The Pros & Cons of Wheeled Backpacks

If you&#;re looking to buy a new backpack for travelling, you may well have come across wheeled backpacks during your search, and wondered if they could be a good option for your trip. As with most things, wheeled backpacks have pros and cons, so we thought we&#;d outline some of the things that are great about backpacks with wheels, and some of the things that are not so great!

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The Pros

1) Versatile &#; This is probably the most obvious advantage of this type of bag&#;.Versatility. Wheeled backpacks provide travellers with two different carrying options, so you can either wheel it along like a suitcase or carry it on your back like a backpack.

2) Give your back a rest &#; If you suffer from back problems or don&#;t fancy carrying a bag on your back for long periods of time, wheeled backpacks are a great luggage option. If you fall into one or both of the aforementioned camps, you&#;ll probably be tempted to snap up a wheeled backpack for travelling, as you may decide that you would rather wheel your bag along the majority of the time. However, you may need to throw it on your back when you encounter dirt roads and rougher terrain, but hopefully this would only be for short periods of time.

3) Appearance &#; There are no rules when it comes to choosing a bag for your gap year, but most travellers do tend to opt for a backpack. If you would personally prefer to take a suitcase, but don&#;t want the judgemental glances from seasoned travellers and hard core backpackers, a wheeled backpack is a great option. They look like a travel backpack, but incorporate the wheels and towing handle (depending on the model) of a suitcase, so you get the best of both worlds. They are also designed with special travel related features that you wouldn&#;t find on a suitcase, like detachable daypacks for one!

4) Great for airports & train stations &#; In busy airports and train stations, wheeling your bag along can be tricky and pretty frustrating at times. With a wheeled backpack, you can simply unzip the shoulder straps and throw it on your back to get around quicker and easier. Similarly, if you&#;re having to carry your bag around large stations and airports, you may find that you fancy wheeling it along to give your back a rest.

 The Cons

1) Weight &#; With the addition of wheels and sometimes an extending handle, it&#;s no surprise that most wheeled backpacks tend to be around 4kg or more in weight. The Caribee Fast Track 75 weighs in at 4.2kg and the larger 85 litre size is 4.5kg, but if you don&#;t plan on carrying it on your back for extended periods of time and plan to mainly wheel it along, then weight probably won&#;t matter all that much to you. However, if you&#;re trying to keep your bag weight down to avoid excess baggage charges, a wheeled backpack will take up around a quarter of your luggage allowance before you&#;ve even started packing it.

2) Comfort &#; This one doesn&#;t relate to all models of wheeled backpack, as some are fitted with adjustable back systems (like the Berghaus 65+15L Wheeled Womens Backpack), but many only have a fixed back system. Fixed back systems don&#;t allow the user to adjust them to suit their height and build, so comfort can be an issue. Another feature that can be an issue in terms of comfort would be the wheels, which are brilliant for when you&#;re using the bag like a suitcase, but you may find they dig in your back a little bit, which may become pretty uncomfortable after you&#;ve been carrying it for a while!

3) Ease of use &#; Most styles of travel backpack are relatively easy to use, and come with an extending towing handle. However, some models don&#;t have this feature, and this can prove slightly awkward if you&#;re on the taller side of the height spectrum. If you buy a wheeled backpack which doesn&#;t have the extending handle option, you may find yourself having to stoop down to reach the top grab handle in order to pull it along. However, investing in a wheeled backpack with the extendable handle will easily remedy this issue for all you tall travellers out there!

4) Not suitable for trekking &#; This may or may not be relevant to you, but wheeled backpacks are not a good option for travellers who are trekking during their gap year. This is basically due to the fact that most of them don&#;t come with an adjustable back system, and when you&#;re carrying a bag on your back for hours or several days you really want to ensure it provides a good level of comfort and support. Another issue would be the weight, as you would need to keep your bag as lightweight and easy to carry as possible, and the wheels are certainly not a practical feature when you&#;re half way up a mountain!

I have a roller (2 wheel only) and a good backpack. I haven't decided which to use on my next trip. Last trip was the backpack, but I'm considering switching over to the roller.

I often check my bag back home, full of dirty clothes (and maybe a well-padded bottle of wine!) and use a tinier pack to bring home important things and treasures. If I tuck in a bottle of wine, it feels more protected in a roller with some shape to it, though I must admit, it survived in a soft pack too - I was just worried.

And then there's also the idea that on public transport, the backpack feels more awkward to me - if I wear it normally, I can't keep my eye on it or sit down easily, so it seems like I always have to swing it off and on... By the end of a trip, it always feels heavy...

Pros for the backpack is that it is much quieter to move around - I don't like the sound of the roller on cobbles... It's lighter on it's own as you have noted, and I feel younger and stronger when I commit to the backpack - a throwback to my college days of traveling around on a Eurail Youthpass&#;.

I don't see the point of a convertible backpack-- way way too heavy.

So the rationale for a wheeled backpack is that you don't have the discipline to pack light - admit it.

Strangely not a lot of direct comparison.

I'll give you a direct comparison. I've used a backpack since (11 trips, 24 weeks). On our second trip together (3 weeks), my partner, who is mobility challenged, brought her 2-wheeled roller. We used trains and buses; I ended up handling both bags. When we got to a station, I put on my backpack. When we stopped, I deployed the handle and rolled her bag to the stairs, collapsed the handle, picked it up and carried it down the stairs to the vestibule, then lifted it onto the platform. I deployed the handle, rolled it to the stairs, again collapsed the handle, and carried it down the stair to the tunnel. There I deployed the handle, rolled it to the next stair, collapse the handle and carried it up the stairs to the next platform. On the platform I deployed the handle, rolled it to the train, then lifted it into the vestibule and carried it up the stairs to our seats. Then I took off my own bag.

That is no exaggeration. Literally all of my attention from the time I put my convertible bag on when the train stopped until I took it off on the next train was taken handling her rolling bag. So here is your direct comparison. Handling a rolling bag is a lot more effort than handling a backpack.

So, if you find a backpack too heavy, try packing lighter. If you can't do that, get a backpack with a waist belt. Waist belts transfer all of the weight to you hips. I don't use one, because I pack light enough that I don't need one, but my last backpack came with a waist belt, and I found that with it, I was able to loosen the shoulder straps so that there was no weight at all on my shoulders.

I don't see the point of a convertible backpack-- way way too heavy.

I&#;m going to challenge your statement. Many who travel with convertible backpacks take less than 15-20 lb total and that includes the weight of the bag.

I have found that those who complain about the weight of the backpack tend to overpack. They have pack weights of 20-25+ pounds.

Many convertible bags are 2 lb or so. The MEI Voyageur is at 3.5 lb but has a complete backpack suspension, including internal aluminum stays and a lovely padded hip belt. It all stows away for travel. Let me assure you as someone that has backpacked many places that the MEI is one sturdy pack! I had some extra customization when I ordered mine. One of the things I added was a water bottle pocket.

In short, I believe you are making several assumptions that aren&#;t true. That is biasing your selection process.

One thing to point out. Wheelie bags are easier in the airport but harder to use outside the airport. Backpacks are harder in the airport and easier to use outside the airport.

I&#;ve traveled with wheels and backpacks. I almost always take the backpack. The only time I use wheels is when I have to carry multiple pounds (reams) of notebooks and paper for work. Even then the bag is the RS rolling backpack. Because there&#;s stairs and hip deep snow.

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Yeah, this is going about the same way most previous discussions on the topic have gone.
1. Your fear of begin stuck in the airport implies you are using a carryon bag only so it&#;s going to stay with you. A rolling bag won&#;t help you deal with your fear and, by definition, it&#;s a lot less weight on the back. My PacSafe is easy to &#;manage&#; because of the security features built into the straps &#; although I&#;ve never noticed they were actually necessary, just comforting.
2. Are you saying that you &#;often hike&#; on your travels and need luggage that does both jobs? Hiking backpacks are designed and built to satisfy different situations than most travelers require. A sturdy harness, external pockets, and a comfy hip belt are readily available from many mfrs like Osprey, North Face, LowePro, REI. Two tradeoffs when buying a travel pack from a company with backpacking DNA: usually overbuilt and heavy, and the harnesses may not safely stow away. My PacSafe is just a bag. It has no frame structure at all and the hip belt is for stabilization only. I will not replace it with another PacSafe product (it was on deep discount) but the Vibe40 does the job at the moment.
3. A backpack suitcase is going to weigh MUCH less than a wheelie. And you can find ultralight backpacks but they won&#;t satisfy your need for structural beef. The thing about ultralight gear is you give up bombproof construction and mass for minimum features and light materials at the expense of being required to pay close attention to your gear.

4. Baggage handling is totally unpredictable. Your bag may not arrive. It might be opened or damaged beyond use. If you want to keep track of your bag, you&#;re going to be using a carryon. They come as backpacks, wheelies, and convertible wheeled backpacks. Osprey&#;s Meridian (which I took on four domestic flights) is a 40L two-wheeled bag that converts to a backpack with a hidden harness. It also has a matching snap-on personal sized backpack. Remarkable device. Just not my style so I took it back to REI and got the PacSafe, which masses less than half and has zero extraneous and luxurious features.
Shopping for the right bag is fun but can be frustrating because of the huge variety.

These &#;which bag?&#; discussions/arguments never lead to enlightened conversions. Similarly, I could never convince you that go is a superior game to chess without playing a hundred games. Experience is your only teacher.

You could try onebagging on a short trip by borrowing someone&#;s 25-40 liter backpack style bag. Most airlines impose a 7kg/15# carryon mass limit so you must pack lightly. (Packing light is an entirely different discussion. Lots of folks can get by with two or three days of layered clothing, doing laundry every other night. Other folks require a fresh and complete change of outfit every day.)

You have found the subject with the biggest arguments. There are some here who believe there are two ways to travel.....their way and the wrong way. You will learn who to ignore.

I will give you a direct comparison. For years I traveled with a convertible backpack. Then as I got older and my back started to bother me after having the weight on my back. I switched to a two wheeled carry on bag. I had many different ones. For my last trip, I used a four wheeled carry on sized spinner.

There is no one perfect bag but pros and cons to each.

The backpack goes on your back, keeps your hands free, and in some cases will make it easier to carry on with the very restricitve airlines. On the down side, if you are not used to it your back may hurt and you may become sweaty after carrying it for a long time.

The two wheeled bag will take the weight off your back and shoulders but may add some strain to your arm and shoulder from dragging it. For long distances you will probably not feel as sweaty or tired. You will have to pick it up for stairs but it should roll easily on most surfaces. It will allow you to take a little bit more--no sin by the way except to a few people here--without having to worry that it may cause pain.

Four wheeled bags makes wheeling on smooth surfaces effort free. They may not roll as well on rougher surfaces but many just tip them on their side and use them like a two wheeled roller. The extra wheels do take away some packing room.

According to the Travel Goods Association--about 90% of travelers use wheels. (This also includes checked bags.) Spinners are now the most popular type of bags.

Regardless of which way you go, packing lighter will make handling of these bags easier. Remember, no one here is you, has your likes or dislikes, or knows what you can handle physically. I would suggest trying each type before your trip. Borrow a convertible backpack or any larger backpack, pack it like you would for a trip, and take a walk. Borrow two and four wheeled bags and do the same. It may not be a perfect test but you will get an idea which you prefer.

I was lucky enough to travel when I was a kid and have done a few different styles. A few things I'd discovered.
1. Whatever you choose, pack it up full like you would on a trip. Then take about a mile walk around your neighborhood and see if it works for you. If it doesn't, then return it and try another option.
2. Backpacks - I've done a number of different ones. You really have to try them out and wear them for at least an hour straight while doing what i said in point 1. If you have an uncomfortable one, it's a disaster. It can be anything from the strap placement or the back will make your back a soaking mess on a hot day.
3. Spinner bags - My wife has one (actually on her second). She cranks out lots of miles every year in Europe and thus hers wore out the wheels in 3 years. The main issue ends up becoming the set that are on the side of the handle. This is because they get the most wear. The bag is handy and works great in airports. Trains, planes and bad streets it's OK and I would never get one bigger than the 21" or 22" size unless you are on business and going from airport to train then to motel and camped out for two weeks. As for the wheels when they wear out, the bag is then useless. If you are handy, Amazon sells a whole assortment of replacement wheels that are much better than the OEM ones. I salvaged one bag and now my kids use it.
4. Two Wheel bags - That's what I have and they are great but you just got to know how to maneuver them successfully and understand that you can easily cut off others in an airport. Plus, if you know how to use a wheel truck, you can push it down in front of you in an airplane and train. Stop and get it in an overhead bin right away.
5. Soft or hard - A personal preference. I did find out that when using soft wide, that there are two things with helps. 1. Spray the fabric down with a waterproof spray you use for shoes. It works and there will be a time you are in the rain and it at least keeps most of it from getting soaked. 2. Take a paper towel and soak it with Armor All. Wipe this all over the zippers when they are open. Then do it when closed. Operate the zippers a few times and they will operate better than new. The company used to advertise this back in the 70's but they stopped. I do it today on many zippers and it is a night and day difference. Even on new zippers.

