Ask a traveller which is better, suitcases or backpacks, and theyโre likely to take a deep pretentious dive into the difference between tourists and travellers โ even when thatโs not the question you askedโฆ
Everyone who goes abroad with any semblance of regularity has an opinion about their favourite baggage options โ and every long-term or budget focussed traveller โknowsโ the best backpackerโs luggage!
But thereโs only one person who can decide the best luggage option for your trip โ and thatโs you!
So, letโs dive into the differences between backpacks and suitcases, as well as the pros and cons of each!
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Backpacks vs Suitcases โ Top Travel Luggage Options ??
Pros and Cons of Backpacks and Suitcases
Weight โ๏ธ
As a general rule โ and thereโs going to be a lot of general rules in this article โ suitcases are heavier than backpacks.
But thereโs a lot of variation in the weight of travel luggage. Some travel backpacks barely weigh a kilogram while others are around two or three. Suitcases tend to start in the region of 1.5kg and can go heavier โ 4.5kg in some instances! Bear this in mind when checking your airlineโs baggage limits.
When fully laden with a bunch of stuff, heavy suitcases are easier to move around than heavy backpacks. Suitcases can be pulled along behind you as you move from A to B, while backpacks need to be carried at all times.
Manoeuvrability ?
Suitcases with wheels are excellent for smooth floors like youโll find in airports, train and bus stations. You can stroll to your departure gate as your luggage glides along behind you. However, suitcases start to struggle when the going gets a little tougher.
City streets are touch and go, depending on where in the world you are โ some cities have pavements your freshly shaven skin would be jealous of, while others have sidewalks in serious need of a facelift. And thatโs without touching on ancient cobbled streets or accommodation options with a bunch of stairs!
Backpacks, while more challenging than suitcases on smooth floors, excel on more uneven terrain. Theyโll go wherever your feet can take you!
However, neither option is great for crowded streets, busy trains or packed buses. If youโve got a lot of gear, whether itโs on your back or being pulled along behind you, youโll be inconvenienced by large numbers of people โ in the same way youโll be an inconvenience to them! Spending a little extra money and getting a taxi is often worth it when youโve got bulky bags!
Usability ?
When pulling a suitcase behind you, youโve lost 50% of your hands โ not permanentlyโฆ I hope. This makes checking directions, pulling things out of your pocket or getting through doorways a more challenging prospect. Backpacks, on the other hand, leave both hands free, so you can navigate the world around you with relative ease.
Backpacks are designed to be carried, so carrying them for a long time shouldnโt do you any harm โ especially if they have a good hip belt and suspension system! Suitcases on the other hand arenโt built to distribute the weight of their contents across your body. This means, if youโre required to carry a suitcase for any distance, youโll put a lot of strain on one arm and shoulder.
Depending on how youโre travelling, backpacks either help you blend in or stand out from the crowd. In a typical Bangkok hostel, a backpack marks you as a regular backpacker but if youโre on a romantic trip to Europe, a backpack may stand out at a classy hotel!
Itโs also worth noting that backpacks tend to wear out your travel clothes. The friction created from backpack straps rubbing on your t-shirt or jumper can cause holes to appear โ while this isnโt an issue for short trips, long-term travellers may find they need to replace clothing more often than they would at home!
Cost ?
Honestly, you get what you pay for. Itโs possible to get both backpacks and suitcases at super low prices. And itโs possible to spend a fortune on them too.
In general, a proper travel backpack is likely to cost more than a standard suitcase. But thereโs not much in it. If cost is your main concern, browse secondhand sites to see if you can pick up a travel bag, or suitcase, for a good price!
Packability ?
Traditionally, suitcases make it easier to pack, unpack and arrange your belongings. They open up completely, giving you full access to the large main compartment (or compartments) where all your gear is stored. This means you can see most of your stuff and find what you need without having to pull everything out. They also tend to have a simple square or rectangular shape, so itโs easy to make the most of the space, without having to worry about weird shaped corners or pockets.
While travel backpacks used to all be top-loading bags, similar to hiking backpacks, this isnโt always the case today. The best modern backpack brands make bags that open clamshell style, offering a very similar packing experience to a suitcase. A lot of them are square, or almost square, so allow you to make the most of the space much like a suitcase.
Packing Cubes
The biggest difference in terms of packability between suitcases and backpacks is the rigidity of the luggage itself. Suitcases tend to hold their shape better when empty, making it easier to start packing them. Backpacks have a floppier structure, so can be frustrating to pack!
Another advantage of the more rigid suitcases is that they protect your belongings more than soft-sided backpacks.
Organisation ?
Suitcases tend to feature a large open space for all your belongings. They may house some smaller compartments for organising your gear but thereโs rarely a vast array of pockets.
Backpacks on the other hand, often feature a bunch of small hidey holes, mesh compartments and organisational options for all your gear. But this varies from pack to pack. Some have a pocket for almost everything you can imagine, while others are much more like suitcases with a large open compartment and just a couple of smaller pockets. This variation means you can find the best backpack for you, no matter your travel style!
Carry-On vs Checked Luggage โ๏ธ
It doesnโt matter whether you opt for a one-bag trip or take all your worldly possessions, there is the right size backpack or suitcase for you.
Itโs common to see both backpacks and wheelie suitcases being taken onto planes as hand luggage. Likewise, youโll commonly see large backpacks and suitcases on luggage carousels at airports.
Itโs worth noting that many backpack and suitcase manufacturers will have options too large even for a checked bag. Be sure to check the dimensions and weight of your luggage against the airline’s requirements when flying.
Backpack or Suitcase: How to Choose ??
How Much Stuff Are You Taking? ????
If youโre comfortable travelling with just a few outfits and limited home comforts, a carry-on backpack or sub-40-litre bag is a good choice.
