Which is better, Suitcase or Backpack?
 

Any thoughts on which is easier, a carry-on roller or a backpack? We'll have 5 days (3 destinations) in England, 7 days in Paris and 2 days in Amboise. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. <BR>PS: Can a bottle of wine make the trip home in a backpack? Also, any thoughts on which will be easier for a child would be great! Many thanks!

A backpack is easier, although you do tend to be treated slightly second class with a backpack. Yes, wine can make it in a backpack - just must pack sensibly. <BR>

For a child, a backpack is usually easier (provided not overloaded). For an adult it may depend on your perspective, the size and weight of the backpack and the size and weight of the rolling carryon. A lot is personal preference. Some airlines have weight limitations even for carryons (KLM for one). The wheel assembly obviously makes it heavier. I personnally take wheeled carryons because I can fit more in than I could for the weight on my back. It all boils down to what works for you. I would figure out what I want to pack and then load each one and try it out, i.e. walk with it, go up steps, etc. Which ever one can hold what you want and feels good, that is the one to take, keeping in mind, you may want an extra bag for items acquired on the trip. We leave in 4 days and I've already had my practice pack. A rolling expandable won! Have a good time.

Thanks for the info...I did a practice pack in my carryon (I'll have to purchase a backpack if I decide to take one). Everything fit nicely, most came out wrinkled, although I rolled clothes. Carrying the case upstairs was a drag. Not heavy, just awkward. Is the wrinkle problem worse in a backpack? I leave in 5 days; I can't believe I don't have this figured out yet. SIGH. :)

I personally prefer using a backpack. While it can be heavy, you do get used to it. There were many times when we had to hurry to a train or fight crowds to get onto trains, etc, and I was happy because having the backpack allowed more mobility. <BR>I didn't think having clothes in a backpack caused more wrinkles then a suitcase. I carried a bottle of wine for about a week and it was fine. A backpack is especially optimal if you will only be there 5 days, you could pack everyting in a small college type back pack.

I do hiking type backpacking, so take it from me -- everything in a pack will be wrinkled. They are also a bit more hassle, because you have to dig for everything from the top down. There are rolling suitcases made now that convert to backpacks. Eagle Creek makes a couple sizes - sold at REI and other places. Rick Steves' site also has one, I forget who makes it. I would go for one of these. If you are traveling by train, make sure it's either small enough to roll down the asile way, or light enough to carry. I held up people in the asile of the TGV trying to lug my monster roller and was rather embarrassed.

Again, many thanks - I have much to learn from the travel savvy! I just read the "I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison" thread and I'm laughing at/with myself!

Hi - <BR> <BR>If you get a backpack, I would suggest the small, carry-on style with wheels and handle. That's what we have taken to Europe and Asia and love them. When we go to Asia we buy a lot of stuff and line the bottom of our packs with an expandable gym-type back. So, when we travel to our destination we just have one bag each and coming home, we have one bag each to carry-on and (depending how much we spent) on bag each to check. It works great for us. <BR> <BR>If you get a backpack, make sure it unzips all the way around. That way you don't have to dig through 2/3 of your pack which is always in darkness. That was the type of pack I had on my first trip and I learned fast. <BR> <BR>Good luck. <BR> <BR>:-)

If steps were awkward for you with the roller suitcase then you should go with the backback -- there are many times you'll be hiking up steps of the subway system (if there's no escalator - or if it's not working), hotels without "lifts", etc. It is also much easier to manage the backback on trains. I purchased one with a small detachable "daypack" which was nice for keeping with me in my plane/train seat while the rest of the pack was stowed. Make sure you try it out and don't overpack. What is it they say -- decide what to take and then cut it in half!

I vote for the backpack--or a bag with backpack straps, to be more precise. I bought an Eagle Creek 'Convertabrief,' which is a soft-sided briefcase with hideaway backpack straps, and I used this for our 2-wk trip to Italy this summer. It unzips more like a suitcase (and I also sewed tie-down straps into it to help hold clothes in place). I also like Eagle Creek's Switchback line (their new Compact version is carry on size). These have wheels and straps so you can choose whichever mode works best for you at any given moment. They are kind of pricy, though. Magellan's makes a Borneo bag, similar to Rick STeve's bag, with hideaway backpack straps, too. <BR>

I now swear by my Patagonia Little Brother Carry-on. (They also offer soemthing called the Maximum Legal Carry on, but it wasn't that much bigger.) They used really good quality Cordura, a nice fat zipper with lockable pull tabs, two exterior pockets, internal tie-down straps to keep clothes from sliding around and an internal zippered pouch for toiletries. It has a long enough well padded shoulder pad that will go across your body, and best of all it has fold away backpack straps for all of the stairs, narrow doorways, and trains I had to deal with.

This a very interesting thread and fun to read people opinions...My 2 cents... <BR> <BR>I would say that a modified backpack (also called a convertible pack) is by far the best option. As someone mentioned above, Eagle Creek makes a few models as well as a few other manufacturers. What is so great about this option is that the huge Backpack straps that often are a nuisance when not on your back, can be tucked away and a flap zippered above the straps to give a smarter and leaner appearance. Also, they typically have a few ways of getting at the inside so if you pack well, your clothes will be reasonably neat. The only disadvantage to this "pack", is that it is not so good for long trekking. It has a nice internal frame, but would not be ideal for long term hiking or walks of several hours where the pack is one your back for hours on end. <BR> <BR>Cheers, <BR> <BR>Sean <BR>Director of Boots <BR>http://www.BootsnAll.com <BR>The Ultimate Resource for the Independent Traveller

You folks are a godsend! Eagle Creek it is! I hunted down a combination backpack/roller carry-on, with an extra little pack that attaches to the main, (the little pack is the perfect size for my daughter's clothes-she's such a light packer!). The backpack straps stay hidden when not in use, so my issue is solved. Whew! I'm off to pick out a color...Thanks again for the great advice!

To keep things from wrinkling in a back pack, put clothes in large (gallon) ziplock bags. that also makes it very easy to take things in and out of the backpack and find things easily- an old Boy Scout trick.All the shirts in one, socks in another, etc.

<BR>RE: Backpacks <BR>Are you able to carry on a large <BR>backpack or do you have to check <BR>them in?? Will be flying on Air <BR>France to Dublin with a change of <BR>planes in Paris. TIA

Airlines don't look at the kind of carryon, they look at the size. Call AirFrance and ask the dimensions for their carryon limitation; they also have a website. Each airline has its own queer quirks, and they change as the mood hits them. If you have those giant backpacks that hiker/camper types use with the bedroll, it WILL have to be checked.