best backpack for travel
Dec 10th, 2009, 06:24 AM
#22
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That's ok. I'm wanting to go to Europe but have never traveled much so I'm interested in hearing all views of what does and/or doesn't work for whatever reasons. I'm disabled and can't walk very far but I'm determined to go so I'm open to anything to try to make my trip a little easier. I enjoy reading them all even if they have been posted for some time. Thanks for the tips!
Debbie
Debbie
Dec 10th, 2009, 06:46 AM
#23
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I use an ebags weekender.
It fits as a carryon, is lightweight and has backpack straps. Most of the time I use only one strap and carry it slung over one shoulder, which works fine for the ten to fifteen minute walk from the train station to hotel.
I only really use it like a backpack (both straps and waistbelt) if I'm walking well over a mile.
Other than that it's not really a backpack, more of a small soft-sided suitcase with shoulder straps.
Most real backpacks aren't easy to get things in and out of, are built too long for carry-on and have too many straps to check without putting inside another bag.
It fits as a carryon, is lightweight and has backpack straps. Most of the time I use only one strap and carry it slung over one shoulder, which works fine for the ten to fifteen minute walk from the train station to hotel.
I only really use it like a backpack (both straps and waistbelt) if I'm walking well over a mile.
Other than that it's not really a backpack, more of a small soft-sided suitcase with shoulder straps.
Most real backpacks aren't easy to get things in and out of, are built too long for carry-on and have too many straps to check without putting inside another bag.
Dec 12th, 2009, 12:22 PM
#24
Join Date: Aug 2003
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if you can stand one more comment: i visit Italy each year for longer and longer trips (up to 3 months)
i still bring to much after traveling for 20 years HOWEVER, i found a way to travel with JUST an overnight bag by sending my regular suitcase ahead by MailBox etc. i usually start near Florence and the office there is GREAT. they take care of everything: example, my bag was in Sorrento when i arrived after stopping in 3 other towns on the way.
when i compared the cost of shipping to the cost of storing my bag at one of the few stations that still have bag storage, it was cheaper.
now when i board the train, i can manage the small bag and my day pack. MBEtc are in most cities, just check that they are near the train station.
hometoitaly.com
i still bring to much after traveling for 20 years HOWEVER, i found a way to travel with JUST an overnight bag by sending my regular suitcase ahead by MailBox etc. i usually start near Florence and the office there is GREAT. they take care of everything: example, my bag was in Sorrento when i arrived after stopping in 3 other towns on the way.
when i compared the cost of shipping to the cost of storing my bag at one of the few stations that still have bag storage, it was cheaper.
now when i board the train, i can manage the small bag and my day pack. MBEtc are in most cities, just check that they are near the train station.
hometoitaly.com
Dec 17th, 2009, 03:34 PM
#25
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Realize this is an old original post, but I also want to add some info to a good thread on luggage. Hubby & I get so frustrated with the hassles of airports & air travel - in fact we now cruise over & back to Europe from US. Anyway, we seriously dissected our luggage methods & we have found the following to be the perfect solution for us -
a backpack on wheels - wow, such a great invention, maybe one of the best for travelers! After unloading it from the vehicle, we place it on our back as entering the airport. It leaves our hands free for checking in. Then we take the weight off of our backs & roll it around the airport as needed - it's great. And, better yet, it fits in the overhead compartment. We bought them at Walmart; inexpensive but good quality.
We also put them on our back when checking into the hotel; gives us hands free.
I take care of the paperwork, so our travel docs go in hubby's pack & when needed, he just turns around & I reach into his pack & pull out the docs - love it so much better than a carryon wheelie bag.
Sometimes we wheel, sometimes we wear - perfect!
Happy travels everyone, Julie
a backpack on wheels - wow, such a great invention, maybe one of the best for travelers! After unloading it from the vehicle, we place it on our back as entering the airport. It leaves our hands free for checking in. Then we take the weight off of our backs & roll it around the airport as needed - it's great. And, better yet, it fits in the overhead compartment. We bought them at Walmart; inexpensive but good quality.
We also put them on our back when checking into the hotel; gives us hands free.
I take care of the paperwork, so our travel docs go in hubby's pack & when needed, he just turns around & I reach into his pack & pull out the docs - love it so much better than a carryon wheelie bag.
Sometimes we wheel, sometimes we wear - perfect!
Happy travels everyone, Julie
Dec 19th, 2009, 12:41 PM
#26
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We've got the ultimate--Eagle Creek wheeled backpacks with a removable day pack. But, I'll admit that in all of our European travels, and we've done a lot, we've maybe only used the backpack function maybe 5% of the time. The rest of the time we wheel them. My daughter and son-in-law spent 3 or 4 weeks traveling around Europe with backpacks right before college graduation, so they were young and strong. In reaponse to their request, their gifts from us the next Christmas were wheeled suitcases. They said they'd never use backpacks traveling around Europe again.
