Two-wheeled rollaboard may be better than you think

That could be the case, if you have the right 2nd item and can hang it in the right place to get the balance point. But I bear so little weight rolling my 2-wheeled carry-on that it hardly matters, and I’m not especially strong or fit. I walked literally miles in airports on our last trips (we got to change planes at Heathrow THREE different times), and it was no issue.

You might do a closer read of that article. Rick points out the weight-bearing issue as the ONLY advantage of the 4-wheeled bag; he then goes on to list several disadvantages, and sums up “I would never take one of these bags on an overseas sightseeing trip.” So I wouldn’t say he favors the 4 wheels over 2 (of course his preferred bag is a backpack).

On my recent NL trip, I had a two- wheeled carry on, and my friend a four-wheeled. Over cobblestones, my two-wheeled bag was much easier and faster. She first tried rolling hers with all four wheels on the ground- that was slow and clunky. When she titled her bag, to use just two wheels, her smaller wheels really bumped along and were awkward, and she was much slower. I could walk at my regular pace with my two-wheeled bag. It was quite an interesting comparison.
In the airport, with the smooth surfaces, the four-wheeled bag balanced upright better than mine, but I considered that a minor inconvenience.

Sorry, but no amount of arguing will convince me that my four-wheeled spinner isn't the easiest method of transport with luggage that I've ever had. It's just so nice to walk along with it sailing calmly beside me. I don't have to pull it behind me, and I don't have to worry about it getting in the way of someone. My bag is light enough that in the event there's something really rough to go over, I can just lift it up, carry it over and then put it back down again and spin along.

Of course, I would never tell someone who has a two-wheel bag that they should switch. Obviously it works for them.

I do like my four-wheeled spinner, and you will have to pry it out of my cold dead fingers before it goes away. So what if we all just agree to disagree? The two-wheeled bag owners can keep their bags and quit trying to convince the spinner owners that we have a bad product. And vice versa. 😊

Mardee, kind of like the Wengen vs Murren debate- probably no losers, but you'll never find me with a four-wheeled carry-on!
How's your recovery?

Ha ha, Pat! Good analogy!

Recovery is good. I’m about a week away from taking the brace off entirely. I already switched from the rigid brace to one that’s more flexible, and the ortho doc said I should be good to go pretty soon. I will be doing some PT just to get some strength back that I lost when I was incapacitated, and hopefully that will help get me back in full strength before my Scandinavia trip in July. Where is your next trip to?

Mardee, not sure yet. We have a puppy coming next weekend, who will be named Rigi, and my husband wants to get the household settled down before making a decision. I'm reading everyone's Trip Reports to be tempted!

I can give you the actual answer as to which is the BEST bag to take on your trip.

Ready?

Are you really ready for the answer? It may surprise you.

Okay, here it goes......

"Whichever you prefer. It's personal choice."

There are pros and cons to every method. And that article is not the definitve answer. It's his opinion. Not the gospel.

Mardee, I stand with you. Pat, I'm taking my 4 wheels when I visit Wengen in September!

Four-wheel spinner bags need brakes (but lack them) when you’re on a lurching bus that’s going up and down hills, and you have to take up the full weight of the suitcase to fight gravity, and keep it from rolling away. Two-wheel roller bags don’t have that issue. Too much rollability can be a problem in certain circumstances, and while my husband’s used a 4-wheeled bag (that I bought him) on recent trips, I’ve stuck with my 2-wheeler.

Pat, I love puppies! They're so much fun—and so much work! But definitely worth it. Enjoy the training!!!

And Frank, I wholeheartedly agree with that. 😊

I’ve always been happy with my small somewhat unique 2 wheel bag but I do confess a longing for those hard sided spinners ‘everybody’ seems to have these days at the airport. They do seem great in the airport but I do notice that out in the world going to hotels, metros etc they are frequently tipped and pulled along on 2 wheels. Of course having the choice to go 2 wheels or 4 is an added bonus.

Simple to do this: hang your second item -- cosmetic case, handbag, backpack, whatever, off the front of the big bag. The bag will immediately fall forward, unless you take care to push it against a wall or furniture when you park it. But the magic happens while you’re on the move: suddenly the bag balances on its wheels without your having to “bear the weight”.

This is so true. I have used this system for years. There's so much less weight to it, can pull it with a finger if you wanted. My PI item is the perfect size so that when it is upright the PI will sit perfectly on the floor so the suitcase and PI are a stable system. No weight at all...I thought. Then I had a long covid for a bit, and dragging the bag behind me or just the position exhausted me. I'm not sure what or why. So, for my RS PHOF tour I switched to a 4 wheeled max lite. It worked fine over irregular sidewalks and survived crossing one deep cobblestone street, although it is nothing to lift it. I loved it. I don't understand how it can be so much easier, but it is, although it is also 2 1/2 pounds lighter than my Eagle Creek two wheeler. It makes me nervous that those little wheels will fail on monster surfaces...even tho it hasn't, but It is heaven walking from the hotel to Logan's 2nd A gates building and then through the Atlanta airport.

What I find interesting is that over the last year in airports and train stations, I see alot of people treating their spinner as a two wheeled bag, when it is in the best conditions for the spinner.

That being said, and now that I am better...I now take the bag more appropriate for each trip. To NYC when I knew I'd likely walk 9 blocks to and from the hotel, I took my two wheeler; car trips, two wheeler, checking bag, two wheeler. In other words, I don't think there is a correct answer. They both work well for different things. I give everyone permission to have two bags: a spinner and a 2 wheeler!

I'm a 4-wheeler person. I have a shoulder issue so rolling it upright is better for me than pulling.

A friend of mine who is a travel guide and flies a lot has a 4-wheel/spinner. But when pulling the bag, she turns it sideways so only 2 wheels touch the ground. I've tried it and can't quite keep the balance right. But she said with practice, that's the best way to pull a 4-wheeler.

If 4-wheel spinners are so great, why haven't they made one for golf?

(P.S. I carry my golf bag with dual shoulder straps)

I've used both types and I agree they both have their plusses and minuses but if i'm honest I don't fancy either of them. I prefer not having to tailor my packing to accomodate the added weight and diminshed capacity attributable to the wheels/handle. I prefer not having to account for the presence of a wheeled bag alongside, behind or in front of me whilst walking amongst crowds. I prefer having both hands free. I prefer being able to stow my empty bag in a dresser-drawer when not in use, either at home or in a hotel/airbnb. I prefer the far greater odds my backpack won't be gate-checked vs a rolling case. I fully appreciate that health is a deciding factor for some, but credit to a measure of luck but mostly also a tonne of daily physical exercise I'm still fit enough in my 70s to carry a 10kg pack.