Carry-on bag: wheeled or back-carry?

I'm a seventy- year old woman who does carry- on and public transportation in Europe, and use my medium- sized back pack and a two- wheeled carry-on bag. I can attach my backpack to my wheeled bag if I need to, but not for lifting onto a train, that's too heavy combined.
One just needs to be ready to jump on and off trains as soon as the doors open, and be prepared for steep steps in the train stations, as you quickly move between platforms. Whatever work best for you on steep steps? Also in Venice, you'll most likely have bridges with steps to cross as you travel to your lodging. I don't have any trouble with my 21"inch two- wheeled suitcase on steps, but everyone is different, so I guess it's a personal choice.
Safe travels!

The main problem I see with that Mother Lode is that it weighs 8.7 pounds empty! There are similar bags available these days that weigh about half that much. I've used all the types of public transportation you list for trips of similar length, traveling by myself. I limit my fully packed 2-wheeled roller bags to 20 pounds. So the lighter the empty bag, the better for me.

Unfortunately, I reached my pull date for carrying 20 pounds on my back several years ago. I had an older version of the RS Convertible Backpack at the time. The weight affected my back enough, but it really affected my knees. That backpack weighs 3 pounds empty. I have 3 roller bags to choose from that each weigh 4.5 pounds empty. I'll pay the 1.5 pound price to keep the weight on the ground and off me. 😉

Having said that, if you can comfortably carry what you intend to take on your back (perhaps along with a cross-body personal item at the same time) for the distances you think you'll walk and up and down stairs, go for it.

I'm sure you're aware of the stairs and ramps you'll encounter in the public transportation places where you'll depart and arrive, as well as of the often crowded high rise and narrow tread steps into and out of trains and buses. With boats (vaporetti included), you get the added fun of a moving floor when getting on and off. All these situations are awkward whether you use your current 47.5L roller bag or your 41L backpack. 🥴

You are going to get answers that basically say......"this is what I do and that is the right way." This will be for both backpacks and wheeled bags. There are pros and cons for both.

The best way for you to carry your stuff if the one you prefer. I have done both and have had no problem with either. I travel by public transport and have always managed.

What's more important is how much stuff you take. The more you take, the heavier the bag and that becomes a hassle whether it's being wheeled or carried on your back.

If you're not used to backpacks, my suggestion, since you already have them, is load your backpack with the same approximate weight you take with you and go out for a walk. Make sure to hit some stairs. Then decide if this will work for you. It doesn't matter if it works for someone else. Will it work for you?

Thanks for your replies. All good info and suggestions. While I understand a lot of this is personal preference, I wanted feedback fromt the forum to make an informed decision.

The main problem I see with that Mother Lode is that it weighs 8.7 pounds empty! There are similar bags available these days that weigh about half that much. I've used all the types of public transportation you list for trips of similar length, traveling by myself. I limit my fully packed 2-wheeled roller bags to 20 pounds. So the lighter the empty bag, the better for me.

I've been considing new wheeled bags for this very reason, @Lo. I just haven't been able to justify it up to this point because the MotherLode bags are in near-perfect condition even after all these years. The 4-ish pound wheeled bags you mention: do you have a fav?

I'm sure you're aware of the stairs and ramps you'll encounter in the public transportation places where you'll depart and arrive, as well as of the often crowded high rise and narrow tread steps into and out of trains and buses. With boats (vaporetti included), you get the added fun of a moving floor when getting on and off. All these situations are awkward whether you use your current 47.5L roller bag or your 41L backpack

Yes, that has been part of our consideration. The last time I was in Venice it was part of an 8-day Italy trip with a rental car, so we basically just packed a bit-larger backpack for the trip and transfers were not an issue.

What's more important is how much stuff you take. The more you take, the heavier the bag and that becomes a hassle whether it's being wheeled or carried on your back. If you're not used to backpacks, my suggestion, since you already have them, is load your backpack with the same approximate weight you take with you and go out for a walk. Make sure to hit some stairs. Then decide if this will work for you. It doesn't matter if it works for someone else. Will it work for you?

I completely agree about the "more stuff you pack, the heavier the bag." Our friends are constantly amazed that we can travel to places like Patagonia, China, New Zealand, Europe, etc with just a carry-on and a day pack. Less is best! I have not walked a distance with 20+ pounds on my back for a while, so I've been thinking of doing several "loaded" walks on the flat and stairs as you suggested. That well could be the deciding factor.

