Travel Backpack vs. Rolling Suitcase (In-Depth Carry On Buyer's Guide)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2024
- Which type of Carry On Luggage is Best? A Backpack or a Rolling Suitcase?
In this video, we talk about Backpacks vs. Suitcases for Travel, compare travel backpacks and roller luggage, and give key considerations, plus the pros and cons for each type.
Carry On Luggage Shown in this Video:
- Osprey Porter 46 Travel Backpack
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- Nomatic McKinnon Backpack 35L
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- Monos Carry-On Plus
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- LEVEL8 RoadRunner Carry On (Use code "awaytogether" for an extra 10% off your order)
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- LEVEL8 Full Aluminum Carry On (Use code "awaytogether" for an extra 10% off your order)
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- Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Luggage
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Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.
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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
0:00 Travel Backpack vs. Rolling Suitcase
0:50 Mobility vs. Comfort
2:30 Carry-On Luggage Weight
3:00 Appearance
4:01 Luggage Security
4:33 Best and Worst Carry-Ons for Organization
5:11 Carry-On Luggage Organization Tips
5:50 Which Type of Carry On is Right for You?
6:10 When To Use A Backpack
6:38 When To Use A Roller Bag
7:07 Which Carry On For Europe
#carryonluggage #packing
I like the regular size under seat backpack + roller bag combo. Gives you about as much space combined as a medium sized checked bag and then you have a daypack if you need one. Plus it keeps your entertainment and quick access items with you in the seat.
My carry on is a backpack now and forever after going on a couple of trips and having to navigate subways and stairs. Now I really need a good personal item that will work with my backpack.
In the last decade, I have been traveling with just a 30L backpack and a foldable tote bag as my personal item. I prefer using a backpack over carry-on luggage because it gives me mobility and allows me to move around hands-free.
During my recent trip, my flight was delayed by 30 minutes due to heavy air traffic, and I only had 15 minutes to catch my connecting flight. If I had been using rolling luggage, I don't think I would have made it in time. Thanks to my backpack, I was able to run and catch my flight with ease.
I've been a backpack guy for years. My wife not. I'm in my mid 70's and still use a rugged military backpack. I spent 35 of my 45 working years as an Engineer working and living overseas (Middle-East, Africa, Europe and South American). I learned how to travel light by doing a hitch in the Army. I raised my 3 kids on the road for the most part with me. I still continue to travel to this day. Just got back from a month of travel in Italy by rail.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Props to you, sir. Any tips on raising kids on the road? Taking notes!
Try not to center on the kids but make them a part of the travel experience. Picking up a little bit of the local language and letting them play with the local kids will open up the world to them. Lots of crayons and coloring books helps on the road too. Each of my 3 kids are now in their 40's speak 4 languages @@awaytogether
Thanks for your content and the work you put into giving us information about traveling and the best gear that can work for anyone. I'm in my late 50s and your videos always give me great options for my needs. I enjoy traveling with both but also learning, from you two how to continue to be a carryon only traveler. Thanks again.
I know this, I am never ever going to carry a roller bag again!
I went to Europe last summer to a music festival. Seven months to plan this and I decided to get a roller bag because I thought oh cool I could just pull everything 😢😅
Big mistake! It was a total holdup and hell going upstairs and downstairs all the walking I had to do it sucked…
lol
I didn’t know what I was thinking I thought maybe was on wheels I could haul everything better …
Lesson learned!
Next year definitely going with a back pack !
Awesome video 👏😎
Backpack for me. Tried and tested for over a decade of travelling. It keeps me comfortable and moving with a weight of upto 12 kg.
I am loving this channel! ❤
As always, your video is so helpful! Grateful! I got my Monos pro because of your suggestion and I love it! I agree with you that there are times where a backpack could be best. Thanks again for all the cool info!
One of my favorite...if not my favorite video in your series. FYI - looooooove backpacks!!
Getting ready for a month long Europe trip and this helped me a lot! thank you, and TURTLE!
My husband and I are learning so much from you all. We just bought the Monos carry ons. Now I’m looking for a backpack.
