Kid's (11 & 14 year old) Suitcases/Packs

We started our kids traveling with us when they between 9 and 11 years old. They (like us) used a Rick Steves convertiable bag. We kept the weight under 20 lb. and they were more than able to deal with it. Most often their bags weighed less than 15lb. Rick's bags are great because you can wear them on your back, use the sholder strap or carry in your hand. Wheels just take up space and add weight in my mind. If pushed, you can wear yours and carry theirs! By the way, we are still using the same bags- more than 20 years and more than 40 trips- including one wonderful one to Australia.

Our experience and recommendation is similar to Toni. Our youngest actually used a school book bag until he was big enough to wear a bigger bag. His clothes were smaller and slightly because he was smaller.

We would travel for 10 days by train and my even my 6 yr old would carry all his clothes on his back in a small backpack. This is when we ventured out of Vienna which was "home" for 3 months. He also had a small rolling bag that he could manage for trips to the airport. Even my 12 and 16 took care of their own stuff. On extended travels -they carried everything themselves. The key is to pack clean underwear and socks for EACH day of the trip until you can wash (they roll up tightly) and don't fret if they wear shirt or pants more than one day. Lightweight pants with zip off leggings helped. If you get the right kind - you can just wipe them off if something gets on them. We were traveling in the fall so we didn't get sweaty so that would make a difference. My sons also carried several books on the train in their packs plus we would take turn carrying a food bag. Pack light and they can do it.

Thanks for all your help. I think I will go the convertable option.

The weight is likely not a problem. Weigh their book bags for school and if they are like my kids they are probably carrying more weight in their backpacks on a daily basis than they will carry in Europe/Africa. But still I opt for bags with wheels for convenience, especially after long periods of travel or going long ditances in airports/train stations.

Last big trip was with spouse and I, 16, 12 and 8 year old. I used a convertible carry on. Spouse, 16 and 12 (both boys) used roll-aboard carry-on's. 8 (girl) carried a largish daypack.

I made it clear that we were each responsible for our own bag. We each looked at options and made a choice before the trip. When we came home, no one regretted their choice.

We leased a seven passenger car, which gave us plenty of room and limited the carrying/pulling for everyone.

Cynthia,

We have done two trips to Europe and have a 1-month trip planned this summer. My kids, now 11 & 16, have always had their own Rick Steves convertible bag. My daughter, the 11 year old, has the slightly smaller version designed for shorter people. This has not only been perfect for all of us, but it has taught the kids the joys of packing light and my son uses his bag constantly for his trips home from boarding school...we never use any other bags!

Hi All, Thanks for all the information. I didn't realise that you could get a smaller convertable bag from Rick Steves - I can't see it on the site. Can anyone help with this? Happy Travelling all!

Today's Washington Post has a good article "All Packed and Ready to Roll" rating a number of rolling cases, some convertible, designed for kids; see http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/25/AR2008012501398.html. We went on the RS Germany-Austria-Switzerland tour when my daughter was 14, and she had no trouble with her rolling suitcase - at least till she fractured her wrist on the luge... 15 kg is more than 30 pounds; the wheels definitely add weight but we have never had more than about 25 lbs per suitcase even for a trip of almost a month.
Sounds like a great trip; have a wonderful time!