Most cats travel badly because they are shut in a box that smells of the vet and shows them nothing. A soft-sided bag with mesh on more than one face lets them see out and lets air move through, which is usually the difference between a cat who settles after ten minutes and one who complains the whole way. This one carries on the back or over a shoulder, so your hands stay free.

The shell is embroidered quilted cotton over a high-density PC frame, and that frame is what stops a soft bag collapsing onto the animal inside when you set it down or when it swings against your hip. Mesh panels do the ventilation, and padded straps let it be worn as a double-shoulder backpack or a single-shoulder bag depending on the variant. Inside it runs 35cm by 28cm by 40cm, which is standing room for most cats rather than a crouch.

• Embroidered cotton outer over a high-density PC frame
• Mesh ventilation panels
• 35cm x 28cm x 40cm
• Rated for cats up to 7.5kg and dogs up to 6kg
• Choice of double-shoulder backpack or single-shoulder carry
• Padded straps for hands-free walking, train travel and vet trips

Two things worth knowing. The manufacturer quotes the weight twice and disagrees with itself, 1.2kg in one place and 800 to 900g in another, so we would rather flag that than pick the flattering number. Older photos for this line also show a hard shell with a round bubble window, which is not what ships: this is the quilted fabric version.

Who it's for: Owners of a cat under 7.5kg or a small dog who want a soft, ventilated carrier for regular short journeys rather than a rigid airline box.