Turtle
Im currently on my first month of a two month trip through Greece and the Balkans. I started with a backpack with wheels and a personal item. The idea was that if I couldn’t roll I would use it a la a backpack… well guess what?! It was just too heavy and I quickly decided it was crazy to hurt my back. Another issue I found was that the roller backpack didn’t have a surface to hold my personal item. Because of the amorphous shape of the backpack nothing will stay on top of it while carrying it. So I decided to buy a roller carryon in Greece. It’s great to know that what seems yo be a hard shell case is really a little flexible. I can now place my personal item over it. And I have ditched the backpack with wheels. Oh, Another thing I like about carryons is that the are square and I can utilize every single inch of the case with my packing cubes. There’s no space wasted and everything fits beautifully.
Thank you so much for your video. It is very comprehensive.
“TURTLE”
Love your guys content & reviews!!
Turtle! Excited to see your baby girl in her travels! Which cute little bag is she bringing?
Nik, I gotta tell ya. You’re getting ALL the exact content I’m looking for when it comes to travel. All super relevant and different than other creators. Keep it up, my friend!
Turtle.
I’m going to Europe this December and trying to figure out what makes more sense for me
Backpack checked. In 2010 we traveled around Scandinavia with 15 year old Eagle Creek large backpacks. On a smaller flight from Estonia to Stockholm, they had us check the main section, but we zipped off the "day pack" section. So, it can happen ;) We are in our early 60's now, and too out of shape for those bags now. Once we emerge from hibernation (we hate crowds, so are hoping the post covid travel frenzy will calm down) we will likely get rollers. Thank you for your insight to traveling.
Also, great overview of the selection process.
I am 56 and use an Osprey Porter 46 to pack in and a tote bag for my personal item. I like to keep my hands free and makes me more conscious of packing only what I need with room to expand for any purchases. I traveled with my grandson last year and needed to keep my hands available to carry or roll his luggage if necessary. Just easier with a backpack for me!
Turtle 🐢 for sure!
I really appreciate the in depth videos
We are in our mid-70s and have always travelled the world with soft-sided roll-ons. As I am forbidden to drive for most of this year (medical), our trip to Scotland in September will now see us travelling by train around the region. As we discovered while travelling by train in Thailand a few years ago a backpack will be more convenient. Finally, I will be forced to cut back on what I take (no more "what if I need this item, but never do"). My personal bag will be an over-the-shoulder one. We are curious to see if this works and if it will be used for all future trips. I always enjoy your videos. Thanks
I bought a rolling case for our trip to Europe and in the end I am going with a THULE 60L. For myself. The level 8 and Monos are nice but I just felt like I was still missing something. With this pack and a personal pack, I feel well covered for an 11 day trip.
I have bought an Inateck for my trip this year. Along with a bigger checked suitcase. Because of all the souveniers I will carry back. The suitcase is still in the middle seize range and the bagpack has the measures as a carry on with the big airlines.
Turtle. I started using a backpack for shorter trips. I like it. I don't have a travel pack yet and just use my regular daycare. I have been o e bag traveling for years. I am 62. A roller bag going by to Paris socks. There are too many stairs using the metro and the cobble street are terrible. One day I will have a travel backpack.. I look forward to your video.
Really like your videos. You always pick the topic I’m thinking or wondering about. I was literally wondering about this. Watching this video was wondering whether your full backpack you were always able to get it inside the overhead compartment? You noted never had to check it in but the one you had looked pretty bulky.
Turtle...new subscriber from San Francisco. Thank you!
Both, Nomad for a year now. 24" Hard-side roller that I check and a Pakt 35L carry on backpack for the overhead bin. I end up needing slightly more room/gear but still need roller light enough to manage trains, planes and automobiles :)
Turtle! I am going on an international trip soon and bought the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable as my carry-on and the WONHOX Large Travel Backpack that opens like a suitcase for my personal item bag. It has a strap that attaches to the handle on my carry-on luggage, so I don't have to backpack it. It's the perfect size for United Airlines personal item requirements.
Tendonitis in my right shoulder: roller carry-on. I do have a small backpack that I carry my in-flight/sightseeing necessities in. Since I'm more of a city boy than adventurer, I'm okay with that set-up. Lining up an Italian trip soon.
