backpack or luggage with wheels?
 

I hope some of you veteran travellers can help. Hubby and I are going on our first European trip for 2 weeks, through numerous cities via train. We are in our early 30s and pretty healthy. Should we carry backpacks or is a rollaround (is that what they're called? luggage with wheels) better? With our somewhat hectic itinerary, we'll have to hoist and lug around our things every couple of days. I am rather petite, so I can't carry a lot, at least not for extended periods of time. <BR> <BR>And will a 26" bag, for example, fit in lockers or storage areas at train stations, etc? Thanks so much. <BR>

I have never used a backpack. I suppose if my itinerary involved walking between two destinations on unpaved roads, it might be advantageous. Otherwise, a rollABOARD is a staple for travel to Europe, in my opinion. <BR> <BR>Some rules to live by: <BR> <BR>Two pieces are always better than one. <BR> <BR>The largest piece you take should not exceed 22 inches, and should not weigh more than eight POUNDS when empty. <BR> <BR>The second piece can be nearly as big as the first, if you wish, and it should not weigh more than eight OUNCES when empty (translation: small-to-medium size nylon duffel bag). <BR> <BR>First important test: lift your PACKED bag (the larger of the two) ABOVE your head, and walk as briskly as you can (better yet, run) up AND down one flight of stairs, without touching wall, handrail or steps with either hand. Can't do it? This bag is packed too heavy. <BR> <BR>Second important test: Carry BOTH of your PACKED bags, simultaneously (any way you want - - doesnt have to be above your head) up AND down (preferably run) one flight of stairs. Okay if you need to brush against the wall or handrail, or if luggage brushes against the steps. But if you can't do this at all, then the two bags together are too heavy. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Dear Rex, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the very sound advice. I suppose I was still clinging to the college-student-like notion of backpacking through Europe. Now all my neighbours will be wondering why I'm running up and down the stairs with luggage over my head! I take it that we will be no different from others, and will find ourselves running to catch our train. <BR> <BR>

Yes, use the roll around type. Make sure it had a good handle on the side for lifting as you go up and down stairs at some of the train stations. Let the wheels do the work when you're going from one place to another. You'll be glad you did. I put my smaller duffel on top of my roll about, strapped on, gives me more useful space. When I leave home, the duffel is empty and folded up inside my roll around. Then as I need more space, I bring out my duffle, put my clothes in there and my breakable purchases in the sturdy rolling case.

THere's luggage with wheels which can also be a backpack - all in one. I've seen them in Canada for about $250 -$300 CAD. I wanted one for myself. One brand is called "Hummer" if I'm not mistaken but check with travel stores and any other stores that specialize in luggage. <BR> <BR>

We used the backpacks with wheels on a trip to Japan last summer. they were wonderful! <BR>We wore them when going up and down stairs (train stations, temples) and when on cobblestone or dirt roads. When we had smooth pavement or in big concourses, we rolled them along. The only thing was that ours were on the small side. I have since seen bigger ones and will probably get those next time. Ours were very nice looking though...didn't look like "packs", unless you strapped stuff on the outside.

Linda- <BR> <BR>My husband and I (in our late twenties doing a 3 week European trip), just bought 2 Swiss Army Travel Gear bags. They are deluxe backpacks that turn into rolling luggage (or vice versa). The selling point for us was we could use them as backpacks during our train travel, but convert them into rolling luggage when we walk into the Vienna Imperial. Also, they look like normal rolling luggage, not standard backbacks, so we won't hesitate to use the bags on an ongoing basis in our travels (not just when we want backpacks in Europe). They are incredibly light weight, made very well, and comfortable to pull or to have on your back. My husband got the 24 inch and I got the 22 inch. They were more expensive than other bags we looked at, but well worth it as they are so well constructed and versatile. We bought them at Bentley's Luggage. Hope this helps!

Dear Linda, <BR>You don't have to choose between the two - I have an Eagle Creek rolling backpack which is WONDERFUL. 90% of the time you can roll it, but every now and then it's very handy to be able to sling it onto your back and walk. (through ankle deep water in Venice, for example) Take a look around at the variety of these bags available - they are great.

