Backpack vs. Duffle on Wheels

Agree it's personal preference.

I've traveled both ways and I'm back to convertible backpack when traveling carry-on.

If you really want both, you could check out the Ebags Weekender Wheelie. It has backpack straps and wheels. Will fit carry-on on most U.S. airlines.

Withe the getting-on/getting-off train issue, I found it much easier to use my travel pack while my husband prefers his duffel bag (no wheels).

There is no answer to your question. It is strictly personal preference. The wheel vs non-wheel discussion will generate a hundred posts with no conclusion. For us - we are in our 60s so it is not an age thing -- prefer the backpack in Europe for the reason your mentioned plus crowded sidewalks, no curb cuts, and easy of handling. In US, we almost always use wheeled luggage. But for those who have back problems, cannot keep the weight to 20 lb or less, or just don't want to use a backpack style, then the wheeled luggage with its limitations is a good option for them.

Here's the first one.

I've used an original (2000) ETBD convertible bag and, more recently, a Campmor Essential Carryon bag, for seven trips to Europe. In addition to no concern about rolling surfaces, when you do have to carry it, there is not the added weight of the wheels, handle, and frame (often five or more pounds). If you carry it on, it also fits more easily in the overhead rack.

Meghan,
I've been to Europe with both. The last time I used a wheeled bag was in Prague and traveling with a wheeled bag on cobblestone streets was miserable. My last trip was with a backpack. It was much easier. I typically use trains and rarely take cabs to my lodging. The backpack worked like a charm. Of course, a backpack can be limiting (both in weight and how much you can carry). I use the space saver bags that take all of the air out to make space. If yo get a backpack - make sure to get it fitted properly to help reduce injury. I got mine at REI - as a Co-Op member, I can return the backpack - even after use it for a full refund if it doesn't work for you. Have fun on your next trip.

Personally I would rather a backpack. I find that using a wheeled bag rather cumbersome while going up stairs and across uneven pavement. You are so much more flexible when you have the option of just throwing something on you back and going. Also, you can use you pack (on your front or back) as a buffer in crowded locations.

There are options of having backpacks with wheels on them, but I always felt I was wasting weight with that option.

Agree this is personal preference completely. We traveled to Europe (4 countries) for the first time last Spring with Osprey backpacks. The packs were great but we found there were many times we would have loved to put them down without holding them up(waiting for trains, waiting for planes, walking through the airport, etc.).

We loved the convenience of the pack but decided we would get wheeled backpacks this year for a 3 week trip (and convinced his parents to). I got the Victorinox 4.0 Trek Pack Plus 22" - it's around 2 lbs more than my Osprey pack but it has wheels. I've packed it and spent time walking with the straps on and they are actually quite comfortable. He got the Osprey Sojourn 28" and it's a few pounds more than his pack was but it's very comfortable to him (he needs more space for camera gear).

I'm sure we'll end up carrying them on our backs a lot of the time but we're psyched to have the options of wheeling them if necessary.

There is an important thing to condider, if you carry on and prefer a European airline, or just don't want to be restricted to U.S. ones.

Luftahansa has a 17.6# carryon limit. Some other European airlines have the same limit, others are even less. Roll aboards tend to weigh 8# or more; that limits you to less than 10# of stuff. With my 1-3/4# Essential Carryon, I get almost 16#.

When I looked at luggage, the wheeled duffels were generally too large for carry-on. There are some decent smaller suitcases with wheels.

Meghan, I also agree that this personal preference.

For many years, I always travelled with a backpack. Backpacks are great, particularly when you are travelling on a budget and know you will often be walking from public transportation to a hotel to train, etc. Your hands are free to look at a map. You can easily handle stairs and cobblestones. The downside can be on crowded public transportation. You need to make sure you don't hurt some one with you pack on your back. If you go with a backpack, I'd suggest that you forego the wheels and make sure the pack fits you reasonably well and has a good hip belt.

A few years ago, I had an injury that makes carrying a back pack difficult. So now I always take a wheeled bag. The wheeled bags are better quality than they were 10 years ago. Mine has gone across many cobblestones. It is harder to deal with on stairs, but there is no weight on your back when you are waiting in a train station or walking a couple of blocks. I tend to stay close to public transportation, but have walked up to a mile dragging my bag. It is noisy, but works best for me now.

So choose what you feel works best for you.

Meghan,

As the others indicated, which type of luggage to use is mostly a matter of personal preference and personal circumstances (ie: some people have back problems, and can't use a Backpack).

I much prefer to travel with a Backpack, as I find that I can move more quickly and it's just "easier" overall. My Pack is a bit larger, so has to be checked for flights, but I use the detachable Daypack for carry-on. Backpacks are a definite advantage if a lot of stairs are involved, or really rough cobblestone streets. I've found that pulling "wheelie bags" really annoys me, so I won't use one.

If you do decide on Backpacks, it's very important to be properly fitted according to torso length. Most of the weight should rest on your hips, not your shoulders.

Good luck with your decision!

As everyone else says it is down to personal preference. I prefer a case with wheels as I am very small (just under five foot with a very small frame). I got properly fitted with a backpack, but still found it very overwhelming to wear plus the shop had trouble finding one that was narrow enough across the shoulders.

A really good case should not flip over except in exceptional circumstances. One thing I do when buying a case is thoroughly try it out in the shop. Firstly I put everything on me in the case (my handbag, shopping, friend's handbag etc) so it's really heavy. Then I walk around the shop wheeling it over any uneven flooring. That will soon tell you if you have an unstable case. You may get some funny looks BTW!

Meghan - My wife and kids have wheeled duffles, I do not. On our last trip they were complaining about the additional weight, when they had to heave their bags around getting on and off trains. I just smiled.