Turtle!!!! Also… I prefer a top loader backpack because it can just stand up in the corner and with packing cubes and strategy I can load it where I’m not always having to dig down through for what I want. My preferences (for your video) … about 30 liters so not crazy heavy, will hold a fair amount, and fit under seat… top-loader… outside front pocket for quick access and some organization (but not like tons of organization pockets inside) and a water bottle holder…. Still trying to find my dream backpack!
That's the cutest clip of your daughter 🥰
Depends on the situation of travel. I have and use both depending on my needs 🤙🏼
Exactly. There's also a third option not covered here. A backpacking backpack. I'd not take luggage with wheels or only a day backpack to the likes of India.
We lived in China for a while. It is very common in China to wear "back"packs on the front, especially when on some sort of transit convenance. The advantage is that you don't have to worry about hitting folks, getting pickpocketed and it is very convenient to get into if needed.
TURTLE I need a backpack for Europe that fits under the seat.... Thanks. Love your videos.
Agree with all of your points, there is a time and place for both. Traveling with my child I tend to pack more now than I used to (I've even *gasp* checked a bag) though I know that will change as she gets older. I will say I've never felt as free as the trips I've done with just a daypack/~25l backpack though!
I have the backpack which i prefer but had experienced the pain of how heavy it became in customs and security. I bought a collapsible lightweight hand truck to attach to the bag and it'll fit in my bag. We'll see how it goes when i go to London next year. I have since bought the osprey farpoint 40.
I was looking at something similar to the one you are testing out and wondering if it was comfortable and worth it. I hope you'll do a full review on all points price, material/construction, durability, comfort, and value of the Nomatic McKinnon backpack. And yes absolutely TURTLE, please do the review.
Turtle
Love your content!
Love Nomatic!
Turtle! 🐢 Please include the eBags Mother Lode vs. Underseat Pro!
For 40 years, I have used a rolling, carry-on sized backpack. I travel to places where sometimes there is no pavement or only dirt roads. I only use my rolling hard luggage when it is raining or snowing and I expect my luggage to sit out in it. My back pack does have a raincover but is not as waterproof as my hard shell.
For the person who asked about having a backpack already as their personal hand baggage, I sometimes use my daypack as a front pack (like a baby carrier on my belly).
I actually travel with three pieces of luggage every time, and they are like those Russian nesting dolls. I have a carry-on cabin sized rolling backpack. Inside of it, folded up into about the size of a small pizza box is a large military ballistic cordura duffle bag also with straps, and capable of holding my rolling carry on sized backpack inside it if necessary. And my third item is my Osprey daypack which is pretty much my EDC bag.
TURTLE :D
Would love to see a comparison between a bunch of backpacks in the 35-40L range.
I think backpack is superior because you have your hands free. Plus your also not supposed to pack it so heavy that it's a problem to carry it.
I am looking at the Osprey porter 46 as my main luggage piece. I am in a wheelchair and trying to wheel myself and hold onto a rolling suitcase I’m finding a bit of a challenge. I’m hoping with the Osprey to be able to loop it on the back of my chair seat.
Thank you for the video! Turtle turtle!! 🤣 Would love to hear how the trip with the 8 month old went/goes.
If just 1 or the other, I do backpack. But I normally use both a roll-on and a backpack because of the options it gives me during my travels
I'm Team Backpack with an Osprey Porter 30.
I love backpack. 🎒
My wife and I just completed 3 weeks of travel through central Europe that included 5 countries, and 15+ hours of train rides. The hard shell wins. Compliment with a mini-backpack (underseat on the airline bag) that included a "trolly sleeve" and it's a winning combo.
Some rural train stations only have stairs, many are adjacent to metro stations. We were constantly moving between transportion modes. Having 4 wheels was very helpful. Wearing a thicker backpack would have been a hinderance on very crowded buses and trains where it was standing room only.
Please consider a segment on how you maintain things (bills, taxes, rent, etc.) at your home base while you are on long term travel.
I did the 40L maximum carry on sized back pack a few times but after switching to rolling luggage + persoanal item with luggage passthrough i think its a better combination *most the time* the exceptions being more rural areas without good roads for wheeled luggage.
I carry on a soft suitcase with hidden back straps and wheels . It works in all situations ( cobbles or steps ) . I am an older smaller woman , so this is a game changer for me .
