Backpack or rolling carry on?

For the same maximum out to out carry-on dimensions, a fabric backpack carry-on will have a larger interior volume than a roller. The backpack will also have a lighter empty weight than the same out to out size roller. (Some airlines have maximum carry-on weight limits). The roller's frame, handle and wheels take up space and add more weight than a backpack's shoulder straps.

But if you have to ask, you will in all likelihood be happier with a roller.

We always use roller bags without issue, even on cobblestones. We each take the RS rolling carry-on and a small backpack or purse. :)

Personally? Backpack. Every. Time.

BTW RS FAQ Tips on "best carry on": https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light/backpack-or-rolling-bag

Weight: The lighter the better (even rolling bags need to be carried
from time to time)

Comfort/Ease of carrying/Mobility: Consider not just airport terminals
but uneven surfaces (cobblestones, gravel) and stairs, and the
advantages of carrying your bag while still having both hands free…as
well as how easily you can carry 20–25 lbs on your back

Efficiency of space: Look for the most (usable) capacity within the
external dimensions

Good to have hands free to slap away pickpocket hands.

We have done both. First trip, 3 weeks, rolling bag. Second trip, in winter, 4 weeks, a R.S. convertible backpack.

We found we preferred the rolling bags because we want our day packs on our backs. The R.S. rolling bag is heavier than many on the market, so I traded my old faithful worn-a-bit R.S. bag (5+ years of heavy travel logged) for a lighter weight one from Eagle Creek. The Eagle Creek rolling bag is actually 3 pounds lighter than the R.S. and holds just as much in volume.

We did, BTW, go back to using the back packs for one trip and found a few years later (difference from 2011 to 2015) that we just could not do that much weight on our aging backs any longer. If you are young and buff, the backpack may rule.

Good to have hands free to slap away pickpocket hands.

True, but a pickpocket can often get into a backpack's outer compartments without your knowledge, if it's out of sight on your back.

I've read all the pros and cons of backpacks, and if I was 20 years younger, I might actually use one. But my arthritic back and neck would never forgive me now. I have a 21 inch roller that I can pull all day over cobbles if I have to ( and carry it when needed). Plus a cross body bag. That leaves one hand free for my cane. And if a pickpocket ever got too friendly, that cane... Well you remember what Teddy Roosevelt said. :-P

I am a wheelie fan. I don't find the difference of 2-3lbs more for wheels to be a big deal. i have never found getting on and off trains etc to be an issue. There is always one hand to hold the bannister. I have never needed to swat people away from me...not sure where that person travels. I would hate to carry my luggage all the time, whether 10 lbs or greater. It never made sense to me.

We've done 4-5 weeks with roller bags many times , trains and planes etc . I can't stand weight on my shoulder , even my purse feels heavy after a long day lol

When I was 23 my friend and I did 12 weeks with bags , NOT roller bags as they weren't as popular then , we called it a backpack trip but we used suitcases , 10 countries , ferries , trains and planes lol

At 75 still using the backpack style carry-on because I like having hands free and the ability to move easily through crowds with a backpack instead of dragging a bag behind. However, one of these days will probably have to give up the backpack. Both external pockets are locked so don't worry about a hand in the bag.

Personally, you can pry my eBags TLS Motherlode Weekender backpack from my cold dead shoulders. As long as I am physically capable of carrying 20lbs, I will strap on and think of wheelies as the tool of inefficiency and therefore satanic.

Your mileage will vary.

Get a backpack with wheels the size of a roll on carry on.
Go to a brink mortar store and try one; do not waste time trying to buy something like this online.
I have one and alternate between the backpack and the wheels when I get fatique.
e.g.

I agree with Edgar and Laurel. I've done both. Just came back from a 3 week trip to Europe using my convertible backpack. It can get heavy at times if you pack it to the max (like I did) but if you have to go up 3 flights of stairs, like we did twice, it is easier than a rolling carryon. I am 61 and was able to manage the weight (about 21 lbs). Have fun.

I have no problem carrying a back pack, but far prefer a rolling carry-on. Easier to handle, I don't have to take it off on the train and then put it back on, as it simply sits next to my feet. Easy to carry up flights of steps and it packs into the overhead bins easier. They are a whole lot easier to pack and unpack too.

