Best 9x10x17 Bags - United Airlines Personal Item Backpacks

With the rise of the United Airlines basic economy fare, more and more people are looking for a personal item bag that can squeeze into the size limit of 9 x 10 x 17 inches.

Let's face it, most backpacks and luggage are simply too large to be considered personal items. This can cause serious headaches for travelers struggling to stay under the strict dimensions.

But we're here to help.

In this buying guide we have picked the best personal item bags based on quality, features and size so that you can spend less time with a measuring tape and more time planning that sweet vacation.

From left to right: Pacsafe Eco 18L Anti-Theft, Timbuk2 Division, Fjallraven Kanken backpack

Our Top Pick United Airlines Personal Item Bags

1. Timbuk2 Division - Best United Airlines laptop backpack for underseat

2. Fjallraven Kanken 16L - Best for one bag packing (Basic Economy tickets)

3. Pacsafe Eco 18L Anti-Theft Backpack - Best Anti-Theft Backpack with lockable zippers

If you aren’t a fan of orange, don’t worry, these bags come in different colors than the ones in the photo.

What You Need to Know About United Personal Items

If you are getting ready for a trip, it's good to know that United Airlines has strict size limits for what counts as a personal item.

Show above: Travelpro Elite Compact Carry-On Spinner and Osprey Daylite backpack

According to the United Airlines official guidelines, any bag can be considered a personal item as long as it fits under the seat in front of you and measures under 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm). United Airline personal item examples include a purse, backpack, suitcase, duffel bag or briefcase.

While carry-on bags have a limit of 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm) and needs to stored in the overhead bin on the plane. Carry-on examples include roller luggage and larger carry-on backpacks.

Those traveling with Basic Economy tickets will be allowed to bring one personal item bag with them onboard and will be charged fees for each additional bag.

Best Backpacks 9 x 10 x 17 inches or Under

Timbuk2 Division

Our top pick for a United personal item bag has to be the Timbuk2 Division. It's small enough to fit underneath an airline seat but not too small. While it may not be suitable for a long haul trip, its 22 liters of packing space makes it roomy enough for a light packer. And if organization is a must, the Division has lots of pockets for quick access to small items.

For those traveling with multiple tech devices, the Timbuk2 Division shines as a tech bag with its 15-inch laptop compartment and additional main compartment sleeve that can double as a second table or laptop sleeve. Various small pockets throughout the bag offer ample storage for tech essentials.

The Division backpack also boasts great features to make your next flight a little more worry-free. It has a super comfortable back panel and shoulder straps, a water bottle pocket, and a sleeve for attaching the bag to rolling luggage. Compression straps make it easy to cinch down the bag to ensure you stay within the personal item size limit. Overall, the Timbuk2 Division backpack is a versatile and practical choice for travelers.

Features at a glance:

• Dimensions: 17.3 x 10.6 x 5.12 inches

• Capacity: 22L

• Weight: 2.2 lbs

• 15" padded laptop compartment

Fjallraven Kanken 16L

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The Fjallraven Kanken is possibly the most popular small backpack on the planet, and for good reason. But don't let its size fool you. Although it only has 16 liters of packing space, its roomy main compartment is perfect for packing when you're traveling and can easily fit multiple outfits for short trips. Seriously, if you can master your t-shirt rolling technique, you'll be surprised by how much you can fit.

One of the benefits of the Kanken backpack is that it retains its shape and dimensions even when packed to capacity, with minimal bulging or ballooning. This ensures that you don't accidentally add a few extra inches while packing, making it a great personal item backpack for United Airlines and a reliable bag for international flights that have strict personal item requirements.

Features at a glance:

• Dimensions: 14.96 x 10.6 x 5..11 inches

• Capacity: 16L

• Weight: .66 lb

• Available in a ton of fun colors

Doughnut Macaroon

The Dounghnut Macaroon is a great option for those who like the look of the Fjallraven Kanken but need more pockets and organization. Both bags are 16 liters and have the same dimensions, but the Macaroon has more interior pockets, perfect for stashing travel essentials like tech chargers and a water bottle. Its compact size and ability to be carried as a tote or small backpack makes it ideal for airline travel.

