Suitcase Vs Backpack

Last Updated: Mar. 14, 2010

Tags: luggage, what to pack, all countries

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1. Dear travelers,

   recently i went and bought my very first suitcase, whilst in the store I was given a litttle bit of debrief on the debate of suitcase verses backpack… Many suitcase we have in Aussie land are American owned and made which means if in the states and you have an american modle suit case and its damaged its a lot easier to get a new one. Where as backpacks are made from everywhere anywhere and are sometimes unreliable. I also told that having a backpack can casue back pains!:( and that often its ill avised for people that may be a bit weak in the back to not have one.

   Medium sized suitcase are very handly, I often see people with suitcases almost as big as they are and are often having trouble trying to get them around, a tip I found was clothes that can be rolled into a tight roll is good casue then you have more room! A tip on knowing which suitcase is yours which I learnt from my brother is to stich a puppet on the front makes it easier to spot (I have a mouse with a big red nose on mine) or have a suit case that is bright in colour and not just plain black.

   A small back bag of some sort with a zipper for day trip is great and can also be used for carry on luggage sort of like a school bag is always good.

   Hope this helps

   milo_da_vinci posted 12 days ago Flag as Inappropriate

2. Thanks Karen your post was extremely helpful :)

   Shanny87 posted 18 days ago Flag as Inappropriate

3. I am doing the 22 day camping tour in europe this summer and cant decide if i should take a backpack or suitcase!!!!! I need some advice on which would be better to bring thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

   Ambie posted on Feb. 07, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

4. Karen97, thanks for the info, you actually made it so I could decide! And know what to expect a bit more

   Explorer1155717 posted on Feb. 02, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

5. I did the European Highlights tour and agree completely with what Jordan Allen has said – SUITCASE + CARRY-ON BACKPACK, at least for any Euro summer concept or timeout tour.
   Can I just add something from my experience: I too struggled with the suitcase vs backpack dilemma for months before I went. In the end I actually settled on a backpack because I thought it would be easier to get around with… however I quickly realised that I had made the WRONG decision! As a female travelling solo I felt uneasy the second I got out of Heathrow – as if my backpack was screaming “hey everyone, I am a BACKPACKER, and I’m also a girl, on my own, so please could the nearest criminal follow me until I inevitably get lost and turn down an alleyway or wind up alone in a tube carriage, and attack and/or mug me”.... perhaps somewhat paranoid, but I just felt really uncomfortable, and I am usually a fairly confident person. After six days of lugging it around the UK pre-Contiki (complete with lovely sweat patches from where it sat on my back) I ended up ditching it (Contiki basement storage) and buying a suitcase instead. That set me back a fair bit, but it was worth it. So much easier to pack a suitcase (helpful as there are some very early mornings and some very hurried changes for dinner/nights out after a day’s sightseeing) and much easier to wheel it around. I can only remember two occasions when I had to carry it up stairs, and it was fine. After the tour finished I spent another week or so travelling in Europe by myself, and felt infinitely more confident. Nobody bats an eye at a young woman with a suitcase, you could just be a local coming home from a weekend away courtesy of easyjet.
   Also, ladies if you don’t feel comfortable going out with a (small) backpack as your day bag, there is nothing to stop you from packing another handbag inside it and leaving your backpack on the bus when it drops you off for sightseeing. So you can take your passport, money, camera, ipod, water bottle etc with you and leave your book, neck pillow etc in your pack on the bus. Just make sure your handbag has a zip and that your keep it either tucked right under your shoulder or across your body on a long strap, with your hands on it all times, and you’ll be fine.
   Hope this post is helpful to some of you :)

   Karen97 posted on Feb. 01, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate

6. This is one of very few blogs that was worth the read, a great insight. Your website is very nicely designed, I have already bookmarked it. Thank you.
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   Explorer1158088 posted on Nov. 23, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

7. backpack backpack backpack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
   I have a travel pack, its the same as a backpack, but it zips all the way around, so kind opens like a suitcase…..as opposed to a hiking pack that only opens from the top

   Explorer1157937 posted on Nov. 22, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

8. Im doing the Canada and Rockies tour next August and am getting the High Sierra hybrid. That way i can ahve the best of both worlds, either carry it on my back or wheel it around. By the end of it im expecting ill be needing the wheels :D

   Ant n Tara posted on Nov. 11, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

9. im doing a concept tour for 37 days and im still trying to decide between suitcase or backpack! has anyone done this tour? if so what would you recommend. thanks! :)

   clairebear1988 posted on Nov. 08, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

10. Thanks for the tips

    Online shopping

    Explorer1154070 posted on Nov. 02, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

11. Hi all, I’m doing the London + Paris trip across New Year’s. I’m still torn between a suitcase and backpack. Has anyone done a similar tour? What is your recommendation?

    Thanks!

    Didi1314 posted on Oct. 21, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

12. I say always go with a backpack. The main reason is that you can usually take it on a plane without having to check.
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    Explorer1154194 posted on Oct. 18, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

13. According to me,Backpack is easy for carry rather
    than suitcase.when you want go any ware ,backpack is
    very helpfull thinks.Similarly back pack make comfortability for your travel.

    Explorer1153828 posted on Oct. 14, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

14. I am thinking of taking a lightweight soft shell luggage suitcase, and a small hard-shelled cabin bag. Would it be silly to take both of those plus packing a day trip backpack into my checked luggage? I’m going on the European Contrasts tour in 2010 if that makes any difference?

    Katie posted on Sep. 22, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

15. heyy, i am going on the european experience tour and was wondering if i should take a backpack or a suitcase. if any one has any suggestions it would be great.

    Explorer1148845 posted on Aug. 26, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

16. When it comes to hard vs soft suitcase I would definitely recommend the soft shell for it’s durability. I am a baggage handler and the number of hard shell suitcases I have seen explode when dropped scattering the owners possessions across the tarmac has certainly turned me off them as they have no give and simply bust apart. Unless you have something fragile you don’t want crushed in your bag (in which case you should be taking it in hand luggage) you are best off with a soft bag which has a bit of give in it and is more likely to survive a fall.

    IntrepidTravelor posted on Jun. 29, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

17. I wonder why duffle bags are not allowed on the board the coach?

    van332 posted on Jun. 12, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

18. I just read the no duffel bags rule, but mine is essentially a backpack with wheels and a handle so that it can be rolled. So is that allowed?

    CRChiasson posted on May. 23, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

19. Suitacases – is hard shell really, really, absolutely necessary?

    Explorer_07 posted on May. 05, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate

20. oh its a concept tour may i add, so no camping.

    misscass_87 posted on Apr. 21, 2009 Flag as Inappropriate