backpack vs suitcase
Apr 22nd, 2012, 10:04 AM
#2
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This is really a personal decision as some people prefer one and some the other. Ideally, a person would know themselves which they prefer from trying both or at least being around people who have tried one they have not.
However, if I had to vote for one in your situation, I'd say definitely backpack as a suitcase would not be perceived to be as "cool" as a backpack, that's all, and most kids that age will have a backpack in hostels, I'd bet. That's usually what I see them with. In reality, it depends somewhat one what the person plans to do and how to travel. If you are going only to one or a couple places and going right from a railstation or airport to the accommodations and not moving around a lot, it doesn't really matter. I personally think suitcases (which a handle and rollers, of course) are easier to handle and move around than a backpack which you cannot rool and must be on your back. And it can be hard to manouever with one on.
There are some that combine the two features, if you can find one of those that is suitable, that would give a choice. I've never used one, though, and it does add on some weight and take up space to have the handles in a backpack. It's sort of like strapping a suitcase to your back, only one without the advantage of structured sides. But maybe someone can recommend one of those they like.
However, if I had to vote for one in your situation, I'd say definitely backpack as a suitcase would not be perceived to be as "cool" as a backpack, that's all, and most kids that age will have a backpack in hostels, I'd bet. That's usually what I see them with. In reality, it depends somewhat one what the person plans to do and how to travel. If you are going only to one or a couple places and going right from a railstation or airport to the accommodations and not moving around a lot, it doesn't really matter. I personally think suitcases (which a handle and rollers, of course) are easier to handle and move around than a backpack which you cannot rool and must be on your back. And it can be hard to manouever with one on.
There are some that combine the two features, if you can find one of those that is suitable, that would give a choice. I've never used one, though, and it does add on some weight and take up space to have the handles in a backpack. It's sort of like strapping a suitcase to your back, only one without the advantage of structured sides. But maybe someone can recommend one of those they like.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 10:10 AM
#3
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Go with a hybrid. There are several out there. Daughter doing study abroad (and a well-traveled kid before this juncture who was raised with "pack light; only carry-on"), chose an ebags Mother Lode TLS Weekender as her "go to" bag, and honestly, I think final decision came down to her seeing the value of having a bright orange-colored lining versus the typical "black hole".
She knew she would be staying in hostels many weekend and would be flying the very limited carry-on restrictions with cheapie European airlines. Size of bag worked perfectly for overhead or underseat (with a bit of pushing); packing and unpacking function was like her usual carry-ons.
Again, although she was close, she never had to check; and she was able to hit the ground running. She felt the pack was very well centered on her back.
She knew she would be staying in hostels many weekend and would be flying the very limited carry-on restrictions with cheapie European airlines. Size of bag worked perfectly for overhead or underseat (with a bit of pushing); packing and unpacking function was like her usual carry-ons.
Again, although she was close, she never had to check; and she was able to hit the ground running. She felt the pack was very well centered on her back.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 11:21 AM
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How much is he or she planning to pack? It is easier to roll a heavy load than to carry it around on the back. But Christina is right that a suitcase is less "cool".
You mentioned staying in hostels. Does that mean this person will be living on a low budget? Going on trains and buses? Too little money to afford a taxi between the train station and the hostel?
Is this a tall or short person? Physically strong? I'm short and my shoulders/back can't handle carrying ten kilos in a backpack for an hour. I have trouble with only six kilos, actually (yes, I weighed the damned thing). But I've seen lots of tall young men with backpacks that are twice as big as mine and they seem to have no problem.
Let this person test pack both a rolling suitcase and a backpack. Let her/him/whatever try carrying the full backpack around for a few hours. Then try lifting either bag, still fully packed, up over the head, like one does when putting it in an overhead bin on an airplane. Also try carrying the rolling suitcase up at least one set of stairs.
Then let her/him make the decision based on what felt best. A 20 year old is not a child. It's time to let go a bit and see what happens. I don't think anyone's died from carrying around too much luggage in the wrong sort of bag, yet.
First time I tried backpacking, when much older than 20, I quickly realized I couldn't carry both the things I'd brought from home and the things I'd bought as souvenirs. I solved the problem partly by sending the heavier souvenirs home by post (expensive, yes, and possibly too expensive if you are going to send things from Europe to America) and partly by throwing a few things away.
