Suitcase or backpack—which one is better for travel? After years of full-time travel using both, we’re breaking down the pros and cons to help you decide which is the best fit for your next adventure!
It’s the age-old traveler debate: suitcase or backpack?
If you’ve ever debated which is better, you’re not alone—we’ve been there too. After years of traveling full-time with just a backpack and now mostly opting for suitcases, we’ve seen the pros and cons of both.
Spoiler alert: There’s no one right answer. The best choice depends on your travel style, destination, and personal preferences. Let’s break it down so you can decide which is right for your next adventure!
Which is better to travel with: suitcase or backpack?
If you thought you were going to get a straight answer, you might be disappointed to hear that we truly think they are EQUAL, and the best one for you depends on the type of trip you’re taking as well as your travel style.
I’ll admit, there was a time when we would both swear up and down that backpacks were superior. A lot of our reasoning behind this still stands true, but today, we mostly travel with suitcases.
Let’s go over the pros and cons of each as well as the tried-and-true brands we personally use and recommend and what to look for when you’re shopping.
Suitcases
The travel classic, suitcases are pretty much the go-to for most travelers.
That said, they are not all created equal (we’ve learned the hard way!), and they can be a hassle on some trips.
PROS
- Typically a better choice for families or people with back issues
- Suitcases are easy to keep organized (as long as you have a system, like packing cubes)
- No strain on your back or need to carry something heavy in hot & humid weather
CONS
- It can be tempting to overpack (especially with a large suitcase)
- You will still need to lift your suitcase, so keep this in mind when packing (backpacks are designed for this, suitcases are not!)
- If you buy a cheap suitcase, you might be dealing with broken wheels, faulty zippers, finicky handles, or one that doesn’t roll well
What to look for in a suitcase
- Hard-sided is best (in our opinion): because it is more durable and will stand up to flights and public transportation
- High quality materials (especially wheels!): the last thing you want is to have wheels break on your trip
- Story time: One of the wheels of my mom’s brand new (but inexpensive) suitcase fell off on our Christmas market trip after many days of rolling them on cobblestone streets. It made it much more challenging to lug around. Thankfully, it was at the very end of our trip!
- Make sure it rolls well; and that the handle slides in and out easily
🔥 Hot take: Even though it might be tempting, don’t choose the largest suitcase out there. A more moderate sized suitcase (like this size!) will prevent you from overpacking and will keep things more organized and manageable weight-wise. Learning how to pack light is so freeing!
Our recommended brand: Away Luggage
Money-saving tip: Away usually has sales around Black Friday, so if you are looking for a new set of luggage but don’t need it immediately, make a note to check their sales near the holidays.
Backpacks
Backpacks are the unofficial uniform of cool young travelers; however, they are good for more than just a Southeast Asia backpacking trip and can actually be a lot more convenient than suitcases in some places.
That said, traveling out of a backpack is certainly not for everyone…
PROS
- You can maneuver much more easily through crowds and on cobblestone or unpaved streets than with a suitcase
- It can be a great way to pack more minimally
- Less likely to break or malfunction than a suitcase
- It frees up your hands while walking
CONS
- In hot weather, carrying them on your back can get sweaty
- It can be hard to travel with backpacks when you have young children (since you may need to carry them too)
- Unless you have a really well-designed backpack, it can be easy for it to become disorganized
- While the majority of pressure shouldn’t be on your shoulders, this might not be the best option for someone with chronic back pain
- You have to wear a daypack or smaller bag on the front, which can be awkward (see pictures below!)
What to look for in a backpack
- Good support: you should feel the weight in your hips (not on your shoulders)
- Organization system: the traditional “stuff-sack” style can easily become disorganized; instead, look for models that have zippers and organized pockets (like this one)
- Choose one for travel, not backpacking: backpacks that are designed for hiking/backcountry camping are often more of a “stuff-sack” approach, and there are better options for traveling
Our recommended brand: Osprey (specifically those models with the word “travel” in the name, like this one!)
We’ve also used Deuter and the REI brand, both of which we really like. However, those brands are more focused on hiking features. We recommend Osprey since they have different designs for both hiking and travel.
Expert tip: If you choose to check your backpack on your flight, be sure to secure all your straps so nothing is loose. These can get caught or rip if you don’t take this precaution.
🔥 Hot take: Our recommendation is to try a few and compare the fit and comfort for your body type. If you live near an REI store, go in and ask for an associate to help you because they can pack the bag with weights so you’ll see what it actually feels like when full. Alternatively, you can order a few to be sent to your house, then return whichever doesn’t work for you.
What size backpack is best for travel?
Personally, we think 60L or under is best when the primary purpose is travel (see the recommendations linked above!). When it gets much larger than that, it can get pretty bulky and easy to overpack. If you plan to travel with your backpack as a carryon, make sure it fits within the limits.
Funny story: The pictures above are our setup when we first started backpacking! We quickly learned that with a large backpack instead of a suitcase, our daypacks had to go on the front. We called it “turtling” 🤣
Still undecided?
Think about the type of trip you’ll be on.
What will the weather be like? How much walking will you do?
There are certain types of trips, like backpacking in SE Asia or Central America, where backpacks are just arguably an easier choice. And other trips, like much of Europe, where either can make equal sense.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong answer.
Backpacks are a better choice for some travelers, and suitcases are the best option for other people.
Choose whichever is a better fit for you, your travel style, and the type of trip you’re taking.
No matter which you choose to go with, the one big piece of advice we’d give is to invest in a quality brand. You want it to last for many years (and go on many adventures) before the seams start coming apart and the wheels fall off.
Budget tip: If money is tight, try searching on Facebook Marketplace or even on your local Buy Nothing Group. This way, even if it’s not the highest quality item, you’re getting more life out of it before it ends up in a landfill and in the meantime you can save up for the one you really want.
Let us help you travel better…
Be sure to check out our Travel Planning Homepage for resources on everything you need to know about how to plan a trip, from packing to budgeting and more! Or you can read some of our favorite articles about planning your next trip below.
- How to Plan a Trip in 10 Simple Steps
- Expert Tips for Finding Cheap Flights
- Genius System for Booking the Best Accommodation
- Carry-On Packing List: What You Actually Need on a Flight
- Our Favorite Travel Essentials
- This is the one thing we NEVER travel without!
- Tips to Fight Jet Lag (that actually work!)
- How to Get Cell Service Abroad (without spending a fortune!)
→ Traveling as a family? Don’t miss our family travel articles!
What if the hard part was already done for you?
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We want to hear from you!
Which do you prefer: suitcase or backpack? Why? Leave your comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!