Billed as the Ultimate Road Warrior, I don't think that's an understatement. In an unusual four day trip across Holland recently, as the support for a small cycling team heading from the UK to Amsterdam, I gave it a serious work out.

 I logged - one plane, seven trains, one ferry, three hotels and about 6 miles walking with my friend in tow, across the Zeeland part of Holland, keeping up with the guys. I never really appreciated the need for quality wheels on a bag but I sure do now. You get what you pay for and this bag will take a lot of travelling. Cobble stones! No problem.

Gladly there were no incidents with the riders or their equipment, as I didn't carry any spares, just directions to the nearest bars and restaurants each evening (someone has to do it) but with this bag I sure had enough room to do so. I saw it more of a friend and companion as my pal cycled into the distance every morning, leaving me to contemplate the next leg of the journey to catch up with them 70 ish miles away. God bless the Dutch transport system, never let me down once, bang on time and great pre trip web access to plan the journey.

Wheeling it on to the plane you can see the jealousy in the cabin crew's eyes when you know the only thing better protected than my clothes was the black box... and that's just an assumption.

Technicals.

The first thing you need to know is that all the major airlines accept the GATE8 Cabin bag on board, so have comfort that you won't be making the walk of shame back to the luggage desk. It is two bags in one as you can unzip what would become your laptop bag and it turns into a rucksack. I had a laptop and tablet in mine as this was a working break and I had a portable office in it also, loads of file space built in.

The main bag weighs 2.2 Kg, size 50 x 38 x 22 cm with the detachable bag coming in at 0.76Kg and rest assured, a huge amount of thought has gone into ensuring every part of this bag is top quality and beyond fit for purpose.

For example in one station I bought a drink and then had to hurry for a train. I couldn't see a drink holder anywhere but by now I realised that this bag was not one to let me down on something so basic. A quick investigation of a zip with no apparent purpose and a drinks holder appears that can take an umbrella also, not at the same time of course. Subtle clever design and strength are hallmarks of this piece of kit.

On the inside there is a bar and zipped compartments to hang shirts trousers etc. Everything well thought out, top quality inside and out.

There are some essentials you need when travelling, plugs, bar directions, etc. but nothing more essential than the GATE8 in our family. We do have other cabin bags but they never see the light of day anymore, gathering dust in the loft, waiting for us to take the Christmas decorations out, while the GATE8 is ready to go at a moment's notice.

 For more information visit GATE8 Luggage