looking for good backpack type suitcase, tips for laundry on the go in Europe

Hi, here’s a recent post about backpacks that might be helpful:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/best-carry-on-backpacks

You’re mentioning stairs and lots of walking, so I will share what works for me after 16 trips to Europe. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to do it the same. I bring four outfits. For a June trip that would be two washable dresses and a pair of pants with two tops and a warmer top for the plane. A colorful scarf and some fun inexpensive jewelry for variety. An example of a dress is the Royal Robbins Spotless Travel Tank Dress. I wash the dress or top I wore in the sink with either the hotel shampoo or a Earth Breeze sheet - looks like a dryer sheet, and it’s dry by morning. That keeps the weight down.

Eagle Creek has some that convert to a backpack for just that purpose. i.e. They probably wouldn't be the best choice for a long backpacking hike, but they have straps you can pull out to carry them on your back if you need to.

https://www.eaglecreek.ca/collections/convertible-carry-duffel

Regarding laundry: I hand wash what I can. This works as long as your clothes dry quickly, or you are staying multiple nights in a place. For laundromats, just google them. It’s helpful to know what they are called in the local language: launderette, laverie libra service, lavanderia, etc. Depending on where you are going, they are easier to find in some places than others. I bring laundry detergent sheets and dryer sheets.

I did laundry in Strasbourg in December and it was very easy. Instructions were in English. The machines took credit cards. I would bring some change just in case. To wash & dry, it cost about 13€ and took about 1.5 hours.

There are also places in various cities where you can drop off a bag of your laundry in the morning and pick it up in the afternoon. You just need to google your locations to see what’s available.

If you are traveling in Great Britain laundromats are called launderettes.

There is a website that will tell you where launderettes are located
https://www.toptiplondon.com/practical-tips/laundrettes-self-service-wash-laundry-london

I'm thinking we will need to do laundry either in Lake Como or Switzerland if anyone has thoughts about those areas as far as laundry goes.

There are laundries everywhere. Last time we were in Bellagio on Lake Como, there were at least two.
Pack quick dry clothing so you can do hand washing too. I always buy small bottles of Camper Suds at places like REI or LLBean to take on my trips.

On our last trip to Rome over NY 2023, H complained his clothes just never felt CLEAN after handwashing, I figure it was the shower gel or soap so will carry some detergent sheets for next time.

Funny story - You can use a hairdryer to finish the drying process but didn't realize my pants had a nylon mesh liner, you guessed it, I burnt holes in the pocket! One day I was standing still chatting, stuck my phone in that pocket and of course it came out on my shoe! Got out the tiny sewing kit and sewed pocket completely shut. It was my ONLY pair of day time pants, hahaha.

Laundromats are not as easy to find in Switzerland. You’ll want to research this in advance depending on where exactly you are staying. In Wengen, there is one by the tennis courts, and in Lauterbrunnen I believe there is one in a hostel that is open to the public. You can also ask your hotel if they provide laundry service. Sometimes it’s worth it, but it’s probably very expensive in Switzerland.

The Wirecutter review site recommends the "Osprey Farpoint 55 Men’s Travel Pack", $220 @ REI.

Consider handwashing some items. Use quick dry, synthetic fabrics, especially for your underwear.

I'm thinking we will need to do laundry either in Lake Como
try here: https://www.google.com/maps/search/laundromat+near+Lake+Como/@45.9703999,8.8454718,172042m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1?entry=ttu

I use Google maps and search on self-service laundromats for the towns I’ll be in about the time I’ll need to do laundry. I then bookmark them so I can go straight to the one I want to use. Knowing the term for laundromat in the local language can give better results. The laundromats I’ve used, with maybe one exception, have been cash only. They’ve all had change machines and laundry detergent was included in the price at most of them. Read the signs (most them in English as well as the local language) to ensure you don’t add detergent, then find out it is included.

We love our Osprey Farpoint 40 backpacks. (Women's model now called Fairview--they were both Farpoint in 2017 when we purchased them--I just chose the one for the shorter torso.) We traveled 3 weeks in Italy with them--plenty of room for everything.