I have an inherited roller bag and tried it. I much prefer a backpack, which is easier to handle, Hopping on and off trains is a snap and my hands are free to manage doors on board and grab rails. While on a train, it sits comfortably near my feet or resides in an overhead rack. It's easier managing stairs....instead of bang, bang, bang. The main compartment is fully accessible and unpacks in a moment. Bonus: unlike roller bags and some folks, I don't create a roadblock in common areas. I am mindful of others and don't thwack them when turning.

The correct answer is backpack. Hard to beat being hands-free. Exceptions for those with a physical limitation, of course.

It's interesting, I think, that although some female travelers here like backpacks, a great many of the folks posting in favor of backpacks, and saying that they have no trouble carrying 20-25 lb. on their backs, are male. I suspect some men don't understand what an upper-body-strength advantage they have.

... a great many of the folks posting in favor of backpacks, and saying that they have no trouble carrying 20-25 lb. on their backs, are male....

Yes, backpacks, or at least backpacks that are moderate in weight are not for everyone. A lot of folks even have difficulty lifting their carry-on baggage up to the overhead compartments or luggage racks. Of course wheels are just dead load when it comes to storing luggage in overheads. And it's not in the flight attendant's job description to be luggage handlers.

The bottom line is each person is unique when it comes to physical capabilities and what represents a comfortable pack weight. I will add that well designed packs have suspension systems that are more comfortable than others. It is easy to carry more weight if your backpack has a load carrying hipbelt system. It also helps to be young. I'm amazed at the reports as to what combat troops in Afghanistan carry in mountainous terrain while being shot at.

In my younger (much younger) days, we use to consider packs weighing a quarter of body weight comfortable, and that included women backpackers. Packs up to a third of body weight were doable, but not fun. As more seasoned travelers on the American single payer medical plan, carrying more than 15% or 20% of body weight can be a strain depending on distance and steps. And of course, uphill treks at high elevation over rough tracks were more stressful than flat well maintained trails.

Carrying heavy luggage is less of a problem if walking distances are from aircraft to taxi, the taxi up to your walk up room. It's more of a problem if your hotel is a kilometer or mile walk over cobblestone pavements to the train station and you need to change trains crossing under or over tracks.

All that said, everyone and every trip can be unique with respect to luggage demands.

It's interesting, I think, that although some female travelers here like backpacks, a great many of the folks posting in favor of backpacks, and saying that they have no trouble carrying 20-25 lb. on their backs, are male. I suspect some men don't understand what an upper-body-strength advantage they have.

I turned my wife on to backpacks. She turned me on to the TLS Motherlode. I don't think either of us have packed 25 lbs going since our first, dumb traveler, trip to Europe. I suspect we're both under 20 going, and with booze coming back, I get over 20 (I always get to carry the bottles.

The thing about a pack that I really like, beyond all the mobility, is that it enforces a minimalist packing mindset on you. Everything you cram, you will have to lug. Thus, every ounce in the bag has a cost-benefit analysis in packing. This mindset is not for everyone. My parents, were they not somewhat infirm, could NEVER adopt this mindset. Even after seeing me and the wife cruise with carryon only backpacks... never. Mileage varies.

OP does not say when they are going in the OP. If it's summer/early fall, it's complicated. Zermatt, Grindenwald will want warmer clothing than everything in Italy, plus Paris and Amsterdam. If it's more November - December, the winter gear for Switzerland will be of use in Paris and Amsterdam, and of lesser, but still some utility in Italy. However, Venice rewards light packing like nearly no other major city in Europe unless you're staying in Mestre or by Santa Lucia.

I'd need to know more about the travel style, though my recommendation would be to try out a backpack and see how you feel about it. 4.5 weeks is a looong time to be saddled with a bag you don't like. that said, Rome, Amsterdam, Paris are all long stays, which won't require much bag movement. The Florence-Venice-Chur-Zermatt-Gindenwald portion... that's a lot of bag movement.

Hi all, OP here... I'm more confused than ever lol!
We will be visiting Zermatt and Grimenwald in the 3rd week of October, and when I try to look up the weather patterns it gives me varying degrees. I really have no clue what to pack for this, so any suggestions as far as that goes?

