I need a new suitcase for this trip and wonder if anyone has any suggestions. I'm traveling for two weeks with a young teenaged son, and we plan to travel light. I've been thinking about a backpack, but I'm worried that one spacious enough would be too heavy and (vanity) make me look like a yak. I've seen backpacks that also have wheels, and wonder if anyone has ever used one. There's an interesting backpack at Rick Steve's site for $99, and it masquerades as a suitcase but does not have wheels. Any advice? And any websites where I might purchase something? Thanks in advance!

A strange request since we don't have any idea of when you are heading to Europe, where you are going and what you plan on doing, but I'll take a shot at answering your question, since you mentioned Rick Steves, then it gives us some idea of the type of place you are planning on staying.

If you are going to be traveling for two weeks and not planning on having much laundry done, then I would definitely suggest purchasing at least a good 26" with wheels along with a matching carry-on. You should be able to pack enough clothes, even during the winter months, to see you through with only a minimum amount of problems, as long as you are not planning on dressing up for any special occasions. As far as you teenage son goes, he could probably get by with a 20" carry-on and a small backpack.

You should be able to find decent bags at any good luggage store including most department stores. Look for the sales.

Hi - I've travelled with both a backpack and a large suitcase with wheels.

My last trip to Italy I hauled the suitcase and have sworn that on my next trip I will revert to the backpack.

I just like the convenience of being able to hoist it onto your back and to have your hands free and Europe (especially Italy) doesn't really lend itself to wheeling suitcases (think Venice - bridges, stairs, cobbled streets).

Now I suppose there are a couple of considerations here: Will you be catching cabs from the train station or airport to your hotel or walking? Is the hotel reception located on the Ground floor of the building (many European hotels are located on the first or second floor of a building) and you will (at least when first arriving) have to carry the suitcase up the stairs if the hotel doesn't have a lift.

I have found that rolling your clothes up enables you to fit a lot more into the backpack (and helps avoid creasing as well).

(1) 22" wheeled suitcase per person + one small daypack, pocketbook, or messenger bag. Check the 1st, carry on the 2nd.

A backpack with wheels is heavy and needlessly bulky, because it includes straps plus the mechanism of wheels & a frame. IMO backpacks are too cumbersome and you're knocking into people behind you. Unless you're 20 and going to stay in youth hostels, skip the backpack. A nice small wheeled case at your feet works best for airports, trains, taxis, busses, sidewalks, elevators, all of which you'll probably be doing.

I know folks who own & have used the Rick Steves bag you mention but it is *small*. Even smaller than a 22" rolling suitcase.

The 26" as mentioned above is, in my opinion, WAY too big for a plan to travel light.

Check out the excellent pack list at Rick Steves website or guidebook, which would in fact pack in his little bag, and you'll get the idea for a "smart pack" job, but personally I can't go quite THAT light.

I went on a 2-week Rick Steves tour, with a 3rd week on my own afterward, and I took a 22" convertible backpack with wheels (Victorinox E-Motion Trek Pack Plus). I substituted an over-the-shoulder bag for the tiny daypack that attaches to the front of the Trek Pack. I was very happy with it.

I went to a store and tested several convertible bags, and the Victorinox was the lightest and most comfortable for me. The size was perfect for my needs, and I was able to carry on the plane both the 22" and my daybag. (It is spendy though, I'm warning you.)

For the most part, I used the bag as a wheeled bag and had no problems. I was very thankful for the wheels during those loooooong walks in various airport terminals. I only used the backpack feature twice on the trip, when there were many, many stairs. While I was glad to have the backpack feature those two times, they weren't absolutely necessary. For the most part, I just used the carrying handle on the bag if I was only going up one or two flights of stairs.

Of course, this was on a tour, where, for the most part, we traveled between cities by tour bus, so I didn't have to carry the case up and down a lot of train station steps. I noticed that most other people on the tour had wheeled bags.

