One major consideration is the surface over which you'll be rolling the suitcase. If you're going from airport to cab to sidewalk to hotel, a roller may do just fine. If you're going over cobblestones (Bruges) or step-bridges (Venice) or getting on and off a lot of public transport ("mind the gap") then you will curse a roller.
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I'm 53 and I still backpack. I haven't found an improvement on my MEC travel backpack for general travel through Europe (backpack, but with shoulder strap and luggage handles for alternative use, and backpack straps tuck away for air travel).
I use a backpack but my wife uses a rolled carry-on, therefore there is no “right” answer. I use the backpack because I like the freedom of having my arms free hooping on and off of trains & metros, etc. My wife has had back issues for several years so the wheeled carry-on is ideal for her. The benefits of “packing light” are numerous, I enjoy going to the airport and not dealing with checking bags or lost luggage at my destination. I’ve got my bag down to around 17-18 lbs. I think for the majority of travelers that the wheeled carry-on’s are the ideal choice and when I hit 70 years old I will probably switch to one.
Have a great time on your trip!!!
I use a backpack and would not want to roll a bag from a train station to lodgings, and back on departure day. In Florence and Rome, the walk was 20-30 minutes from train to apartment. In Bacharach Germany, the walk was all cobblestones. My backpack is soft frame, so it is easier to squeeze into overhead compartments (not tight fit but adjustable fit).
I think it is individual, but I also think it has to do with the pack, and understanding how packs fit. Because we are backpackers, we know how packs are meant to be constructed for best load dispersal, and how they are meant to be worn for same, so we shopped around for the best backpacker-minded pack (i.e. a proper fitting backpack should not hurt your back). I think fitness has something to do with the choice too, although I find a well-fitting pack much less arduous to manage than rolling something along side/behind me.
We have switched to using packs even for domestic travel. Now we have roller suitcases in the garage we need to give away ;)
The type we have is the Osprey 46, bought at REI with our member's 20% discounts
I think you'll be fine either way :)
Jessica
I started out my European travel in with the RS Convertible backpack. I used it for 2 years on several trips but by the end of the last trip (8 weeks long) I could hardly lift it around to my back. The EIGHT scarves I somehow acquired on the way plus general paperwork etc added to the load. On the last morning I had to put the backpack on the bed and sit down to get it on. I could stand up with it on my back but my arms were bruised from slinging it around to position it.
Next trip...I changed to the RS roller and have never looked back.
I'm not convinced it's an either or question. We have used backpacks on all of our trips with the exception of one solo trip I did to the UK which included a RS tour. On our last trip my back was getting tired and sore by the end of the trip. I'm 57 and in reasonable shape. For our upcoming 5 week trip we are both using the Osprey Ozone 22" 50L rolling backpack. I got myself one and tried it out on a couple of domestic trips. My husband then borrowed it for a domestic trip and has since ordered himself one. My plan is to roll it in places like airports, but to use it as a back pack for trains and short trips to / from hotels. If it's a long walk to the hotels I will probably try and roll it. This backpack is the most comfortable rolling backpack I've tried.
As you can see, devotees of both. Interestingly looking at these replies and others you rarely find folks who switched from a roller to a backpack, but numerous who went from a backpack to a roller. For me, not a choice. The backpack hurts my back. If you want to consider a backpack a stroll around your apartment won’t do it. Carry it fully loaded outside, up and down hills, hours at a time. Any shoulder issues, back discomfort? Multiply that by 10 and there you’ll be in Europe. If no problems, then you’re one of those fit folks who can do this. I love my assortment of spinners. I have taken a spinner all over Europe including cobblestones, the bridges of Venice and the like. No problem. (Note that most of those posters who speak to this being an issue are being theoretical-they actually have not experienced this). But, if you get a spinner don’t cheap out as the wheels are the Achilles heel and you’ll risk one breaking.
I'm a backpack fan because of all the reasons that have been given previously--hands free, squishable into smaller spaces, no worries about steps or failed wheels. BUT the content weight makes the difference. I'd suggest you pack your backpack as you would for the trip and take it for a mile or two walk rather than just around the apartment. If you do just fine with that walk, then a backpack will probably work. If you're dying to get that thing off your back, go with the rolling bag. There will surely be times you wish you'd chosen the other bag but that will happen regardless of which bag you choose.
I use either, depending on the trip, and if there is no physical impediment on your part, it absolutely is a matter of personal preference. My preference these days is to use a backpack, but my wife uses my old rolling bag.
