Apart from this, Used to do manage to fit everything

Checking your suitcases into the hold is always a risky option, but the Kathmandu Litehaul gives you the chance to take only cottage luggage when you fly.

In my job as travel journalist I'm always at airfields, catching aircraft to far flung destinations, but flying seems to get more stressful as i age. Any situation that can relieve some of that pressure is always welcome so i always try to take only carry-on luggage – that way there's no anxiety at the luggage carousel at the other end. It does mean that you have to pack wisely and I'm always on the lookout for the perfect bag. When i heard about the Kathmandu Litehaul it have also been just the solution I needed.

Wheelie Case or Travel Pack?
Now many people declare by wheelie bags, but I discover their whereabouts overweight, with the wheels taking up much needed space. I prefer to go for the rucksack option, with the connectors flip away behind a zipped drawer, and the Litehaul has a proper semi-rigid harnessed back system with padding chest connectors and hipbelt. This is also completely removable, a good idea as it means you can slip the bag over your shoulder for short term use.

Dimensions
As a man with only one cottage bag, the view of the steel frame at the starting gate always fills me with considerable dread, particularly on the low budget carriers. Luggage constraints do change from airline to airline so the published dimensions of the Litehaul at 55cm x 31cm x 23cm appear to satisfy them all, apart from Ryanair which only allows a depth of 20cm. When pushed, I assume you just squeeze the bag into the frame and potatoes it to fit. It's my job to just sling the bag over my shoulder, as if it weighs about very little, smile at the official and hope for the best.

Pockets
This is the updated version of the original Litehaul and they've added extra pockets without increasing the dimensions. There's a small front pocket, large enough for 2 paperbacks, a fleece coat repleat pocket on top which can take a compact camera and a large full-length zipped drawer, accessible from the outside, designed for a 15" laptop or a couple of sweatshirts. Helpfully there's a good bottle pocket quietly.

Inside the 3/4 opening flap there's one main large drawer, and there's also a 3/4 length nylon uppers pocket on the underside of the motorcycle, perfect for a pair of shoes or your dirty washing. The stated storage space is 38L and one thing that we miss from other similar bags is horizontally securing connectors to keep everything compact. Apart from this, Used to do manage to fit everything in from my normal providing list, and kept the weight down to less than the 10kgs established by many flight companies.

Verdict
The bag seems quality, a mixture of 840D ballistic nylon, 420D nylon check, with a polyester lining, and comes in red, blue and black. The zips seem strong, and the padding connectors and cool belt make it a cushty carrying task. With a recommended retail price of ￡89. 99 it's not cheap but, as you say, you gets what you pay for – it should serve me well for many years to come.

Main Features
External access 15" laptop sleeve
Lockable main zip
Convertible hipbelt
Zip-away harness
Bottle pocket
Organiser pockets
Height 55cm x Width 31cm x Depth 23cm
Weight 1. 44kg