So, I guess in the end you'll have to decide for yourself the trade-off in terms of wheels (which are wonderful for those long airport and subway walks and, for me at least, were just fine on cobblestone streets) vs. backpacks which may work better if you're traveling to a lot of cities and taking a lot of public transportation with your cases. I loved my convertible bag but if I had to choose one or the other, I would go with wheels.

In any case, I would highly advise not taking anything larger than a 22". And make sure that case is light when empty. I saw way too many people struggling with larger, heavier cases.

I totally agree with luxing, I have a number of bags and my favorite is the same as hers. It is surprisingly lightweight and very easy to handle.

Count on 3 parties that have the Victronix (i.e. Swiss Army) rolling backpack. We choose the 24" size with the zip off day pack. Excellent bag; lightweight and the option to convert to a bag pack comes in handy when your trip requires train travel, a lot of walking, etc; This was how our first trip was; our second trip did not have any train travel. I expect our third to be similar to our first.

I've done a variety of combinations, and I prefer different ones for different trips, but I'll to warn you against a 26" if you want to pack "light." It's far easier to pack two small cases than to lug around one large one.

I think you'll be fine with a plain ol' 22 on wheels and a day pack. If you find and can afford the suggested backpack/luggage with wheels and a daypack, that sounds optimal--as long as the backpack contraption doesn't take up valuable packing space.

Sorry, Robert--I should have been more forthcoming with details. We are traveling in November throughout Europe, mostly train travel but a bit of flying, albeit on the "train of the sky," Ryanair. I had actually already set an upper limit of 19" or 20" for this new bag, as we plan to wash (or send out) at least twice in the two weeks. We are attending several plays in London, for which I would not dream of "dressing up"--we would be the only ones who did. Our other nice occasions will be church in London and Rome, both C of E or Episcopal, for which the dress code is notably casual. That said, my idea of casual is wool slacks, silk turtleneck, navy blazer, pashima/ (packable)khaki trenchcoat depending upon cold/rain, stout walking shoes.

I will look for the Victorinox online. We live far from any shopping malls or department stores, so I don't really have the opportunity to see, feel and compare. This information is invaluable, and I welcome any additional opinions!

Agree with Suze. For our last 5 trips to Europe - spring, fall and winter - I have taken a 22" rolling bag and a small, multi-pocketed carry on bag. I have had more than enough room and easy travelling. You may have to do a little laundry but that is so much easier than dragging a heavy backpack or a 26" bag. My bag is a bit heavy, shop for a lightweight but sturdy one.

P.S. I haven't checked a bag in almost 30 years, since Iberia Air lost all my luggage when returning to school after a Christmas holiday. I was a teenager, it was traumatic, and I simply haven't checked a bag since.

Another feature to consider is the 22" rollaboard style that expands to 24". Very handy for souvenirs.

I agree with the essence of the above -- 26 inches is incompatible with the concept of traveling light! To accommodate souvenirs, I bring a collapsible Toes-type bag. On the way home, I put my laundry in that bag and check it, so I can put my new treasures in my suitcase to carry on. If shopping onlne, be SURE you know the weights of the items you're considering -- IMHO, this is the most crucial feature.

Sorry, Toes --> Totes

Because of several back surgeries, I recently bought a 21" Ricardo wheeled backpack that I just love. Empty, it weighs under 6 lbs. In May, I traveled to the UK with my 22" expandable rollaround suitcase that ended up weighing 35 pounds! (It weighs over 8 lbs empty.) Try hauling that off and on the train and tube a few times!

I can easily put the following into my backpack and it only weighs 18 pounds:

2 slacks, 2 LS shirts, 2 SS shirts, 1 pair shoes, 4 pair microfiber underwear, 2 pair socks, 2 bras, lightweight sweater, London Fog Raincoat, clothes washing supplies, makeup, toiletries and first aid kit. This is plenty for a 2 week trip with a couple of washings.

>And any websites where I might purchase something?

Try www.ebags.com