We recommend getting the Fjallraven Kanken if you only want to carry one personal item bag for packing on Basic Economy flights, as the Macaroon has less open interior room due to the extra pockets. However, the Macaroon does make a great secondary backpack for your checked luggage or for when you have a carry-on in the overhead compartment.

Features at a glance:

• Dimensions: 14.96 x 10.6 x 5..11 inches

• Capacity: 16L

• Lots of interior pockets

• Available in a ton of fun colors

Pacsafe Eco 18L Anti-Theft Backpack

The Pacsafe Eco 18L is a very interesting backpack that is small enough to fit under United airline seats, but packed with surprising features.

First, the Pacsafe Eco 18L makes a great anti-theft travel backpack. It has built-in locks for each outside compartment and the backpack itself can be secured to a tablet or chair leg to prevent theft in busy airports or cafes. Inside, you'll also find an RFID-safe pocket for stuff like a passport and credit cards.

If that wasn't impressive enough, the Pacsafe Eco 18L can also double as an outdoor backpack for hiking or biking. It has a lightweight construction, a roomy main compartment, and great exterior pockets, as well as super breathable shoulder straps and a back panel. Not only does the Pacsafe Eco 18L make a great travel backpack, but you can take it on a hike when you get to your destination!

Features at a glance:

• Dimensions: 16.9 x 10.6 x 7.5 inches

• Capacity: 18L

• Weight: 1.61 lb

• Built-in zipper locks and anti-theft design

Osprey Daylite

If all you want is a very lightweight and hassle-free bag for your next flight, the Osprey Daylite is the one to get. Despite its 13-liter packing capacity, it provides ample space for all your essentials like a tablet, headphones, and neck pillow. Plus, the compact size of the Osprey Daylite makes it a great personal bag for flights or a full day of sightseeing at your destination.

The Osprey Daylite is packed with all sorts of great features that makes it an excellent travel bag. Our favorite is the shoulder strap handle that doubles as a luggage pass-thru. Our favorite is the shoulder strap handle that doubles as a luggage pass-thru. It also comes with side compression straps to help you stay within the United personal item maximum dimensions, and a convenient front compartment for organizing small items. All in all, we couldn't recommend the Osprey Daylite enough.

If you want to learn more about the difference between the Daylite and the larger Daylite Plus, check out our in-depth Osprey Daylite vs Daylite Plus comparison.

Features at a glance:

• Dimensions: 16.93 x 10.24 x 7.87 inches

• Capacity: 18L

• Weight: 1.08 lb

• Can fit up to 13" laptop or tablet

Mystery Ranch Rip Ruck 15

Made with durable fabrics and water resistant zippers, the Mystery Ranch Rip Ruck can take you from the airport to sightseeing without skipping a beat. Mystery Ranch is a brand that specializes in tough tactical backpacks made with quick access in mind, and the Rip Ruck15 is no exception.

What sets the Rip Ruck 15 apart is its magnetic rip-zip opening to the main compartment, which provides easy access to your travel gear in seconds. Other great features include a 15” laptop sleeve, plenty of smaller pockets and PALS webbing on the top for attaching extra accessories. Best of all, the Mystery Ranch Rip Ruck 15 is as close as you can get to the 9 x 10 x 17 personal bag requirements, making airline travel a breeze no matter where your adventures take you.

Features at a glance:

• Dimensions: 16.93 x 10.24 x 7.87 inches

• Capacity: 18L

• Weight: 1.08 lb

• Can fit up to 13" laptop or tablet

Topo Designs Light Pack

The Topo Designs Light Pack offers a compact and no-fuss design for those struggling to find the right 9 in. x 10 in. x 17 in. bag for United Airlines. This is because the Light Pack keeps it simple with a 15-liter main compartment, side pockets for water bottles, and a front pocket for easy access to small items. Simple is as simple does. No tiny pockets all over the place and annoying extra straps and buckles.

One of the coolest features of the Topo Light Pack is its PackFast Travel Bag Attachment Loops that enable you to attach the bag to a larger Topo carry-on bag. This feature comes in handy on busy travel days. When it's time to board a flight, you can detach the Light Pack and stow it under the seat for easy access to your personal items.

