Testing conditions

As a carry-on

Defined as a companion bag, the Cabin Zero ADV Dry 11L is a shell bag which, as its name indicates, has an 11 litre capacity. It barely weighs anything at just 230g, and has a comfortable single shoulder strap allowing you to wear it strapped to your back or to your chest and provides easy access to your items with its roll top closure. The bag also includes an elastic bungee cord on the outside makes it easy to strap additional gear when using it – perfect not to have to carry your jacket around in the airport for example, or your towel if at the beach.

With 11 litres of capacity, the bag is large enough to take on everything you would need and also includes a very handy  RFID Blocking zipper pouch inside. The pouch is maintained with a Velcro strip on the inside, and has space enough to carry your passport as well as several smaller items you want to find immediately (Phone, charger, cables, etc.) I had my electronic items in it when going through security at the airport and it was a breeze to pass through. Everything in one pouch. Very handy!

The fact the bag is a fabric shell, without any internal structure, allows you to fit in a surprisingly large amount of stuff. This makes it perfect to take with you on the plane as your carry-on  bag. No need to stuff this one in the overhead compartment as it is tiny and, depending on the amount of stuff you took with you, will very easily fit under the seat without compromising much foot space.

As a daily activity bag

As a daily carrier, the bag has the benefit of having a water resistant coating exceeding 19,000mm and its roll top closure provides a water-proof seal making it useful in all weather conditions. As I mentioned earlier, its capacity is surprising but the fact it has no padding does mean you will feel everything the bag contains. Not a problem in the airport but I found it quite uncomfortable while hiking or through cycling  the city with my daily gear. My water canteen was particularly uncomfortable, especially during the bumpy segments.

The fact the bag only has a shoulder strap also means the the bag has the tendency to move around during more intense activities. This is something that the  Cabin Zero ADV Dry 11L’s bigger 30 litre brother might have less trouble with, being a backpack.

Shape & materials

As mentioned above, the bag is literally a shell of 70 Denier Nylon Ripstop fabric with TPU film. It has no reinforcement in the back or sides. The upsides is that the bag barely weighs anything at only 230g, including the bungee cord, which is sturdy and easy to use. The downside: whatever you put in there, you will feel. The cross body strap is very comfortable to wear and stays in place well while simply walking around, but is not suited to more intense activities.

Conclusion

The Cabin Zero ADV Dry 11L makes use of interesting materials and is an interesting option when it comes to  traveling light or as a carry-on, but it is not well-suited to outdoor activities given its lack of straps or padding.

Specifications

Super light weight fabric shell (230g)

Cross body strap

RFID Blocking zipper pouch

Durable construction

Water resistant coating exceeding 19,000mm

Elastic bungee cord

Recommended retail price online: €48,-

Pros

The bag comes with a 10 year warranty

Extremely light and durable construction

Removable zipper pouch with RFID blocking pocket

Great as a carry-on (or second carry-on)

High water resistance

 

Cons

Limited applications

Lack of padding in the bag

Only available with a single shoulder strap

REVIEW OVERVIEW (out of 5 stars)

Comfort & Fit     1

Materials              4

Design                   3

Versatility           2

Pockets & features 3      

Bang for your buck 3

Overall score 2.6