So you have booked your next flight with Spirit Airlines and are looking for the perfect backpack you can bring with you on the plane. Easy, right? Well, there are some rules you’ll have to follow and if you get them wrong it can cost you.
In this guide we will go over Spirit Airlines’ personal item restrictions and recommend the best Spirit Airlines backpacks you can bring with you on your next flight.
Quick Backpack Picks
Table of Contents
Intro
Best Backpacks for Spirit Airlines
FAQ & Criteria
Spirit Personal Item Size Requirements
Each Spirit Airlines ticket includes a free personal item you can take with you on the flight. Your personal item has strict dimensional restrictions you must follow or else you will be charged a carry-on bag fee.
The current personal item measurements at the time of this writing (May 2021) are 18 x 14 x 8 inches. These measurements are based on the official Spirit Airlines size and weight limits.
Spirit Airlines describes a personal item as something like a laptop bag or purse but it can also include a backpack that is under the maximum dimensions.
Best Backpacks for Spirit Airlines
With their strict size restrictions it can be a tough time finding the right Spirit Airlines personal item backpack. Go too small and you limit what you can carry on flight. But if your backpack is too large then you run the risk of getting hit with an extra fee.
This is why we decided to do the research and bring you a list of our favorite backpacks that meet Spirit Airlines personal item requirements but still give you the space and features you need for a comfortable flight.
Db The Strøm 20L Backpack
Known for their high quality bags and luggage, Db offers a daily carry and travel backpack that falls well within Spirit Airlines personal item size requirements. The Strøm backpack gives you full clamshell access to the main compartment for easy packing of clothing, shoes and other travel essentials.
In fact, The Strøm is one of the best personal item backpacks on the market today given its tough construction, clever pockets and size that fits most airline requirements. If you are serious about owning a versatile backpack that will last you years of use then the Strøm is the backpack to consider.
Dimensions: 17.7” x 10.6” 5.5”
Read more about the Db Strøm
Features at a glance:
Dimensions: 17.7” x 10.6” x 5.5”
Capacity: 20 liters
Ultra lightweight thanks to Db’s patented rib cage technology
Clamshell main compartment for easy packing/unpacking
Separate padded compartment for tablets or laptops up to 13”
What fits inside: The 20 liter capacity allows for 1-2 days of clothing (or more if you are a light packer) to be stored in the main compartment. Top pocket gives you easy access to small essentials like a phone, charger or headphones without having to pull out the backpack from underneath your airline seat. Laptop compartment fits up to a 13” Macbook Pro.
Pack it light, pack it smart
If your goal is to travel as light as possible with just a Spirit Airlines backpack then the Db Strøm 20L backpack is the perfect backpack for one-bag trips.
Db has patented a unique rib cage design that allows all of their backpacks to be incredibly lightweight. The brand uses special ABS plastic “ribs” that keep the bag light and slim without the bulk of traditional paneling while still protecting the items inside.
Along with being much lighter than other backpacks its size, the Strøm offers a slimmer profile without compromising on internal packing room.
The Db Strøm gives you 20 liters of packing room inside its main compartment. This main compartment is incredibly open so that you can maximize the packing space inside. The Backpack even includes mesh pockets along the front panel to keep smaller items and toiletries organized.
A Functional Spirit Airlines Backpack
On hectic travel days the functionality of your gear is always a top priority. Luckily, Db has designed some clever travel-friendly features into The Strøm that will make your life easier while on the move.
Each Db backpack uses the brand’s patented Hook-Up system that allows bags to be attached together, when paired with Db’s wheeled luggage you have an easily way to haul multiple bags with minimal effort.
Another great feature is the roomy top pocket that allows easy access of travel essentials like headphones, charging cables, snacks or a passport. This top pocket can be a real lifesaver during airline travel since you won’t have to pull the bag out from underneath the airline seat to access important items.
The Ridge Commuter Weatherproof backpack
Equipped with a waterproof shell, tons of pockets and mobile charging for your phone - The Ridge Commuter Backpack is packed with features that are perfect for travelers on the move. One-bag travelers will love the clamshell zipper design that makes for easy packing and its compact dimensions allow the Commuter to be used as a Spirit Airlines personal item backpack without worry.
