Rolling suitcase or Backpack in Italy

The reason the wheel was devised is because people realised it was easier to roll things rather than carry them.
The reason that wheeled luggage was invented etc.
Go with the wheels.

Rolling suitcases don't roll well on Italian cobblestones, so that's a plus of the backpack... But you need to make sure you'll be comfortable wearing a full backpack: try filling it at home and walking with it. Only then will you see if it's worth keeping it. Personally, I'm fit and all, but I dislike backpacks, only wear them on hikes.
As for shipping souvenirs, expensive and bulky ones yes, but otherwise it rarely makes sense due to shipping costs.

There’s actually an entire generation that is only aware of luggage with wheels, as if suitcases never had a handle for lifting, not just pulling. And it’s still weird now seeing people dragging their wheeled suitcases through snow-covered lanes here in ski country, when carrying them would sometimes be easier and less messy.

So backpacks can serve a purpose, especially if you plan to be trekking around with your baggage, rather than having it stashed at your lodging except when relocating. If your lodging’s going to be some distance from train/bus stations, and you’re planning on walking, rather than using public transportation or taxis, then being able to hoist your bag on your back leaves your hands more free. And if you’re in Rome, where locals take their dogs for walks but don’t always clean up the sidewalks after them, not having a rolling bag guarantees you won’t be wheeling it through the occasional dog droppings.

Lifting a backpack versus a carry-on suitcase onto a luggage rack or bin on a train probably isn’t a whole lot different, except for the dangling backpack straps maybe getting caught on something. On the plus side, many backpacks have multiple compartments, so you can grab a snack, guidebook, water bottle, umbrella, jacket, etc. from a zippered pocket, without having to open your whole bag.

Traveling light has many benefits (and some trade-offs), backpack or suitcase, but unless you’re saving big airfare or lots of airport time by carrying on instead of checking your bag, it’s not mandatory to have a carry-on or smaller luggage. Do you already also have a suitcase, or will you have to buy one if you decide against the backpack for your trip? Maybe cost will be your ultimate deciding factor.

We usually bring everything home with us, but have shipped a couple times. Four years ago, we got a special kitchen trash can in France - something only the French have devised, and mailed it home, full of souvenir menus and other items. It was cheaper than buying another suitcase and packing those items in it, and paying to check more baggage on the flight home.

We use back packs solely. Carrying on the plane is not very important to me, but having both hands free, when I enter or leave a train makes a big difference to me. And - of course - not every road/street/path is suitable for wheels. Not every hotel has lifts from street level to your room - one hotel in Venice had lifts from the lobby to the rooms, but not from the street to the lobby on 3rd floor (US 3rd, European 2nd). I find it easy to carry a back pack up stairs. I wouldn't want to haul a wheeled bag up those stairs.

Doug Dymont has some views on bags in general: https://www.onebag.com/bags.html

And if you want some inspiration for packing:

• https://herpackinglist.com/
• https://ladylighttravel.com/
• https://www.theviviennefiles.com/
• https://adventureswithsarah.net/category/packing-2/

I have used wheeled luggage, specifically an older RS carryon bag in Italy and found ot worked very well as it has really good wheels on it, big rubberized ones that coped with cobblestones and steps. Backpacks can be a nuisance both for those wearing them and surrounding fellow travellers: for instance crowded buses and, in Venice, .vaporettos. It all boils down to personal preference.

Smaller bags are a great excuse to cut down on the gifts for family and friends! I now do pens, fridge magnets, key tags (was given a lovely leather one with my initial stamped on it by a friend who went to Florence), and other small
things.

We get backpack vs wheels questions on average about 3.6285 times a month. Here's what the outcome usually becomes......people who use backpacks will tell you to go with backpacks and give reasons why. People who use wheels will tell you to go with wheels and tell you why. Both will give reasons why the other is no good even if they have never traveled with the other type.

I have used both. Here is my opinion......do what it right for you. If you want to try a backpack, get one, fill it up with 15-20 pounds (the ultralight packers will tell you no more than 10 pounds but very few people can or will travel that light.) Then go for a walk. A fairly long walk.

Then, get a wheeled bag, fill it up, and take a walk wheeling the bag.

When done, ask yourself which you prefer and go with that. There is no right or wrong answer. Just what is right or wrong for you.

saying we can always ship back out souvenirs.

More easily said than done.... and there is no truly good 'cheap' way to do.
Also anything you ship is subject to duty, whereas what you bring with you is entitled to inclusion in your duty free limit.

If I was younger without back problems, I would just use a pack. If you get bulky souveniers, then buy a suitcase there. You will then have a European sized for flights suitcase....something hard to find in North America. Or even a sample nylon foldable tote will carry a lot of souvenirs. On the way home, check one of the back packs......assuming at least one is carry on compliant size.

Based on your trip description, I'd opt for a backpack, especially if you will be visiting smaller towns. However, if you are sticking to the big cities (Rome, Florence, Milan, and maybe even Venice), then a roller bag would also work.

We travel with either a checked roller bag or a carryon backpack, depending on the nature and duration of the trip. For instance, we spent 10 days in Tuscany. We rented a car and stayed in just one location, an agriturismo in Tuscany. For that trip, we each took a checked roller bag. On another trip, we took a week long business trip to London and Paris. We were taking the Eurostar from London. On that trip we took carryon backpacks.

The backpacks we use are old friends. They are the original classic RS backpack the we purchased before our trip to Scotland back in 2002. They've made many a trip since then, both domestically and overseas. The last trip they made was to Charleston last weekend!

