India, what luggage is best

Don't actually know about for India specifically, but we have found a convertible roller/backpack a good combination where you might sometimes want wheels (in airports, city sidewalks, etc.) but also sometime want backpack straps (cobblestones, mud, etc.) Ours has a separate smaller zip on/off dayback as well. Our 20 inch version holds a lot and works as carryon. On ebags I found this inexpensive one similar: http://www.ebags.com/maestro_luggage/maestro_20_wheeled_backpack/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=97547

You are right wheeled luggage would be a problem on the streets of India because of all sorts of mess on the walkways and roads. In addition, the walkways are not even, as they are often in bad shape etc.
But, the good thing is you can very easily hire a rickshaw, a scooter (a three-wheel contraption) and of course a taxi to take you from one place to another. So, basically try not to walk around with luggage!
All airports, railway stations have porters who will help you carry your luggage for a very, very tiny fee. So, it is worthwhile to seek their help and save the hassle.
I have taken wheeled luggage to India often, but used the porters who will carry them instead of wheeling them around on uneven roads etc.
Maybe others may have some other ideas, but this is my experience.
Have a great trip.

thank you ileen and laurie_ann.

live, we used duffles with wheels -- easy to stash in the car and overhead on the train and wheels when we needed them -- and lots of room for stuff to bring back.
You may have mentioned it in another thread, but when are you going?

The bigger bags should always have wheels.

India isn't different from anywhere else...take only the amount and size of bags you can handle on your own (even though porters abound) and use bags that are sturdy and won't fall apart on you.

Streets and sidewalks (if there are any) are a mess. Depending on where you are, you should be able to find a porter through your hotel. They put the bags on their head so no dragging through the muck on the streets - just make sure the porters stay WITH you and not get seperated.

thank you Jaya and travelaw.
Travelaw we leave on Jan 22, 2010 and return Feb 19. Some friends of ours are going in September so we are comparing notes. She just bought the duffle with wheels so that is what got me thinking.

Have you tried looking at Victorinox brand? I say that because we've found it to be extremely durable, which is key in India. We just spent 2 months travelling around India--we are on an extended trip with 4 kids, so we generally cannot manage the bags on our own and used many porters--without exception they treated the luggage like a bag of rocks (and we must have had about 50 different people handle our bags!). My husband put "fragile" stickers all over the hard case (Pelican brand, I think?) containing his camera lens and other electronics, but it was often treated the worst! However, we took a number of domestic flights, where we couldn't keep an eye on the bags--if you're travelling by train the bags will always be in your view, which is better. And it's true that wheels may be useful in airports and train stations, but not on city streets.

I have used a backpack, a duffle bag and rolling suitcases when travelling in India over the years and can’t really say that I think any one is to be preferred. The notion that you might be wheeling your suitcase down sidewalks in Varanasi is quaint, but not really an accurate picture what you will encounter. First of all, there are hardly any sidewalks, and those that exist tend to be crowded and have lots of broken bits, so negotiating these with any sort of luggage is not really something you want to do. Secondly, you won’t be walking very far with any suitcase, as you will need to use a taxi or rickshaw to get from the airport or train station to your hotel. India is not like Europe where one can use public transport to get from an airport or train to a downtown area and then walk to a hotel, nor a case where your hotel will be located within walking distance of a train station. (With very few exceptions, perhaps Mumbai being one.) You will need to take private transport to your hotel. At the airport there are free trolleys for luggage which you can take out to the taxi or rickshaw, and at the train station you can get a porter to take the luggage to/from a taxi or rickshaw. I would encourage you to use a porter at a train station if for no other reason than to keep the other porters at bay…it’s worth the 20 Rupee investment.

There is perhaps a bit to be said for using a knapsack or duffle for a train just because these can fit down narrower aisles more easily and can also be stuffed up into luggage racks or under sleepers more easily; however unless you are taking a lot of trains I don’t think it really is that big an issue. If you go first class/executive class you will have a bit more room for luggage as well. In any event, I don’t think I would invest in something new just for a couple of train rides if the rest of your trip is by air and private car (i.e. Rajasthan).

I took a convertible backpack to India, but that's what I take to Europe as well. I certainly wouldn't take a hybrid wheeled/convertible backpack - you'd have the extra weight of the wheels when you carried it. I much prefer being able to handle my own luggage if I need/choose to do so, and I certainly wouldn't want to wheel a case or duffel around India. However, if you are happy using porters and taxis all the time it's a non-issue. Even if you stay on the river in Varanasi (very highly recommended over the tourist hotels in the new town) your rickshaw driver will carry your luggage in for you - for an extra tip. Of course, if you have more than a couple of bags, that could be a problem in that situation.

thank you thursdaysd
I think i may end up going back to my backpack and look for some lightweight portable wheels for those times i can use them.