Dimensions: 18” x 12” x 6”
Read more about The Ridge Commuter
Features at a glance:
Dimensions: 18” x 12” x 6”
Capacity: 15L
Built-in USB charger and special power bank pocket for mobile charging
Tons of pockets for organization for tech and smaller items
Special hidden RFID-blocking pocket
Shock resistant laptop compartment
What fits inside: At 15 liters the main compartment is large enough to fit one or two days worth of clothing and toiletries. The main compartment is also equipped with almost a dozen pockets for organizing smaller items. There is also a separate shockproof laptop compartment. The outside of the bag includes multiple pockets for more storage, a water bottle pocket and a special phone pocket to use with the integrated USB charger.
A tech-focused Spirit Airlines personal item backpack
The Commuter Backpack is a small backpack with big features that make it a great Spirit Airlines person item. This includes mobile charging, incredible organization and a special shockproof laptop compartment that’s perfect for traveling.
Each Commuter includes an integrated USB port on the outside of the bag so that you can charge your devices while traveling. No more searching for outlets at the airport!
The Ridge offers their own power bank for you to use with the Commuter or you can use your own. There is a cleverly placed pocket on the inside of the backpack to store a power bank and connect to the USB port so that it stays neatly stashed away.
Dual Access for Easy Packing
One great feature of The Ridge Commuter backpack is its dual access main compartment. You can use the backpack as a regular half-zip backpack or you can take advantage of the second full clamshell zipper that allows the backpack to open flat.
As a clamshell backpack you have full access to all of the mesh pockets that line the inside of the main compartment. Travelers with lots of smaller items and toiletries will love the organization that the Commuter provides and being able to pack this bag just like a suitcase is definitely an added bonus.
Although The Ridge Commuter’s 15 liter capacity is on the smaller side, we found no issues packing a couple days worth of clothing and items for short trips. But its compact dimensions guarantees that the backpack will fit under airline seats making it a great personal item backpack for airlines with strict bag requirements like Frontier and Spirit Airlines.
Other great travel features includes a pass-through luggage strap to attach to roller luggage, a hidden RFID pocket for sensitive carry and large external pockets for easy-access to other travel essentials.
Cons worth mentioning
In order to take advantage of the integrated USB charger you need to either purchase or use an existing mobile power bank. Unfortunately this means an extra expense if you don’t already own one.
Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack
The Daylite Plus Daypack is one of Osprey’s most popular small backpacks and it’s easy to see why. At 20 liters, the Daylite Plus is versatile enough to be used as an airline personal item as well as a daypack once you get to your destination. Whether you are taking a hiking trip or exploring a new city, the Osprey Daylite Plus is a true travel companion.
Dimensions: 18.9” x 11” x 9”
Read more about the Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack
Features at a glance:
Dimensions: 18.9” x 11” x 9”
Capacity: 20L
Weight: 1.29lb
Versatile backpack that can be used for travel, hiking or days out on the town.
Can be used as an attachment to larger Osprey packs
Padded compartment fits a laptop, tablet or a water hydration pack
What fits inside: 20 liter main compartment is large enough for a change of clothes, shoes or various travel essentials. Sleeve in main compartment can fit a laptop or tablet up to 15 inches or a water hydration pack up to 3 liters. Front stash pocket is perfect for small items and can stretch out for more storage.
More than just a personal item backpack
We made to sure include the Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack on our list of best Spirit Airlines backpacks not just because of how popular it is amongst travel enthusiasts but because of how versatile it is for those who need more than just a personal item backpack.
The Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack can be used as everything from an everyday backpack for exploring a new city or as a light hiking backpack thanks to its laptop sleeve that doubles as a water hydration sleeve.
This backpack is incredibly light. At only 1 pound, carrying at-capacity is easy and you can really tell the difference in weight when compared to heavier bags. Features such as the front stash pocket also makes finding smaller items a breeze. This is especially true when you are at busy airports and need to quickly access items such as a passport, tickets, sunglasses or a wallet.
