Back pack w or w/o wheels?

A 65 Liter pack is very large. How long are you travelling for? You may want to reconsider, pack less and get a smaller size bag. Unless you are backpacking for a full year and you'll be heading into different climates during that year, you only need to pack enough clothing for about 5-7 days as you can always take care of wash along the way. Without any wheels a 65L pack could weigh anywhere from 5 to 13lbs without anything inside depending on what material the pack is made out of. Adding wheels to that could be a nightmare as it's extra weight on top of the weight of your clothing and souvenirs you'll be lugging around. Go to REI and get fitted for a pack. Make sure you have the salesperson put some sandbags inside the pack while you have it on your back. Keep adding weight and you'll see just how heavy that bag can become. Also, test out your ability to even pick up the pack off the ground and put it on your shoulders when you start adding the weights inside, and see how high you can lift it since you'll often need to be able to lift the bag overhead if you are taking trains anywhere.

This is discussed forever and the answer is always the same -- personal preference. Use the search box and you will find hundreds of responses. We are in our late 60s and prefer the backpack style of carryon over wheels just because it is, in our opinion, easier to handle. With rough streets, no curb cuts, crowded sidewalks, cobblestones, etc. it is just easier to carry on our back and keeps our hands free and provides quicker mobility if we need to move quickly. However, our bags are closer to 40 liters and total weight is around 20 lb. A backpack of 65 liters is large and will be much heavier and more difficult to handle. In the US we always used wheeled luggage because of the smoother surfaces and less crowds. Hotels have elevators and we often have a car.

You aren't going into the wilderness. You don't need all that space- nor all that weight. We use Rick's bag without wheels. Empty it weighs between 1 and 2 lbs. Fully packed for 2 weeks mine will weigh about 12-14 lbs. and hubby's will weigh about 10 lb. Look at the suggessted packing lists and the various threads on this board about what to pack. Most of the time you will only be carrying the bag from the train to the hotel so it's not like you will have it on your back ALL the time. Also- wheels make it harder to fit into the overhead bins on the plane and trains.

Aubrey, I also much prefer using a Backpack for the same reasons that Frank mentioned. I would highly recommend using Backpacks without wheels, as wheels not only add weight but reduce capacity. IMHO, 65-liters is a reasonable "mid range" size. Even though you have 65-liter capacity, you don't have to fill it completely. Regarding the "stamina" issue, it's likely you'll only be carrying the Pack for relatively short distances and times. Unless you need to run to catch a train, you can walk at a comfortable pace so "stamina" shouldn't be a problem. If you haven't bought Backpacks yet, it's VERY important that you're fitted properly according to your torso length. Most of the weight should rest on your hips, and NOT your shoulders. You'll also need to consider whether you want a top-loader or panel-loader (with zippers), and features such as Detachable Daypack or stowable Harness. Happy travels!

"To wheel or not to wheel, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the shoulders to suffer the weigh of outrageous luggage.
Or to take wheels against a sea of cobblestone roads and rutted sidewalks." Really comes down to how far on each type of terrain. If 75% or more of your time you will be able to use the wheels...such as in an airport or flat sidewalk than the wheels can be worth the extra weight you will be carrying on an occasional staircase or cobblestone road. However if it will be on your back much more than that it is better to get rid of the extra weight and leave it on your back all the time.

We have a poet !! But that does sum it well. There is no perfect solution. A similar discussion on same subject is running in To The Boot --- Leaving 3/18 - Q on Trenitalis aisles & luggage space

We plan on buying our packs this weekend (COUPON!). I will look at the smaller packs but I don't see the big deal if you buy a bigger pack and not fill it up! We want to be able to use these packs again, so 65 liters serves both functions (Europe and real backpacking). I am pretty well convinced to buy the pack without wheels.

Two potential issues. One, if you have the space, there is a tendency to fill it. It is just one more item and I have the space. Second, the larger size may not be acceptable for carry on and you will always have to check the bags.

As long as you stay with soft-sided (and it looks like you are) you can squish it to fit tight places...BUT stick a roll - or two! - of bubblewrap in your bag to prevent you from filling it up. It's good for packing those special momentos... DO fight the urge to 'fill it up' - use the Force, Luke!!!

Just try hauling a wheeled bag up the bridge from Bagnoregio to Civita! That's really hard on the shoulders for a small-framed woman. Also keep in mind that if a backpack is properly fitted, the majority of the weight will be on your hips.