Finding wheeled backpacks available in the UK isn’t that easy. I’m not sure why, but a quick amazon search just doesn’t seem to come up with the goods on this one.
So I’ve collated some of the best options I’ve found in one article to help others to make an informed decision.
Why Choose a Wheeled Backpack?
Whether to choose a backpack or a suitcase for your trip is an issue intensely debated in the travel community.
Personally, I love the middle-ground option – the hybrid backpack (or wheeled backpack). I wrote a post about why here: Backpack or Suitcase for Travelling?
Once I had decided where I stood on the issue, I set about searching to buy a wheeled backpack available in the UK. And it surprised me how difficult it was!
Cheapest wheeled backpacks available in the UK
Mountain Warehouse Voyager 50L Wheelie Holdall – Wheeled Travel Bag
The cheapest wheeled backpack that I’ve found available to buy in the UK is the Mountain Warehouse Voyager 50L Wheelie Holdall – Wheeled Travel Bag Black
Cost
The price at the time of writing is £83.99 which is a great price for this type and size of bag.
Size
This wheeled backpack is 75cm (l) x 35cm (w) x 23cm (d) and holds 50L of luggage.
Weight
On its own (without any of your stuff in it) this bag weighs in at 3.02kg – so you need to consider that if you’re planning to use it as a backpack often, or if you have strict weight limits on any of your flights.
What the reviews say
For the cheapest product on the market, the reviews are really quite strong. Whilst most of the reviews have been written before a trip, those written afterwards don’t show many complaints at all.
The majority of lost points seem to be due to lack of internal pockets (it has just one, in the zip flap) and discomfort when using it as a backpack (there’s no padding).
I’d say if you’re looking for a budget option with only limited use as a backpack – this one will be perfect for you.
It’s a good size, doesn’t seem to have any major design flaws, and is pretty cheap! You can always get around the lack of internal pockets by utilising packing cubes.
The only downside seems to be that it is really quite heavy as a bag on its own, so you’ll have to take a couple of kgs less stuff. How many pairs of shoes do you need?
Mid-price wheeled backpacks available in the UK
Vango Exodus 60+20L Roller Rucksack
Cost
This one will cost you £105 (at time of writing) on Amazon, so it’s the cheapest of the mid-price options.
Size
This one is listed as 60L+20L which means that the main back has a volume of 60L and the smaller day pack that comes with it has a volume of 20L.
The main bag is 70cm (h) x 38cm (w) x 35cm (d).
Weight
This one weighs a whopping 4.2kg without anything in it – though I believe this includes the weight of the day pack so you can probably take 1kg off.
Still – it’s fairly heavy so you’ll want to consider that if you’re planning to use it as a backpack often, or if you have strict weight limits on any of your flights.
What the reviews say
The reviews of the Vango Exodus 60+20 travel bag are fairly faultless, with 5 stars everywhere I’ve looked. However, I’ve only managed to find a handful of reviews and most before the bag had been road-tested. So I guess the jury is out! Still, it seems like a fairly solid and inexpensive option.
I would just watch the weight of the bag, because if it’s 4.2k to start with and you fill it with 60L of stuff, you’re unlikely to be able to use it as a backpack unless you’re pretty damn strong!
Caribee Travel Duffle Daybacktrolley 45 Litres & 75 Litres
Cost
The 45L option costs £100 and for the extra space the 75L option will cost you £170. There is an 85L version available also, which is £210.
The smallest size is the most expensive of the mid-price options but still shouldn’t break the bank.
Size
The 45L Caribee Fast Track is international airline carry-on size approved, so is a great option if you don’t like hanging around waiting for your bags once you’ve landed. It’s 52cm (h) x 34cm (w) x 24cm (d).
The 75L Caribee Fast Track is 64cm (h) x 38cm (w) x 26cm (d).
Weight
The 45L option weighs 2.9kg when empty.
The 75 L option weighs 4.1kg when empty.
That’s pretty heavy but, like the Vango Escape, I believe it includes the weight of the daypack that comes with it as well. It’s pretty heavy so you’ll want to consider that if you think you’ll use it as a backpack a lot.