Osprey also offers a smaller version of this pack with the Osprey Daylite. Check out our Osprey Daylite vs Daylite Plus comparison to explore the differences.
When it comes to using this bag as a Spirit Airlines personal item backpack, the bag is 9-inches deep which is 1-inch over the size capacity yet we haven’t heard of anyone having any trouble using this backpack as a personal item on airlines such as Spirit, United and Frontier. Osprey Daylite Plus also fits great under airline seats as long as it isn’t at bulging capacity which is common at backpacks this size.
Cons worth mentioning
A common complaint with the Osprey Daylite Plus Daypack is the side water bottle pockets. Although these stretchy side pockets are great for smaller items they can be a bit too shallow for some water bottles causing them to slip out of the pockets when you are on the move.
Matein Laptop Backpack
Matein offers a great budget backpack that exceeds expectations in terms of functionality, quality and style. This medium sized backpack fits perfectly under an airplane seat and is well within the size restrictions of a Spirit Airlines personal item.
Dimensions: 18” x 12” x 7.8”
Read more about the Matein Laptop Backpack
Features at a glance:
Dimensions: 18” x 12” x 7.8”
Weight: 1.5 lbs
Hidden anti-theft pocket on the back panel allows for safe storage of small items such a wallet, passport or plane tickets.
Mesh side pockets stretch to fit various water bottle sizes
Front pocket is surprisingly large and makes it easy to organize small items
What fits inside: While you won’t be cramming days worth of clothes in the main compartment, it is roomy enough for a few clothing items, large headphones or other travel essentials. Separate laptop compartment can hold a laptop and tablet up to 15.6 inches. The front of the backpack features multiple pockets and organizers for a phone, wallet, passport and other small items while a built-in USB port allows for charging phones and other electronics on the go.
Matein Laptop Backpack Demo
A great Spirit Airlines backpack for those on a budget
Matein did a great job at designing a well-rounded backpack for a budget price. At less than $50 you can have a well-made backpack with features that are usually reserved for more expensive bags.
As a travel bag, Matein does a great job incorporating must-have features such as an easy-access front pocket with organizers for small items, a trolley pass through so that you can attach the backpack to rolling luggage, and dimensions that allow the backpack to fit underneath a plane seat.
If you are looking for a good Spirit personal item backpack, then the Matein Laptop backpack will be within the size requirements. The main compartment is big enough for most travel essentials and some clothing items. When you aren’t traveling the Matein also makes a great school bag or work backpack thanks to it’s roomy main compartment that can fit books, binders and other daily essentials.
Cons worth mentioning
A common complaint with the Matein laptop backpack is with the quality of the zippers that can feel sticky and rigid when opening or closing compartments. Laptop compartment padding is on the thinner side and could be a lot better. This could be a problem for anyone with an expensive laptop that finds themselves being rough with their backpack while on the move.
Samsonite Novex Perfect Fit Laptop Backpack - The best backpack for Spirit Airlines
Samsonite Novex Perfect Fit Laptop Backpack
Samsonite has managed to hit a home run with their Novex Perfect Fit Laptop Backpack. This bag was built from the ground up to be used for air travel with dimensions that are well within the Spirit Airlines personal item requirements while still being roomy enough to pack everything you need for a short trip and comfortable flight.
Dimensions: 17.5” x 12.25” x 7.25”
Read more about the Samsonite Novex backpack
Features at a glance:
Dimensions: 17.5” x 12.25” x 7.25”
Capacity: 23 Liters
Weight: 2.9lbs
Extra protective suspended compartment for laptop and tablet
Lots of pockets for smaller items: water bottle, tech chargers, passport, sunglasses
Airline-friendly size: Can be used as a personal item on most airlines including Spirit
What fits inside: The main compartment can hold one or two days of clothing while while various pockets throughout the bag holds toiletries, electronics, water bottles and other personal items. A separate laptop compartment fits both a 15.6” laptop and tablet
The best backpack for Spirit Airlines
When we first reviewed the Samsonite Novex Perfect Fit Laptop Backpack we were impressed with its deliberate design and functional features. Samsonite really did design the Novex Perfect Fit Laptop Backpack from the ground up to be used as a personal item on restrictive airlines like Spirit. Its dimensions fall right under the maximum personal item size but it has somehow managed to pack a ton of features in such little space.