We try to rent/book places that have a washer available. Also do sink laundry for underwear and other quick-drying things. And we did have one hotel in Italy that did laundry for a reasonable price--load up the bag one day, get it back that evening or the next morning.

Eagle Creek also makes 2-wheeled suitcases (not a duffle bag) with padded backpack straps that stash behind a panel. They all convert easily and quickly, whether you want to roll, carry, or backpack your bag. We used ours on a trip to Morocco, exactly 5 years ago this month, and on previous trips over the years.

For laundry, frankly, that’s why we have often stayed in an airbnb, Vrbo, or short-term rental that has a clothes washer. Some places in Europe also have a clothes dryer, or a machine that’s a combination washer and dryer. Usually, we have to hang clothes to dry, but most places also provide a drying rack. Sometimes, if we’re staying at a Bed and Breakfast, they’ll happily do our wash, but you can’t automatically count on that service being available. For some laundromats, you have to wait there while you run your laundry. At others, you can drop off the washload, and staff will do the washing, drying, and sort-of folding.

Underwear (and other clothes) can be washed in the bathroom sink with a few drops of shampoo, or with a bar of soap, or special laundry soap. You could bring some powdered detergent in a snack-sized Ziploc bag - double bag it to guard against a spill. Liquid detergent brought in a bottle would be subject to the rules at airline security, if you brought it thru Security. Tide makes hand-laundry washing soap, different from their regular detergent, and it comes in handy little, flat packets.

Regarding backpacks......what's your budget?

Have you ever traveled with a backpack? Before you do, I suggest you borrow someone else's and fill it to about the same weight as you would travel with. Then go take a walk to see how you do.

Traveling with wheels is what the majority of us do and we manage just fine. Just pack light like you would with a backpack.

I like to schedule a few days somewhere on the trip at an Abb with a washer drier. I carry enough to go a week so the spacing is about that between washes. I hate doing cloths in the sink. They never feel properly cleaned and it's a pain if they do not get properly dry.
Watch out for weekends in Europe. Hotels and laundries tend not to be open. You really need to plan ahead.
Laundry in Asia spoils you. Leave it in the morning and it's there in the afternoon, or in an hour if you want pay for it. Folded, starched, embalmed in plastic and tissue.

A backpack is an acquired taste. Even as a backpacker, I do not love the idea. We use RS bags with wheels and straps. I can count on one hand how often we carried these as packs. Even on cobblestones we tend to pull then on the wheels.

Years ago I bought the Ebags Motherload which converts from backpack to carryon. It is great. They don't have the same exact model anymore. The new model has a compartment for your laptop which I think takes away space for your cloths/etc.. They also have one with wheels which could be nice if you have to walk far. I will admit that 21 lb. backpack got heavy after 15-25 minutes walking to your hotel (I'm 68). I've been happy with it.

I'm in my mid-60's and travel with an Osprey Fairview 40L backpack. The key to traveling with a backpack is fit. To be comfortable the backpack must transfer the weight from your shoulders to your hips. So what works for me may or may not work for you. If you are serious about using a backpack go to REI, LL Bean, Eastern Mountain Sports (does it still exist?) and talk to the staff. Tell them where you are going, how much you think you'll be bringing and then test out the different packs weighted appropriately. Walk around the store, go up and down the stairs and see how it feels.

As for laundry, I am mostly a sink washer but do try to time my stays with apartments or hotels with laundry facilities part way through my trip. I also bear in mind that I can always send my clothes out to be cleaned by the hotel.

I have a fairview by osprey
sternum strap etc accommodate this busty woman, very comfortable

I like my Peak Design, but it is expensive and a bit heavier than my wife’s beloved VancroPak that does a nice job. For the money especially, I’d recommend you take a look at that.

Avoid a wheeled hybrid. That just adds unnecessary pounds. I never had a situation where I wished I had brought my old wheel-bag.

Also… Try bamboo underwear and t-shirts. I found these to be borderline witchcraft in their ability to never stink.

I love using a backpack for my travels. I used the same backpack for 30+ years. Alas, it is completely warn out and I need to replace it. The key to using a backpack is to keep it light. Also, if you’re going any distance, you need a hip belt to take the weight off your shoulders.

I have never used a wheeled case. They look awkward to me.