This comment from above made me chuckle:
" I don't curse my pullman bag on cobblestone roads."
No, probably not, but those living on those cobblestone roads probably do curse the noise those darn wheels make as tourists drag them up and down the street every day.
Hmmm? Let's see here. Pam, you're singing my song.
✔Used Convertible backpack for 3 years including 2 European trips of 8 weeks and 4 weeks each.
✔Could hardly lift it around to my back, even though I kept the weight down to less than 20 pounds.
✔Had to put the backpack on the bed and sit down to get it on, or set it on a counter and back into it.
✔Arms were bruised from slinging it around to position it. I hate it when that happens.
So for the last 6 years I've used a Lipault spinner or an Eagle Creek 2-wheeled bag. I pack so that neither weighs more than 20 pounds total. Both are carry-on size. I still prefer the spinner and have had no issues with it on rough terrain.
I have never regretted having a roller bag. Keeping the weight low makes it easy to put on racks and in bins above my head. I travel by train or bus most of the time. Roller bags are convenient in lots of situations besides the airport.
But I'm now looking at the Appenzell Day Pack as my main bag, so that I can have my hands free to use a cane if I need to. It's going to be a decision about adding the weight to my annoying knees.
My roller bags each weigh 5-6 pounds empty. Doing the math, I should be able to keep the weight below 15 pounds. I'm really working on that. It's amazing how much some stuff weighs, so I'm having to be very disciplined about what I need to take vs. what I want to take.
I would never under any circumstances use a backpack. The only time I've regretted having a wheeled bag was when wheels failed mid-trip. They were spinner wheels on a rather cheap bag; those tend to be more fragile than the wheels on 2-wheeled bags or spinner wheels on good-quality luggage.
Even a cheap spinner will probably survive a relatively short trip if you verify that the wheels are in good condition before you leave home. On a really long trip, there can be enough distance covered on challenging surfaces for problems to develop. There's always the possibility of damage by the airline if you have to check the bag, but that can apply to any sort of luggage with a frame and/or wheels.
This is a very frequent topic on this forum. You can find the opinions of additional travelers by scanning back through earlier threads, if you haven't already done so.
It’s a personal choice, but I have always used a roller bag packed light for European yearly trips. My husband started with the RS soft-pack backpack and switched to a roller for his third trip to Europe. I do use a cheap backpack for some domestic trips.
Some reasons I like the roller bag:
- the bottom half of my suitcase is firmer (top half is a thick fabric), so it protects souvenirs from damage.
- we travel a lot by train and metro in Europe, and I don’t like that a backpack is sitting at pickpocket arm height when worn. Also, I don’t want to wear it on my front for better protection, and then have a greater chance of falling when I can’t see the steps off the train.
- waiting at the airport and for trains, the suitcase isn’t heavy sitting on my back
- this type of luggage is easier for me to find the exact item without pulling out several packing cubes when using my backpack.
Some reasons the roller isn’t as nice:
- the wheels can be noisy on cobblestones. Sometimes I just carry it over a section.
At 75 we are still using backpacks in Europe for most of the reasons stated in favor of backpack - hands free especially important. However, we do use rollers in the US because the surfaces are smoother and frequent rent cars. However, if you have back issues then it is really is no discussion. You have to use a roller. Had an old two wheel that finally died about about 20 years. Hated the replacement spinner especially on rough surfaces. Just recent bought a two wheel at Eddie Bauer. Will see how that goes later. Until it becomes a physical problem will continue to use backpack style luggage in Europe.
Like everyone says, it’s a personal choice, but my choice is a backpack. I did previously use a 25 inch roller before I was converted to smaller bags. I moved to a backpack because I love being hands free. I’ve also found that it seems less likely to get gate checked than any bag with wheels. More than once when waiting at the gate for a flight, airline staff have come around checking bags to gate check. My travel companion who had the same sized bag as me, but with wheels, had her bag taken. My backpack wasn’t. I much prefer the backpack when I have to go up or down stairs. One down side of the backpack is you have to be very careful in tight spaces not to hit anyone. In a too crowded area, I take it off and carry it in front of me. In moderately crowded spaces I still have to check before turning when wearing it.
How much does your stuff weigh? That’s going to determine your happiness with a pack Vs a roller.
Many people on this forum consider 20 lbs to be light. I consider it to be very heavy and would be unhappy carrying that kind of weight on my back.
My pack weighs around 7 kg (15 lb) or less. That’s a good weight for a backpack.
If you pack heavy then get a roller. If you pack light then a pack has several advantages over the roller.
