This is why I switched to rolling luggage and how to decide when to use backpacks, rolling luggage, or a mix of both for long-term travel.
When a Backpack Is Best for Long-Term Travel
I started traveling full-time with a backpack, then switched bags, then hated them. Find out why I dislike backpacks here.
Backpacks are good for long-term travel, despite my hatred of them.
- If you enjoy wilderness hiking/camping,
- Consider a hiking backpack if you frequently walk with your suitcase or travel in tough terrain where wheeled luggage is impractical.
- You just bring carry-on luggage, so the backpack won’t be too hefty.
- Young and eager, haven’t you experienced back pain?
2023 Update: Best Travel Backpack
While I don’t like travel backpacks, I had the incorrect ones. I carried backpacks for backcountry camping, not travel. Occasionally, carrying heavier checked luggage on my back was painful.
Backcountry packs lack travel usefulness, and large backpacks are heavy, so I don’t like them! Ha ha!
After seeing this post, Tortuga bags changed my view regarding travel bags. I received their 40L carry-on Travel Backpack. It’s a terrific travel backpack, as I discovered on a week-long overseas vacation. (My back disagrees, but the bag isn’t to blame).
It’s just me. Tortuga made me reconsider my bag hatred after browsing their website and hearing wonderful reviews from all my backpack-wearing trip friends and colleagues:
- A suitcase’s size, organization, and accessibility are combined with a super-technical strap and harness system to fit you correctly and not strain your back.
- Most airlines accept it as a carry-on and in the overhead compartment.
- You can view everything in the pack without much digging because the main compartment opens like a suitcase.
- It has hip pockets, water bottle pockets, and various external pockets for convenient access to essentials.
- E-readers are protected in the front organizer pocket’s padded sleeve.
- Cushioned sleeves protect your laptop and tablet at the back of the pack, preventing unauthorized access.
- Waterproof material and locking zippers.
- It saves 25 water bottles and 1.25 lbs of CO2 by using recycled polyester.
- It’s free to test at home, and if it doesn’t fit, they’ll refund and ship it.
Tortuga sells 30L and 40L Travel Backpacks featuring fresh designs. They compare. Their vast selection of packs and sizes overwhelmed me when I initially visited their site. If so, take their bag finder questionnaire to determine the ideal carry-on travel backpack, laptop bag, or daypack for you.
Tortuga Backpacks is a durable, smartly designed, well-made backpack for short trips and outdoor adventures, but I’m not sure it can convert me from a roll-aboard girl to a backpack girl for long-term travel. When it rained unexpectedly, the waterproof exterior saved my skin (or goods!).
When a Wheeled Backpack Is Best for Long-Term Travel
Wheeled backpacks were my paradise. I needed straps and wheels as a “recovering backpacker”. I used the High Sierra Overpass (discontinued) and Osprey Sojourn 60L (redesigned) two-wheeled backpacks for years. Also, consider the Osprey Fairview/Farpoint Wheeled Travel Packs.
I adored wheeled bags.
I still prefer wheeled backpacks and would still own one if I hadn’t changed my travel entourage (read on).
Wheeled backpacks are best for long-term travel when:
- You check bags instead of carrying them.
- You prefer rolling your luggage (useful in airport lines).
- There are times when rolling your luggage is impractical and you want to carry it.
- Easy luggage access is desired.
When rolling luggage (my current choice) is best for long-term travel
I once stored my wheeled backpack and took three-month excursions with my rolling carry-on bag.
I understood that I didn’t need the larger suitcase if I could survive for months in different climates with carry-on gear. I switched to carry-on luggage for my full-time travel crew. It can be stressful because there’s no place for extras, but carry-on luggage is convenient.
Additionally, my carry-on luggage is plain rolling luggage. Why do I no longer need backpack straps? When I can’t wheel the luggage, I can carry it by the handle. Its carry-on size and weight of 10kg make it easy to transport by hand. I could acquire a carry-on wheeled backpack, but the zip-away straps take up crucial luggage space, and fitting a full-time travel wardrobe is hard enough.
The Pacsafe Toursafe 21 (formerly the EXP21 Anti-Theft Wheeled Carry-On) is my favorite wheeled carry-on baggage because it’s lightweight, strong, has security elements, and has organizational functions.
2023 Unfortunately, supply chain concerns forced Pacsafe to discontinue its anti-theft rolling luggage. I left the paragraph above intact in hopes that they’ll revive it or I’ll find another similar anti-theft luggage to love and feature. Stay tuned!
Meanwhile, I’ve been testing the Osprey Daylite Carryon Wheeled Duffel 40L. While backpack straps are superfluous for carry-on luggage, these straps don’t take up packing room and can be removed if you don’t like them. Features of the bag are travel-friendly.
Long-term travel doesn’t often suit rolling luggage, but here it makes sense:
- You just bring carry-on luggage (which you can easily carry when unrolled).
- You take a few detours and travel directly from one hotel to another.
- Less “roughing it”
- You fly often.
- Your back hurts and you don’t want to carry a backpack.
- Easy luggage access and organization are your goals.
Check for these features when buying new luggage:
- An extendable handle
- Zippers that lock
- Zip pockets
- Are you interested in top loading?
- Fits in the overhead bin?
- If it has premium spinner wheels, does packing space decrease?
Extra Daypack
My daypack, which holds my computer and other things, makes my carry-on luggage method function. Most airlines allow one carry-on bag (like my Pacsafe) and one “purse/briefcase” bag as a personal item. That extra bag is my daypack. (I carry a little handbag, but I could slip it in my daypack if challenged).
This daypack is perfect for computer café visits, grocery shopping, and multi-day treks like my 5-day Peru expedition. (Although realistically, bring this backpack instead of wheeled luggage for a day hike in Peru’s mountains)!
What I look for in a daypack:
- Water bottle pockets on the sides
- Cushioned shoulder straps
- Separate compartments for easy organization
I used a 25L Pacsafe Venturesafe Daypack for years as an unintended Pacsafe poster girl. Loved it to pieces. Pacsafe now has many different-sized and styled backpacks; I like 25L best for travel.
I’ve been using the Peak Design Everyday Totepack for myself, which receives comments everywhere. Check out my video evaluation to see whether it’ll work for you. It has great positives and cons.
2023 update: I’m evaluating the Knack Bags S2 Medium Expandable Backpack and have good hopes. This may be my new favorite travel daypack because of its 24-35L expansion and many organizing and security features.
I recommend an ultra-light packable day pack
Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack Multi-award-winning 20L packable day pack fits in a tennis ball-sized pouch. It works for day treks, supermarket shopping, and as an extra daypack without taking up room or weight. Here’s my pack demo video.
2023 Update. The lightest and smallest packable backpack is the Sea to Summit daypack. Without side water bottle compartments and internal organization, it fails. The Osprey Ultralight Stuff Pack solves these issues.
2023 Update
Since I have a home base, I can pack strategically for every trip. Even if I’m traveling for months, the trip will determine my luggage.
If I’m going from A to B and staying for a while, I might check my bags so I can bring some extras. I’ll probably check luggage for a long vacation with diverse climates and/or technical activities.
I’m writing this update while on a five-month vacation with rolling carry-on luggage (Level8 Grace EXT extensible hardshell spinner luggage, my first).
Interested in checked vs. carry-on luggage decisions? Guide yourself using this article.
