What's the best Ryanair personal-item backpack?

Ryanair’s free personal-item allowance is smaller than many travel-backpack product photos imply. This is a measurement exercise before it is a style decision.

The two products worth comparing first

Your priority	Specific product	Why it deserves a place	Reason to hesitate
First shortlist	Cabin Max Metz 24L 40 × 30 × 20 cm	A purpose-sized backpack to investigate against Ryanair’s published 40 × 30 × 20 cm personal-item allowance.	Make sure you buy the 24L 40 × 30 × 20 cm model, not the similarly named taller Metz.
Alternative	Cabin Max Metz 20L 40 × 25 × 20 cm	A smaller variant worth considering if you prefer a little more breathing room for a stuffed front pocket.	Less capacity for a weekend trip, and dimensions must be verified on the actual listing.

• Cabin Max Metz 24L 40 × 30 × 20 cm Check price on Amazon
• Cabin Max Metz 20L 40 × 25 × 20 cm Check price on Amazon

The buying decision that matters

Ryanair’s 2026 terms state a 40 × 30 × 20 cm small bag. Measure externally, including protruding handles and a packed front pocket, and recheck the rule immediately before flying.

Check your journey, not just the label

Airline limits and ticket entitlements change, so record the dimensions shown by Ryanair for your specific booking when finalising this article. Don’t rely on an old ‘Ryanair approved’ label on an online listing.

Packing and day-to-day use

Measure the fullest point with all pockets loaded. Decorative straps, side bottle pockets and a stuffed front pouch can push a nominally compliant backpack beyond its intended dimensions.

Our recommendation

For maximum use of the permitted space, the 24L Metz is a sensible candidate. For easier compliance with less packing pressure, choose the 20L size if it suits your belongings.