eliza3

my vote would be rolling duffel as well - just make sure you have the strap handy if you need to lug it up flights of stairs - easier than dragging sometimes

suze

The trick that makes rolling suitcases work best, is that they are not too heavy. A 22" that you roll along, but can easily pick up and carry a short distance if you come to stairs or an unusual situation, is the key.

flygirl

for a while I used to have both - rolly and a backpack. I ended up piling the backpack on the handle of the rolly and rolling them both. (it worked out ok actually). so now I just use the rollies. then again I don't use public transport when I am lugging suitcases if I can at all help it - cabs all the way.

what did we do before rollies? apart from having better upper body strength that is.

suze

Here's my best suggestion... if you need to buy new luggage and if this is a 1st trip to Europe... borrow something from a friend. That way you can figure out what works best for you - backpack, duffle bag, suitcase, wheels or not.

I know that's how I got converted to a small rolling suitcase, borrowed a friend's one trip and loved it (I had always thought they were stupid before).

sunny16

How about a rolling duffel that converts to a backpack? My husband and I each have one from High Sierra. They make them in 2 different sizes. I haven't gotten to use mine yet, but DH has, and he loves it. My only quibble with it is that it doesn't have a place to attach a luggage strap, but I'm hoping that won't be an issue.

ssachida

Okay, this thread got me really interested. I researched some luggage carts and I now think I'd go with the suitcase/backpack thing and take along a light weight foldable luggage cart.
Why would I do this instead of a convertible?
Rolling backpacks or suitcases or duffels weigh no less than 7.5pounds. Suitcase/backpacks weigh 3lbs (atleast the one I have weighs that much) and luggage carts weigh about 2 pounds. Thus being about 2 lbs lighter and that to me is big difference when carrying for any length of time. Yes, it will take up some space in my bag, but space usually isn't a problem for me.

ontheverge

I guess I will "weigh" in here again. Four years ago we "packed light" for a trip to Greece. The kids had 22" rollies and my husband and I had rolling duffles. The duffles were horrible...it could have been the fact that they were cheapies from Costco...but they were a little to big and awkward to carry if you had to pick them up. Sooooooo I vote for a small wheelie or a wheelie backpack. My 22 inch wheelie has seen me through some great trips.

CiCi

The last time I was in Paris I had a an Eagle Creek backpack with daypack and a 22" rolling suitcase. I agree with eigasuki, it was the worst of both worlds!

The backpack was unwieldly, hot as a pistol and physically challenging to drag around. I definitely felt like Quasimoto. The 22" roller was also a pain, especially taking/dragging it up endless flights of stairs on the metro or in the train station (for some reason the escalators weren't working most of the time) and then there is always the fun of actually getting it up the stairs of the train.

If you are going to be uncomfortable either way--go with what gives you the most space and looks the best! (like a steamer trunk and a valet!!

RobinBinNYC

Hmmm...given the way I am usually tempted to pack, the steamer trunk & valet to carry it sounds like the best option I've heard! I guess I'll have to start playing Lotto . I've done the backpacking thing, the last time was about seven years ago. I have a picture of my friend and I in the train station in Perpignon, France, all bent over from the weight, almost perpendicular to the floor. So, I think I have my answer. Home I go to measure my rolling luggage for the magic 22" dimension. I have a feeling that my small rolling suitcase is too small, and my big one is too big. Off I go shopping for something that is just right. I'm thinking a mid-size roll-on and a day pack should do it (and an empty duffel packed should I be able to afford souvenirs what with the weak dollar). Thanks all for your advice!

suze

If you need the extra room I find a 22" rolling suitcase, plus a second bag that piggy-backs onto it works nicely. So you only have the weight of the wheels and frame on one of the pieces, but you can roll them along together.

vickih9

I traveled all over Europe with a duffel that converted into a backpack. It was heavy and I found it to be cumbersome... never used it again! I've used a large roller suitcase and that is heavy and cumbersome. Last year I traveled all over Eastern China with a 25" ultra light weight rolling suitcase. It's a Wenger (made by same co that makes swiss army knives), and was expensive but it worked quite nicely for me. I took it on trains, buses and small commuter planes. I also have a large capacity, cheap, nylon zippered bag for bringing home the overflow. Dirty laundry goes in that and the more fragile things go in the suitcase!

