<BR>Hi everyone <BR>We are travelling Europe for a year and were thinking of buying large backpacks, with detachable daypacks, instead of taking suitcases. We will be flying from Australia to London via the USA, and then driving around Europe. We intend to stay in only a few countries for several months each - probably a mix of small hotels, B&Bs and self-contained apartments, but sometimes we may camp. As we will stay in each place for awhile, we won't be constantly packing and unpacking our bags. Would backpacks be better or should we stick with our suitcases? <BR>Michelle

A year is a long period. What are you doing with the stuff you'll buy around? <BR>I found very useful the backpack-suitcases (you open them like a suitcase and have a suicase handle). They are especially good if you camp from time to time. And you can always buy suitcases in Europe if you need one. <BR>

Michelle, <BR> <BR>This may come a bit late for you, but if you buy a suitcase rather than a backpack, you're going to have a seriously bad time. <BR> <BR>These days the range of travel packs (as opposed to hard-core bushwalking packs) is huge, and they have some amazing features. MacPac make some terrific ones, although they tend to be a bit pricey (but you'll soon forget the extra $100 you paid when you've had the pack on your back all morning!) <BR> <BR>I have just spent four weeks backpacking in Europe with my girlfriend - I had my bushwalking pack and she had a travel pack. I wished I had a pack like hers! But I was still much better off than anyone lugging suitcases. Just sit at a train station for half an hour and watch someone trying to get on or off with suitcases! <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. <BR>

Remember travel LIGHT !!!! Some years ago I spent 4 mos on the road using a suitcase (soft) In So.East Asia. Many people with backpacks we're jealous. I think BP are for trekking and hiking .however if your only going to spend 10% of your time camping I'd go with a case (wheels) Have a great time !!!!!!!! <BR>

The convertible backpacks worked well for us; the only problem is the smallest of us (6 years old) really couldn't carry much for long. She had a very small pack which helped although sometimes her Dad ended up with both his pack on his back and hers in his hands. The features we liked were the option to carry as a suitcase when that seemed more convenient or proper, the day pack that came off my husband's pack for sightseeing, and the fact that I was able to "expand" mine by 4 extra inches on the way home. My older daughter and I also had hip packs. Also, we did not have to check ANYTHING on route to Europe so we walked off the plane and were able to go sightseeing right away. The only CAVEAT (I did not think of this until afterwards): we are 40ish and more and more people our age and younger seem to have back problems that come on rather suddenly from less arduous lifting than we did. I do remember vowing to pack even lighter next time as I was a bit sore...I think at some point we'll switch over to wheeled suitcases (which may affect mobility up and donw the many stairs. <BR>

I can't see one single reason to have a suitcase. Wheather you are carrying 5 kilos or 50 kilos a backpack is better. <BR>Go for a expensive quality one. <BR> <BR> <BR>Wasa

Just to muddy the waters a bit more for you, I would vote for a carry-on-sized wheeled suitcase. Our only complaint was the cobblestones in some European cities, but it wasn't too bad. Get one with widely-spaced wheels. The kids each had a roller bag and a lightweight school-sized backpack and were each able to carry all their own luggage everywhere, plus occasional extras I stuffed in their bags when I ran out of room. (ages 9, 11, 14).

<BR>Thanks to all for the advice. We might try and find a couple of those convertible big backpacks - sounds like it would cover all options! <BR>Michelle

We just did a trip with both wheeled cases (2 50+adults) and convertible backpack (17 year old). If your back is good, go for the backpack. But, just to make life easier, look for 2 things: <BR>make sure it is a real backpack, with proper strapping around your hips to carry the weight correctly - i.e. not on your shoulders. An internal frame is a great lightweight and supportive feature. And , two, if you can get one where all the straps detach or fold away, checking it is easier on the airlines - because there is nothing to snag. We were warned on this by a friend who had to actually get a duffle bag to put the backpack in! What a pain. The backpack worked incredibly well for our son. It also had a small zip-off day pack. Well worth the money.

I tried out a suitcase/pack made by Eagle Creek in the REI store. They come in a couple sizes and are rolling suitcases (not too big) that convert into a backpack and have a detachable day pack. One model is expandable. They did think of everything, because the dirty wheels get covered and padded while in use as a backpack. I loaded it up with some pounds in the store and it felt extremely uncomfortable! I think I would use it only to handle a "just cannot use wheels here" situation. Otherwise, I would just go for a real backpack. You can always cover the straps with a "stuff sack". <BR>