Trouble deciding between backpack or wheeled luggage
 

Hello everyone.

I'm new to the forum, and my apologies if this question has been asked before, but I have two types of baggage: a large backpack, and a relatively small wheeled luggage that has straps for carrying on my back.
I plan on visiting three countries: Netherlands, Germany and Sweden, and I'll be flying between my destinations. I'll be staying in hostels. I'll be staying four days in Amsterdam, four days in Munich, and two days in Stockholm.
I ask this because I plan on bringing back souvenirs home, so my backpack will be much heavier on the flight back, and I intend to take a few grooming supplies that will not be allowed on carry-on (I need them, unwanted hairs sprout very suddenly on me).
The wheeled luggage is fairly small, but not small enough to fit in the airplane cabin.

So, for those of you more experienced travelers: backpack or wheeled luggage?

I prefer the carry-on size backpack style of luggage because it keeps my hands when moving. And, second, a wheel bag that I am dragging behind me can be and can cause real problems on crowded walkways, and rough streets. If you are using a wheeled bag it needs to have two large wheels and not the four little spinner wheels which can be a super problem.

My daughter had a pretty good solution: take the smaller bag, and stuff a very lightweight empty duffel inside. On the way home, pack all your lightest stuff in the duffel and carry that on, while the heavy stuff goes in the small (checked) suitcase. Sounds like a great idea, that's what we're going to do on upcoming trip....

For that duration of trip, you might do best with a two-wheeled backpack; the problem is now aircraft cabin size limitations. Bags that are advertised as underseat totes do not fit, they measure somewhere 13x13x 9-10" height-- alot of aircraft max out at 8" height underseat. With the backpack you can quickly get past crowded train stations & streets, and when in an open area, take the load off your back and pull it behind you. I found one by Olympia, 8" depth at wheeled end, w/ three front zippered compartments, plus open mesh outside for water bottle. I will stash in an empty nylon tote/backpack (found on Travlon) that packs into a 5x7 pillow for day trips.

OP has already implied they will be checking the bag.


If the wheeled bag can be carried as a backpack too then I would opt for that.
For the extras you buy on your trip take, or buy while away, a small backpack or tote which you can carry-on. You can always wear it on your front if your main bag is on your back.
I doubt you will be buying so much that it won't fit in to those two bags.

.....wheeled luggage is fairly small, but not small enough to fit in the airplane cabin......

I don't like combo since the handle and wheels just add extra weight. If your wheeled luggage will not fit in the airplane cabin, then it is not small, probably medium to large which means you can put a larger amount of stuff in it and it gets heavy in a hurry. Keep in mind that a large backpack will not fit in the cabin either.

OP has already said they have stuff that they have to check, so trying to do carry on isn't possible.
A smallish wheeled bag, especially one with back straps will not be that heavy. It may not be that comfortable as a back pack, but it won't be hard to use as a wheeled bag in those cities either.

A backpack depends on how young and how strong you are. I took a backpack once and on the second day I started throwing out things that weren't absolutely necessary. There's some general rule about how heavy a backpack should be - something like 10% or 20% of your body weight, depending on fitness.

I use a roller bag.

It often rains in some of the places you are going and one of the problems with rolling bags that can be worn as backpacks is that the bottoms of the bags get wet and dirty and then your clothes get dirty if you put the bag on your back.

If you take the ordinary backpack without wheels make sure you have a way to waterproof it if it isn't already waterproof. If you check a backpack make sure before you reach the check-in counter that all the straps are secured and that the bag can't get tangled up in other people's luggage or hung up on conveyor belts. It can be worth it to slip the backpack into a laundry bag or nylon duffel.

I am likely considerably older than you but much prefer a wheeled bag to a backpack. I usually take a small wheeled bag, which can be checked or not, and a daypack.

I am near the end of a three month trip and packed very light. Bought a expensive Briggs and Riley backpack which I curse every day. Roller all the way!

Agree with Kelbo. Roller all the way!

This might be just another vote for roller bags; but after being briefly with a large group in which several people who were not used to wearing backpacks decided they would be good for an African trip and seeing the damage that was done with them, I beg you not to experiment with a back pack in any area where there might be limited room in which to turn around.

I distinctly remember a conversation I had with a fellow who was wearing a large backpack, clearly for the first time, who was swinging it around without any regard for anyone near him.

I quote, starting with me.

"Sir, please be careful with your backpack, you just struck and nearly knocked over this woman in a wheelchair."

"Well, I didn't do it deliberately."

"You know, we have a name in the states for people like you."

"What's that."

"Defendant!"

I like to think he was just a little more careful until he got out of the terminal, but it was more likely because of the presence of an armed guard than my conversation.

Jeff: Having just returned from a trip and being bumped into by one-too-many backpackers, I can relate. I also had to resist the urge to strangle several times. I kept thinking, "Can they really be that clueless?"

Oh, please ...it RAINS EVERYWHERE...

check out the wheeled luggage that osprey does. I've got one of their huge bags and it's great: larger wheels make for greater comfort while pulling.

Wheeled is better for most if not all of Europe. For 3rd world countries we purchased wheeled backpacks. They look like regular 21 in rollers, but they can convert to backpacks. It was a lifesaver when a road washed out unexpectedly in Africa, and we were forced to use an old rope bridge to connect with transportation on the other side