Hi, this is all great advice. I'm planning to almost backpack through Europe and it almost seems harder now that I'm a 36 year old adult because I'm also trying to be practical. For example, I know I COULD throw a change of clothes in a bag and survive just fine for a month, and in some ways that bare-bones backpacking idea is really appealing. But in reality, I know me. I will find all kinds of cool stuff that I will want to buy and bring home, which throws a wrench in the bare-bones fantasy! How did any of you deal with that aspect? Mail? And how hard is that? Thanks

I second Janice's advice. I have an Eagle Creek 22-inch bag with wheels that converts to a backpack and also has a zip-off daypack. It was expensive but I absolutely love it and take it everywhere. I never take anything bigger than that no matter how long I'm going for. I have taken it to Mexico, Costa Rica, Paris, Hawaii... I would recommend not taking anything bigger. Hoisting and lugging a 26-incher is no fun.

Linda, <BR>I personally think spending the extra money for the rolling backpack is not worth it. I tried one at the luggage stop and found that it weighed more than I wanted to carry on my back. Plus if you are short the pack is not really comfortable. Unlike regular packs the frames cannot be bent to fit your back.

Linda, <BR> <BR>Like Kelli & her husband, we too purchased Swiss Army rolling backpacks. The selling point for me was actually trying on the various backpacks and weighting them down a bit. There was a dramatic comfort difference with the Swiss Army pack. The padded hip belt and curved spinal brace made all the difference vs. the Eagle Creek. However, the price differential is significant (ie. $350 vs $200). When choosing your backpack, try it on and have someone weight it down for you. Note the pressure points and ask yourself if you can comfortably walk a long way with it on your back). <BR> <BR>We purchased the 24" packs and the additional daypacks will be for our souvenirs. Between the 2 or us I'm sure we'll have plenty of space. (I expect to use plastic packing bags as well).

Linda and Notquiteabackpacker, <BR> <BR>Very good logistical questions. I've also had the "difficulty" of not being a blissful but penniless teenager anymore. It is almost harder being an adult with (some) means and bouncing around through Europe. My husband and I used a 22 inch soft suitcase with wheels with removable day pack as we went through France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Czech. When we bought things (which I can't pass up either) we just dropped into a post office and mailed them back to the U.S. It takes a little time, but it worked out fine and seemed to be a good compomise, which is really what packing for travel is all about, it seems. For walking up train station steps and the few times we couldn't find a place to store our bags, the "backpack" feature worked fine. We had to carry/wheel through a museum in Prague and felt a little funny, but it actually worked fine.

My husband and I just returned from 2 1/2 weeks in Italy where we travelled by train extensively. We are in our late 20's and have declared that our next trip will consist of backpacks. Hoisting wheeled luggage up and down trains and thru the narrow passage, and not to mention the stations themselves(many without escalators or elevators), is not fun! And don't forget those cute little b&b's that are in old buildings with many flights of stairs. <BR>

We have one of the Eagle Creek convertible backpacks with wheels and love it, but I do NOT recommend for a trip with frequent changes of location and lots of schlepping luggage because, as someone pointed out above, the bag itself is on the heavy side. Personally I'd go for either a lightweght rolling bag (preferably with a handle on the side and loops for adding a shoulder strao OR a bag that converts to backpack, so you're not forced to look like a "backpacker" and don't have to worry about the straps being damaged should you need to check it (like on the way home when it's heavy from being crammed with souvenirs).

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm leaning towards getting a rollaround that converts into a backpack, but as Caitlin and Melissa pointed out, there are certainly redeeming qualities to the original backpack. I'll just have to walk into a luggage store armed with all the models mentioned above and try every one. Thanks y'all.

Thanks very much to Linda for a great question. The responses have really helped me work out the packing issue in my mind. Having lived and travelled in SE Asia extensively I developed a great system, small carryon wheeled bag and a very small under-the-seat tote. It worked like a dream for airplane hops to Bangkok or a weekend in Singapore, however Europe seems quite different with many on and off train trips and lots of train station steps. Plus, the weather was quite different in SE Asia too, incredibly hot and humid. No jeans, jackets or bulky sweaters necessary! No one ever seems to deal with these sorts of seemingly minescule but practical and important issues in travel books. Thanks again!

Second that. There are almost too many choices and combinations. Tough to find the perfect blend of space, size and portability.

I'm 65 years old and travel 6-8 weeks at a time with a backpack 15-20lbs. You can do it too. And you'll feel better about yourself and your trip. Don't give into age (you are young) so easily. Just keep on moving and you'll still be backpacking at 85. Life should be an adventure to be lived,not a problem to be solved.

