Dear friends, it’s time we talk about a hotly debated topic in the travel world – one that divides friend groups – between the stairs and the elevator, anyway:
Which reigns supreme between the suitcase and the backpack?
Now I used to be a backpack lover all the way. Suitcases made little sense to me, especially when traveling in developing countries that didn’t have sidewalks.
But then something odd happened, I got tired of carrying backpacks on my back, constantly hoisting them up and sweating underneath them. I found that I could carve out a bit more space in a suitcase as well, and have a bit more confidence of things not getting squished.
I was left torn, confused, and bewildered, if you will. Where did my allegiance belong?
So I decided to experiment with both, so that we can end this debate once and for all.
Before we dive in, I just want to rule out duffel bags, which are the least convenient because they have neither support nor straps for a back, and while we’re at it I’m ruling out rolling backpacks too because they bring the worst of both worlds – they are clunky and hard to carry on your back, and soft and squishy, removing the benefits of a suitcase. Cool? Moving on…
The Experiment:
After using a backpack for most of my trips from 2012 until present (and often doing so carry-on only), I decided to use a suitcase when traveling in the US, Germany, Japan, and southern Africa.
I figured that this was a diverse and varied sample size that would allow me to weigh the pros and cons.
Additionally, I travel alone, so ain’t nobody carrying my stuff but me.
This is what I found:
The Benefits of a Backpack
I love the versatility of traveling with a backpack. It doesn’t matter what kind of ground you encounter, because the backpack is not meant to be on the ground, by design.
To me, the benefit is actually twofold: you can go anywhere with a backpack, including up and down stairs, and it forces you into minimalist packing, because you have to be able to carry it.
I’ve sworn by backpacks for most of my trips, but from time to time when I was encountering multiple climates and had to bring extra gear for things like backpacking and camping, wearing a backpack meant being saddled with tons of weight. I wondered, was there a better way?
READ NEXT: The best travel backpacks for women
The Benefits of a Suitcase
As I readied myself to leave California this summer, I went into my mom’s garage, dusted off an old suitcase, and figured I’d give it a try. I would be traveling from Southern California’s perpetual spring to the warmth of New Orleans, and also wanted to bring back some cooler weather clothing for Berlin. Next, I would bring the same suitcase to Japan, and then back to Germany and eventually to Namibia, too. This meant I had to put cold-weather clothing in with my African summer clothing.
Though I can make multiple climates work in one backpack, it’s a bit easier to sit on the lid of a suitcase to push it down while zipping it than it is to pray the zipper doesn’t break on your backpack while pushing the fabric together.
Additionally, we can’t deny that as a traveler with a suitcase, you just look classier than a backpacker with a backpack (here are 7 best Rimowa dupes if you are shopping for a stylish suitcase!). I don’t care a lot about this, and in fact even enjoy walking into a super nice hotel with a grungy backpack and watching eyebrows raise, but I also DGAF and not everyone feels like I do.
Alas, things quickly turned tricky with the suitcase. I loved it while I was packing, but fell out of love as soon as I started traveling.
I encountered the first set of stairs pretty quickly – the set of over 100 to get into my apartment. That’s after the stairs in the train stations, and the fine cobblestone streets of Berlin. Of course I knew that this would be part of the deal, but I figured that problem would evaporate once I headed to Tokyo – technologically advanced, robot-loving Tokyo.
I was wrong.
As I made my way from the airport to my hotel in Tokyo, with three train station changes in between, I only found one escalator. There were constant stairs! Just to go a little bit up, or just a little bit down, or to the next platform. It delayed me as I stopped to pick up the bag in a crowded subway. I yearned for the convenience of my backpack more than ever.
Southern Africa was no better, where I was frequently dragging my suitcase over dirt paths to get to the lodge doors.
Which one Won:
You guys, I’m going back to my backpack for most situations and applications. While I think that suitcases are fine if you plan on going straight to your hotel and not moving at any point during your vacation, the convenience of a backpack is just much better.
Yes, it can be annoying having to carry it around, but it is a lot less annoying than struggling with a clunky suitcase down 100 stairs. The minor inconvenience of wearing the backpack, which is exercise anyway, outweighs the frequent and major inconveniences of a suitcase for me.
What do you think? Are you team backpack or team suitcase?
GG says
Hi Kristin: How about hybrid duffel bags with removable straps for more leisurely trips (they claim they stick and stay on)? I like those for more leisurely domestic trips with lighter loads where I can have it in my hand for quick access when needed and if I want to lug it around or want to not think about it, have in on my back. Certainly don’t want the ones with wheels (don’t even like rolling my suitcases when on smooth ground, I like carrying it, okay not the smartest idea sometimes! 🙂 ) like you said. In the end, I prefer typical backpacks, I see them even used in my business meetings, they are more in vogue now it seems, and you can get nice looking ones if you want. For me the pragmatist, I would want one that is sturdy and if abroad and worried about thievery one that is like the caged ones you recommend. And the cube! In those situation a duffel bag would not be my first choice, hybrid or not since I doubt toughness and thief protection are considered fully! 🙂 However, there is one site that claims that they are durable etc. but I would want to try one out personally before considering it!