As far as travel backpacks go, the Novex Perfect Fit Laptop Backpack comes with some standard features we have come to expect from a great travel bag such as stretchy side water bottle pockets, a sunglasses pocket lined with tricot fabric to prevent scratches and a roomy front compartment to organize your small travel essentials like a passport, charging cables and snacks.
Where this backpack really shines is in its Perfect Fit laptop system. Samsonite has designed the laptop compartment to not only be TSA-friendly but to maximize protection of your expensive tech when on the move.
The laptop sleeve itself is suspended and built with enhanced drop protection up and above the standard padding you would find in other laptop backpacks. It’s little details like this that make the Samsonite Novex Perfect Fit Laptop Backpack not only the best backpack for Spirit Airlines but one of our favorite air travel backpacks to date.
Cons worth mentioning
The main complaint we have with the Samsonite Novex Perfect Fit Laptop Backpack is in that it’s pretty heavy! When empty, you can expect this backpack to weight almost 3lbs. We love the look and functionality of this backpack and definitely recommend it for travelers who want a mature and professional look - but if you are looking for a lightweight travel backpack you might want to look elsewhere.
Osprey Daylite Expandable Travel Pack
Osprey offers a travel laptop backpack for those who want the utility of a luggage backpack in a more compact size. With a starting capacity of 26 liters, the Daylite Expandable Travel Pack expands an additional 6 liters for the ultimate flexibility in packing room. This allows you to fall under the Spirit Airlines personal item requirements and gives you the option to adjust the bag size to other airlines as needed.
Dimensions: 17” x 13” x 6”
Read more about the Daylite Expandable Travel Pack
Features at a glance:
Dimensions: 17” x 13” x 6”
Capacity: 26L (32L expanded)
Weight: 1.8lb
Clamshell main compartment allows you to pack like a suitcase
Rear access laptop compartment
Compact unisex design
What fits inside: The expandable 26L main compartment allows for storage of a few days worth of clothing and personal essentials while compressed with an additional 6L of room when needed. A front stash pocket allows for storage of items such as a passport, headphones and phone while a side stretch pockets give you easy access to a water bottles. A padded sleeve allows you to store a laptop or tablet up inside the main compartment.
A Spirit Airlines backpack for one-bag travelers
Osprey offers a few different travel backpacks but the Daylite Expandable Travel Pack is one of the only that is small enough to fit the Spirit personal item size requirements. It’s large enough to hold enough essentials for a weekend trip yet small enough to fit under an airplane seat. The bag itself is made out of eco-friendly 300D recycled polyester that is coated with a PFC-free DWR finish for excellent water resistance.
We like the Osprey Daylite Expandable Travel Pack for its thoughtful design and durability. Along with its top-notch construction, Osprey has done a great job at incorporating hiking backpack technology into a travel bag. This is done with special considerations in the design of the back panel and shoulder strap harness that have a special emphasis on breathability and comfort when worn for longer periods of time. The backpanel itself is made with Osprey’s own AirScape® technology - an ultra breathable mesh-covered die-cut ridged foam design that provides comfort and ventilation usually only seen in technical outdoor bags.
For air travel, the Osprey Daylite Expandable Travel Pack is just the right size to be used as a personal item on most airlines. One-bag travelers will love its compact size that allows you to skip expensive luggage fees.
Cons worth mentioning
The padded laptop sleeve is located inside the main packing compartment instead of in its own separate compartment. This is definitely a design con if you like to keep your tech separate from your main packing area.
Fjallraven Kanken Backpack
Those looking for a small backpack to use as their Spirit Airlines personal item will love the style and features of the Fjallraven Kanken. Large enough to hold a days worth of stuff yet small enough to comfortably fit under airplane seats, the Kanken is the take-everywhere backpack for long relaxing vacations or quick weekend adventures.
