Nowadays, the bag we use for travelling makes a big difference to how much we end up paying.
The difference between checking a hold bag, taking a carry-on, or travelling with a backpack can be considerable, with the savings going to those who travel lighter.
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To let you pack enough clothes for a weekend away and pay as little as possible, the Airback Flex is one of the most interesting solutions on the market, combining the savings of a backpack for air travel with the convenience of hidden wheels and a telescopic handle for easier mobility.
Find out our opinion and experience with this bag in our review of the Airback Flex.
Travelling with carry-on luggage only is one of the most efficient ways to save time and money on flights, but it requires careful packing. The Airback FLEX aims to solve this dilemma with an integrated vacuum compression system that promises to reduce packing volume by up to 50%.
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The Airback FLEX is a 2-in-1 travel backpack with integrated wheels and an Airback vacuum compression system that reduces volume by between 16 and 32 litres, allowing you to carry more than 15 items of clothing for 2 to 4 days of travel.
It measures 40×30×20 cm, weighs 2.87 kg, has a laptop compartment for up to 15 inches, a hidden anti-theft pocket, water-resistant materials, and GRS certification in 100% recycled nylon.
The extendable handle adjusts to 70, 80 or 90 cm. Compression can be done manually or with the Air Pump Pro, sold separately.
Airback Flex comes with a 3-year warranty and is available in Matt Black, Navy Blue, Olive Green, Light Sand and Graphite for €199.
The bundle with a toiletry bag and air pump costs €259.
Design and build quality
Although the price is a little high, the quality of Airback Flex is immediately apparent when you pick it up.
It is made from GRS-certified recycled nylon, for those who care about using more sustainable accessories, and, like the Airback Original, features a velvety finish on the front that gives it a premium look and feel.
The exterior is made from a water-resistant material and has a very sturdy construction with several interesting details.
On the front there is a small hidden pocket for storing a few items.
On the side there is an integrated TSA lock to protect the bag from being opened by others without authorisation.
At the top, there is a small zip that conceals the telescopic handle built into the bag.
At the bottom there are two rubber wheels and a plastic stand to keep the bag stable on the ground.
There is also a handle to help lift the bag into overhead compartments, along with a scratch area and some magnets used to secure the cover that hides the wheels when using it in backpack mode.
In addition to the main zip, there is a second zip that opens the bag’s expander to gain a few extra litres of storage.
Inside, there is a waterproof and airtight bag for clothes, a laptop compartment for up to 15″, an anti-odour bag for shoes, and another compartment for additional items.
In the bundle we received, a toiletry bag in the same material and colour as the bag is included for carrying personal hygiene products.
Organisation and compartments
Although compact, this bag offers a good number of compartments to make organisation easier.
Before even opening the bag, there is a front pocket with a hidden zip for quick-access items.
When opened, the first thing you find is a waterproof bag with a wetsuit-style zip that can hold more than 15 items of clothing at once, and can then be sealed using a vacuum compression system.
Next is a laptop compartment for up to 15″, which, although inside the bag, can be accessed by opening just the side panel. This pocket also has an additional compartment for a charger, mouse, or other accessory.
Inside the bag there is also an anti-odour bag for shoes, dirty laundry, or anything else that might carry a smell, plus a pocket above for storing further belongings.
The bundle also includes a toiletry bag with internal compartments for personal hygiene products.
Vacuum compression system
To make packing easier, the Airback Flex features a bag with a vacuum compression system. This allows you to fit a greater quantity of clothing and remove all the air to ensure the smallest possible footprint.
The system can be operated with a vacuum cleaner (simply connect the hose to the bag’s valve). or any other pump you have at home, or you can use the official Airback pump, available to purchase separately, which we will cover further on.
Using the Airback Air Pump Pro, it took us around 10 to 15 seconds to remove all the air from inside.
How many items can we actually fit in?
To understand the real clothing capacity of this bag and assess whether the brand’s claims hold up, we packed 15 items of clothing, including thicker jumpers, t-shirts, and jeans.
The result was a large pile of clothing inside the bag, but one that didn’t add undue bulk.
Even with the bag sitting quite high, we were able to close the zip, remove the remaining air, and close the bag with other items without much difficulty and without needing to activate the volume expander.
Loading items into the compartment is not particularly difficult, but it is not the quickest or most efficient process either, as the corners of the bag are somewhat rigid and the opening is not very wide.
In addition to the 15 items of clothing, we also fitted a laptop, a pair of trainers, and the toiletry bag, demonstrating that the Airback Flex is a very capable travel companion for flights.
Backpack or trolley?
The Airback Flex’s standout feature is undoubtedly the system that lets you use it either as a backpack or as a wheeled trolley.
With this bag you can choose whichever option suits you best — wearing it on your back to board the plane, or switching to wheel mode for moving around without the weight on your shoulders.
Switching between the two modes is also simple and quick, requiring only a few steps — a process that can be done without any trouble at the airport as soon as you realise you need to switch from one to the other.
To use it as a backpack, you need to detach a cover held in place by a magnet on the back and use it to conceal the wheel area.
To switch back to trolley mode, simply fold the cover back and use it to secure the backpack straps.
Then simply open the compartment at the top, pull out the telescopic handle, and roll your bag along.
