Amazon shopper calls £18.69 travel bag a ‘Mary Poppins bag’ after packing more than expected

It looks like the kind of compact travel bag that might struggle to hold much, but one Amazon shopper says this bestselling BAGSMART design is more like a "Mary Poppins bag" once you start packing it.

The BAGSMART 24L Womens Gym Travel Bag is currently reduced to £18.69 in a limited-time Amazon deal, down from £32.99, giving shoppers a 43% saving on the RRP. Available in black at this price, it has a surprisingly roomy design, a dedicated wet pocket and a trolley sleeve, while still being compact enough to take on a flight.

One five-star review is particularly persuasive for anyone who has ever struggled with the amount of luggage they need for a short trip. The shopper says they initially worried they had chosen the smaller version after seeing a larger option, because they specifically wanted a bag that could stay under the seat rather than going into the overhead storage.

But once they started packing, their opinion changed dramatically. They say they "can’t believe how much stuff I’ve got in it" and were impressed by how lightweight it remained even when full. The reviewer even compared it with a previous flight bag that looked twice the size but could not hold as much.

That makes the BAGSMART weekend travel bag particularly interesting for parents travelling with young children, as the reviewer explains they wanted their bag with them at all times while travelling with a toddler. They say they would even use it as a baby bag, thanks to the amount of storage and separate compartments.

The wet pocket could be another useful feature for families. The BAGSMART gym bag with wet pocket has an individual PVC compartment designed for wet items and towels, which could come in handy after swimming, at the gym or when travelling with children who have managed to get their clothes wet.

The reviewer specifically praises this feature for swimming and says it would also be useful for storing wet clothes belonging to babies and toddlers. Having a dedicated space for damp belongings means they can be kept separate from the rest of the contents rather than being thrown into the main compartment.

Despite its relatively compact dimensions of 42 x 19 x 30cm, the BAGSMART underseat travel bag is designed with multiple compartments to make packing easier. There is also an exterior pocket for items that need to be reached quickly during a journey, while the trolley sleeve can slide over a suitcase handle when you are navigating an airport.

It can be carried several ways, too, with regular handles for grabbing it quickly or a longer adjustable strap that can be worn across the body. That makes it suitable for more than just flights, with the bag designed for gym sessions, yoga, weekend breaks, overnight stays, business trips and even hospital visits.

The material is Taslan, which BAGSMART describes as soft, lightweight and durable, making keeping the overall weight down another potential advantage when you are already juggling luggage, children or other travel essentials.

At £18.69, the black version is currently 43% off its £32.99 RRP, but shoppers should check the price of their preferred colour before buying. Beige, camel, pink, coffee brown and navy blue are among the other options, although prices and discount levels vary.

For travellers who want a bag that can stay close at hand rather than being relegated to the overhead compartment, this BAGSMART 24L travel bag could be worth a closer look, especially with one five-star reviewer claiming it holds far more than its compact appearance suggests.