.

Downsides of the duffel bag

To me, there is only one downside, which is lack of comfort when comparing with the backpack.

The backpack is very easy to carry around and it does not move a lot. 

The duffel bag, on the other hand, is carried on one shoulder, which after a while makes it sore, and you need to change to the other shoulder. This process is usually repeated many times! :)

What bag will I be using for my Ryanair flight?

I bought a simple under-the-seat approved Ryanair duffel bag from Paco Martinez.

This bag has Ryanair approved size, which is 40cm x 25cm x 20cm, and I believe it should have a capacity around 20 liters.

The space inside is just huge when considering the size of the bag.

Will stop using backpacks in favor of duffel bags?

I will not stop using backpacks. I love backpacks.

However, I do feel that, depending on the trip, the duffel bag provides a perfect alternative to carry more items inside my bag, while still carrying something really small and more stylish than the backpack.

Conclusion

 I decided to buy for a duffel bag that is Ryanair approved (40cm x 25cm x 20cm).

The duffel bag's shape maximizes space since it has a boxy shape, which in turn allows you to pack your stuff more efficiently, while also, in my opinion, has the added benefit of making you look more stylish than a backpack.

Duffel bags are not perfect are since they are carried on one shoulder, after a while they will make it sore, and you need to change to the other shoulder.

I will not stop using backpacks, but duffel bag may be a great alternative to carry items more efficiently whenever I'm not changing hotels everyday.

I will test my new bag and share my experience.