BTW. I am a 60 yo woman with 2 bad discs. A good pack with a good suspension is still the best choice for me.
My wife and I have this argument every trip, foreign and domestic. I like backpacks; she uses a spinner. I like to have hands free, she prefers to walk slower. I would suggest that backpacks get more uncomfortable the longer you have them on, and if you've not had previous experience wearing one for camping, military, school, etc., a wheeled bag probably makes more sense. Also note that if you have any other bag (e.g., daypack or shoulder bag) you need to accommodate that too, either on your back, in your hand or attached to your roller.
My wife and I bought the original RS convertible backpack in for a trip to Scotland. We've been using them ever since, including last October for a trip to London and Paris. I think they weighed in at 24 pounds. We were gone 8 days and my wife had to take business clothes. They worked great on the Eurostar. I think if you are going to be on the train a lot, the backpack may be a better choice. If you are staying in big towns in won't much matter, but I remember watching tourists struggle up the narrow and steep cobbled streets of San Gimignano with their roller bags.
I have to help her get it on, but we both enjoy being hands free, although you have to remember they are back there and not to whack somebody with them. We like them for the reasons stated. We are both 67 and in good health.
I travel frequently for work in the States and take a larger roller bag then, since I'm often gone for 2 weeks at a time and need to take a little more clothes, including business clothes. Checked bags are free for me and I don't like fighting folks for room in the overhead bin.
Whichever you choose, be sure to pack light. It's amazing how little you can take. Avoid bulky items. I went to the famous Barrows in Glasgow and bought a great wool sweater instead of packing one. I wore it on the way home.
I've used both but I'm now a roller bag person. One other thing not mentioned often about back packs in Europe in the summer is that they are hot to wear. My first trip with a backpack was Italy/France/Germany for 7 weeks in July/August. I just wore it from train stations to apartments and back, not for any length of time. But I was always absolutely soaked in sweat, head to toe, by the time the short transfers were done. Very unpleasant to walk around sightseeing with your clothes clinging to you and looking like you fell into a fountain. And I agree with others about the moments of lifting it onto my back. It was fine to carry once in position but the grunting, bruising and adjusting were not much fun. And it only weighed 17 lbs total iirc. I used it on one more extended trip after that, but I'm done. Roller bags for me.
Good point about the “sweat factor”. It doesnt take that long, even in temperate weather, for your back to get soaked, especially with a more heavily loaded backpack.
I’ve pretty much gone with roller bags the last few years, mainly due to age and not being in as good shape as I used to be. And I really see the utility of a smartly loaded backpack for, say, train trips in Europe, as the OP is going to be doing. If the train travel is extensive, maybe the backpack is the way to go. But for the kind of travel I do these days, mainly airport—> hotel or driving, the roller bags are better for me. Though I nearly always have a small to medium sized backpack for touring around town at my destination.
I have never - as in literally, never - been able to comfortably put on a backpack of even the lightest weight. I think it's due to untreated scoliosis, but whatever. It's just not an option for me.
I have done a roller back through many parts of Europe as well as Central America. It's not always convenient going up or down things, but I have never NOT been able to roll it along, even on the most uneven of roadways.
At the end of the day, I have never regretted my lightweight roller bag. I have cried about trying to carry an overpacked backpack on one shoulder. YMMV.
I like to use a backpack, 15 lbs max, when using public transportation. l confess I've only used it in England, where it's usually not too hot. Although I use a rolling bag in other situations because it can carry more stuff, I also find that the backpack gives me a better chance of keeping up with my husband when walking through airports! If I ever take a RS tour, I will have to use the backpack because I don't think I can carry/drag my rolling bag up all those steps!
Stephanie, the poster who suggested you try whatever you're thinking of using by walking at least a mile gave you good advice. Load your bag or pack with whatever you plan to take, then go walk for at least a mile. Throw in some hills, steps, and rough ground. Then see what works for you.
We use backpacks exclusively. But we pack light; my loaded Appenzell comes in at about 14 pounds. The only time my back got tired was an extremely long day of flight delays. Wearing the pack for about 10 to 12 hours did finally get old. My DH carries a smaller, lighter pack, but his "personal item" is bigger and heavier than mine.
BTW, he's 72; I'll be 70 in about 2 months.
I've been using the RS convertible carryon backpack for a couple of years now, and it's the best overall solution for me,
but I do want to bring out what one comment above said about being 'put together' --
if I'm wearing a suit or a blazer, then I think it's true that having the pack on looks a bit outre,
so if that concerns you, it's a point against the backpack.