Where did you buy? Name of the brand please
Turtle! Great Video Thanks.
You said "irregardless" at 3:02. English teacher scowl here: it's regardless or irrespective.
Turtle. I would like to know more about traveling backpacks.
The right softside roller bag and fanny packs for me. I started wearing a fanny pack instead of carrying a purse after being in a disaster where being hands free was a real safety issue. I also found a camera bag/fanny pack that fits under my "purse". Neither has to be removed to access them or to sit in a chair - just spin them back to front. Also the weight rests on your hips more than your back which helps reduce fatigue. For some reason fanny packs are looked down on even more than backpacks but I find the plusses out weigh their bad PR.
What Fanny pack are you describing? I’m interested
Turtle; backpacks from peak design, Nomad, Brigg and Riley, and Tumi please,..
I’m touring around Europe & want to look good 😉 then doing 2 weeks of the Camino. So backpack & roller case I’ll need to store. 👣
I've been traveling carry-on only for 25 years now (Not including my stint in the USN) for my trips to Southeast Asia (SEA). I have always been about 100% function. All of my carry on bags have been backpack/duffle bags with locking pockets because of the "give" a bag has when being stowed. My last few bags have been convertible duffle bags with integrated backpack straps. Fashion has never been a priority for me (all of my bags have been black with the exception of one backpack that was navy blue due to that being the only color offered) with a handle, and a shoulder strap for quick transports and leverage for stowage. I never used packing cubed because of the multiple pockets in my duffle bag, as well as incorporating the "Army Roll" method of packing clothing.
Had a question about the Monos rolling bag you recommended. Did you get the Carry On or the Carry On Plus? I’m trying to decide between the 2. Thanks for any info you can share and I really enjoy your videos. Very informative!
Turtle, with budget, middle and high end prices 👍
Omg, your baby girl is such a cutie 🥰 😊
I have a roller backpack and a carryon Pikes Peak backpack that I bring a compact luggage roller with it which saves my back and body going through airports and and well developed city streets. I put away the luggage roller so that UA would not make me check my luggage.
I use both a roller bag and a backpack
I roll the back pack on the roller till I need it
Turtle for sure!
Hi, what is the gray backpack Allie has on at 8:02 in the video, please? Thanks for all the help!!
Caribee is a good branded bags
Omg make a video of the bag you brought for your one year olds stuff for the flight.
What about the Cotopaxi back packs. They're brilliant.
A point to note about security.. any zipper can be defeated in about 2 seconds using a ball point pen, locking a zipper only adds psychological value. Bags without zippers are more secure.
Hello Nik, thank you for putting this up together. My take is as getting old, my back cannot tolerate the weight of the backpack anymore more so if it is a long walk/travel. So I opted for rolling bag when I travel as long as it is a carry-on. By the way, we want to send you some samples of our products (suitcases, packing cubes, etc.). How can we reach you for our written proposal?
I would love to know which backpack you used during your 6-month travels.
Have you compared the backpack which convert to suitcase ( non wheeled ) and thoughts
So I’m going to be traveling with a hard sided carry on bag but I’m trying to figure out which small/medium backpack has a strap to slide onto the roller bag when I don’t want to carry it and keep secured to the roller
I'm 72 I've been traveling overseas since the mid 90s and I go to Europe at least once every year I used to take a travel pro and I still like that luggage because it has pockets in the front that I can get to pretty quickly
However, the last few years I have just been using a Kelly red wing
As my only luggage
Sometimes I take the kelty. That's about 30 L and other times I take one that's about 38 L
Those Keltys are cool!
I am struggling with having a more professional look, but international carrier is absolute per blogs on size and most of these bags are to large in one of the dimensions (55 x 35 x25) any recommendations? Typically use backpacks but tweeked my neck... thinking 2 wheel just to be smaller profile...Love your channel.
TURTLE!!!
In my last few trips with my rolling carry-on, the airlines made me gate check it. The reason we don't check luggage is because we want to leave the airport as soon as we reach our destination. My husband uses a rolling backpack but just rolls it, never carried it, and the airline personnel never tell him it will be gate checked. Have you tested a rolling carry on back pack? What are your opinions on it?