A few years ago, my son and I traveled to France and Italy for a two-week vacation. I had business on the east coast and so left from Boston and my son left from southern California, where we both live. Since I had traveled to Europe before (and taken trains), I told him to pack light, that we would be taking trains, etc. and that he could go over to my house and pick out some luggage to use. Since I travel a great deal for business, I have tried just about every piece of luggage made - he could take his pick. For myself, I had a 22-in rolling back and a small mylon duffle. <BR> <BR>To my amazement, when we met at the baggage claim in Paris, he had selected two rolling bags, but the biggest ones made. They are so big that they were practically new, since I had a difficult time even hoisting them into the trunk to get to the airport, let alone schlepping them around on and off trains. I found as we traveled that he had clothing for every occasion - he was prepared for a coronation, should one happen, as well as go swimming (3 swimsuits). <BR> <BR>My son still blushes whenever the word luggage is used - getting on and off the trains was a nightmare that neither one of us wants to relive. I remember an Italian train official yelling at me in Italian when I was trying to get all this stuff on the train - the funny part was, that I don't speak Italian at all, but I understood everything he said (which was that the trains in Italy run on time - unlike in America - and they weren't going to wait for me to get all the ridiculous baggage on board). <BR> <BR>I learned a valuable lesson on that trip - and when I took my Mom and Dad to England and Scotland last September, I supervised the packing!

I have done the 'backpack' route twice. After my last 6 week trip I swore it off and have switched to using an 18" rolling suitcase. It is very small. But the straps, etc. on the backpack (it was a suitcase/backpack non-rolling covertable type) took up space and added weight. I can pack a lot into my little 18" suitcase - everything I need even for a 6 week Europe trip (or 14 days in China, or 10 days in Michigan, weekend in Maui, etc. etc.). I take a small carry-on tote bag that will fold flat and fit into the suitcase when not in use. The bag expands to allow room for purchases - which I eventually mail home. <BR> <BR>I found that large and/or heavy luggage made me very unhappy! (And heavy is relative - depends on how far and how long you have to carry it - 30 pounds can be a lot, as can 10 pounds.). A 26" suitcase is HUGE and sounds like a total nightmare to haul through Europe. Pack light (many past threads on this topic) - you will find that the more someone has traveled the lighter they can pack. If you start with a large bag, you'll fill it. If you start with a small bag, you will pack light.

My daughter and I each had two rolling backpacks (wore one and rolled one) and really pitied the people who were struggling with more!

The Eagle Creek 22" Eagle Creek Switchback Expandable Pack is currently on sale at Campmor (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commer...74&prmenbr=226) for $109--a great price for a great pack. It's usually $200! <BR> <BR>I have this pack and it's really well made and well designed. <BR> <BR>Liz

Elwood, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the inspiration! You've humiliated me into realizing that yes, I'm still young and healthy. It reminds me of the time I was mountainbiking up a fairly steep road, gasping for air, when whooosh, another Elwood flew by on her mountain bike, leaving us in the dust. All I saw was her hair twirled in a tiny white bun, while the words "see you at the top!" barely floated down to my ears. Stupified, my husband and I stopped, looked at each other and I knew we were both thinking "that's the way we want to be living 30 years down the road." <BR> <BR>I think we'll compromise and bring a backpack and a rollaboard. <BR>Liz--that looks like a steal! Thanks for the link. <BR> <BR>Thanks again to everyone for sharing their perspective.

Hi Linda - <BR> <BR>Backpack. No question; cobbles are killer! <BR> <BR>I have a very old REI backpack with a nifty shoulder strap (which makes it look like a normal grey case - *not* a backpack). Doing the pretend-suitcase thing & smiling sweetly at (male) hotel check-in clerks always seems to get me the room with the view . . . dunno, but I think I get crummier rooms in 'backpacker mode.' <BR> <BR>HTH & have a fab trip!

Backpacks are wonderful..."rolling" wheels DO NOT ROLL on cobblestones and Italy is full of cobblestones and stairs. Mu husband and I just returned from 4 weeks in Italy, have packed for this jaunt 5 times now and are more and more into minimalism...and that spells backpack in any language. We took two (one each), one Eddie Bauer and one Mountain Equipment Co-op backpacks, biggish, but not overwhelming...they di not have to be checked at the airport whcih is another great advantage. We had enough clothes (light mono-chromatic travel gear) to go anyhwere, even the opera and fancy restaurants. We did buy souveniers along the way and simply acquired a light (cheap) carry-on bag to hold them all in bubble wrap for the trip home. And we are no in the first blush of youth, in fact I celebrated my 50th birthday in Umbria. So Linda (et al listen to Elwood, he/she knows what he is talking about...on this trip of a lifetime, the last thing you want to have to think about is baggage! Best Wishes for a great trip, whatever your form of luggage! LJS