Recommend a backpack instead of luggage?

[Anonymous]

We're heading to Europe this summer, lots of train transfers, not necessarily nicely paved streets where we're going, etc. and thought it might be easier using hiking style backpacks instead of rolling luggage. Any recommendations people have used and liked? I've searched online but there are so many to choose from, thought I'd see if I could narrow it down here.

[Anonymous]

Peak Design 45L is great from personal experience, and recommended by Wirecutter.

Two cheaper options that also seem good (no direct experience) are Cotopaxi Alipa 42L, and Osprey Fairview (women)/Farpoint (men) 40L

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Peak Design 45L is great from personal experience, and recommended by Wirecutter.

Two cheaper options that also seem good (no direct experience) are Cotopaxi Alipa 42L, and Osprey Fairview (women)/Farpoint (men) 40L

Note that these aren't truly "hiking" backpacks, meant for long walks. They are designed to be "travel/carry-on" backpacks, comfortable enough for walking in an airport, to the train station, etc. They all have hip belts, which are key for supporting weight and taking it off your shoulders.

I swear by my Peak Design 45L. The size flexibility is great. Easily fit a weeks worth of clothes in summer.

[Anonymous]

Tom Bihn has some really nice ones but they fall in the category of “expensive but worth it in the long run”

Osprey is also a great brand

[Anonymous]

You can go to REI and check some out

[Anonymous]

Hip and sternum belts are important. As are test fitting - I'm short - 5 2 and a lot of these backpack luggage don't have enough adjustments for me to wear them properly when fully loaded - weighting on my shoulders - or too long for my torso results in back/neck issues for me. I have found the Osprey bags that are designed for women and have different sizes based on your measurements work best from a comfort standpoint - but I don't love how I pack my clothes etc inside. My advice would be to find someplace you can try them on - and bring what you might pack with you and do trial packs and some walking.

[Anonymous]

Are you a super fit twenty something who is comfortable schlepping 40+ pounds?

I think a hiking backpack would be difficult for most folks.

Take a roller bag and a normal backpack. If you need to ever carry your roller at by hand, at least it will be manageable weight-wise (since you’ve split the weight into 2 bags).

[Anonymous]

Not ll bean. My kids rolling duffle and back pack are splitting at the seem 1.5 hears in. The rolling duffle was used twice and tore at the wheel corner. ll bean would not take it back because ‘it looks like it was dragged’.

I love my osprey. Got it at rei.

[Anonymous]

There are a few companies which specialize in that type of backpack. One is Nomatic, which offers several sizes/capacities to suit different body sizes and strengths and needs, e.g. https://www.nomatic.com/collections/backpacks/products/nomatic-30l-travel-bag

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you a super fit twenty something who is comfortable schlepping 40+ pounds?

I think a hiking backpack would be difficult for most folks.

Take a roller bag and a normal backpack. If you need to ever carry your roller at by hand, at least it will be manageable weight-wise (since you’ve split the weight into 2 bags).

Agree with this approach. Both my roller bag and my backpack are 25L - together its 50 L - plenty of space for a week+ trip but all carryon size and weight. My roller bag won't get so heavy that I can't lift it up stairs, into overheads and it's great for going long distance when I have to walk from train stations to hotels. My backpack is an osprey and again it's not going to get over weight so I can easily carry it without problems. For our family this method has worked best - rather than one bag with all the weight. Sure you have to pack light but once you get a system in place it's pretty easy to bring what you need, wash it while traveling and buy what you forgot. I also leave space in my backpack for a few items I might want to bring home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you a super fit twenty something who is comfortable schlepping 40+ pounds?

I think a hiking backpack would be difficult for most folks.

Take a roller bag and a normal backpack. If you need to ever carry your roller at by hand, at least it will be manageable weight-wise (since you’ve split the weight into 2 bags).

It's unlikely a carry -on sized backpack would get up to 40 pounds. Mine weighs about 4 pounds, and when fully packed (including computer) it's around 25 pounds, probably 22-23 if I don't bring my computer. Yes it is pretty heavy and I wouldn't walk 2 miles with it, but it's manageable for most, I would think, over the say half mile distances you would normally be taking it. You can pack a fold up backpack inside it to use when out and about (not in transit) at your destination.

To each their own, but I find it so freeing having both hands free and not dragging something over stairs and uneven pavement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you a super fit twenty something who is comfortable schlepping 40+ pounds?

I think a hiking backpack would be difficult for most folks.

Take a roller bag and a normal backpack. If you need to ever carry your roller at by hand, at least it will be manageable weight-wise (since you’ve split the weight into 2 bags).

It's unlikely a carry -on sized backpack would get up to 40 pounds. Mine weighs about 4 pounds, and when fully packed (including computer) it's around 25 pounds, probably 22-23 if I don't bring my computer. Yes it is pretty heavy and I wouldn't walk 2 miles with it, but it's manageable for most, I would think, over the say half mile distances you would normally be taking it. You can pack a fold up backpack inside it to use when out and about (not in transit) at your destination.

To each their own, but I find it so freeing having both hands free and not dragging something over stairs and uneven pavement.

Agree w all of this.

[Anonymous]

We went to Greece for spring break. We stayed in five different places, one of which was on an island and up a huge hill / mountain. We had roller bags and they were fine. Did they roll up the hill? Not really, but we could still carry them by the handle / drag them by the long handle up the hill. Especially since we had to walk a long way in the airports, having wheels was much better than not having wheels, especially for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Go to the Pack Hacker channel on YouTube. The hosts are annoying and nauseating but provide good insight.

Also there are a million travel EDC videos on YouTube.

[Anonymous]

We love our Cotopaxi backpacks for travel. You can fit a surprising amount of clothing--especially if you use compression bags--and it has hip and sternum straps. We typically travel with this in lieu of a roller bag or in addition to for longer trips.