Turtle. Bellroy vs Pakt vs Alpaka vs Peak Design. And how do these stack up against a more costly Tumi?
Early 60s overweight woman here. The more I travel the less I carry and the more I love my backpack.
I like everything about this comment. :-)
Tumi's new Aluminum 19 backpack has a lock. However, it's expensive, prone to damage and impractical.
Here’s my take I’ve used rolling backpacks rolling carryons and backpacks rolling seems to be heavier due to the weight of the wheels and handle hardware and in my experience the wheels dug into my sides and a rolling carryon soft or hard just don’t seem to be stable when upright when u expand them they tip forward so for the past few years I’ve used just a regular backpack just because my hands are free to do other things
@1:40 If you have to stand in a long immigration line, just take off your backpack and put it on the ground. When you inch up the line, then pick up your bag and scoot it up. It's not that hard or heavy.
TURTLE: just bought the Duchamp style#16613 for my trip later this year. It's a backpack that expands like compression cubes.
What do you think??
What is the backpack brand and model you show here
Airlines are increasingly severely limiting cabin luggage weight which negates many if not all of the pluses
How about backpack has wheels?
WOW!!! Congrats, what is her name?
I buy stuff during my trip . I buy a bigger piece of luggage and I’m fine with that.i also have a wire around my backpack so that pickpockets can’t reach my backpack.
I 🎉love Jelly Roll and as a retired nurse.. I find myself worried about his health 💫🙏🏽
Both! I’m an over packer 😂
Does a stuffed backpack usually fit in the overhead bins? I've never been on a plane before but I am flying on Tuesday and I am nervous my backpack might not fit in the bin because of how stuffed it is
The Nomatic bag over priced though, banking on tattooed instagram hipsters. So many identical bags or better like Airport Accelerator by Think Tank or Peak Design.
Hey Nik - any experience with Peak Design? I've been looking at their travel backpack 45L, and I'm wondering if you have any experience with them! Thanks!
I recently bought that backpack and would love it for one bag travel. I ended up trading it for the smaller 30L as I will usually be using it as a personal item with a carry-on suitcase. Also, the Peak Design packing cubes are the best I've found so far, and they fit perfectly inside their travel backpacks.
If I can help it, I never use a roller bag. They are a pain on anything other than smooth linoleum, every flight these days forces about 10% of people to check their roller bags, and as I (or my company) always pay for cheap airfares, I'm last to board, so most likely to be forced to check.
Beyond that they're harder to throw in a cab, a pain in crowds, and tie up a hand.
I honestly can't see any upside to them unless your plan is to check luggage, and that doesn't sound like a good plan to me!
Get a good backpack and don't over pack and it'll be comfortable, squish into any hole you need to shove it in, and be so much easier to transport.
TURTLE
You mentioned your wife does the Monos Carryon Plus. That's 23x15x9.5 just a little bigger than typical carryon size-are you hoping it'll fly through or are you planning on checking it? And why not the regular Monos Carryon that matches most typical carry on airline restrictions that you mentioned you loved in your other video vs all the other brands? Thanks. (Getting ready to order one now totally confused).
No, Allie tends to take that Plus with her. We’ve carried the pluses with us to 17 countries many in Europe and Asia including several budget flights like RyanAir and have largely had no issue. The regular carry on size is always safest and technically correct. However it’s often truly a matter of risk tolerance IMO
Thanks for the reply. I checked your other video about this and sounds like you had great success with it as a carryon. Great videos! Really helped us alot...we are going with one Monos carryon plus and one Osprey Fairpoint 55 (with daypack) so we can have some mobile flexibility for short away trips from our homebase. 🙂
Zpacks backpack
I thought we could only carry on one bag? Because of space issues with overhead bins
Allowed luggage varies GREATLY by airline!! Read the fine print BEFORE you buy the ticket as which level ticket you buy also impacts the allowed luggage.
Most airlines allow a carry on AND a personal item. Depending on my trip I use my backpack as the personal item with a soft sided suitcase. For the majority of my travels the same backpack is my personal item and a large crossbody bag is my personal item.
Turtle. Die-hard backpack person.
Turtle!!! 🐢