Dimensions: 14.9” x 10.6” x 5.1”
Read more about the Fjallraven Kanken Backpack
Features at a glance:
Dimensions: 14.9” x 10.6” x 5.1”
Capacity: 16L
Weight: .7lb
Made of waterproof material
Clamshell backpack with 3/4 zipper for easy packing
Perfect size for women, children and people who need a small travel backpack
What fits inside: The Kanken’s deep main compartment can fit a day’s worth of travel gear such as a light jacket, camera, snacks and water bottles. The main compartment can accommodate a laptop or tablet up to 14-inches while the bag’s side pockets can hold water bottles or an umbrella.
Our preferred Spirit Airlines small backpack
The Fjallraven Kanken has been one of the most popular outdoor backpacks in recent years thanks to its waterproof features, endless color options and unique rectangular design. It’s this boxy rectangular design that helps give the Kanken it’s roomy main compartment. Unlike other curved backpacks, the boxy main compartment allows you to store more while still keeping a small footprint. This makes the Kanken perfect for women, kids or anyone with a smaller frame where full sized travel backpacks may be too large and heavy.
Although the design is cool, it’s the small details that make the Kanken such a great travel backpack. The main compartment opens up 3/4 of the way for full access to the contents inside. On the back of the main compartment you’ll find a Fjallraven tag that allows you to write down your name and contact information for the off chance that you lose your bag. On the outside of the bag is where you’ll find a reflective logo patch for safety as well as a top handle so you can carry your Kanken like a tote when needed.
Size wise the Kanken meets the Spirit personal item backpack requirements and perfectly fits under airplane seats so you won’t have to place it in overhead storage. If you like the idea of a Kanken but want something a little different then make sure to check out our backpacks like Fjallraven list for similar options.
Cons worth mentioning
The Kanken was originally designed to help with back problems in school children. It’s ergonomically “X” shoulder strap design provides optimal support but unfortunately the thin straps can sometimes dig into shoulders if the bag gets too heavy.
Herschel Little America Mid-Volume Backpack
Herschel takes their popular Little America backpack and shrinks it down in size with their Little America Mid-Volume. At a 17 liter capacity, the Little America Mid-Volume is the perfect size to use as a Spirt Airlines personal item while still having plenty of space for travel essentials.
Dimensions: 16” x 10.75” x 5”
Read more about the Herschel Little America Mid-Volume Backpack
Features at a glance:
Dimensions: 16” x 10.75” x 5”
Capacity: 17L
Weight: 1.9lbs
Smaller version of full sized 25L Herschel Little America
Padded and fleece lined 13” laptop sleeve
Internal media pocket with headphone port
What fits inside: The outside front pocket is great for small items like keys, a wallet or phone while the main compartment fits a light jacket, camera, books and other travel essentials. A padded and fleece lined sleeve holds a 13-inch laptop.
Herschel offers stylish airplane carry
We are big fans of the Herschel Little America for its iconic design and throwback features but we found the full sized version to be a bit too big to carry on as a personal item on Spirit Airlines. The Herschel Little America Mid-Volume however is the perfect size as it comes in under the Spirit personal item requirements.
What sets Herschel apart from other big backpack brands is their heritage designs that are a cross between a vintage outdoor and urban modern. The Little America backpack is one of Herschel’s most popular designs because of its blend of old and new. With a mountaineering inspired rucksack opening and classic woven label it is a fresh take on old outdoor gear. If you like Herschel’s heritage look but want to see what other brands are out there then make sure to check out our list of backpacks like Herschel.
Cons worth mentioning
Lack of water bottle pockets and small compartments may be a deal breaker for some people who need lots of organization. The Herschel Little America Mid-Volume only has a main compartment, laptop sleeve and a small front pocket.
This backpack also lacks lots of the travel features other backpacks on this list have. It does not have a pass-through trolley panels for easy carry on luggage handles and its rucksack design makes it harder to access clothing or items in the bottom of the bag.
FAQs
Now that we have listed our favorite Spirit Airlines backpacks let’s address some common questions.