As far as the backpack/rolling, we are flying Norwegian air, Sas, and EasyJet, so I'm also concerned about the weight that a rolling bag would add on as they're heavier; but I'm not sure that I really want to lug a backpack around everywhere either though. We are definitely going to pack as minimalist as possible, it still that adds up very quickly.
Do these airlines actually weight your carry on?

Also, I was looking at SAS airlines and they don't allow a personal bag, just a carry on. So I'm also concerned about that as we were planning on taking a small personal bag as well... hmm what to do.

Any recommendations for both rolling and backpack that I could get on amazon so I could check them both out before I go? I live in a city and not really easy to get around, I also don't really want to spend more than $50 or so. Is this doable to get a decent bag? We don't travel a ton. One big trip a years.
Thanks for all your input!

$50 is probably a bridge too low.

Unless you get lucky at a thrift store ...I have seen (and bought) decent rolling bags at $25 and under, but it's always a matter of luck. We carry rolling carry-on size bags (but we check them on airplanes) for one-month trips with many trains.

I tried the backpack once. I had to buy a rolling cart almost immediately. It just does not work for me.

If you think you are going to do it, I would follow Rick's advice, load it up and go tour your city wearing it! Had I done that I would have known I couldn't do this!

We will be visiting Zermatt and Grimenwald in the 3rd week of October, and when I try to look up the weather patterns it gives me varying degrees. I really have no clue what to pack for this, so any suggestions as far as that goes?

Do you mean Gimmelwald? We went to the Lauterbrunnen Valley and hiked all over between Mürren and Grindelwald last October, the 9th-18th to be precise. It was never horribly cold (except on the Jungfraujoch where it was sunny with brutal cold) and we had some nice sunny days too. I think I was in shirtsleeves from First to Bachalpsee.

I did pack a base layer (top and bottom, Smartwool) and used them each a few times. Otherwise, I would wear hiking pants, a tee shirt, a fleece layer (to start the morning and just-in-case), plus a rain-resistant jacket.

Bring gloves and wool socks.

I just took a look at the Campmor site to give you a link to a very light backpack suitcase they used to carry. It was around $30 but I don't see it any more. I thought it was called the Campmor Essential Carry-on. It's main fault was there was no waist strap so all the weight rests on your shoulders.

I started out using the RS convertible carry-on. I took it on an 8 week trip - mid-August thru mid-Oct several years ago. It was fine when I got it on my back but I had difficulty hefting it around to get it positioned. At the end of the trip I had to put the carryon on the bed and sit to slide it on, then stand up. It was about 27# by the end of the trip (no matter how light a scarf SEEMS when you purchase it - if you buy 8 they mount up, lolol!!). I also had bruises up and down my arms from trying to get it slung around into position. It sounds as if you are traveling with someone so getting it on might not be an issue.

After that trip, I purchased Ricks rolling carry on and have never looked back.

I would go with the expectation that the low-cost carriers will weigh and put into a sizer every single bag. My only experience is on EasyJet where every person had to drop their bag in to the sizer as we headed out the jetway.

$50 for a new backpack or rolling carry-on? Maybe you can get a new rolling carry-on for that price at TJ Maxx or Marshall's, and AmazonBasics offers a carry-on backpack for that price, but whether it's well-made, sturdy but lightweight, I couldn't tell you. For a backpack, I believe "you get what you pay for". I have a large backpack (not a carry-on size) that's from Eagle Creek. I paid about $280 for it, but it's now 10 years old and still holding up just fine. I have no doubt I can get another 5 to 10 years out of this pack with regular travel. I also have an Osprey hybrid backpack/roller that is carry-on size, but the frame, wheels and handle all add extra weight and take up room inside the bag so I cannot fit as much as I could if it were just a backpack. I've found the Osprey is good for domestic travel where all I'm really doing is wheeling it through an airport or utilizing it as a backpack if I am in a city and need to take a subway or walk up/down a bunch of stairs at some B&B that may not have an elevator. I don't particularly care for this hybrid for international travel so will probably end up getting a smaller carry-on size backpack from Eagle Creek that doesn't have the hybrid feature.

European budget carriers are sticklers for measuring and weighing bags. If you go over their limits, you could find yourself subject to having to check your bag and pay an additional fee to do that. The benefit of a backpack over a rolling bag would be in the event you get a gate attendant who is calling out rolling carry-ons, they sometimes are a tad more lenient with a backpack. Particularly if you don't have it stuffed to the gills. They are soft-sided and you might be able to compress it just enough to make the size requirement.

