My DH and i are leaving for Italy (rome, siena, montalcino) for the last two weeks of may. We plan on using our frame packs instead of suitcases. It just seems easier to carry something than try to roll it on all the cobblestones, etc.

the most we'd walk with the packs is from our parking spot in siena, to our hotel in siena.

does anyone use backpacks anymore??

Don't worry, tons of people still use backpacks. In fact most recommend them...that is unless you have the funds to pay someone to carry your luggage everywhere. It's extremely practical for rolling over the cobblestones, weaving in and out of people in the streets, running for a train...the list goes on. Just remember to pack light. Have a great trip.

Depending on circumstances we use packs. Properly adjusted on your back you can carry a very heavy load if you need to, you have both hands free <u>and</u> you can intimidate any pushy people around you when the going gets tough.

If you do use a pack please consider other people &amp; things around you as you are a LOT LARGER THAN NORMAL

If I'd had a penny for every backpacker I've seen doing a very good impersonation of a bull in a china shop I'd have paid off my mortgage by now

Sure there's loads of backpackers out there traveling around the world! For myself, I'd rather roll along any day though, than have a heavy load to be taking on &amp; off my back. That said, as long as you are young &amp;/or in good physical shape you should be fine.

As above, pack light and try not to keep hitting other people with you pack in crowded situations!

Interesting that people are concerned about packs hitting other people, but not about rollers tripping others; they also make the user 'bigger' by trailing behind.

I was nearly involved in a crush the other day in a long walkway when someone with a roller got it caught and came to a sudden stop.

I only take my backpack when I travel with Hehaw. My friend carries my tent and backpack with plenty of pairs of jeans and tennies and T shirts and baseball caps and water bottles. Hehaw is a low mileage donkey and loves to travel. You might think that this is a spoof. No.

I've always found that people remember that they are dragging a large awkward object but a backpack is &quot;out of sight out of mind&quot;

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does anyone use backpacks anymore??
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yes, for some of my leisure travel, i use a pack that can convert into normal looking luggage via a panel that zips over the straps (to be clear - it does NOT convert to a roller - these are not good IMO). the pack is black and therefore fits right in with normal luggage...it doesn't look like something you would take up a mountain and there are no patches or flags on it. the straps system is high tech and very comfortable. the panel that hides the straps is useful when flying as it can be checked as a normal bag. it is also useful when you check into a nice hotel and don't want to be treated like a backpacker.

i often use a roller for business travel and some leisure travel but i feel much more unencumbered with a pack on my back. i don't like the sound of a roller over rough surfaces. i've walked around cities for a whole 1/2 day before flights (after checking out of the hotel) with the pack...i would never do that with a roller.

and no, i've never smacked anyone in the head with it or ruined a glassware shop with it...it is very well balanced, contoured and not at all awkward.

<i>it is also useful when you check into a nice hotel and don't want to be treated like a backpacker.</i>

How is it to be treated like a backpacker?