You mentioned staying in hostels. Does that mean this person will be living on a low budget? Going on trains and buses? Too little money to afford a taxi between the train station and the hostel?
Is this a tall or short person? Physically strong? I'm short and my shoulders/back can't handle carrying ten kilos in a backpack for an hour. I have trouble with only six kilos, actually (yes, I weighed the damned thing). But I've seen lots of tall young men with backpacks that are twice as big as mine and they seem to have no problem.
Let this person test pack both a rolling suitcase and a backpack. Let her/him/whatever try carrying the full backpack around for a few hours. Then try lifting either bag, still fully packed, up over the head, like one does when putting it in an overhead bin on an airplane. Also try carrying the rolling suitcase up at least one set of stairs.
Then let her/him make the decision based on what felt best. A 20 year old is not a child. It's time to let go a bit and see what happens. I don't think anyone's died from carrying around too much luggage in the wrong sort of bag, yet.
First time I tried backpacking, when much older than 20, I quickly realized I couldn't carry both the things I'd brought from home and the things I'd bought as souvenirs. I solved the problem partly by sending the heavier souvenirs home by post (expensive, yes, and possibly too expensive if you are going to send things from Europe to America) and partly by throwing a few things away.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 11:28 AM
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Backpack! My 20 y.o. and 23 y.o. children did a 6-week tour of Europe last summer. Having previously lived and traveled with us in Europe for several years, they knew that backpacks would be much easier to deal with than a rolling suitcase. Most young people who travel through Europe are dependent on public transportation, so they are having to walk up stairs/escalators in the subway or train stations, walk on rough (cobblestone, brick or even broken asphalt) sidewalks, etc. None of these are conducive to rolling suitcases.
In addition to that, they would have felt distinctly out-of-place amongst their peers in the hostels if they had used a rolling suitcase.
One thing they each told me was the best decision they made was to also get a Swiss Gear day pack to hold their valuables (camera, Kindle, etc.), food and other daily essentials for when they left the backpack in the hostel. These day packs were similar to messenger bags and they could carry them on the front of their bodies when they were carrying their backpacks.
In addition to that, they would have felt distinctly out-of-place amongst their peers in the hostels if they had used a rolling suitcase.
One thing they each told me was the best decision they made was to also get a Swiss Gear day pack to hold their valuables (camera, Kindle, etc.), food and other daily essentials for when they left the backpack in the hostel. These day packs were similar to messenger bags and they could carry them on the front of their bodies when they were carrying their backpacks.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 12:01 PM
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"How much is he or she planning to pack? It is easier to roll a heavy load than to carry it around on the back."
My son 21 and me traveled with backpacks in 2010 for 2 months. By week one, my son was dying of a backache that was an issue on the rest of the trip. It was also much more difficult to manouver coming in and out of trains, storaging them in train and buses, as they are odd shaped once full.
In my opinion ask your kid to fill a backpack with all wanted and go up and down stairs, go in small places, etc. do the same with a roll suitcase.
This year we aren't considering backpacks, roll suitcases are much easier to carry and even put stuff on top and roll. With suitcases you get a break because you don't carry the weight, just pull, backpacks are a pain.
My son 21 and me traveled with backpacks in 2010 for 2 months. By week one, my son was dying of a backache that was an issue on the rest of the trip. It was also much more difficult to manouver coming in and out of trains, storaging them in train and buses, as they are odd shaped once full.
In my opinion ask your kid to fill a backpack with all wanted and go up and down stairs, go in small places, etc. do the same with a roll suitcase.
This year we aren't considering backpacks, roll suitcases are much easier to carry and even put stuff on top and roll. With suitcases you get a break because you don't carry the weight, just pull, backpacks are a pain.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 01:08 PM
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My cousins (5 of 'em) have all 'backpacked' through Europe in the past few years and they show up at my door with suitcases. They are easier on the back and I can not imagine a single situation in which a backpack would be more convenient.
Apr 22nd, 2012, 02:42 PM
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I have a hybrid pack which also has a small day pack that clips on the outside, so it counts as one piece of luggage. I find it awkward and heavy to carry so inevitably roll it, but it is more convenient than a suitcase for times you need to stuff it somewhere. If your son decides on a backpack, I recommend he go to an outfitting/adventure travel store where the sales staff is knowledgeable
and ask for help fitting one that will be comfortable for his build.
and ask for help fitting one that will be comfortable for his build.
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