Caitlyn Worland says
Definitely team backpack! You just can’t beat the convenience of a backpack once you are on the road. I completely relate to all of the reasons you have outlined why a suitcase is just not user friendly and why it has to be a backpack for me. Awesome post and I will definitely share with my friends who I have been trying to convert!
Kristin says
same team!
Gina says
Hey Kristin! Always enjoy and am inspired by your blog! ??❤️?
I have been traveling with multiple suitcases from September 2016 until I left the US in June. I whittled everything down to 1 carry on roller bag and was thought Inwas doing GREAT! Fast forward to the many stairs throughout Europe, rain, cobblestone and very crowded streets! I ditched the suitcase in Poland and got a back pack! I was actually going to leave the US with a backpack but was SO OVERWHELMED by all the articles I read about which backpack to get, I said screw it and went with the suitcase. No regrets on changing but recommend the following:
-Do SOME research but don’t be obsessed!
-Decide the MUST haves that you desire in a pack.
-Go to a store and try them on, check out all the pockets, zippers, etc.
-For the LOVE, get some packing cubes! They’ll help you keep things organized and so easy to unpack and pack back up!
I have actually been traveling all over Europe and South Africa with a carry on size back pack. Don’t assume, because the label says CARRY ON, it’s within the standards of the airlines. European and US air carriers differ. Educate yourself!
I’ve saved SO much money on checked bag fees!!!!!!
Sometimes the trains and buses can be daunting with a pack, but for me, all 5’3” of me, it gives me an extra layer of crowd security! ?
The turnstiles in Paris at the train were a tight squeeze, but some very funny Parisians behind me helped give me a friendly SHOVE through! ???????
I also find Indont spend money on useless souvenirs because I don’t have the room. I’m
prone to spend travel $ on cool experiences rather than STUFF!!!!
I also have had 2 lumbar fusion surgeries and keeping it to a carry on size, allows me to keep the weight low to save my back! I’ve been traveling with 10 kg and couldn’t be happier!
Team BACKPACK all the way baby!!!!!
Gina @junketinggina Instagram ?✈️?
Bre says
Gina,
Would you please share the bag that you use?
Thanks!
David Cameron says
I have come across this post a couple of years late. I am quite passionate about suitcases… Full disclosure, I operate a website that specializes in the safety of suitcases, (Search for “Safe suitcases” and you’ll find me).
Although I understand the convenience and practicality of backpacks, I prefer hard sided suitcases that do not close using a zipper purely out of security. If you ever have to check your backpack, they are at risk of being looted or used for smuggling. Airports in many countries are popular with organized crime.
In the past few years, there have been great strides made in zipper technology so if you are going to go with a backpack, I recommend getting one with puncture resistant zippers from a company like Pacsafe.
Kristin says
Benefits to both, but backpacks are so much easier to carry! I avoid theft issues by packing valuables only in carry ons.
David Baker says
I have a hybrid: a backpack with wheels! It’d the best.
Lily Rose says
Both have their own pros and cons, sometimes you need a backpack and sometimes you need a suitcase. so Benefits to both, but backpacks are so much easier to carry! I avoid theft issues by packing valuables only in carry on.
Jason Lee says
I think it depends on what type of travel you do. If you are a budget traveller or nature lover trying to squeeze out every last penny of savings, a backpack is the way to go, It allows you greater probability of sneaking a bag into carry on (avoiding fees), it’s easier to use public transport and walk to your hotel/campsite, etc.
However, if you’re a business traveller where money is no object, suitcases are better. Put yourself in my shoes. To and from airport to hotel is accomplished by Taxi which drops you right in front of your destination. There are no rough roads to navigate or running to avoid missed trains, etc. There are also no stairs because any 4+ star hotel would definitely have elevators or people to carry the luggage for you to your room. On the positive side, wheeled luggage requires less work to move and offers more protection for valuable equipment.
I think there is a difference between vacation/amateur travellers and professional/business travellers. In general if you’re a tourist, go with a backpack. If you’re a professional, go with a suitcase. The negatives of a suitcase are mitigated by all the services availed to business folk.
Anonymous says
I hate blogs! There I said it. However, yours was instantly intriguing. This is a great article and I wish there was a magazine out there that would publish it. It’s great information and honest information with a hint of sass. DGAF! I literally laughed out loud! I can so relate to the stair debacle…I was immediately transported to my 2018 trip to Barcelona. I swear the reason I have high blood pressure today is because I chose a suitcase vs. backpack for that trip. I am team backpack.
Kristin says
Thanks for the kind words!