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But if I get to that point, I feel like I'm not being a true ricknik -- it's a slippery slope from worrying about what they'll think of my ensemble to not wanting to be seen in the two-star close-to-the-ground venues that RS travelers seek out.
Spent a month traveling all through Europe-8 countries, 18 cities with trains, planes and automobiles and two of us used a roller bag each and a light day pack. Not a problem. The key is LIGHT PACKING. If it is light, picking it up isn't a problem on trains, metro stairs, etc. Keep in mind that suitcase will be with you a lot and your biggest question is your shoulders and back for 10 days. The biggest plus with a roller bag is the addition of a day pack you can hook on your roller bag or carry on your shoulder, but with a backpack that's all you can carry.
I regretted bringing a backpack on my trip to Greece a few years ago. I felt like a pack mule (ok, I didn't pack as lightly as I should have). I especially hated having the backpack while riding on the metro and going through the airport. When I went to Italy (including Venice) a couple of years ago, I took my 21" roller bag and had no problems at all, even in Venice. I considered bringing a backpack instead on my trip to Madrid two weeks ago and am so glad that I didn't, since I pulled a back muscle while on the trip and would have been even more miserable with wearing a backpack.
I dislike backpacks, both wearing one and others wearing them. I've lost count of the number of times I've been swiped in the head by someone turning around in the aircraft corridor whilst I'm sat down. I don't like wearing them because they make my back sweat.
On those rare occasions when I'm travelling short haul and without family for a few days I will take a roller suitcase on board. I rarely have to worry about there being enough space in the overhead bins as I pretty much fly BA within Europe and my frequent flyer status enables priority boarding. If I don't fly BA I'll pay extra for priority. Wheeling it around is no problem, it glides along the airport floor with barely a push, pavements are no problem and even cobbles are fine. If the terrain becomes too much of a problem I'll simply pick it up by the handle and carry it like a bag, it rarely exceeds 10kg.
Travelling with large suitacases and family? Hire car or taxi, I'm not messing around with trains, buses or slogging it through the streets.
I’m probably going to get blasted for this.
I’ve noted that many people advocating roller bags like to bring a roller plus a personal item.
That means they are bringing a lot of stuff, and it is going to be heavy.
You really need to stay under 15 lb if you take a pack. Then it is comfortable under most conditions. But that does require that you don’t bring a lot of stuff. It does not mean you dress casual or sloppy. It does mean that you are careful what you bring. I have traveled with just a personal item and dressed nicely. But it took planning and discipline in how I packed. The payoff occurred during the trip itself. I had a lot of freedom.
I have found that I need a lot more discipline when planning a trip with a backpack than with a roller. A roller allows a lot more slop.
You've received many good responses. The take-away seems to be:
-personal preference
-pack light
-wear/use your choice around the neighborhood first
-you will wish for the other choice at some point in your travels
I only wanted to add about Backpacks that:
-you should never carry it on one shoulder
-the weight should sit on your hips, NOT your shoulders
-the pack should fit properly (so that the weight is carried on your hips with the belt, and the shoulder straps are adjusted to the correct height slightly above your shoulders, and with the pack sitting upright, not leaning out. Shoulder straps are for stability and keeping the pack next to the body, not for carrying weight).
I’ve done both and each has its merits. For me it comes down to how I’m traveling. If it’s mostly trains and mass transit and lots of stairs then a backpack is definitely easier. If it’s just cab to and from the airport then a roller works fine.
I have mostly been using my roller. My recent travels have mostly been RS tours with days tacked on at both ends of the tour. But the key to the roller for me is that I can carry it for distances of maybe 100 meters or so at a time if needed. So up and down bridges in Venice was not an issue. Also I found that carrying my bag by the side handle makes it much easier to navigate stairs such as in metro stations. I can let my bag just hang at my side which is more comfortable than trying to lift it by the top handle.
I do want to mention that those of us who carry backpacks, as well as those who use roller bags, need to be aware of how much space we take up. Several people have commented on this, but it bears repeating.
Folks with backpacks are prone to forgetting, and whapping someone as they (we!) swivel around. And folks with roller bags take up just as much space, if not more, but on the ground. More than once I've had to jump aside to avoid tripping over, or being run into by, someone's roller bag. The four-wheelers are not as bad; a person with a pull-behind bag can take up 2 to 3 times as much walking space as an unencumbered person.
So all of us: Heads up! Be aware of how much space we're taking up, and be respectful and courteous.
My solution is a bit different. For my first trip to Italy several years ago I purchased an eBags Weekender (no wheels) that could be used as a backpack or as a traditional piece of luggage. But I found that it was too difficult for me to use as a backpack, in part because I am very short (under 5'). Rather than buy a new bag, I bought a Samsonite luggage cart (https://www.ebags.com/product/samsonite/luggage-cart/?productid=). The cart has worked fine for me over the course of three additional trips. It folds to such a small footprint that it easily fits under the seat on planes or into my luggage if necessary, eliminating concerns about the overhead bins. It has enabled me to get the best of both worlds....it's great through airports, has done adequately on cobble stones, and is lightweight. When going up and down stairs, I just pick my luggage up by the handle. I do pack lightly, so that helps too. This solution might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it works for me.
I’ve always used a 2-wheel carry on suitcase, but this year I switched over to a backpack style. Here’s a short part of the summary I wrote afterwards. I was carrying 13 pounds, including the backpack itself. I’m in my 60’s and was traveling for a month.
“Loved the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L! It was much easier to walk than leading a roller bag. I usually was waiting for my husband to catch up when we had our baggage (he has the previous style RS roller bag). I also really liked that I wasn’t picking it up with one shoulder/arm going up & down stairs at train stations as I had with my roller bag. I think the overall balanced feeling across both shoulders was better on my body.”
I spent a lot of time deciding which backpack to buy, and I’m very happy with it!
I’m in Barcelona now on an extended 5-week trip with both a carryon roller-suitcase and a traditional backpack.
I , too, have a bad knee and spinal disc nuisances, so carrying too much undivided weight is a problem. Some internal flights within Europe only allow 18 lbs in the wheeled carry-on which is impossibly light and will not accommodate all my things as the case itself weighs 7 lbs and I usually bring books and notebooks with me. When that’s the situation, I place the overflow weight into the checked backpack ( maximum weight allowed by airlines is 35-50 lbs). along with my shoulder bag and its contents.
This has worked out well for me. The choice of luggage is no longer an A or B choice— as today there are products such as the Hynes Eagle rolling backpack available. Amazon.com has photos of what they carry and you might want to check it out.
Have a great trip!
Like a few others have said, it depends in part on the type of travelling you're doing.
Most of the travelling I have done involves going to a city, then settling in a hotel and then exploring the city and surrounding sites over a few days without changing hotels. In that case, it's neither a benefit nor hindrance to use either wheeled suitcase or backpack.
There have been several trips I've taken in which it was undoubtedly advantageous for me (considering also my physical ability) to use a backpack over a wheeled suitcase. One trip was in sub-Saharan Africa taking local bus from one major city to another, then from another city to a national park. A backpack (it was an internal frame pack, the kind that mostly sits on your hips) was undoubtedly better as it made going from bus stop and from one place to another much easier. You cannot drag wheeled suitcases on unpaved bumpy roads.
Another trip which was in Japan, I travelled from the eastern part of Japan to the western part in about a week, with several stops along the way. That again was much easier to use a backpack because of navigating public transportation and having to pack up and go every one or few days.
So think about the kind of travelling you'll be doing.
There no objective right/wrong choice; it is a matter of what works for YOU. Some experimentation may be involved to figure out what that is.
What Joe said. I'm one who has tried both. In fact, I bought the same backpack that Jean (above) did and loved it. I still have it and will still use it - but not in Europe. The biggest problem for me was at the airport and getting to and from hotels. It was just too cumbersome for me, especially trying to bring a personal bag along as well. I like having a spinner suitcase at the airport, as it is so much easier to walk with and I can put my personal bag on top using the trolley sleeve.
I will keep the backpack for road trips as it is easy to take in and out of the car and encourages me to pack light (not that I pack heavy with my carry-on). But for any long trip by air, I will stick to my TravelPro MaxLite 5 wheeled spinner. ????
There's no right or, wrong with this one, some are more vocal or, evangelical than others.
I do both, just keep in mind a few things.
1) Location. Does the destination you're going to demand or, would be much better if you utilized one method over, the other? If you're visiting known, well-worn destinations, then there's a very good possibility that rolling luggage will not be a hindrance. Lots of stairs, and trails...a backpack is nice to have.
