Which is better? A big travel backpack or the traditional rolling suitcase?
It depends on your personal preference, strength, and traveling lifestyle. I personally prefer rolling luggage.
Rolling luggage:
- Comfortable to move around in 98% of scenarios. Lightweight since the ground carries most of its weight.
- Leaves your back free to carry a backpack (for laptop, camera, or other gear). This also makes an easy carry-on situation when you going through the airport.
- The luggage works as a convenient dresser drawer. Drop it anywhere on the ground and it quickly displays all your items in one big compartment. This also makes it easier to pack tight.
- Its shape makes it easier to stand on its own. Good as a footrest, or tucking into spaces more neatly.
- Has a handle, so you can loop your backpack through it.
Backpack:
- Comfortable enough for most scenarios, much easier for uneven terrain (hiking/mountain) or even stairs.
- Leaves your hands free to carry a camera or mountaining/hiking gear.
- Looks more rugged and “poor”, in case you’re afraid of looking like a rich tourist target.
- Some newer backpack models have really clever compartments and even built-in shelving systems, or detachable packs.
- Some backpacks also have wheels as well, but I think these are ugly or too small and meant more for city use than heavy-duty traveling.
Overall:
- I much prefer rolling luggage especially for stays longer than 3 days. I can easily open it up and see all my stuff. Packing is much faster than shoving my hands blindly into a backpack that doesn’t open up fully.
- Backpack is great if you plan to move around a lot and not carrying too much stuff. (Less than 30L.) Or you’re a big guy and don’t mind carrying so much weight on the shoulders.
- Backpacks are essential if you plan to sleep outdoors or camping. Since you can’t roll luggage up a mountain.
- Luggage is much easier to handle in situations when you can’t wear your backpack. Big travel backpacks can be very awkward to carry or drag when you can’t wear it. Such as through a crowded space or narrow pathway.
- When traveling in groups or with friends, I notice it makes more sense when everyone has the same kind of luggage. All rollers or all backpacks allows them to move at the same speed and rhythm. Of course…mixed can also work when a boy has a backpack and able to drag the girl’s roller for her.