How to Choose Between a Backpack and a Suitcase When Traveling
Different types of recreation require different equipment, and one of the most important options most of us make when heading to the airport is to pack everything in a backpack or suitcase. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses and are better suited to certain situations.
The choice between the two may seem arbitrary. But anyone who has had to lug a roller suitcase a mile down the dirt road from the train to their hotel, or who has pulled a crumpled suit out of their backpack right before their wedding knows that the wrong choice can ruin a vacation.
I think it’s best to break this down into three categories: suitcases (like a regular carry-on bag on rollers), small backpacks that can fit under the seat, and larger backpacks that need to be stowed in the top compartment. From there it all boils down to a few simple questions like how long is your trip, what will you do, what seasons you will face, how many more trips will you take when you arrive, what the infrastructure is. how to your destination and how much you plan to bring with you.
Pros and cons of suitcases
Suitcases are preferred and probably the best choice when you are only going to one destination and plan to stay there until you return. In such a situation, most likely you will not carry your suitcase everywhere, unlike a backpack. For example, I almost always take a suitcase with me when I go home for the holidays or when I go to a wedding (or funeral). I also took a suitcase with me when I went on a trip to the south, because I had a car all the time, and suitcases are much easier to repack than backpacks.
pros
- Hard-shell suitcases can get damaged and you can lock the suitcase if you’re afraid of theft.
- It is much more convenient to roll a suitcase around the airports than to go with a backpack.
- If you are not a professional packer, it will be easier for you to pack your formal clothes without folds in your suitcase.
- Suitcases are much easier to repack than a top-loading backpack.
- Most suitcases, especially those with hard shells, are waterproof.
- Some suitcases make it easier to separate dirty clothes from clean ones. The suitcase is generally easier to organize.
Minuses
- Carrying a suitcase sucks and these wheels don’t help on cobblestones, mud, or other difficult terrain.
- Riding with a suitcase in a crowded city or on a crowded train is usually difficult. It is usually difficult to move around with a suitcase, which is problematic if you plan to use a lot of public transport or are traveling by boat at any time.
- A good suitcase usually costs at least a couple hundred dollars, but a bad cheap suitcase with squeaky wheels or weak zippers can ruin your vacation.
If you’re shopping for a new suitcase, we’ve rounded up a few reader favorites over the years . I’m a fan of the Timbuk2 Co-Pilot , in part because it has a variety of different organizing systems inside the bag, including an easily accessible top compartment that’s perfect for snacks while traveling.
When a suitcase is best
A modest suitcase is best for travel to resorts, if you are renting a car, physically unable to carry something on your back for hours, when traveling to a wedding or other official business, or when traveling for work. … Suitcases can work in different situations, but they glow best when you stay in the same place for a while, rather than moving between different hotels or hostels.
Pros and cons of small backpacks
As you might expect, small backpacks are an obvious choice for long weekends or shorter trips. They’re also perfect for minimalists who prefer to travel with special gear and don’t mind doing laundry during the trip. Wirecutter has a great collection of the type of outfit I’m talking about here, but think about wool socks, quick-drying underwear, and portable laundry detergent like this for everything else. I made a two-week trip with a small bag of a volume of 16.2 liters of Topo Designs, re-use and clean a lot of clothes on the way.
pros
- Small and easy to carry, giving you virtually limitless mobility. Plus, you can effortlessly run to trains, jump over puddles, and jump into the cockpit.
- Fits under the seat so you don’t have to worry about the plane crashing out of the overhead pantry or losing it.
- Small backpacks are versatile. If a suitcase is only useful when traveling, you have a lot more reason to pack a small backpack for day trips, hiking, or whatever.
- The small size means you only bring what you need, and you don’t buy a bunch of useless junk to take home with you (which some might view as a scam).
Minuses
- Smaller backpacks are often top-loaded, which means you have to completely unpack and then repack again whenever you need to get something.
- Backpacks are a little more personal than luggage, so you’ll have to work hard to find one that works for you. This usually means trying on a bunch.
- Size can be a big issue if you like having a lot of options when traveling. Small backpacks are not suitable if you are going to be in different climates and need a variety of clothes.
- The backpack is not as strong as a suitcase, so you shouldn’t usually sit on it or throw it around.
- Basically you are required to roll clothes rather than fold them, which can make it difficult to fit in certain forms of formal wear (no matter how well you pack, I urge you to stuff your suit in your backpack and not have it come out after 10 hours wrinkled and weird ).
If you don’t know where to start looking for a backpack, we can help you in a variety of ways. For inspiration, here are a few handbags from last year that might help you find something, and our suggestions site also has readers’ favorites . Popularity is only part of the equation, however, buying a comfortable bag requires some skill and research beyond Google .
When a small backpack is best
The small backpack is the king of short trips, it moves quickly between different places after your arrival, and for those who don’t mind washing on the go.
Pros and cons of large backpacks
Larger backpacks can be the perfect travel compromise. They are well suited for people who don’t want to lug around a suitcase but don’t want to sacrifice the amount of memory they have. I’m talking about double the size of the backpack, about 30-50 liters. This usually moves the bag from under the seat in front of you during flight into the upper compartment.
It is my personal choice when possible, although, as you would expect, there are many circumstances where this does not work.
pros
- It’s more mobile than a suitcase, but with the right planning it can hold almost as many things as a suitcase.
- The larger the backpack, the more pockets you have. The more pockets you have, the more opportunities you have to organize things.
- Are you often late? Running with a backpack is much easier than running with a suitcase.
- The versatility is that you can use it for its intended purpose, for hiking or traveling.
- Generally, even cheaper backpacks of this size can take bumps, so they should be fine on the plane.
- The backpack is easy to keep track of when you are traveling as it is attached to your back.
Minuses
- A larger backpack can be expensive and more difficult to find the one that works for you.
- A backpack is harder to lock than a suitcase – all those handy pockets make it so you’ll need 10 different locks.
- No matter how strong you are, lugging around a big backpack full of tons of stuff will never be comfortable.
- Even if you have a backpack that zips open completely, it is more difficult to organize everything in a backpack than in a suitcase.
- You will need to master the art of folding clothes, because folding clothes in a backpack almost never works.
- Finding the right size bag for your trip can often be difficult. When the backpack is not full, some models tend to sit strangely on your shoulders.
When a larger backpack is the best option
Larger backpacks are probably best for those who can’t take on a smaller backpack but don’t mind carrying something on their back for the entire trip. They are great when you have a varied and challenging travel itinerary ahead of you, for example if you arrive, then take a taxi and then take the train to get around afterwards.
You have many options for bags of this size. Farpoint Osprey is one of the most popular, as is the Overhaul 40 North Face . I’m going to test this Topo travel bag that I bought at a giveaway a few weeks ago. The Tom Bihn Tri-Star is also highly recommended, albeit pricey. Again, just like with smaller backpacks, it all depends on your package and what suits you best, so you’ll need to shop.
Of course, there are many people who prefer one option over the other and will use the one that works for them no matter the destination. That’s okay too! There is also a small but curious group of people who prefer sports bags for some reason, which I may never understand.