Last Updated on 11/03/2025
Looking for a versatile and stylish travel backpack that doesn’t scream backpacker, fits all the essentials and makes travel more affordable? Read on for my review of The Travel Hack Hybrid, which is the latest ladies’ carry-on luggage addition to the Cabin Max Travel Hack Collaboration between Cabin Max and Travel Blogger Monica Stott of The Travel Hack. Also…,it just so happens to be a travel backpack with wheels!
The Cabin Max Travel Hack Luggage collection needs no introduction if you’ve been following The Life of a Social Butterfly for some time as I love their affordable luggage sets – However, I have been keeping a secret from you as I have a new favourite in The Travel Hack collection…
The Travel Hack Hybrid is one of the most versatile and innovative luggage items in the Cabin Max Travel Hack Collection, and after using it for a year now, I can’t wait to tell you all about it and how it’s changed my travels!
Review – The Travel Hack Hybrid
As I mentioned, The Travel Hack Hybrid is a luggage collaboration between award-winning hand-luggage company Cabin Max and pro Travel Blogger/frequent-flyer Monica Stott of The Travel Hack.
I initially discovered Cabin Max via The Travel Hack as I’ve followed Monica for a long time and, more recently, travelled with her and other Travel Bloggers to Antalya Turkey as part of a press trip. It was quite the surreal moment being an absolute fan girl!
When it comes to luggage and packing efficiently, she certainly knows her stuff! I bought The Travel Hack Hybrid as soon as it was released, as I love the other Travel Hack bags Monica has created with Cabin Max, and wanted to share my review after using it on my travels.
It’s no secret I love my Travel Hack Tote Bag for my UK travels and I literally don’t go anywhere without my Travel Hack Backpack – I have two, one for work and one for my travels. However, I need to share my Travel Hack Hybrid review, as it’s without a doubt my new favourite in the women’s carry-on travel bag collection! Did I mention, it’s a Cabin Max backpack with wheels?!
Similarly to other Cabin Max luggage, The Travel Hack Hybrid is designed to fit underneath the plane seat in front of you and meets Easyjet’s under-seat carry-on requirements (other airlines will vary), which makes it ideal for avoiding any unnecessary baggage fees or cabin restrictions. Though, it’s so much more than just an ordinary travel bag…
Let me introduce you to The Travel Hack Hybrid 30L Trolley Backpack!
The Travel Hack Hybrid Features
If you’re already a fan of The Travel Hack Backpack, but prefer using a wheelie or want more packing space, then the Travel Hack Hybrid is the carry-on bag for you! Think stylish high-end travel bag without the price tag!
There are various features to The Travel Hack Hybrid that sets it apart from other travel bags, and I’m sharing my favourite features below.
The Hybrid Trolley Backpack Converts into a Wheelie
That’s right. The Travel Hack Hybrid converts from a backpack into a wheelie, making it a flexible luggage item to suit your preferences. I will most often wear The Hybrid as a backpack (particularly when queuing at airline boarding gates to give the appearance of a smaller bag), but I love having the option of taking it off my back and wheeling it as a pull-along case.
The Hybrid is so well designed that if you saw it as a backpack you would have no idea it converted into a wheelie case and vice versa. To change the bag from a backpack to a wheelie, you simply undo the velcro underneath the bag, zip the back flap where the straps are to reveal the wheels and unzip the top zip to pull out the handle to wheel the bag along. The ability to convert from a bag to a wheelie is ideal if the bag is heavy on your back, and it is without a doubt my favourite feature of The Travel Hack Hybrid. I had never even heard of a travel trolley backpack before trying The Hybrid!
The Travel Hack Hybrid Straps
Slightly less exciting, though an essential feature…I much prefer the straps on The Travel Hack Hybrid to those on The Travel Hack Backpack as they are thicker and wider straps, making it much more comfortable to wear on your back despite its larger size. If you’re anything like me and still try to ram as many belongings as possible, even with a small carry-on bag, then you’ll certainly appreciate the wider straps.
