Roller bag or backpack?

Spell check likes 'Florida' better than 'Florence' ? hmm

Did the Best of Italy ( with stops in all 3) with a roller bag. Never had a moment that I wished I had a backpack instead

Just use the above search box. Discussed forever. Mostly personal preference. There are advantages and disadvantages to both so it is really your preference. Personally think rolling bags are pain in Europe. Others lov'em.

If you are able to carry things on your back get a hybrid: roller bag that converts into a backpack vice versa.
That is what I use everywhere

I prefer to use a backpack, but that's just my personal preference. I prefer to have my hands free rather than dragging a wheelie bag, and in airports it's nice to be able to get away from the raucous cacophony of the wheelie bags.

Both if you travel heavy. My carry-on is a "backpack" (Rick Steves Classic) and our checked bags are rollers with pull handles. Wife has a carry-on two wheel roller and a "personal" size backpack.

I have gone to Europe for 14 of the last 16 years for about a month each year and have taken 14 RS tours, all the time using RS 21/22” roller bags since physical limitations restrict my using a backpack. I have never had a problem using a roller bag anywhere in Europe.

Roller bags are fine in Europe. Even on the cobblestones. We use spinners as my back does not like the torque imposed by the two wheeled models. However, know this, you get what you pay for, especially with spinners. The cheaper ones will fail and that usually occurs at a very undesirable time, like when you are traveling. Invest in a good bag, it can last you a lifetime.

Decide based on personal preference, your own physical condition, and how you pack. I like having my hands free, and I’ve never had a problem carrying my stuff in a backpack, which I much prefer. But if that doesn’t describe you, there’s no good reason to avoid a roller.

You'll get lots of answers - and lots of opinions. I love my Appenzell backpack (see shopping tab on this site.) My husband uses a slightly smaller backpack. But most of the people on your tour will have roller bags.

Whichever. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

I have an Eagle Creek backpack that has wheels and extendable handle. So I use it for both. I have traveled all over the world with it - had it for many years and Eagle Creek has "lifetime" warranty check out their webpage, or there are other brands that have the same options you and see many of them at many outdoor and luggage stores.

I found out which luggage I needed when I got so sick in Rome I couldn't drag my RS 2-wheel roller carryon bag. My body felt every pound of that 2-wheeler roller bag cause the entire weight of the bag is on you. It was obvious to the airlines who wanted to call an ambulance for me! That meant no way for a backpack as well.

So I bought a slightly larger 4-wheel spinner at Termini and checked it. I still use the RS 2-wheel carryon but it's only a matter of time before I chuck it for a Lipault 4-wheel spinner carryon.

So I say buy in preparation for the worst of times, what works for you if you get sick or injured. I merely guide the spinners with the touch of a finger. No weight on me at all. What a difference. Spinners all the way, spinners carryon, spinners checked.

...airlines who wanted to call an ambulance for me!

Were you contagious?

http://www.who.int/ith/mode_of_travel/tcd_aircraft/en/

To minimize the risk of passing on infections, travellers who are
unwell, particularly if they have a fever, should delay their journey
until they have recovered. Individuals with a known active
communicable disease should not travel by air. Airlines may deny
boarding to passengers who appear to be infected with a communicable
disease

.

I have always taken a backpack - with the exception of the trip I took a Rick Steves tour. The roller made much more sense on a tour vs. traveling on my own navigating public transportation.

Spell check likes 'Florida' better than 'Florence' ?

It's not spell check, it's Apple's typing assistant looking at the first letters and finishing the word for you, even if that's not what you intended. And someone not paying attention to what it did.

Ask Lola.

I have never had a problem using a roller bag anywhere in Europe

One the last trip I handled two bags, my own 17# backpack and my partner's 21# roller. The roller was definitely a problem relative to the backpack..

I believe the reason most people think they need a roller is that they pack way too much to start with.

I was recently in Spain. I am a big woman and generally strong, but this trip I understood the comments about the torque/drag of a 2 wheeled bag. I have some upper body issues and my neck/upper back can flare up, so I didn't want to risk a backpack, but there was still the drag of my carry on size 2 wheel which also had a small duffle attached to the top of it (groceries and gifts). The 2 wheels were well designed and would hold up for those cobbled steps in Granada, but there was a lot of drag on arm and neck.
BTW, for Venice, there are bridges that you have to lift up any suitcase. When I was last there, I used a backpack, but I was also 15 years younger. I am forever on the look out for a lockable back pack that opens like a clamshell and has a good waist belt that doesn't weigh 5 pounds.
So it really is personal preference and physical limitations.

I use a rolly (2-wheels) because I can't carry a backpack comfortably any longer. Spinners with larger wheels work for many people, the teensy wheels on many less expensive spinners can get stuck between cobblestones. Also, if you pack carefully, the weight distribution on the 2- or 4-wheel luggage should be easy to manage (but don't overpack). My rolly rarely exceeds 16lbs, fully packed - sometimes I have to look at it to make sure it's at the end of the handle, it's so easy to maneuver.

It really is personal preference as both are easy to use for different personalities. I'd rather lift my wheelie for a minute than carry it all.the.time. There is no reason that I can't use a backpack, but I never have really. Even when I used book bag backpacks, decades ago, I brought wheels with me. I do not like the feel of carrying everything on my back...I'm not camping, I'm going to Europe or domestically to a major city. I don't want to look too casual. Also, to be stuck with 15 lbs on my back, plus cross body. No thanks. My recent personal item is a small, dressier back pack (travelon 16 x 12x6), which assists me carrying my DSLR all day should I want to do so or in transit. I recently packed it up with everything for a domestic trip like Sarah Murdoch, including my laptop for 11 lbs. This was my only luggage, purse fit inside. The only time I really appreciated it was when I didn't have to stop for gate check stuff, so not worth it to me. And, I do want more clothes than three to four days. I love my wheelies...and I have many. However, I keep my packed wheelies around 20 lbs when I can. For me, a 3 lb difference between the weight of the backpack and the weight of the wheelie is insignificant...but now I even check my wheelie, oh the horror!

I believe the reason most people think they need a roller is that they pack way too much to start with.

To the OP: I believe most people use what is most comfortable for them. Many if not most of us have experience with backpacks and rollers and let our travel style determine what our luggage is like. If making a decision about luggage, buy what makes sense to you and seems to fit how you want to travel. You may decide to change later, I did, from a (to me) less functional backpack to a more functional roller. Whatever you decide on, I think you will be better off tailoring your decision to you, not someone else's idea of how you should travel.

We were in Venice, Vicenza and Padova for two weeks last month. My Husband and Son had travel backpacks with waist straps. I had a spinner roller bag. The Roller bag was a pain navigating all the bridges in Venice, which almost all have stairs. The backpacks made lots of sense in that situation. I'm not sure I would be comfortable with a backpack all the time though, especially hauling it through airports. For our next trip I think I want to look into a bag that could be either backpack or roller. Hopefully that would be the best of both worlds.

To add to my previous post - for my trip next year I'm trying something new - a rolling backpack. I plan on using both functions depending on the situation. I got an Osprey Ozone 50L carryon size. It's smaller than any of my previous bags, but I've learned to pack light so think it will be fine. My husband liked mine so much after trying it that he ordered himself one. Something like that would solve your problem of deciding between the two.

I didn't know that Osprey had rolling backpacks. My husband has an Osprey backpack with a detachable day pack. It worked great for Venice. I will have to check out their rolling backpack. Thanks.

My only concern with the rolling back pack is the additional weight the wheels and handle add. It would seem to me that it would have to add two, three, maybe even five pounds that has be to carried around.

ksfreise - we also had opsrey backpacks which we love. The ozone is very comfortable also. I was surprised at how comfortable it is for a combo rolling backpack. It also has a zip off day pack.

On rare occasions I do use a wheeled back pack. Yes, the wheels add weight, but (in my case) I so rarely carry the luggage on my back it makes little difference. Most of the time (the way I use it) the wheeled back pack acts like a wheelie. Only when confronted by significant stairs or something like that do I use it as a backpack.

I had a lot of time this past weekend in several airports to watch people with their various types of bags. Should have filmed it as it would have made a very funny show of all the people tripping, falling, losing control of, getting wheels stuck in the joints between the concrete floor sections, and otherwise having issues with their spinners. 2 wheel rollers weren't much better. Those carrying their bags or having backpacks moved much more efficiently through the airports. All this just reinforced my reason for avoiding anything with wheels. Just my opinion (and I realize that some people simply can't carry a bag due to health issues) but until I can no longer physically move while carrying a bag I am not getting one with wheels. Venice would be simply hell for me with a bag you can't carry with all the steps to navigate.

Interesting. I was going to post a video of people carrying backpacks onto planes and smacking everyone else because they didn't realize how huge they were with a backpack on that doubled their size. Of course, they can't hit anyone too hard because they are exhausted from lugging a ton of weight around on their backs all day.... just my opinion of course and others may differ. If you can, post a video of getting stuck with wheelies please do. I've used wheelies for visiting over 40 countries (before that used a backpack) and I never got stuck yet.

Well, a courteous traveler will remove the backpack from their back before entering the plane and carry it in such a way it doesn't hit anyone.

Several people on my last flight had 2 wheel bags that were almost too wide to fit down the aisle and banged against the seat armrest all the way to their seats.

If I had videoed any of my weekend experiences I would post them. But I was too worn out from all the travel to do so.

Just my experiences. Yours of course may vary.

My wife has Rick's roller bag and I've got the backpack. I also carry a large day pack for the both of us. When we can I piggyback my full backpack on top of the roller bag and I wear the daypack. I get to be the draft horse. But in tough country, like lots of stairs (I'm looking at you Crane Tower hotel in Bacharach, 6 flights!), I wear the backpack and carry the roller bag and she carries the daypack.
If you get anything with wheels, make sure you don't get little wheels! 2" or even better 3" wheels are needed in Europe on cobblestone streets. I prefer two-wheels over four as you lose less interior room and the wheels are better hidden so as not to get broken during handling at the airport.

I just did this tour a month ago. Of course your hotels might be different than mine but here’s where a heavy roller bag was problematic.

Venice - all bridges where you couldn’t roll the bag and had to carry it. Also up and down the stairs in the hotel itself. Lots of walking with bags.

Florence - general issues with cobblestones but less complicated than Venice.

Rome - lots of cobblestones and longer distances.

On and off the bus - narrow steep steps so consider the weight of your carryon bus bag too.

I travel every week for work and never/seldom check a bag. However when it comes to personal travel, all of that goes out the window! I overpack and as a result I struggled on this tour.

Why don’t they tell you to pack light? Haha