Depends on you and your back and legs. When I was 23, I carried everything on my back for six months. Now that I'm way more than twice that age, there's no way my back, hips or knees could carry 20+ lbs more than a few blocks, let alone miles through cities and up and down hilly sidewalks. I have successfully and happily pulled a carry-on two-wheeled suitcase throughout Italy, France, Turkey, and more, over the last number of years, including over many cobblestones. Do what works for you, but try it out distances, first, on hills, and know that there are plenty of luggage shops throughout Europe where you could get something else, if you need it. Also: I do always pack a light-weight nylon expandable tote or duffle, which I fill with dirty clothes and check on my way home, so that I have room in my carry-on for those delightful souvenirs (especially ceramics, which are too fragile to check). Finally: you may want to put "shipping home" or other such words into the "search" function on this page. There have been lots of discussions about it, especially about how expensive it is to do so.

Just be sure to follow Frank's excellent suggestion and do a test run with both. When I was young and flitting about, I used a backpack with ease, and you can actually get a lot more in a backpack versus a carry-on size suitcase! Now it makes my back hurt and I see no advantage. But if you go the suitcase route, do not skimp on quality so it won't fall apart. Be sure to book a place for doing laundry at appropriate points in the trip,. Take or buy an empty duffle style bag if you anticipate buying souvenirs, and you can check that on the way home.

My two cents. There are backpacks for serious backpacking (like the ones you're looking at), and there are backpacks which are basically luggage with shoulder straps (like the RS Classic). To me choice depends on how far, where, and how long you expect to be carrying the bag. For just on and off transportation, and to and from the hotel, I don't need the trail-comfort of a real backpack. If you expect to be doing long treks across cities with all your stuff, then I see where you need something more comfortable.

Shipping stuff home? Well the few times I considered it, it cost multiple times more to ship than the souvenirs cost. I do what Valadelphia suggests: bring along (or buy over there) a lightweight packable duffle bag, fill it with expendable stuff and liquid souvenirs, and check it on the way home. Again, if you're only taking luggage to and from hotels and on transportation between locations, its not too burdensome to have an extra lightweight bag in hand. We always buy a bottle or two of wine, olive oil or jams, and therefore need to check a bag on return anyway.

Also, try steps and see which one you prefer. There are many more steps to climb in Europe than in U.S. where elevators are more common.

And for a rolling suitcase, weight makes a huge difference. I switched to a travel pro ultra lite and easily carried my suitcase up four flights of stairs to our air bnb in Edinburgh earlier this month.

I personally do not like back packs but do see their charm.

I'm a roller for the reasons stated by all the parties above in favor. I am also an independent and/or solo traveler and have pulled my suitcase through snow, rain, cobblestones, asphalt, whatever with no problem. On and off trains, and into the overhead. No issues. I have one hand on the handle of the suitcase and one on the handle of the train or stairway. Keep the weight around 20 lbs., mine these days is closer to 23 lbs, I must confess, but works well for me. It is nothing to pick up the suitcase to go up stairs, etc. versus all the time. And, getting on a train, the backpack should already be off your back anyway.

Here's my thought on your husband using a backpack and you using wheels. You can put the backpack on the wheeled suitcase (you might need to get one of those attachments so it will ride high. I have one.) so your husband won't have to carry his backpack a lot of the time either, and one person can easily manage the luggage while the other attends to tickets, coffee, whatever. We've found that has worked well for us in the past for the one person without the wheels, as sometimes we packed in one RS euro type bag and one RS wheelie, and that was it for both of us. However, we pack more now (Yes, I said that and mean it! LOL ). Decades ago, it was actually my husband who, after one trip with a backpack, determined it was a ridiculous way for us to travel, and we've used rollers ever since. I'm 65 and he's 78, for reference. If you don't use a backpack at home already, I'd suggest it is not for you. But YOU need to do what fits your personality best. We have done a lot of different types of packing through the years, and likely, will never have the perfect way...as that would take away some of my fun. Have a great trip!

Oh, and my wheeled suitcase expands...although I've never needed to expand it. That would work well for souvenirs on the way home for you. Presently, and for quite a few years, I use the RS wheelie and really like it.

Hi Jess,

Maybe you'd like to view these videos. There are some good tips. Farnoosh is really nice, but I was getting 'anxious' with her packing style. lol! In all her trips, she takes a lot of tops and workout clothes.

How to Pack Light for Travel and Never Check in Luggage - Farnoosh Brock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNN0LoVJ5So

How to Pack Light for Women with a Rolling Suitcase - Farnoosh Brock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5AM_sBzJVA

Light Packing Video for Women for a 10-Day Trip with Small Carry-On - Farnoosh Brock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6H2Vb2Uwhs

Like a couple people above, I prefer a rolling suitcase - big, two-wheels, rugged.

I have the Travel Pro "Walkabout" (Closeout!) 22" - Macy's exclusive. They usually have a rotating sale. Macy's coupons can be used (when applicable) for even more savings.

It performed very well on my last trip to Rome as a checked. Strong yet lightweight; good material. Tons of room; expandable, deep front panel pocket; good zippers.

I did use some (frameless) packing cubes - American Tourister - found at Walmart.

I have also used the Kipling (small) Discover, 22" rolling duffel. It performed well on trips as a carry on and a checked. Also, strong, yet lightweight, a lot of compartments - even on the outside of the bag/duffel, good zippers, smaller (two) wheels.

I use convertible rolling suite cases with backpack shoulder straps. Mine are REI brand but it doesn't look like they make them any more. Eagle Creek and Osprey also make them but they're a bit pricey.

I love the convenience of rolling them through airports and train stations but having the ability to sling them on my back when I need both hands for a task.

If you're going to be hitting the trains and buses in Italy, use the airline carry-on size for sure!