Herschel Backpacks Compliant with Spirit Airlines Free Personal Item

Scene: You spent all your money on Christmas presents, but you snagged a $100 round-trip flight on a budget airline for a week vacation and didn’t want to spend money on a carry-on. After all, it wouldn’t be a deal anymore!

After the high of the holidays is gone and you’ve descended back to reality, you realize you don’t have a bag that fits the 18″ x 14″ x 8″ dimensions of the “Free Personal Item” because you either have a purse the size of a small dog, or checked baggage from that one trip to Cancun.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that grant me, Jada, a small commission if you choose to purchase through them 🙂

I searched the most notable backpack brands (read: places I’d actually buy from) to see what kind of bags best meet these parameters. Of course, I’m starting with Herschel Supply Company. I have to note that Herschel bags tend to be pretty shallow compared to other bags on the market. As long as you grab one of the bags on this list (or smaller!) you won’t have to worry about stuffing them to capacity to get the go-ahead at the gate and avoid those pesky last-minute fees!

The only real criteria for this list is that the listed bag dimensions are at or very close to the limit made by Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines. These are also not in any particular order within the categories, so feel free to peruse, pick, and choose what works for you!

I also have to note that this post does contain affiliate links at no cost to you. If you want to purchase through them, cool, but I’m okay if you don’t.

If you already have a bag in mind, want to know how to pack it? I have a post on that too.

Settlement Backpack

Price: $60 (cheaper on Amazon for some styles)

Dimensions: 17.75″ x 12.25″ x 5.75″ (23L)

28 colors

Features: Padded 15″ Laptop Sleeve, Zipper Closure, Zippered Front Pocket, Padded Straps

Retreat Backpack

Price: $80 (cheaper on Amazon for some styles)

Dimensions: 17″ x 12″ x 5.75″ (19.5L)

31 colors

Features: Padded 15″ Laptop Sleeve, Drawstring Bag Closure, Magnetic Strap Closure, Padded Straps

Heritage Backpack

Price: $60 (cheaper on Amazon for some styles)

Dimensions: 18″ x 12.25″ x 5.5″ (21.5L)

40 colors

Features: Padded 15″ Laptop Sleeve, Zipper Closure, Padded Straps, Zippered Front Pocket

Pop Quiz Backpack

Price: $75 (cheaper on Amazon for some styles)

Dimensions: 17.5″ x 11.75″ x 6″ (22L)

23 colors

Features: Padded 15″ Laptop Sleeve, Zipper Closure, Padded Straps, Zippered Front Pocket

Classic Backpack

Price: $45 (cheaper on Amazon for some styles)

Dimensions: 16.5″ x 12″ x 5.5″ (24L)

27 colors

Features: Zipper Closure, Padded Straps, Zippered Front Pocket

Classic Backpack | XL

Price: $55 (cheaper on Amazon for some styles)

Dimensions: 17.5″ x 12.5″ x 6″ (30L)

19 colors

Features: Padded 15″ Laptop Sleeve, Zipper Closure, Padded Straps, Zippered Front Pocket, Water Bottle Pockets

Ruskin Backpack

Price: $75

Dimensions: 17.5″ x 12″ x 5″ (22L)

1 color

Features: Padded 15″ Laptop Sleeve, Zipper Closure, Padded Straps, Zippered Front Pocket, Water Bottle Pockets

But what about X Bag?

If you’re a backpack junkie, you’re probably wondering why your favorite bags aren’t on the list. It’s probably because the bag was too tall, or way too small to take with you as your only bag on a trip.

Little America almost made it, except it’s too tall by an inch and a half. You’ll be fine if you do, but it might cause some issues with the flight attendants if the area around your feet is not clear for takeoff. Worst come to worst, they’ll just throw it in the overhead and call it a day.

Herschel bags are really shallow, so even if the bag may have been 16 or 17 inches tall, it was also 5 inches or less deep, and a couple inches below 14. I’m trying to maximize your limited cargo, and it’s just a waste of time to bring a 17L bag on a flight.

Anyway, if this helped, or if you have another Herschel bag to add to the list, let me know in the comments! In case you don’t love Herschel, I have other posts for Jansport, Patagonia, and Dakine!

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