Trying it out fully packed should most definitely be your deciding factor.
I did the backpack thing a few times in my "youth"--once I just started wheeling my stuff, I wondered why I ever did that to my back (and yes, I pack minimally and carry-on only). I like to wheel my hard-sided luggage and carry a small backpack--can't do that with two backpacks. The suitcase should have good quality rollers and be easily lifted onto suitcase racks on the train. I just don't find a backpack any easier, even for stairs. And if you have to run, I feel much safer wheeling my bag alongside me versus carrying it on my back.
Those Swiss train changes are no joke--efficient as all get-out but really just minutes--use the SBB app so you know your changes in advance and can get yourself ready.

Backpacks in heavily trafficked areas, such as Venice, are a nightmare for other pedestrians. Turn around and someone else gets swiped by your pack.
Fact is, you will have to either hand carry or wheel your luggage- there are times that you just cannot wear your backpack. Boarding aircraft, boarding trains, boarding vaporettos for example.

The wheel was devised for good reason.

we spent three weeks with a carry on sized rolling suitcase and a small bag attached to the handle and had absolutely no issue rolling or carrying them. just keep it light. Backpacks can smack someone when they are being carried and just seem super awkward in a crowd. either way, have fun on your trip!

If you use a backpack, be considerate and take if off before you get on public transportation (trains, buses, boats).

That is to remind you that if you don't want to be banging into people you will be carrying your backpack in one hand a lot and may wish you had a bag with wheels.

I agree with the wheeled backpack, best of both worlds. Our High Sierra's have lasted through many trips to Europe with cobblestone roads (you want 2 wheels not 4 for these). Five pounds. I did notice that my husband hefted his onto his back way more than I did. I was comfortable carrying by the handle up those train steps, then wheeling when possible.
We recently decided to replace them, found a great deal on ebay for "open box": Between $40-50 each.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/125478940296?hash=item1d3720ae88:g:8j8AAOSwihRjBTdx

I agree - care when wearing a large backpack is always a must.

@Joan, you have used the High Sierra Freewheel Pro Wheeled Backpack on extended European trips? From the description and most of the reviews, it seems to be used as a school backpack. Wheeled and wearable is an interesting idea that I've seen in other bags, but I don't know anyone who has used one.

melrowgo, the freewheel pro is the newer model I believe.

We originally had the two-piece model, called the AT7 - it has a daypack that zips onto it. You would remove that before boarding and stow the daypack under the seat. I didn't like the daypack because it was too heavy, so we opted to get the newest model of the main bag - wheeled ( not spinner - two wheels only, sturdier for cobblestones), but without the included daypack. Dimensions of the main bag are almost identical to the newer freewheel pro.

I do see that the reviews show it as being used as a school backpack, but the students have heavy loads, so that would not deter me.

Here is the one we used to have, that we felt was five stars. (hopefully they are of the same great workmanship).

https://www.amazon.com/High-Sierra-Outdoor-Rolling-Backpack/dp/B00COBKUO4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

We used a carryon with wheels and a shoulder tote with luggage sleeve. We will never do it again when traveling in Europe and relying on public transportation. Our mobility was severely limited. The wheels were awful on the ancient streets in Rome and Florence, mainly because the bag was top heavy. My bag slipped on a hill and tumbled into the street at one point. I don’t know if I can manage a large backpack as I have a shoulder issue. But I definitely wished I’d been hands-free with the second bag. It was too much trying to lift two bags on and off trains.

I went through that process this Spring trying to decide whether to switch from my normal 2-wheel bag carry on suitcase to a backpack for my 1-month trip in June that just ended recently. Here’s some of the discussion &pros/cons to help:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/packing-ultralight-update

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/packing-lessons-learned-from-my-2023-england-wales-trip

@Joan: I've just read your excellent pre- and post-trip reports listing what you used for gear and what you packed. Thank you for taking the time to give so much detail, and an extra thanks for providing the links here.

@All: Since I have some time to "play" with packing options, I have ordered both the 20" and 22" sizes of the Maxlite 5 Rollaboard from Travelpro plus the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack - Del Dia. I figure I'll load them up with the items on my current list and see how they work walking around. (Thank goodness Amazon has a great return policy.) I think I'm going to try the Medium Cafe Bag by Tom Bihn instead of a day pack. I will also bring a small purse for evenings/dinners when I don't want to carry the MCB. Thanks again for the feedback. Stay tuned!

Melrowgo, that Maxlite looks really good, much sturdier looking that my High Sierra, although at 3 times the price. I am traveling soon to Canada with that bag, so I'll let you know if it falls apart at the first wheeling!

I'm surprised that Amy above had trouble and hated the wheeled bag on the cobblestones, since we had the opposite experience. I'm wondering if it was the two wheel or four. My husband insisted on the two wheel because he felt that the "spinners" were much less durable...

Happy travels!