March 13, 2011Freedom on your Shoulders

You are leaving on vacation and you are not sure whether to pick a backpack or a rolling back? Here is my advice…

You’d rather travel comfortably and not go off the beaten path? Guided tours in private coaches, hotels and restaurants are on your vacation plans?  Well the rolling bag is especially made for you. A luggage is ideal at the airport and in hotel elevators, but that is pretty much it.

Let’s start this over. You’d rather travel comfortably, but you are thinking of walking a couple Ks left and right to visit interesting tourist attractions, go see other untraditional sites and more authentic places? Camping is not an option, but hostels or B&Bs are more than acceptable? Then the backpack becomes an interesting option for you.

Forget the myth that heavy bags will give you a back ache, because a well adjusted bag that is well packed will become an extension of your body (just swing by our store to talk to one of our customer service reps to make the best choice. You can also read our buyer's guide here). On the other hand, moving a rolling bag even on only a kilometer can be a pain. The littlest crack will make your handle vibrate; walking on worn-out asphalt, on a gravel road or simply on a side-walk.

As I mentioned before, wheeled bags exist for airports and hotels, and that’s it. Backpacks on the other hand are made of lighter and lighter materials, are ergonomic and have a number of accesses (front and on the sides) that would make many luggage jealous. Forget huge expedition bags! The majority of travelers opt for volumes of 30 to 50 liters, limiting overweight and allowing them to respect the carry-on in airports. Backpacks are often less heavy than rolling bags. You can bring back more souvenirs without being scared to pay the price for surcharge.

What’s more, there exists backpack cases that allow you to protect the shoulder straps and slings when traveling by air (the Osprey Airporter LZ), so no more worries. For people that find these cases too one-dimensional, a rain cover can perfectly do, and it’ll even keep your clothes dry.

Finally, are you of those that love to leave for the adventure? You are the type to choose a destination first and letting the rest happen? Camping is your first option and you plan on including a short or long hike in your travel activities? You probably haven’t even considered the wheeled luggage. For you guys however, I can recommend a bigger bag such as the Baltoro 65 (70 for Fall 2010 models) and the Deva 60 for women from Gregory which are perfect for backpackers. Models such as Miura, Axios de Arcteryx, Kestrel from Osprey or Alteo from The North Face can perfectly fit your need.

So now it’s your turn to choose which category you fit in. On my side, I have known for a while now… And don’t forget, if you need advice, don’t hesitate to come talk to our friendly staff in store or on the phone, they’ll help you pick your battle. And if you've choosen the right side, backpacks, click here to read our guide on how to choose the right one!

Click here to read my friend Max's conflicting opinion: