Heading to Scotland for 3 weeks next month. Will be traveling solo without a car depending on trains/bus. I am in a quandary trying to decide between my Rick Steve's rolling suitcase or my Osprey backpack. They each have the same amount of space. I know it is most likely a matter of preference but I am wondering if anyone has any tips hauling luggage around using public transportation. All of my B&B’s are relatively close to transportation hubs.
Thank you,
Kathleen
take the rolling suitcase if you are not in shape i.e. strong core and back.
I have a hybrid which even better.
advantages to a backpack are: leaves both hands free; easier going up and down stairs, crowded sidewalks, curbs, and onto trains; no wheels to catch on racks, flooring, seats.
Backpack every time for me. Don't own a suitcase, rolling or otherwise!
The correct answer is backpack.
When was the last time you traveled for 3 weeks with your backpack ?
We were in Europe for 7 weeks last year and I took my 22" rolling bag on trains, planes, boats, and cars. It is not heavy, but I cannot carry a pack on my back very long. I can pull my rolling bag forever....
Try the backpack on a walk and see if it works for you.
I've done a lot of solo traveling with just a backpack and some with a roller.
I generally prefer the backpack if I'm going to be moving around a lot on my own and taking a lot of public transportation. I like having my hands free for consulting a map to find where I'm going, and I like knowing where my bag is at all times. If I stop to buy a train or bus ticket, I don't have to worry about keeping my bag in sight between my legs at a kiosk. (I have luggage locks on my backpack so no one can pull stuff out of it in these situations.) I can also walk around town with my hands in my pockets to protect whatever I might be carrying there.
I like to use the roller if I'm mainly going in and out of airports, hotels, taxis, and rental cars, or if I'm on a tour and don't have to take care of the logistics on my own. Hoisting the pack onto my back is a needless aggravation in these situations, and there's never enough room in the airplane aisles to get the backpack onto my back without bumping other passengers. The advantage of being hands-free is not as important in these situations.
If I were doing the trip you're doing, I'd use my backpack. (I have the RS convertible carry-on.)
And by the way, I've done most of my traveling since turning 50, and i'm not in the greatest shape, and I've never had a problem walking around with the 25-lb. backpack.
As you note, it comes down to preference assuming that you can carry a backpack. Some older tourist can't carry 8 kg backpacks. My preference is backpack for my carry-on for a number of personal reasons including: easier to navigate aircraft aisles, easier (with no rigid frame) to fit in aircraft overhead compartments and having both hands free. Also note that wheels don't really work on climbing stairs.
Also note that some airlines have weight limits for carry-on bags. Lufthansa's limit is 8 kg. Empty backpacks tend to be lighter than empty roller bags that require rigid frames, wheel sets and handles. That gives you more capacity for stuff.
I will admit that my carry-on backpack bias is that with winter events, I need to pull checked luggage gear and it's good to have two hands for the checked roller baggage.
PS Check the length of your Osprey for carry-on length compliance. Some large backpacks (real back packs vs luggage) can be longer than 22 inches/55 cm.
I also have an Osprey backpack and a RS rolling bag. The only time I've taken my rolling bag to Europe is when I was doing a RS tour. When I'm using public transportation I feel that a backpack is a huge advantage. I have the Osprey Farpoint 55 which does not meet carryon requirements. I'm taking it on my next trip anyway!
I use my Osprey Porter 46 ALL the time. So convenient to have my stuff on my back, and I pack light. Never a worry about getting on / off a train/bus. I have a tote bag as well, and keep my camera/ipad/ guide books etc in there.
Wheels can be an issue, adding weight to the bag, and you may have to carry your bag up stairs, so much easier if it's on your back. Just make sure to use the hip/waist belt - it does have one- right? And the sternum strap too...both those help to secure the weight on your back and make it more comfortable for walking.
One other thing I notice with a rolling bag...they tend to fall over when you get to a curb or bump in the road.
Other thing to consider, if you are in Edinburgh, there are LOTS of stairs...a backpack is much easier to manage.
Thank you all for the extremely helpful feedback. I recently purchased the Osprey Porter 46 per my sons recommendation but have yet to use it. I am in my 50s, in good physical condition but will still follow the suggestion of using it on my walks to get those muscles ready.
I did use the roller bag on the RS tour but see the benefits of a backpack on this type of trip.
Again thanks for all the very informative tips. Several things that were pointed out had not occurred to me which is one of the reasons I love this forum.
Kathleen