Features at a glance:

• Dimensions: 17.5 x 10 x 5.5 inches

• Capacity: 15L

• Lightweight yet tough - 400D Nylon Pack Cloth

Pacsafe Metrosafe X Anti-Theft Backpack

The Pacsafe Metrosafe X comes in two sizes: the 16" laptop size and the 13" laptop size. You will want the smaller 13" laptop size Metrosafe X to stay under the United personal item maximum dimensions.

This is a backpack that we recommend for those who need their essentials at hand for a comofortable flight since it's simply too small for travel packing. However, as a personal item backpack to complement the luggage in the overhead compartment, it is perfect.

Not only do you get built-in lockable zippers for anti-theft protection, but the organization is a dream with a padded sleeve for a laptop or tablet, an RFID-blocking pocket for a passport, and even a shoulder strap pocket for quick access to earbuds or credit cards.

Features at a glance:

• Dimensions: 17.5” x 10” x 5.5

• Capacity: 15L

• Lightweight yet tough - 400D Nylon Pack Cloth

Nixon Mode Pack

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Nixon offers a small backpack that's perfect for domestic United flights and international flights alike, thanks to it's compact size and lightweight construction.

This backpack has panel loading access to the main compartment with buckles instead of zippers, making it a bit easier to pack a little extra. This will come in handy if you aren't the type of person who can be considered a "light packer" but still wants a shot at one-bag travel on a Basic Economy flight to avoid baggage fees.

Inside, you'll find a padded sleeve for a laptop or tablet with an extra pocket for accessories, giving you plenty of open space for clothing and toiletries.

Features at a glance:

• Dimensions: 16 x 10.4 x 5.51 inches

• Capacity: 20L

• Adjustable buckle opening to adjust bag height

Alternatives to Luggage with Wheels

While many people prefer the convenience of a wheeled carry-on over a backpack, it's surprising how many luggage manufacturers don't make luggage with wheels that fits under the 9 x 10 x 17 in. dimensions required by United Airlines. There are a lot of great underseaters with wheels out there, but they are often too big for the United personal item size limit, which can be a problem with the rise in popularity of Basic Economy seats that often come with enforced restrictions.

However, we were able to find a couple of high-quality tote bags that meet United Airlines' maximum dimensions for personal bags.

Travelpro x Travel + Leisure UnderSeat Tote

With premium styling and an emphasis on travel comfort, the Travepro and Travel + Leisure got together to make the ultimate travel tote bag that is guarenteed to fit underneath an airplane seat. No need to worry about size restrictions or a checked carry-on bag at the gate - just pack and go!

Some great features include an interior padded laptop sleeve, quick-access pocket on the outside for phones, passports and other essentials and a high quality construction that will last for years to come.

Features at a glance:

• Dimensions: 16.5 x 9.25 x 9 inches

• Capacity: 22L

• Weight 2.3 lb

• 15" laptop sleeve

• Made especially for underseat airline travel

Dagne Dover Landon CarryAll BaG (Medium)

Dagne Dover offers a compact duffel bag for travel, measuring under the 9 x 10 x 17 inches personal item size limit, for a worry-free experience at the gate.

The Landon Carryall Bag offers 18 liters of packing room and inside you’ll find a 13-inch padded laptop sleeve and extra mesh pockets for organization. Traveling with shoes? Dagne Dover includes a complimentary matching shoe bag to keep for easy packing.

Features at a glance:

• Dimensions: 14.5 x 9 x 7.5 inches

• Capacity: 18L

• Weight 1.7 lb

• Available in lots of colors

A Word on Exact Dimensions

Finding a travel backpack that's under the United 9" x 10" x 17" is tough. You might have noticed that some of the bags we recommended will exceed in width or depth within a half an inch or so from the specific sizing guidelines. That's ok. As long as you don't overstuff these bags you should have no problem fitting them underneath the airline seat in front of you.

Helpful Resources:

We always recommend checking the latest information from United Airlines before your next trip. Below are some helpful links.

• United Airlines: Basic Economy Guidelines

• Nerdwallet: United Basic Economy vs. Economy vs. Economy Plus

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