For me, I have a two wheel hard case (Nanuck 935). It's bright orange and sticks out like a sore thumb. It's more than waterproof, it'll float in a swimming pool when full of clothes. It's not the best when it comes to space but i pack around it. i then have a 10 year old backpack that I use for hauling my laptop for work. When not working, no laptop and plenty of easy space. It's some old Swissgear unit. When I went to Amsterdam for 3 days a while back, all I needed was the backpack. Anything longer (if I'm going to do something that needs more stuff) then the luggage goes with me.

Sweetshell, don't think you have to use a backpack. You only need to be able to manage your luggage on your own.

You will find that most people traveling in Europe, including those on RS tours, use rolling bags of some kind. If you cannot comfortably carry a backpack weighing about 20 pounds fully packed, go for something with wheels or pack much lighter.

A couple of years ago I got the RS Appenzell backpack. I tried my best, but I couldn't get the weight down to <15 pounds, and even that was too heavy. I do use this pack for short domestic trips where the weight is <10 pounds.

Ten years ago I got an RS convertible carry-on backpack and used it on 2 European trips for a total of 3 months. By , I was 66 and I was done with carrying that much weight on my back. My husband still uses his, loads it way too heavy, whines and looks for a luggage cart.

With a good, lightweight (<6 pounds) roller bag of carry-on size, that has a U-shaped handle, you can put a cross-body tote with a sleeve over the handle and roll them together at the same time.

No matter what bag you use, you need to stay within the carry-on size requirements which are the exterior dimensions including wheels and handles. Depending on the airline, the carry-on size could be smaller and have a maximim weight.

Next trip I'll be using this 2-wheel Eagle Creek Load Warrior 20 International Carry-on. At about 4.5 pounds, it's the lightest rolling bag I found that I could afford, on sale if course. Scroll down the page to see a comparison of it to the similar 22x14x9 one.

I'd resisted buying a bag with a T-shaped handle because of the inability to slip a sleeved tote over the handle and have it be stable. However, this bag has an "Equipment Keeper" that can secure a jacket to the top and I can wear my cross-body bag. At 2.2 oz, this year's cross-body tote is very light indeed.

I'm more concerned about weight this year because I'll be flying on 3 different intra-European airlines with different carry-on weight limits and I'm targeting the most restrictive of those.

Packing light usually concentrates on the number of garments. I also obsess over the weight of the garments. It sounds silly, but I weigh everything, pack the lightest things I have for my limited but coordinated travel wardrobe and weigh the packed bag when it's ready to go. Too heavy? I Ieave something at home.

The prices for a good carryon range from $90 to $300.

Probably the best carryon I ever had was my Outdoor Products (now Campmor) Essential Carryon for $30. It's light weight (1.8#) and well enough made for a carryon. I used it for 5 or 6 two-week trips (until it became to big for my reduced packing needs) and it held up very well. I only stopped using it because as my total packing volume got down to ci, the half full beg sagged badly. I opted for a somewhat heavier eTech bag with cinch straps.

The REI 4.0l duffle appeals to me because it is lighter than my current bag and has cinch straps. With my packing volume, I could cinch it down to about 5 inches thick. However, REI's claim that at 10.3 inches thick it would meet carryon requirements because it's total L+W+H dimension is less than 45 inches is bogus. The airlines don't sit there and measure L, W, and H and add them together. They use a sizing frame and 10.3 inchs thick will not fit into a 9 inch wide frame. As long as you don't pack it to 10 inches it will fit. Actually, since it is less than 14 inches wide, you could probably pack it to 9½ inches and squish it to fit.

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