The Airback Flex is thus one of the most efficient solutions for saving money on travel, while still ensuring comfort, as it means you don’t have to carry the weight on your back throughout your journey.
Comfort of use
The Airback Flex system is clever and takes the effort out of carrying the bag on your back for most of the journey.
The wheels are durable and suited to various surfaces, and the telescopic handle opens to three different lengths: 70, 80, or 90 centimetres.
However, it is when you have to wear it on your back that you notice this bag’s limitations most clearly.
Although the experience varies depending on the wearer’s height, this bag is more comfortable for taller people due to the position of the wheels against the back.
Even when covered and softened by the protective flap, the wheels can still be felt against the back, which may cause some additional discomfort.
It is something you can live with for short periods when you need to carry the bag on your back, but it is not ideal for longer walks.
The straps are well reinforced and wide, providing good support even when the bag is heavily loaded.
Airline compatibility
At just 40×30×20 cm and 2.87 kg, this bag is designed to work as a personal item rather than cabin baggage on all low-cost carriers (Ryanair, easyJet, etc.).
This means you can travel with enough clothes for 3 or 4 days without paying extra for additional luggage, leaving the money saved for other activities.
However, it is important to check the dimensions permitted by your airline before travelling. Ryanair, for example, allows a personal item of 40×20×25 cm, which is slightly different from the Airback Flex’s 40×30×20 cm. In practice, the 30 cm width may be a point of concern with some airlines that strictly enforce size checks.
We recommend always checking the rules of the airline you are flying with before travelling with this bag as your only luggage.
Air Pump Pro
Airback offers the Air Pump Pro as an accessory for €79, available to purchase separately or as part of a bundle, to make the bag’s compression process easier. It is a portable, rechargeable pump that allows you to compress the clothing bag in seconds without needing a vacuum cleaner.
In practice, manual compression works but requires more time and effort. The Air Pump Pro makes the process much quicker and more convenient, especially when packing at a hotel or accommodation where no vacuum cleaner is available.
For frequent travellers who want to get the most out of the compression system, it is a worthwhile investment. For occasional travellers who always have access to a vacuum cleaner at home, it may be unnecessary.
In addition to its inflation function, the Air Pump Pro also features a torch with 3 different brightness levels and 1 flashing emergency light, ideal for camping or outdoor activities.
It also comes with several adapters to allow you to inflate camping mattresses and similar items.
A small carry bag for the Air Pump Pro, accessories, and charger is included.
Who is the Airback Flex for?
The Airback Flex is aimed at frequent flyers who want to avoid paying baggage fees without giving up enough clothes for 3 to 4 days.
It is particularly well suited to weekend getaways, short business trips, and city breaks where time and money both matter.
The combination of backpack and trolley makes it especially useful for those who cover different types of terrain on the same trip — from the airport to the hotel or public transport — without wanting to carry the weight on their back the whole way.
It is not the best option for shorter people, as the wheels on the back can cause some discomfort.
For longer trips of more than 4 days, or for those who need to carry bulky items such as ski clothing or sports equipment, the maximum capacity may not be sufficient even with compression.
Verdict
The Airback Flex is a clever bag that delivers well on its main promise. The vacuum compression system works in practice and allows you to carry a surprising amount of clothing for the bag’s size — 15 varied items of clothing plus a laptop, trainers, and a toiletry bag all fit without difficulty and without needing to activate the volume expander.
Build quality is one of its strongest points, with the certified recycled nylon, velvety finish, TSA lock, and well-thought-out compartments all conveying a premium feel that justifies the asking price.
The conversion system between backpack and trolley is simple and quick, making this bag genuinely versatile. The durable wheels and three-position telescopic handle make trolley mode comfortable for long stretches in airports and stations.
The main downside is the discomfort of the wheels against the back when worn as a backpack, especially for shorter people. The 30 cm width also warrants checking against each airline’s rules before travelling.
At €199, the Airback Flex is an investment that can pay for itself in just a few trips by avoiding low-cost airline baggage fees.
Techbit thanks Airback for providing the Airback Flex for review.
- Converts between backpack and trolley
- Holds more than 15 items of clothing
- Fits under the aircraft seat, reducing travel costs
- Price
Airback Flex FAQ
What is the Airback Flex?
It is a 2-in-1 travel backpack with integrated wheels and a vacuum compression system that reduces volume by between 16 and 32 litres. It can carry more than 15 items of clothing for 2 to 4 days of travel within personal item dimensions. Available for €199.
Does the Airback Flex fit as a personal item on low-cost airlines?
At 40×30×20 cm it is compatible with most airlines, but dimensions vary between carriers. Ryanair, for example, allows 40×20×25 cm, so we recommend always checking your airline’s rules before travelling.
Do I need the Air Pump Pro to use the compression system?
No. Compression can be done with any vacuum cleaner connected to the bag’s valve. The Air Pump Pro for €79 makes the process quicker and more convenient, especially when no vacuum cleaner is available.
How many items of clothing fit in the Airback Flex?
In our tests we fitted 15 varied items of clothing including thick jumpers, t-shirts, and jeans, plus a laptop, trainers, and a toiletry bag, without needing to activate the volume expander.
Does the compression hold throughout the journey?
Yes. Once properly compressed and sealed, the bag maintains its compression throughout the entire journey.
What warranty does the Airback Flex come with?
Airback offers a 3-year warranty on all models.
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