If you’re fed up with budget airline baggage fees spiralling out of control, the BAGSMART Blast Pro Travel Backpack might just be your new favourite travel companion.
After using the 38L version on a recent easyJet trip to Jersey, I genuinely think this is one of the smartest travel purchases I’ve made in years.
I managed to pack enough clothes, toiletries, tech and extras for 4 full days for me and Little Pockets without paying a penny in cabin bag fees. And when you travel to Jersey as much as I do (my family lives there), this will actually saves me hundreds of pounds a year!
And for anyone who regularly travels with airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air or Vueling (and let’s be honest who doesn’t?!), you’ll be in the same boat, or should I say plane, as me.
What surprised me most about this bag, and what separated it from the other under the seat bags I’ve used, wasn’t just the capacity, but how organised it was too. Not to mention comfortable and stylish!
This isn’t one of those floppy backpacks that looks like you’re heading off on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition. Instead, it feels sleek, structured and genuinely premium, while still being practical enough for budget travel.
Let’s get stuck in to the details…
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Why I Chose the BAGSMART Blast Pro Backpack
Like many travellers, I’ve become increasingly frustrated by airline baggage charges.
A basic easyJet fare can quickly double once you add cabin bags, hold luggage and seat selection.
And now I have to pay £25 standard flat fee for a baby to sit on my lap, I’d really rather do without any baggage costs as well!
For short trips especially, it starts to feel ridiculous paying more for a bag than the actual flight.
So I wanted a backpack that could…
- Fit under the seat
- Hold enough for several days
- Keep me organised
- Feel comfortable to carry
- Avoid the dreaded baggage gate stress
And the BAGSMART Blast Pro ticked every box.
I took it on a 4 day Jersey trip and honestly never felt short on space.
That included…
- Clothing
- Toiletries
- Laptop and charger
- Camera gear
- Trainers
- Light jacket
- Snacks
- Reusable water bottle
And crucially, it still fitted perfectly as my under-seat personal item too.
BAGSMART Blast Pro Backpack Specifications
| Feature | Details |
| Capacity | 38L |
| Style | Travel backpack |
| Laptop Sleeve | Yes |
| Shoe Compartment | Yes |
| Under-Seat Friendly | Yes |
| Opening Style | Clamshell suitcase opening |
| Best For | Budget airline travel |
| Water Resistant | Yes |
| Suitable For | easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, short trips |
First Impressions
The first thing I noticed was how premium the bag felt straight out of the packaging.
The material has a slightly structured, durable finish that looks far more expensive than many travel backpacks I’ve tested.
The zips feel sturdy, the handles are well padded and the overall design is clean and modern.
I also loved that it doesn’t scream “backpacker”.
As a woman in my 40s travelling quite often, I want practical luggage, but I also want something that feels stylish enough to carry through airports, cafés and cities without looking like I’m moving house.
The Blast Pro manages both.
The Clamshell Opening Makes Packing So Much Easier
One of my favourite features of this travle backpack is the suitcase-style clamshell opening.
Instead of digging endlessly through a top-loading backpack, the entire front opens flat like a suitcase. This makes packing dramatically easier.
It also means…
- You can see everything instantly
- Clothes stay organised
- Packing cubes fit beautifully
- You waste less space
- Airport security becomes less stressful
I used packing cubes inside my Blast Pro and genuinely managed to fit far more than I expected inside.
For budget travellers trying to maximise every inch of cabin allowance, this design is a game changer.
Compartments are Brilliantly Thought Out
This bag is also jam-packed with useful compartments.
Some travel bags add pockets for the sake of it, but the BAGSMART layout actually makes sense.
Main Packing Section
The main compartment is spacious enough for several outfits and opens fully flat.
I comfortably packed…
- 5 tops
- 2 pairs of trousers
- Pyjamas
- Underwear
- Lightweight jumper
- Small wash bag
- Trainers
Compression straps inside also helped keep everything compact.
Laptop Compartment
The padded laptop sleeve feels very secure and separate from the main compartment.
I carried my MacBook Air, plus charger, without worrying about damage.
For digital nomads or anyone working while travelling, this is a huge bonus.
Front Organiser Pocket
This quickly became my “airport essentials” section.
I used it for…
- Passport
- Power bank
- Earphones
- Lip balm
- Boarding pass
- Snacks
Everything stayed accessible without rummaging through the main bag.
Shoe Section
One surprisingly useful feature is the separate shoe compartment.
This kept my trainers away from my clothes, which is particularly handy after rainy walks or beach days.
For Jersey, where I always enjoy coastal path and sandy beach walks with my mum, this section was genuinely useful.
Water Bottle Pocket
A small feature, but an important one.
The side bottle holder comfortably fitted my reusable water bottle, which saved me repeatedly buying expensive airport drinks.
Tiny travel win. Massive long-term savings.
Perfect for Budget Airlines
This is where the BAGSMART Blast Pro really shines.
Budget airlines increasingly make money from luggage fees, and travellers often end up paying £40 to £80 extra per trip.
That adds up frighteningly quickly if you’re travelling short haul several times a year.
