Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more
Packing for a weekend getaway or city holiday is a delicate balancing act for those of us who are in the hand luggage only team.
A standard backpack doesn't always suffice but the thought of lugging a wheeled cabin bag around with you doesn't sound ideal either.
Enter the Mous Travel Backpack.
Mous describes its compartmentalised backpack as a 'game-changing alternative to rolling luggage.'
With a capacity of up to 45L, it is much bigger than most standard backpacks, with enough room for a few days out of the country and then some.
This backpack also has a whopping 25 different pockets and compartments. So rather than just being one big tardis-like bag, it's well thought out. This means it's much easier to fish your passport, keys or water bottle out than it would be from a wheeled suitcase.
Best of all, it's compliant with the majority of airlines - including EasyJet bag restrictions and the notoriously strict Ryanair cabin bag requirements.
Mous kindly sent the Daily Mail's Science and Technology Editor, Shivali Best, the backpack to test.
However, at £299.99, Mous' Travel Backpack isn't cheap. So is it really that much more practical than my usual wheeled suitcase and could it be a staple item for future travels? I find out.
Mous Travel Backpack
Mous Travel Backpack
★★★★★
Product Specs
- Capacity40L (45L expanded)
- Dimensions55 x 35 x 20cm (HWD)
- Weight2.2kg
What we love
What could be better
Our verdict
The Mous Travel Backpack is the ultimate bag for fast-paced travellers.
While large enough to fit up to two weeks' worth of gear and weighing 2.2kg empty, I still found it remained surprisingly comfortable, even when packed to the brim.
The plethora of pockets and compartments makes finding important items a breeze, while the wraparound zip allows you to open it up like a clamshell, rather than having to dig through for your belongings.
Of course, the bag does come with a rather hefty £299.99 price tag, which is going to price a lot of people out.
However, I think for the right person it would be a fantastic investment piece. If you're someone who is fed up of the constraints of your clunky wheeled suitcase or just want to save money in the long run by cramming more into your carry-on, it might make sense.
It's really sturdy too, so you're paying for build quality and convenience here.
How we test
At the Daily Mail we test travel products thoroughly, to ensure they meet all the requirements they claim. When it comes to backpacks like Mous, we're looking at a few different things.
The first is that they meet the size restrictions on airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet. We do this not only be measuring the backpack empty but also filling it and remeasuring.
We then consider things like comfort; large carry-on backpacks need to be comfortable as well as practical, so we'll wear and use them in the same way you would—travelling through airports or train stations and trying to pack and unpack our items on the go.
Mous Travel Backpack review
Size
My day-to-day backpack is Stubble & Co's 20L Roll Top, which measures 470mm x 320mm x 140mm.
So when I first put on the Mous Travel Backpack, it was a bit of a shock to the system.
Measuring 550mmx 350mm x 200mm, the Mous Travel Backpack is noticeably larger than standard backpacks, and feels pretty hefty on your back.
However, that's exactly what this bag is designed for.
While Mous offers a range of smaller backpacks, this one is specifically aimed at travellers - and the extra inches offer valuable packing space.
The main body of the suitcase has a whopping 40 litre capacity, which increases to 45 litres when the bag is fully extended.
This provided ample space for my multiple bulky jumpers, shoes, and clothes, as well as my toiletry bag, which isn't exactly dainty.
I really like that this main section is sealed off from the tech compartment, allowing me to rest assured that any leaks from pesky toiletries wouldn't risk reaching my laptop.
Best of all, the backpack is complaint with most airline guidelines for cabin baggage.
While it probably won't fit under your seat as a personal item, you could easily pop it into the overhead locker, just as you would with a small wheeled suitcase.
Comfort
Once you've filled it up with everything you need for your travels, the Travel Backpack can get pretty weighty.
However, I was pleasantly surprised at how comfy the backpack is to wear, even when packed full.
The back of the bag is nicely padded, while the sternum strap and load-lifter straps offer additional support, so your shoulders aren't taking the entire load.
On the go, you've got the option for quick side and top access - perfect for grabbing things out as you go through airport security.
I also really like that you also have the option to stow the straps and carry the bag like a duffel, which is really handy if you're only carrying it a small distance.
Design
Where this bag really comes into its own is with the design.
While I was packing, the wraparound zip allowed me to open the entire bag up like a clamshell - much like you would with a suitcase.
This made for very easy packing, rather than having to stuff things in from the top, as you do with most other backpacks.
However, on the go, you’ve also got the option for quick side and top access - perfect for grabbing things out as you go through airport security.
As someone who loves having a dedicated spot for things like my keys, tissues, and headphones, I was also delighted to discover a whopping 25 pockets and compartments scattered around the bag.
There’s a handy water bottle pocket, secure inner pockets, and even a pocket hidden behind the straps, meaning you’re never left digging for items when you need them.
Accessories
As if the 25 pockets and compartments weren't enough, Mous also offers a range of modular accessories to go with the Travel Backpack.
Users can opt to add a Document Pouch, a Tech Pouch, or a Toiletry Pouch, although I personally don't think these are necessary, given the amount of storage you've already got in the bag itself.
The one accessory I could really see myself using, however, is the Compression Wardrobe - which would be a game-changer at festivals.
In a cramped tent I hate nothing more than living out of my backpack, fishing around for wet wipes and clean socks.
Having the option to pack a temporary wardrobe and hang it up in my tent would definitely help me to function more easily!
Value for money
The Mous Travel Backpack isn't cheap - especially if you decide to splash out on the accessories.
The one accessory I could really see myself using is the Compression Wardrobe - which would be a game-changer at festivals.
The backpack alone is £299.99, while the Document Pouch is £34.99; the Compression Wardrobe is £64.99; the Tech Pouch is £44.99; and the Toiletry Pouch is £54.99.
So, if you do want to get the backpack and all its add-ons, you're looking at a total bill of £499.95.
Mous Travel Backpack
How does it compare to similar products?
For comparison, Samsonite's softside suitcases of a similar size range in price from around £139 to £339.
The big difference between a wheeled suitcase and Mous' Travel Backpack, however, is versatility.
While wheeled suitcases undeniably serve a purpose for many trips, the backpack is much more practical for fast-paced travels where you're constantly on the go and need to be able to cart your stuff around with you.
Why trust us
Shivali Best is the Science & Technology Editor at MailOnline and has been testing products and writing reviews for nine years. She completed a Master's degree in Science Journalism at City University London in 2014 and previously worked at The Mirror as Deputy Science & Technology Editor.
FAQs
Is a Mous backpack waterproof?
While Mous backpacks are not fully waterproof (eg. they cannot be submerged in water) they are highly water resistant.
This means they're suitable for use in bad weather like rain storms and are also protected on the outside from spills. The Mouse Travel backpack is made with 840D ballistic nylon and has a triple-layer water-resistant coating.
Is the Mous backpack suitable for travel on Ryanair and EasyJet flights?
The Mous Travel backpack is suitable for Ryanair cabin bag flight restrictions but only in its un-expanded state. While you'll likely be fine to fly with it expanded, if you'd rather not take the risk, we'd use it without the expansion.
As most airlines also have weight restrictions we'd also suggest weighing your backpack before flying to ensure you don't get caught out this way too.