Unlike strictly just-for-show accessories, a work bag is a necessity—meaning it has a lot of boxes to check (roominess, durability, organizational-value) before you can even begin thinking about aesthetics. The totes, satchels, and cross-bodies here get the job done (and look really good doing it).We've tested dozens of carry-on cabin bags - here is our pick of the very best Go Explore, Small 2 Wheel Suitcase, £14.99, www.argos.co.uk The Argos range of luggage offers surprisingly sturdy and well designed cases that hold their own against some of their more expensive counterparts. This model is a very lightweight 2.05kg and its only downside is a relatively small packing volume of 24 litres, though it suits light packers and is ideal for a quick midweek jaunt. Cabin Max London, Oxford Stowaway, £18, www.amazon.co.uk Considered a ‘small cabin bag’ this petite 20x35x20cm backpack style bag is ideal for even the stingiest carry-on restrictions. Featuring a small exterior zip pocket, and a large main compartment for the bulk of items, it’s a two-in-one, as some airlines (including Ryanair) will permit this size as the ‘second bag’ as it fits under the seat in front.

American Tourister Funshine,  £55, www.americantourister.co.uk If you want a sturdy yet practical cabin case, you can’t go far wrong with the Funshine. With four wheel spinners, a durable and lightweight (2.5kg) polyester construction, as well as sizeable 36-litre capacity, it comes in at a very reasonable price. The model is a great option for regular low-cost airline travellers as it fits all but the most stringent airline allowances (namely Wizz Air). It comes in five vibrant colours that make for a refreshing change in a sea of black nylon. A very elegant looking case with tan ‘leather’ accents, this is part of Marks and Spencer’s Heritage collection and looks and feels deceptively luxurious. With protective reinforcement side bumpers, grab handles and a TSA locking system, the case is easy to load and unload and offers more than its fair share of additional features. Four 360 wheels make for smooth manoeuvring and inside it offers two simple but efficient packing sections with tie-down straps and zipper pockets.

Eastpak, Tranverz S, £100, www.johnlewis.co.ukbackpack coboy junior The major USP of this soft case is that it stores flat once you get home. pelican backpack u160Eastpak’s signature cabin bag, the Tranverz is a cool and relaxed weekender whose neat dimensions suits every major UK airline regulations (with the exception of Wizz Air). rlx backpack ebayIt also comes in an enormous array of 35 colours and unlike many soft bags, boasts two main compartments that mean that you can organise your packing much as you would with a hard shell and don’t have to stuff it from the top like a duffel bag. backpack dulfyAt 2.5kg it’s not quite the lightest case we tested, but with a whopping 42-litre volume, and 30-year warranty, its contemporary styling and easy packing make it a great option.zonderkidz backpack bible niv

Antler Prism Cabin Suitcase, £103.20 (on sale now) regular RRP £129, www.johnlewis.co.ukroots backpack costco warranty As with the majority of hard cases, Antler’s new Prism collection is constructed in polycarbonate but comes in an attractive deep burgundy hue with a high-gloss sheen that gives it stand-out appeal. Although hard sided, it is surprisingly lightweight (only 2.2kg) and very easy to carry and lift. It’s relatively affordable, and has a generous 34-litre capacity - there's just one downside: it’s lacking a side handle. All in all though, a great value all-rounder. Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 Spinner, £279, www.johnlewis.co.uk The Cosmolite weighs in at a delicate 1.7kg; you could manoeuvre it with your little finger. An original Samsonite design that’s been on a supermodel diet, it also comes in a fashionable range of colours and with an elegant fishbone pattern.

Its sleek look and T-bar handle conveys a feeling of lightness in contrast to its surprisingly impressive 36-litre capacity. Victorinox Spectra Global Carry On 2.0, £295, www.amazon.co.uk As you’d expect from the makers of the Original Swiss Army Knife, the Spectra delivers functionality and versatility without sacrificing durability. The polycarbonate case features a scratch-resistant, matte finish and protective corner guards, and additionally, if you prefer to pack ‘all in one’ - rather than on one side and then the other - this front-loaded model is ideal. With a 3cm expansion zip, the depth of the carry-on can be adjusted for compliance with most airline regulations, which gives added flexibility when you might want to add in any extra shopping or simply adapt to multiple carriers. At 3.2kg the Salsa is classed as mid-weight though it actually feels far lighter, plus, with four double spinner wheels, it offers super smooth handling. Add in a more than reasonable 32-litre packing capacity and it becomes obvious why Rimowa is considered one of the best luggage labels.

Rimowa don’t tend to offer any additional external compartments, but the upside is that it makes all their designs incredibly neat and easy to pack. Should you travel to the US or want to have the option of putting your cabin luggage into the hold, the bag’s inbuilt TSA combination lock is a major advantage. Specifically designed to allow the appropriate authorities into your bag to check it is safe, the system allows it to be easily opened and then re-locked so that the bag remains secure. Briggs & Riley, Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner, £399, www.johnlewis.co.uk The genius of this case is its ballistic nylon outer fabric construction that offers the strength and durability of a hard shell and the capacity of a soft case. Claimed to expand by up to 27 per cent when required, it also boats a built-in-tri-fold garment folder with foam roll bar that neatly holds 1 or 2 suits and a well thought out twill coloured lining that makes finding packed items easier. The cherry on the cake is a zipped front compartment suitable for laptops, which could come in incredibly useful as some airlines (such as Virgin and Thomas Cook) insist on only one piece of luggage.

It’s hard not to fall for TUMI’s first aluminium luggage collection. Admittedly, it’s a chunky 4.9kg - which is quite something when many airlines maximum carry-on allowance is 10kg - but what it offers is an attention to detail that really sets it apart. Aeronautic grade aluminium, the revolutionary zip-less Omega closing system, a soft close handle, and a unique locking mechanism that offers that satisfyingly luxurious thud, adds up to a case that is really quite special. The separate side compartments click into place, and you both feel and see the attention to every detail. While it boasts a good capacity of 31 litres it is worth noting that by a frustrating 1cm, it won’t fit within Fly Be, Thomas Cook or Thomson cabin allowances. Flawless workmanship is at the heart of niche Milanese leather brand Serapian’s luggage. Like the company’s handbags, each piece is made entirely by hand, and designed to age gracefully as it acquires a patina. Though it remains largely unknown outside of Italy, in its heyday Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman and Frank Sinatra wore its designs.