Carryon sized roller bag in Italy

I've never traveled with a backpack but have been all over Europe (more often solo than not) with a rolling bag varying from 22" to 24". At this point I've spent about 18 months in Europe. I'm a small, now-over-65 female, and no one has every tried to grab my suitcase. (Full disclosure: my wallet was lifted from my purse in Bulgaria when I was walking down a street, otherwise unencumbered and distracted.) I would be far more concerned that someone would unzip a backpack worn on my back.

To me, the major advantage of a backpack would be mobility when ascending or descending stairs. Otherwise, it would be all negative for me.

A backpack style bag keeps both hands free. It's good to have hands free to fend off pickpockets. My son grabbed a hand that was in his pocket. He would not have been able to do that if his hand was holding a roller handle.

And while you can fit all of your stuff in carry-on roller, will you have spare capacity to bring back purchases?

Of course, if one of you were mobility impaired, the stronger of the two of you could pull the roller.

And the bottom line is that Rick Steves' Travel Store has a week long (Valid 3/19/17 – 3/26/17) 20% off sale on all travel bags.

we have used rolling bags in many places around the world with no problems. i have no basis in fact for thinking this but i would guess it would be a total hassle for a thief to grab a rolling suitcase and try to run off with it! most pickpockets (for the record, i have been many places and have never ever been pickpocketed) go for smaller items in pockets and such.

It sounds like you might want to compromise - purchase a roller carry-on, and also buy a cheap pack such as this one recommended for an ultra-light trip by Sarah Murdoch: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0151EFBR6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For only $20 extra, you're both happy.

People have offered to carry my rolling carryon, and sometimes I accept the offers. No one has ever tried to steal my suitcase.

No one has ever tried to steal my rolling carryon. I prefer to roll than to schlep and sweat. You still always have a hand free to hold railings. I've never had a need for even one hand to fight off pickpockets. Edgar, I have a cartoon picture in my mind of this, LOL, ...said in fun.) What are all the backpackers using their two hands for as they walk around? The only memory I have of backpackers is fully loaded and standing around in the airport while I relax. ;)

I do remember my backpacked 30 year old step-daughter walking out of Termini in Rome with RS's guidebook in one hand and her purse in the other and getting surrounded by old ladies almost immediately...who took her address book. So it's not the pack... And made for a fun story.

I will say my husband and I often traveled with a carryon wheelie and a bag like Rick's Euro bag, and my purse. This was nice because one person was not dealing with any luggage while the other person rolled. The bad point is quick changes meant I was carrying the Euro-type bag the entire time, or up and down stairs... Did I say I hate schlepping? But if you like backpacks, this is not an issue.

Hi, Stephanie

Take a look at this carry-on light-weight backpack with removable rollers. Maybe you might like it. It's on sale for $129:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/eagle-creek-ec-lync-system-rolling-carry-on-suitcase-22~p~190ch/?filterString=eagle-creek~b~5040%2F

With a backpack, you have to remember that it is "out of sight" while on your back. You could be distracted by someone in front of you while their accomplice is going through a pocket of your pack.

Snatch and grab of roller bags is rare as stealing one hinders the escape of the thief. You just can't run that fast hauling a bag behind you. A purse, a daypack, yes.....a roller bag, probably not.

Since there are two of you one can always keep an eye on it. When stopping, keep the bag in front of you. Keep a hand on the handle.

Interesting that folks are concerned about "backpacks" being out of sight. Most folks with rollers seem to pull them behind them even on escalators, although the spinner folks like to walk with their spinners at their side. My backpack is carrying extra clothing, sundries and purchased souvenirs of minimal value. Electronics are in my messenger bag in front and passports, ATM cards and back-up credit cards in my undershirt neck pouch.

Pickpockets typically look for cash or electronics that can be turned into cash, not used clothing.

Thanks for the advice everyone! I think I will give this one to my husband and take the one rollerbag.

Stephanie,

This is my favorite travel bag:

https://www.rei.com/product/827970/rei-co-op-stratocruiser-wheeled-luggage-22

It combines the best of both worlds - it's a roller with a built-in shoulder harness (removable) for times when a roller is a nuisance. It's small enough for our domestic carriers as a carry-on (but not most international carriers) but swallows a lot of clothing. I've even packed for a week and managed to get it into the overhead on a regional-sized jet.

This particular piece of luggage also comes with a day pack which slips into a "kangaroo pouch" on the front of the luggage and is perfectly sized to carry your essential electronic devices, documents, etc.

I wouldn't factor theft fear into my decision.
As mentioned by many above me, thieves are opportunistic and unless you have been made as a mark for something of high value in your bag, have no interest in trying to run away with all of your used clothing.

Now if you plan on also putting expensive camera gear, laptop, phone, wallet, etc... inside this same bag than that does change everything but for those type of products a separate smaller bag or similar where they are very close to you and always watched over is the best course of action.

More good advice! It seems I have been overthinking the theft issue. We won't be traveling with many electronics or valuables but what we do have I will make sure is in my slash proof purse or my husband's money belt. We won't be wearing jewelry and since there are two of us with one bag we can always have someone attached to it. With only one carry on sized bag we won't have much room for purchases but we don't really bring home purchases, so we should be good! Thanks again, I will put that out of my mind and focus on all the great reason we find the time and money to travel in the first place.

As Wray mentioned, the RS Euro-tote which can be carried cross-body with the shoulder strap, or rolled along on top of a roller bag using the slip-over strap on the back to keep it from falling off the roller bag handle.

Interesting that folks are concerned about "backpacks" being out of sight. Most folks with rollers seem to pull them behind them even on escalators, although the spinner folks like to walk with their spinners at their side.

I think people are concerned about backpacks being out of sight particularly when on public transport, or in a line or crowd somewhere - places where you are stationary for some period of time while your bag is at a handy pickpocketing level behind you. I can't really picture someone trying to steal something from a roller bag as it is pulled behind someone, and you tend to pull them in front of you on public transport.

I can't stand the roller bags anymore, especially in Europe with cobblestones. I bought this bag and have been loving it. It can get a bit heavy if you have on for hours on end, but otherwise it's ideal and the only thing I take. Its big, and they have smaller versions as well. I might downsize eventually as I get even better at packing only what I need.

http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101

My husband and I will be travelling next month to Italy (Rome, Tuscany). We decided to cut back on our usual packing and bought smaller sized roller suitcases. My husband is going to be using a backpack for the carryon and I will be using a tote that slips on the handle of the suitcase. I have purchased twist ties that are plastic coated wire and will use these to tie the zippers together on the backpack. Perhaps this might be a deterrent for any pickpocket trying to open the zippers on the backpack.