Wheels!! We have done the backpacks and I was the only one with wheeled luggage. My kids and hubby envied me many times.

They're switching to wheels. The weight difference is not such a big deal, as being able to drag your luggage around, cobblestones or not.

Like Laura, I'm small and backpacks are painful for me, even if properly fitted. Eli is right, the very little added weight with the wheels is not a big deal.
I have no problem lifting a wheeled case as small as I am! Something to think about with backpacks is that, what size and weight you are. (so hard when you're tiny!) also your age and health. Because you are in your late 20's, you would most likely be fine with a backpack if you are over five feet! I feel sorry for very small children that have to carry a heavy book bag on their backs! Later, they can have back problem for life! Doctors are concerned about this. Small adults need to be careful too!

Here's the answer...since there are two of you, buy one of each. And then take turns on your trip to see which each one prefers. Then you'll know what to do on the next trip.

See --- my prediction came true. We are not to a hundred but give it time. Score is 7 to 7. And from that we can conclude ????? Some like wheels, some don't. Now on to more important things -- can I dress to look like a local?

Meghan,

I have travelled a lot and used both for different reasons.
If you don't have to carry your luggage for long time then I would suggest you to use a wheeled type of bag. Those are heavier and less roomy because of the wheels. I used a wheeled backpack (22in)when I knew I wasn't going to stay in hostels and I only had to carry from the airport to a car waiting for me or a taxi.It was heavy, about 11 lbs empty.
I used a backpack when I stayed in hostels and used trains.You can buy a light backpack and use itas carry-on. This would allow you to get out of the airport much quicker.
My opinion is that taking a light backpack carryon size would be your best choice for your upcoming trip.

Definitely wheeled bags. Save your energy and strength for siteseeing.

I've done the train-hopping and the cobblestone streets with wheeled backage. I think wheeled luggage has improved in the past years; I've never experienced 'tipping' or flipping over of my luggage. Yes, the wheels are a bit noisy on cobblestone streets, but the scooters that whiz past every 10 seconds will drown out the sound of your wheels.

Tip: if you do Venice you'll go up and down bridge steps for days. When you're going down the steps, hold onto your wheeled luggage in front of you rather than behind and you'll be better able to manage the speed of descent and use much less energy than if you let it drag behind.

I sometimes use this technique on side walks as well; this will also let you see any obstacles/people ahead of you so you can avoid collision.

I too think that it is personal preference. But a word of advice to the users of wheeled luggage: please wait until you are well away from the doorway of the train, bus, or boat before you set your bag on the ground to extend the handle. I've seen numerous stumbles and falls when travelers immediately set their bag on the ground the second they get off public transportation. Locals are often in a hurry to get to work and are not expecting to have luggage at their feet. Clear the doorway, walk 15 feet, step to the side and then extend the handle of the wheeled luggage. A little courtesy goes a long way.

And to those of you, like me, who use backpack carry-on bags....remember...when they are on your back they protrude nearly a foot so any swift turn in a crowded area will take down someone standing next to you.

I can see wheels coming, I can't predict when someone will turn around.

I'm small framed, in my 50s and have osteoporosis. I travelled with a lightweight backpack last trip and had no problems. However, as other posters have said, your choice depends on a lot of factors. Using the trains or subways (with all the steps) was easier for me with a pack rather than a wheeled suitcase. I also had better balance when walking through the narrow aisles on a moving train to get off at the right stop. I love my wheeled carry-on suitcase for N. American trips because my mode of travel is quite different.

Just a question -- duffle bags looks so bulky and cumbersome. Are they more difficult to handle than regular wheeled suitcases?

any swift turn in a crowded area will take down someone standing next to you.

True. And I try to avoid doing so.

But people with wheel bags should also be admonished to pull the bag directly behind them. Most people, to avoid twisting their torsos and putting a strain on their backs, pull them off to the side. By doing so, they occupy more than their fair share of the corridor, and the bag, being below most peoples' range of vision, is a big hazard. I don't think I have ever been hit by a backpack on the back of someone, but, on more than one occasion, I have nearly been tripped by one of these "floor mines."

Lee, your comment about "floor mines" was very entertaining - LOL.

I've also had problems tripping over those darn things, and that's one reason why I prefer to use a Backpack. Hopefully I've never "taken anyone down" by turning too quickly.

Cheers!

We found that most Europeans we saw with suitcases, seemed to prefer wheeled ones.

I can remember trying to board the train to Brest from Montparnasse. They had some huge bags on wheels. Some looked like tanks! Sure there were backpacks, but wheels in all shapes and sizes.

On our last big trip. I used an Ebags convertible carry on. My daughter had a small backpack. My wife and two sons used wheeled carry on bags. There were times when the wheels were preferable and times when we needed to carry so the wheels were just extra weight.

Overall I'd say we were each happy with our choice and probably will stick with them.

My preference? Both.

I have a samsonite carryon size bag, which has wheels and backpack straps. The wheels are great for long train station and airport concourses (like the Madrid airport for example, wher ethe locals joke that T4 is called that, cos that's how many kilometers you have to walk to get to your gate)

The back packstraps are good on cobblestones etc

I took with me a wheeled backpack in London, Paris and Rome. I was NEVER happier it had wheels then when I was lost, for almost 2 hours, on my way to the hotel in Paris. You can only carry it on your back for so long.

Get it and have the option of both!

I agree with Lisa from Bay area Ca.
The wheeled suitcases have improved greatly. Lighter weight,etc. I wouldn't get a wheeled bag any older than a year. If you decide on wheels, get something updated. I love mine!