2) Mobility & Awareness. Wearing a backpack-type to carry your gear, you need to be mindful when utilizing public transportation that you're not knocking people over and shoving them aside when you turn/rotate your body and your pack gets shoved into their face. If you don't carry a carry a backpack much, your situational awareness may not be tuned-on and you're likely to annoy/anger someone. The flip-side, with a roller, if you're apt to allow your bag to drag behind you where it appears you're pulling a train, there's a likelihood you're impeding or obstructing someone else's travel, thus you're causing problems, particularly if you abruptly stop in the middle of a thoroughfare or, walkway.
3) Comfort. You're the one responsible for your gear, traveling engenders a level of self-reliance, can you carry your own kit? If you have medical or physical concerns, then choose the method that'll work for you. It's ok to ask for help when lifting things but, you also don't want to be the one that is entirely reliant on others to get through the day as well. I took my parents (75+ yr old) on a 2wk trip and insisted they use 20" rollers; after visiting parts of Italy, they were entirely thankful that they heeded my advice and packed light. I had no issue with giving them an assist and their luggage was entirely manageable for them once on a sidewalk/walkway.
I vote for backpacks. My husband and I are fit for “senior citizens.” I will only use backpacks from now on. Hands are free. We are not prisoners of cobbles, slow or non working elevators, or curbs. We use Osprey. I love the women specific and they offer a petite frame. Packing it properly and using the hip belt and shoulder straps- not a problem. I had a broken arm too.
Backpacks are liberating.
Try it out. REÍ has a generous return policy. Get a Backpack fitted for you. Fill it with stuff, walk around the neighborhood and see if it works for you. I don’t know if the RS backpack would be women specific and it maybe one size fits all. There were people on our tour who were using the RS roller bag and loved it. It is a fine choice too.
I did the backpack once. I will never do it again. I’m sorry I was miserable every time I put that stupid thing on my back. I hated it. I have actually backpacked in the wilderness but it just didn’t work for me at all in Europe.
I went and bought one of those rolling carts and threw the stupid bag on the rolling cart and rolled around Europe. So now I just take the wheelie bag because I’m not doing the backpack.
Oh, and if you do do the backpack when you get on the plane please don’t turn around and hit people with it. Nobody wants to be hit in the head with your 45 pound bag bag????. You have to remember that you’re taking up twice as much space as you normally do when you turn.
I will repeat: There is no right or wrong way. So many factors go into the choice or just one: what feels better in which ever way.
Before wheels, I packed in a backpack sometimes. However, I always used one of those little luggage carts, which fit in the pack on the plane, so not really using a backpack. My high school graduation present was a set of luggage, which I picked out. (Perhaps where I got my luggage addiction from.) Luggage always made me feel better, more put together, and comfortable. Recently I walked on the Camino from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela so, obviously, I needed a good backpack. Mine was the 34 liter Osprey Sirrus. I have to say I love this backpack...for trekking. I'm sad to see it hanging on the wall of my closet due to this emotional bond. LOL. But there it will stay until another trek, because I do not feel comfortable in an airport, entering a hotel or while in transport wearing a backpack. Vainly (a word?), some of it is the look of a backpack on me...backpacks are not flattering to extremely, non-flat chested women...(or attract unwanted attention no matter what your age). When I travel, I want to look more put together; not in a fashion icon (that would never happen) or make up, dress up person manner, just in what I consider an appropriate manner for me in public. And I want to fly under the radar, which I don't feel said backpack allows me. It has nothing to do with strength as I imagine it doesn't for many people. It is just a preference. I understand the sense of freedom (I actually think it is a sense for many of us of being young again. LOL I get that.) So I think...our choice of luggage is purely psychological. It has nothing to do with strength or inconvenience. In my lifetime, I have never traveled in a location where I could not easily wheel my bag and in all kinds of weather, other than upstairs, and one carries the backpack upstairs as well.
So walk around for a while with both, envisioning the various scenarios as you test. What do. you want? No one can tell you that. AND then enjoy some recreational packing...
The basic question you have to ask for this choice is, how much does your junk weigh? If you are over 20# go with wheels. Using a backpack you have to get it on and off. So less than 20# is real good.
Someone posted above about hating backpacks and later in their post mentioned 45#. Well, that would be a problem even if you were backpacking with a pack designed for heavy loads.
Since OP only has 16#. That’s nothing.
When you checkin at an airline counter, just take a look around you. You will be amazed at the sizes of luggage people bring. I have always wanted to ask, what exactly do you have in there? But I never do. And actually, it seems that a majority of people do travel with very large bags. All you have to do is see the limits of bag weight (usually 50#) and you can see that the airlines are way liberal. I could not imagine taking 50# of stuff.
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