What the reviews say
There are only a handful of reviews available for the 45L option, mostly from people using it for business travel. The reviews are 5* all round though!
For long-term travel the volume might be a little low, but if you can travel light and only want carry-on luggage the 45L option looks like a winner. I can’t find a faulted review.
The 75L version has a lot of 5* reviews too, however there are a handful of low ones too. It looks like there have been a few problems with the strength of the wheels, so if you think you’ll use it mostly as a wheelie bag that could be an issue.
That’s a shame, because otherwise it looks like a solid option. It has much more padding on the back for use as a backpack, which makes it more of a true hybrid.
Kathmandu Hybrid 50L/70L Trolley
Cost
The Kathmandu Hybrid trolley comes in two size variants, 50L and 70L, and there isn’t too much of a difference in price between the two.
The 50L version costs around £230, whilst the 70L version will set you back around £245.
Size
The 50L Kathmandu Hybrid Trolley is 70cm (h) x 37cm (w) x 30cm (d).
The 70L Kathmandu Hybrid Trolley is 90cm (h) x 37cm (w) x 30cm (d).
Weight
The 50L weighs 3.12kg.
The 70L weighs 3.42kg
What the reviews say
I’m going to give you my own review of this one, since I have one and I’ve been using it for a few years. I love it. After six years it is still going strong and there are no problems with the bag, zips or wheels. And I travel a lot!
I find that it does everything that I need, with enough space and security.
The one down side that I could mention, is that it sometimes tips to one side when dragging off a curb – but you just have to be a little careful. It’s never caused me a big problem.
As with most hybrid bags, the weight of the frame can be an issue when using it as a backpack, but with the 50L I’ve never managed to pack enough to make the total weight too much.
Top of the range wheeled backpacks available in the UK
Osprey Sojourn 80 Unisex Convertible Wheeled Travel Pack
The top of the range wheeled backpack available in the UK is the Osprey Sojourn 80 Unisex Convertible Wheeled Travel Pack.
Cost
This is the most expensive that I’ve found and it will set you back £272, so not cheap. But Osprey are well known for high quality bags that stand the test of time… and travel!
Size
One of the largest bags on this list, this one is 28 (h) x 14 (w) x 14 (d) inches. It holds a volume of 80L.
Weight
It weighs about the same as a couple of the mid-price options – 4.07 kg. So without your stuff, it’s fairly heavy.
What the reviews say
The reviews are great with the 5* outnumbering other scores by a long way.
The comfort of the backpack padding seems to be really great, which is missing from all of the other bags I’ve looked at.
Having trawled through all of the reviews, I think this one is great if you have a bit more to spend and want a larger hybrid backpack that will last for years to come.
The verdict
Which would I buy? Tough one!
I have a Kathmandu Hybrid 50L Trolley which I absolutely LOVE. It seemed to have been discontinued but now it’s back! I wrote an in-depth review about it here: Do You Need A Backpack Or Suitcase For Travelling? Neither! Or, Rather, Both!
I’ve been using my Kathmandu Hybrid for every trip for six years now and it’s still perfect.
The one I have is most similar in size and design to the Mountain Warehouse Voyager, so I could definitely be tempted to give that a go for the low price. I did look at it when I bought my Kathmandu one, but I decided I had more trust in the Kathmandu brand.
My other top option would be the Caribee Travel Duffle Daybacktrolley 45 Litres. Losing 5L might be a bit of a challenge, but the lightest of the bunch with 5* reviews all round AND no need to check it in on a flight – that sounds pretty good!
I hope this summary helps you to find the right wheeled backpack available in the UK. Of course, go and look around for yourself and see what you think.
Just for transparency, because integrity is really important to me, I do want you to know that the product links on this page are affiliate links. That means that I will get a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to order one of them.
Post updated: 12/03/2023 – I like to keep this page up to date with wheeled backpack available in the UK so that it is useful. If you find any of the links are unavailable please let me know.Liked this? You might like…