Suitcase or Backpack

You gave plenty of good reasons for preferring backpacks in your own post. I guess I don't really understand your question. Are you asking if there's anyone else in your boat, where none of those things apply, but they still prefer backpacks? I prefer a backpack because I am constantly finding myself walking long distances through, as you say, "non-suitcase friendly pathways."

Another aspect, and maybe this is more of the type of thing you are looking for, is that there's sort of a backpacker culture, and carrying around a backpack is the most readily identifiable badge of membership. You can still be a backpacker spiritually, but if you're pulling around a suitcase, you're more likely to be identified as a vacationer than a traveller, and those are quite different things.

Some more practical reasons to prefer backpacks even in suitcase-friendly environments are, for me, that I have a backpack and not a suitcase. I do a lot of camping as well as travelling (actually I've hardly done any travelling at all lately, sadly), so I'm more used to the backpack, and it's worth more to me to invest in gear that can be used for both purposes. The backpack also seems more useable to me (although this may just be an effect of habituation). It has a lot more segregation of storage in the form of external pockets and straps. I can get at my raincoat, tripod, camera, maps, phrasebooks, insulin, sunglasses, etc without even slowing down, while with a suitcase I'd have to stop, open it and root around. Also, as a security issue, if I decide to stop and take a picture I'd have to let go of the suitcase, but I can maintain physical control of the backpack.

One last note which is kind of related: Have you heard of travel packs? They are cleverly designed backpacks that convert into duffel bags or soft-sided suitcases. Some brands even have wheels and pull handles. They aren't really made to be fully equipped hiking backpacks, but for the occasional train station--hostel trek you can hump them, and for trains, planes, and respectable hotels they seem just like normal luggage. Reply to this

I have travelled with both, and a backpack is far and away my preferred option. Not being forced to pull or push a bag across ground gives me a distinct advantage in terms of mobility and speed. Escalators, uneven pavements, stairs, and going through ticket gates at public transport places are far easier with a backpack

As an example, I arrived in Taipei today and had to navigate from the bus stop through the main Taipei Train Station which included weaving through the crowds, down escalators and through ticket gates - without my bags ever needing to touch the ground. Had I had any luggage that was ground-based, this journey would have taken longer and been more difficult - for example try to fit a bag on a step behind or in front of you on a crowded escalator or try to pull a suitcase through a ticket gate - normally one would be restricted to either the elevator or the single gate which does allow baggage - something that reduces options for moving around by a considerable degree.

If you are able to carry the weight of your luggage on your back, then do so. However, I can understand that people with bad backs don't always have this option. Reply to this

I have to agree with the backpack being better than the suitcase. I've also traveled with both and being able to throw the pack on your back and walk freely is much more enjoyable than trying to pull a suitcase across uneven pavement.

My nook also saves me ridiculous amounts of space on any of the books I carry with me, and so much lighter. I also tend to travel very light and don't feel that I should bring something just because it MIGHT happen. If you're the type to travel with everything because you THINK it'll happen, than stick to the suitcase. ^_^ Reply to this