When you shop for your budget roller carry-on, bring a tape measure and measure the out-to-out dimensions, especially the length from bottom of wheels to top of handle (pushed in to it's storage position). Don't trust specification dimensions which could be reporting inside dimensions. If your bag is too long to put into the overhead wheels first, it would take up too much space going in sideways (assuming you are allowed to take it on-board).

I somehow lost my previous long post, so I'll make this shorter. After conducting a similar search (see Finding a Carry On... on this forum), I decided on a backpack because it leaves my hands free, is maneuverable, has a little bit more room, and is less likely to be gate checked than a rolling bag. I have used a rolling bag over cobblestones, which I did not like, and it has been awkward carrying it up a couple of flights of stairs. So I ended up getting the Ebags TLS Mother Lode Weekender Convertible Jr, as I'm 5'2". (As an aside, Ebags is currently having a big sale, so you might want to check it out if you are willing to look online for bags.) I plan to carry about 16# on our trip next month, with no checked luggage, although DH has not yet decided on his. This is in range of what I carried last year, hiking in the national parks with my Osprey. As or a personal item, you could carry a lightweight foldable tote or duffle that can be stowed on your SAS flight.

For a lot of people on this board, the question of backpack vs roller is like political parties--they are right and the other folks are wrong.

There is no right answer as to which is better. Some people like backpacks and some like wheels. It's really just personal preference. (By the way, about 90% of travelers use wheels.)

For years, I used a convertible backpack. Then, after numerous trips carrying stuff on my back, and sweating as part of it, I turned to a roller. I've never had a problem. If I have to carry it up a couple of flights of stairs, what does that take? Two minutes?

It's all about the initial weight of the bag and how much you put in it. My current roller weighs 3 ounces less than the ebags Motherlode Weekender that has been mentioned in this thread. (Samsonite Uplite 55-- Unforunately it's not available in the U.S. ) I've taken it up and down hills, over cobblestones, even on dirt roads, and never had a problem. I attach a second bag on top and it works well

(Someone will point out that the eBags bag holds more That's true. It also means it will be heavier. )

As for how much money you want to spend, your choice will be very limited. You might find a deal at one of the discount stores mentioned or at ebags, but nothing of quality for $50.

If you want a lightweight roller that doesn't cost much, look at IT luggage. If you don't plan to check it, you should be okay.

carrying more than 15% or 20% of body weight can be a strain

And adding body weight is not a solution. I tried - though not by design.

While checking in before a flight within Europe, we weighed our backpacks. The heaviest was 6.5kg.

I am very tempted to get the RS rolling back pack for my next over seas (non-cruise) trip. We do Aruba this December and for the November Rome cruise I'll stick to the traditional (checked) rolling suitcase.

The last 2 years I have tried a hiking style back pack (High Sierra Tech 2 Series Titan 55 Internal Frame Pack) and the traditional rolling suitcase for Europe and while both worked just fine I think I've convinced myself that the RS rolling back pack is what I need. I was sold on it previously but just thought it was a bit over priced.

I love the idea of the rolling back pack but there just doesn't seem to be much on the market worth a darn.

When in Paris one needs to walk with eyes scanning the pavement. Parisians and fond of dogs and typically don't have yards. Rollers dragged behind are more likely to dragged through dirt.

I use a shoulder bag now that fits the smallest carry on requirements. Sometimes I'm envious of the rollers, other times I see them trying to navigate cobblestones and stairs and am happy with my bag.

I never carry mine more than about 1/4 mile at a time. It only weighs about 10 lbs now, including everything I pack, so it doesn't really get heavy.

@Vick: I think Ebags makes a version of the TLS Motherlode with wheels that you might want to consider.

l.p. hilarious!!

carrying more than 15% or 20% of body weight can be a strain And
adding body weight is not a solution. I tried - though not by design.

Note that Easyjet also does NOT allow a separate personal item from your carryon -- unless you buy a certain upgraded kind of ticket.

Rollybag! At 57 I wish that I had been kinder to my back and shoulders instead of carrying so much stuff. also in addition to keep weight off your body. you will rest more often with a rollybag because you only have to stop walking and don't need to take it off.