12perfectdays

ttt

flygirl

just bought a new carryon - a Samsonite spinner. It's great! It has wheels on all four sides, and can be pulled either the 'normal' way or sideways (as in down narrow aisles) - brilliant!

walkinaround

i would certainly choose a rucksack/backpack if:

-you need to walk any distance (eg train to hotel)
-if you are travelling fairly light
-if you have some time where you will need to carry your luggage whilst doing a little sightseeing (eg a couple hours to kill between checkout and departure on train or to airport).

i don't like any of the convertable rucksack/wheely bags. neither config works very well and you have extra weight.

my rucksack has a panel that hides the straps to keep them out of the way on flights (and usually allows it to be treated as normal luggage - without having to put it through the special check in area). the panel adds no weight and zips over all the straps in seconds. it also makes it look like normal luggage so i'm not prejudiced as a backpacker at hotels.

also, the rucksack is black and very descrete so it looks adult. rucksacks have come a long way and they are not just for students anymore.

i always take a wheely when on business (of course) or when going to asia or america.

Christina

I would definitely choose the rolling suitcase, also, but I've never been crazy about backpacks or had a reason to use them. I just much prefer the layout of a suitcase and think it keeps the clothes better and is easier to pack, for the same size. I think it is a lot easier to pull a suitcase, also, and then you can put a totebag on the top, also.

This really is something you need to decide for yourself, unfortunately, as people feel differently and also tend to travel differently. For example, the big cobblestone thing which some mention -- I've never had much big need to pull my suitcase over cobblestones in any city, it's just not a common thing for me. Cobblestones are mainly in the streets, and I don't walk and pull my suitcase in the street a lot. I don't really walk major distances with my suitcase anyway, outside the airport and train stations.

ssachida -- I remember the days before the suitcases with the buildin handles and rollers, when you had to use one of those portable folding carts. They were a real pain, and I predict you will be sorry to use that instead of a roller suitcase. They are a pain to keep track of, a pain to carry and store when you aren't using them -- and it's trouble to be trying to keep the bags on them in some reasonable manner with bungee cords without the bags falling off.

walkinaround

so i think it comes down to whether you are walking at all with the bag. you really don't want to be lugging a roller on the very crowded and uneven or cobblestoned pavements of european cities. even a few blocks and the noise of the wheels on stones will drive you and everyone else crazy. it's also a quite easy to enter a store with a reasonably sized rucksack as opposed to with a roller.

BabsB

We traveled through Italy on trains for three weeks with back packs. My backack was so heavy on my shoulders that I thought I was gonna die. It weighed about 21 pounds at the beginning of the trip but it was funny how it got heavier the longer we traveled and shopped. Now, my son thought it was just fine but he's 30 years younger than I am. On our next trip to Benelux I am taking an Eagle Creek convertible roller/backpack that I have used on several short trips and have found to be convenient. My son on the other hand it sticking with the backpack but we did buy him one with a waist belt so he can get the weight off his shoulders. I even agreed we could piggyback the backpack on my roller but only if he pulls it. The art of compromise.

Cronen

We have been discussing this very topic for our upcoming trip to Italy! I wanted the backpack option (mainly for trains) but my husband feels a 27 inch suitcase wouldn't backpack well. It seems that most people who have bought a combo rolling/backpack predominantly use the rolling option, but still many feel the combo is necessary. Is this because, though 80-90 percent of the time your using the rollers, there are times when the backpack is definitely a better choice (though it might only be a few times)? I'm curious because we've been looking into the Eagle Creek combos but they are pricey!! So, is it worth the money?

kswl

If you are like most people, you will actually have two bags---your proper suitcase, and a handbag or carryall. I strongly suggest you take a rolling case for the majority of your clothing and shoes, and get a light backpack/daypack to use as your purse. If you take your heavier bag on your back, it will be, well---heavy! And you'll still have something to carry in your hands.

As for cobblestones, where do you plan to be rolling your bag? I have read mixed reviews of the rolling suitcase/backpack combo. Apparently it is an uneasy hybrid that is not as spacious as a rolling case, and much heavier empty than a backpack. I tried to purchase luggage on the internet and, after sending a few bags back, finally had to drive to a mall and a luggage store to actually try them out. Makes for a better fit, and a good idea if you're planning to invest in a really nice bag.

walkinaround

case study...

whilst working in prague, i had to use a wheely because i was with a client and even my discrete backpack/rucksack would not be acceptable. for getting to the hotel from the airport, there is no problem as i take a taxi. however, my flat is within easy walking distance to the office (15 min or so). friday morning i check out of the hotel and bring my bag to the office from which i go straight to the airport. pulling that bag along the cobblestoned pavement is no fun and very loud. nor is it practical to make a quick stop in a store along the way. i long for my rucksack. i don't wish to take a taxi for this short distance. i often have similar cases when traveling for leisure but much less of a hassle with the rucksack.

i'm surprised at the number of posters who say that a rucksack is heavy and uncomfortable. i would never use one if i was carrying a great amount of things but will always use it when i can as a substitute for a carry-on sized wheely. Perhaps many people do not use it properly or do not have a good one. the key is a well padded waist belt carrying all the weight on your hips. i have often carry mine with 4 bottles of wine + my week's clothing for an hour journey on the paris metro (changing trains 3 times) with no discomfort.