Using a properly designed under-seat backpack means…
- No checked luggage fees
- No waiting at baggage reclaim
- No risk of lost luggage
- Faster airport exits
- Easier train and bus transfers
For my easyJet Jersey flight, I travelled entirely luggage-fee free.
Honestly, it felt deeply satisfying!
How the BAGSMART Blast Pro Actually Performed on easyJet
One thing I was particularly nervous about before flying was whether the 38L BAGSMART Blast Pro would genuinely work as an under-seat personal item on a budget airline.
Because let’s be honest, low-cost carriers are becoming increasingly strict with baggage checks and nobody wants that horrible gate-side moment where you’re suddenly asked to pay £50 because your bag looks slightly too ambitious.
Thankfully, I had absolutely no issues using this bag on easyJet.
I packed it carefully rather than overstuffing every compartment and it fitted comfortably under the seat in front of me during my Jersey flight. It slid underneath without needing to force it and still left enough room for my feet.
Importantly, the bag also didn’t attract attention at boarding.
I think part of the reason is that the backpack has quite a streamlined shape compared with bulky wheeled cabin cases. Even though the capacity is impressive, it doesn’t visually scream “oversized luggage” in the same way some hard-shell cabin bags do.
I also found the soft-sided design really helpful because it gives you a bit more flexibility when fitting it into tighter spaces.
That said, I would still recommend packing sensibly if you’re flying with stricter airlines like Ryanair or Wizz Air. If you completely overfill the bag until it’s bulging at the seams, you may run into problems because 38L is still a generous amount of space.
For me, the sweet spot was using packing cubes, rolling clothes tightly and sticking to versatile outfits for the five-day trip. That allowed me to maximise the capacity while still keeping the bag compact enough for under-seat travel.
And honestly, walking past the baggage check queues knowing I’d avoided extra easyJet fees felt incredibly satisfying.
Comfort While Carrying
A fully packed backpack can quickly become uncomfortable, especially during airport transfers.
Thankfully, the Blast Pro has…
- Padded shoulder straps
- Breathable back support
- Adjustable chest strap
- Well-balanced weight distribution
Even packed for 4 days, it remained comfortable walking through airports and around town.
I also appreciated that the bag keeps its shape well rather than sagging awkwardly.
How Much Money Can This Backpack Save?
Here’s where things get interesting.
Typical budget airline luggage fees in 2026 can look something like this:
| Airline | Typical Bag Fee |
| easyJet | £50 to £90 |
| Ryanair | £40 to £80 |
| Wizz Air | £45 to £85 |
| Vueling | £35 to £70 |
If you travel even 4 or 5 times per year, this backpack could realistically save you hundreds.
That makes it less of a travel accessory and more of an investment.
Who this Backpack is Best For?
I’d particularly recommend this bag for…
- Budget travellers
- City break lovers
- Frequent flyers
- Solo travellers
- Digital nomads
- Anyone wanting stylish practical luggage
- Anyone avoiding checked baggage fees
It’s especially ideal for…
- Weekend trips
- 3 to 7 day breaks
- European travel
- Train journeys
- Carry-on only travel
Any Downsides?
Very few, honestly.
If you massively overpack, you may struggle to keep it within stricter airline sizing limits. Discipline is still required.
And because the bag is so spacious, it can become heavy if you fill every corner.
But overall, those are minor points compared to the convenience.
Final Verdict
The BAGSMART Blast Pro Backpack has genuinely changed how I travel on budget airlines.
I love that it combines practicality with a more polished design, while still helping me avoid eye-watering baggage fees.
After fitting everything I needed for 4 days in Jersey into a single under-seat bag, I’m now questioning whether I even need traditional cabin luggage anymore.
If you regularly fly with easyJet, Ryanair or other budget airlines, this backpack makes an enormous amount of sense.
Stylish, organised, comfortable and brilliantly designed for maximising personal item allowances, it’s one of the smartest budget travel purchases I’ve made in a long time.
BAGSMART Blast Pro Backpack FAQ
Is the BAGSMART Blast Pro Backpack suitable for easyJet?
Yes.
The BAGSMART Blast Pro works brilliantly for easyJet personal item travel and can fit under the seat depending on how fully it’s packed.
Can you fit enough clothes for 5 days in the BAGSMART Blast Pro?
Absolutely.
I personally packed enough for 4 days in Jersey, including clothes, toiletries, tech and trainers.
Is the BAGSMART Blast Pro good for Ryanair?
Yes.
It’s an excellent option for Ryanair travellers trying to avoid paying extra baggage fees.
Does the BAGSMART Blast Pro fit a laptop?
Yes.
The bag includes a padded laptop compartment suitable for most standard laptops and tablets.
Is the BAGSMART Blast Pro waterproof?
The bag is water resistant, meaning it handles light rain well, although it is not fully waterproof.
What size is the BAGSMART Blast Pro Backpack?
The version reviewed here is the 38L model.
Is the BAGSMART Blast Pro comfortable to carry?
Yes.
The padded straps and supportive back panel make it surprisingly comfortable even when fully packed.
Is a travel backpack better than a suitcase for budget airlines?
Often yes.
A travel backpack like this can help you avoid luggage fees, move faster through airports and manage public transport more easily.
The BAGSMART Blast Pro was gifted but, as always, all views are my own.
This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.