Can I bring a backpack on Spirit Airlines?
You can bring any type of bag, including a backpack, as your personal item free of charge as long as the dimensions are under size limit of 18 x 14 x 8 inches.
What about Jansport backpacks?
A common question we get is “Can I bring my (insert brand name here) backpack?”. The short answer is that you can bring whatever brand backpack you like as long as it falls under the size requirements for a Spirit Airlines personal item.
The longer answer really depends on the brand and backpack model. We have found that most basic school bags (like the ones pictured below) fall well beneath the personal item restrictions and are ok to bring with you on the flight without being charged a fee. To be more specific backpacks like the Jansport Superbreak and Herschel Settlement count as Spirit Airlines personal items.
Although we are big fans of brands like North Face and other outdoor/travel brands we found that a lot of the most popular North Face backpacks run a few inches too large to be considered a Spirit Airlines personal item. In this case it becomes a bring at your own risk situation when it’s time to board the plane. Spirit Airlines can be strict with their bag restrictions and you may be charged a fee if the bag is considered too large.
If you are unsure as whether you can bring your backpack on a Spirit Airlines flight as a free personal item then the best thing you can do is look up your specific backpack model on the brand’s website for the backpack’s dimensions.
What’s the difference between a personal item and carry on?
There are three categories of bags that Spirit Airlines allows you to bring with you on flights. The first is the “personal item” which was covered extensively in this guide. The second is a “carry-on bag” which is larger than a personal item and can be stowed in the overhead compartment when you board. The last kind of bag is a checked bag which is any bag or luggage that is bigger than a carry-on but smaller than 62 linear inches.
Any bag that surpasses the 18 x 14 x 8 inches personal item size limit but is under 22 x 18 x10 inches is considered a carry-on bag and will accrue a fee. If your backpack is too large to be considered a personal item than Spirit Airlines treat it as a carry-on.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
With hundreds of bags to choose from we had to come up with system to filter through a lot of the noise. Instead of going through each and every one we decided to set a standard in which each backpack must have before we further reviewed it.
We decided on a 5 point system to determine the quality of each backpack we researched and reviewed:
Size and Dimensions
Easy Storage of Travel Essentials
Style and Design
User Reviews
Availability
Read more
1. Size and Dimensions
The first criteria we looked for was that size and dimensions of each backpack fit the Spirit Airlines personal item requirements. If the backpack ran too large or way too small we did not consider it for our initial picks. A good travel backpack should be small enough to be considered an airline personal item yet large enough to safely store everything you need for a comfortable flight. At this size each backpack on the list should fit under an airplane seat to avoid having to stow it above with the carry-ons.
2. Easy Storage of Travel Essentials
There are countless little things that each of us won’t leave home without when traveling by airplane. These things can include chewing gum, water bottles, headphones and laptops.
One of the features we look for was easy access to these important items both during regular carry and when on the plane. Backpacks are usually stowed away under airplane seats with limited room to get to the things we need for a comfortable flight. Backpacks with specially placed and easy-access pockets took a priority over backpacks that didn’t have these storage features.
3. Style and Design
When it comes to backpacks, no one wants to own an ugly bag. We took style into consideration when making our list and excluded any bags that were poorly designed or just not fashionable. Build quality is just as important as style. Backpacks with well constructed laptop sleeves, high grade materials and built-in comfort features were put into a higher priority for consideration.
With this said, bags like the Herschel Little America Mid-Volume and Fjallraven Kanken can be considered by some less travel bags and more like everyday fashion backpacks. But we see them as good reliable bags that countless people have used as their go-to travel backpacks. Because of this we made sure to include them on our list.
4. User Reviews
We considered thousands of online user reviews and excluded any bags with too low ratings. Only backpacks with high user reviews were considered for review.
5. Availability
We only included bags that are widely available in stores and online. This makes it easier for you to shop for a bag you like without having to worry about low stock or shipping restrictions. We excluded bags from some of the smaller backpack brands because of this. Instead we made sure the bags on our list are readily available at multiple retailers online and can easily be shipped within the US.