But if youโve got multiple outfits, a bunch of travel gadgets or safety accessories and a ton of stuff, a suitcase may be the better option. You wonโt need to carry it on your back and you can check it as soon as you get to the airport.
Do You Need Your Clothes to Remain Wrinkle-Free? ?
If youโre travelling for business, or have some posh nights out planned, youโll want your clothes to be as wrinkle-free as possible. In this case, a suitcase tends to be the better option. You can pack things flat and theyโll move around less than in a backpack.
What Time of Year Are You Travelling? โ๏ธ?๏ธ?โ๏ธ
If youโre heading to Lake Como in winter youโll need very different clothes than for a beach-focused trip to Thailand. Europeโs winter can make travelling with just a smaller backpack challenging. If youโre taking a lot of clothes, suitcases are often easier.
However, temperature isnโt the only consideration.
What will the weather conditions be like at your destination? No one wants to drag a suitcase through a foot of snow. Likewise, travelling with a suitcase in Southeast Asiaโs rainy season can lead to some problematic moments when you need to wade through ankle-deep rainwater to cross the road to your hostel!
Will There Be a Lift? ?
Staying on the 8th floor? Make sure thereโs a lift if youโve got a suitcase! Dragging a heavy suitcase up multiple flights of stairs is one of the most soul-destroying ways to begin a stay in a new location!
Type of Trip ?
The type of trip youโre on is one of the most important factors to consider when deciding between a backpack or suitcase.
If youโre backpacking your way across a country or region, a backpack is often an easier choice. It makes using public transport easier and ensures you can get to your beachfront hostel even though you need to walk a mile through soft sand.
However, if youโre visiting just one or two locations and wonโt be moving between accommodation options very much, a suitcase is a sensible option โ especially if youโre staying in a nicer hotel where a backpack will stand out!
Your Body Size and Strength ?
You donโt need to be Arnold Schwarzenegger to comfortably carry a backpack but if youโre particularly petite, you may struggle with a heavy bag. Knowing how much you can comfortably carry is an important aspect when choosing between backpacks and suitcases.
Where Will You Store It When Not in Use? ?
When youโre not travelling โ which letโs face it, is most of the time for most of us โ youโll need to keep your backpack or suitcase stored somewhere. Backpacks are often more compressible than suitcases so take up less room when not in use. But hey, if you have both โ why not store your backpack inside your suitcase?! Savvyโฆ
Do You Need a Backpack to Be a Backpacker? ?
In short, no, you donโt need a backpack to be a backpacker.
This is actually a question we get asked a lot. While the term backpacker conjures images of unshaven young adults with long hair, a bunch of stick-and-poke tattoos and huge bags on their backs, the reality can be very different.
Yes, most backpackers carry backpacks. But not all.
Being a backpacker is much more than your luggage โ or hairstyle and tattoo choices for that matter!
Being a backpacker is about travelling on a budget. Itโs about travelling for extended periods and getting further off the beaten track than two weeks of vacation allows. Backpackers aim to truly experience a place rather than just partaking in the โmust-doโ activities. It has nothing to do with your luggage choices!
Daypack ?
Even if you opt for a suitcase, we recommend getting a small backpack to use as your daypack. A collapsible option works well if you donโt want to fly with a backpack! You donโt want to drag a small suitcase around every day just because you canโt fit everything in your pockets!
Duffel Bag ?
It would be remiss of us to discuss backpacker luggage without talking about duffel bags. Theyโre sort of suitcase and backpack fusion. Often soft-sided like a backpack, they can be squashed down when not in use.
They donโt tend to feature backpack straps (although some of the best duffel bags for travel do), so need to be carried by hand or with a single shoulder strap. They have a single large compartment, much like a suitcase which makes it easy to store a lot of stuff. However, their soft sides and single zip actually make organising and finding your gear a little challenging.
Wheeled Backpack โ The Indecisive Answer! ?
Backpacks with wheels are a good option if youโre undecided between a backpack and suitcase, or if you go on different types of trips and want an all-in-one bag for every occasion!
However, theyโre limited compared to proper backpacks or suitcases. Backpacks with wheels are often heavy, not too comfortable to wear and arenโt super easy to manoeuvre in wheelie mode. Plus, they have soft sides and are harder to pack and organise than a traditional suitcase.
When to Use a Backpack vs Suitcase โ A Round-Up of Backpacker Luggage!
So, which is better: backpacks or suitcases?
Backpacks are better for:
- Travellers wanting to get more off the beaten track
- Island hopping through Southeast Asia
- When you need to walk a long way to your accommodation โ especially over rough or variable terrain
- When youโre moving around a country or region a lot during your trip
- People who donโt have too much storage room at home
Suitcases are better for:
- People travelling with a lot of stuff
- Travellers staying in one place rather than moving around a lot
- Keeping clothes wrinkle-free
- Those with petite frames who donโt want to carry everything on their back
- Keeping a professional appearance while on the road
But the most important factor to consider when choosing between a backpack and suitcase for travelling is your personal preference. If you prefer to use a backpack to travel, then use a backpack. But if youโre a suitcase person, use a suitcase!
Let us know your opinions of backpacks vs suitcases in the comments below!
Tim Ashdown | Gear Specialist
After a life-changing motorcycle accident, Tim decided life was too short to stay cooped up in his home county of Norfolk, UK. Since then, he has travelled Southeast Asia, walked the Camino de Santiago and backpacked South America. His first book, From Paralysis to Santiago, chronicles his struggle to recover from the motorcycle accident and will be released later this year.
This has been very helpful, as a 50 something planning my first “backpacking/travelling” experience, knowing a wheelie case will suit my needs is a big relief as the thought of carrying a backpack is not my idea of fun!