The Hybrid also has some very handy straps at the top of the bag, which are ideal to grab if you’re in a rush and running to the boarding gates!
In addition, inside the front zip section of The Hybrid you will find a handy key strap, which is a godsend to remember where your keys are once you return home.
The Travel Hack Hybrid Pockets
The pink pockets inside The Travel Hack Hybrid are similar to the pockets inside the backpack, but they’re bigger to fit even more items!
The mesh zip pockets are ideal to place your liquids bag, and other essentials such as Air Pods, sunglasses, etc, and behind the mesh pockets you will discover a handy hidden padded sleeve to place your laptop.
The side sleeves inside the bag are ideal for hair straighteners or flip flops, and there is even a zip at the bottom of the bag where you can put shoes, souvenirs or intimate items.
The front panel also has pockets for travel documents, which are easy to reach once you arrive at the boarding gates.
The Travel Hack Hybrid Free Easyjet Carry-on Bag
With increasing airline fees and reductions on free carry-on bags, which is an absolute pain for frequent flyers or those trying to enjoy more affordable getaways. Thankfully, The Hybrid meets EasyJet’s underseat baggage requirements to qualify as a free cabin bag.
The Travel Hack Hybrid measures: 45cmx36cmx20cm
Rest assured, The Travel Hack Hybrid does fit into the Easyjet bag allowance bin if you’re stopped at the airport (despite the smaller size of these boxes, I must add!). After being made to place my bag in the Easyjet bag check bin (the money-hungry airport worker I spoke to wouldn’t take the evidence of the hybrid’s online measurements I showed him)… I proved it!
Other airlines will vary, therefore it is important to check the airline website before you fly. As you can see below, The Hybrid fit the requirements for my Air Malta flight.
The Packing Capacity of The Travel Hack Hybrid
With a packing capacity of 30L, The Travel Hack Hybrid fits so many more items than the backpack. Even more so, after I purchased Monica’s recommended packing cube to accompany the bag.
This Elezay travel packing cube has 3 tiers and squeezes down into one small compact packing cube. It even has hooks to hang over a clothes rail, which is super handy for when you unpack at your accommodation.
Is The Travel Hack Hybrid the best travel backpack with wheels for women?
Not only is The Travel Hack Hybrid the best travel backpack with wheels, but I can pack much more than I can in The Travel Hack Backpack and Cabin Max Tote Bag, thanks to its handy pockets to store even more items.
The Travel Hack Backpack was my favourite in the collection, but after using the slightly larger Travel Hack Tote Bag I struggled reverting back to a smaller bag, and this is why The Travel Hack Hybrid is ideal as it is a larger version of the backpack with the storage space of the tote bag.
Can’t choose between the bags? Cabin Max currently have a 15% off deal to buy The Travel Hack Backpack and The Travel Hack Hybrid.
I love the wider straps of The Hybrid, which makes it comfortable to wear as a backpack, though, I would ideally like studs on the bottom to stop the bag from being on the floor when placing it down.
The ability to change the bag into a wheelie carry-on is ideal to take the load off your back if you’re an over-packer like me! Though, I would prefer the backpack wheels to be 360 ° walk along, rather than pull-along if I had the option.
In keeping with other luggage in the Cabin Max The Travel Hack Collection, I love the understated black quilted design of The Travel Hack Hybrid, with leather and rose gold detailing, which gives a luxury carry-on luggage style at an affordable price.
If you’re looking for affordable luxury, fashionable carry-on luggage, The Travel Hack Hybrid ticks all the boxes in terms of price, style, and capacity – It is without a doubt my new favourite in the Cabin Max The Travel Hack Luggage Collection!
I hope you enjoyed my Travel Hack Hybrid review – After raving about it to my friends, it’s only fair I shared more about my new favourite travel essential on the blog!
Thanks for reading – please let me know if you buy The Travel Hack Hybrid or try any of the other bags in the range!
Jaz