The Best Personal Item Backpack for Budget Airline Travelers

If you’re flying budget and actually want to save money, you’re going to need to skip all the add-ons, including baggage fees. Budget airlines charge for everything — and most of us are trying to stretch our travel dollars and need gear that does more with less. I have flown several times with my kids only carrying a personal item each, and can tell you with confidence it’s doable, especially with this exact backpack I use and trust…and that’s saved me hundreds in baggage fees.  If you’re trying to travel more without paying extra, you’re in the right place.

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Why Travel with Only a Personal Item

Budget airlines like Frontier, Breeze, Spirit, and Allegiant have completely changed the game. Thanks to them, we’ve flown our family of five to Washington D.C., Southern California, and Nashville—round trip—for a fraction of traditional airline prices.

But here’s the thing: To really get those deals, you have to understand the trade-offs.

Think:

• No assigned seats unless you pay
  
• No snacks unless you pack them
  
• No carry-on unless you cough up more cash

To fly truly frugal, you’ve got to be flexible and become a minimalist packer. That’s where having the right personal item becomes so important.

Beyond saving some serious money, traveling with only a personal item helps me feel more confident (less to keep track of or forget) and I stress less when boarding because I don’t have that sick feeling in my gut worrying about finding carry-on space.

The Trip That Made Me a Believer

When my husband planned a guys’ trip for our nephew’s graduation, the cheapest fare he found was on Spirit. Not wanting to pay a penny more than the initial fare, he realized that the backpacks we had around the house weren’t going to cut it.  

Enter: the Coowoz backpack.

He bought it, brought it… and raved about it.

And let me tell you—when he endorses something, I listen. This is the man who has spent weeks researching vacuum cleaners.

He was impressed by:
The price
The space
The ease of use
The structured design

That one trip convinced us both—and now we own two (and eventually five).

While regular school backpacks will certainly fit under the seat, they haven’t been designed with travel in mind. Often there are only one or two pockets, they don’t have much structure, and items can easily get lost or buried under other things. A bag made specifically for travel that still fits under your seat really is a game changer.

What Makes the Coowoz Backpack Perfect for Budget Flights

So what are the best features that make the Coowoz my top choice?

✅ Fits under every airline seat I’ve tested (Delta, Allegiant, Spirit, Breeze)
✅ Tons of compartments – perfect for organizing snacks, tech, diapers, etc.
✅ Shoe pocket + wet/dry separation (a mom’s dream!)
✅ Durable, water-resistant fabric + smooth zippers
✅ Pass-through sleeve for stacking on a rolling suitcase
✅ Budget-friendly price makes it low-risk to try

This is a bag that understands what parents actually need—whether you’re flying solo or with three kids in tow.

How I Used This Backpack for a Full Family Flight to DC

We flew on Breeze Airlines for a spring break trip from Utah. We got a fantastic flight deal and had family to stay with, so we were all about doing this as much as possible on a budget.

We considered packing and checking one large bag for $40/one way. And in certain circumstances, this may be the best fit for your family, especially if dealing with special gear (swimming, snow, hiking).  However, we had access to laundry facilities for our one-week trip, so we took on the challenge of each of us bringing only a personal item.

Here’s what it looked like:

• My husband and I each brought a Coowoz
• The kids used their school backpacks
• I packed strategically using packing cubes

The result?
We breezed through the airport, saved $80 in baggage fees, and had everything we needed. (Although… I did end up carrying my 6-year-old’s bag for half the trip—she’s not quite ready to carry all her travel belongings on her back.)

Do I really need a special backpack for travel?

Maybe you’ve bought cheap backpacks before and they didn’t last. I get it. It’s frustrating to invest in something that falls apart mid-trip. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised at how sturdy the Coowoz actually is. The material inside and out has held up on countless flights and I haven’t had any issues with the zippers, rips, etc. 

Or maybe you think it looks good online, but not sure you’ll like it in person. That’s always a gamble with Amazon. But I noticed right away how it felt structured, not floppy. And with free returns, I figured it was worth trying.

Other common concerns include:

Q: Is it too bulky to carry around all day?
A: Not if you adjust the straps and you can use the top handle for short distances. But if it’s packed full and heavy (which it probably will be) it will start to hurt your back. 

Q: What if I don’t travel much—is it still worth it?
A: If you take even one trip a year on a budget airline, it will likely pay for itself in saved baggage fees.

Q: Will it actually fit everything I need?
Here’s what I can usually pack in mine:

• 3 shirts, 3 bottoms
• 1 pair of pajamas
• 5 pairs of socks/underwear
• A change of shoes
• Toiletries
• Laptop + chargers
• Water bottle (fits a 24oz Owala!)

Pros + Cons: Is This Backpack for You?

If you’re still on the fence, consider these pros and cons:

Pros:
✅ Budget-friendly
✅ Durable
✅ Flexible storage
✅ Enough room for 3+ outfits and all the necessities

Cons:
❌Water bottle holder is small. Won’t work with wider-base bottles
❌ No waist strap (which would help if you’re packing super heavy)
❌ Wouldn’t recommend as your main hiking bag for 10+ mile treks

Important ordering help

There are lots of sizing options for this bag. Most budget airlines require your bag to be less than 18x14x8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). That means if you want to be sure to pass the size test, you will need to order the Large/25L bag (not Large-L or 30L+ bags). The next size up is only half an inch too big, but I haven’t tested it/risked it to see if I could bring the bigger bag.

Final Thoughts

While we are huge fans of the Coowoz personal item backpack, it’s not for everyone. If you’re willing to pay the extra fees for more comfort, do it. There is a lot to be said for just bringing as much as you want and focusing on saving elsewhere.  Or maybe you have status or airline benefits and don’t need to worry about baggage fees. And it’s important to note this bag will most likely be packed tight if it’s your only bag and it can be tricky finding what you need when on the plane.

But if your brain is tired from trying to ‘figure out the perfect packing strategy,’ this is the shortcut. One bag. Tons of pockets. No guessing. If you’re ready to stop paying baggage fees and start traveling smarter, this is the best $30 you’ll spend all year.