Round-the-world trip: suitcase or backpack?

I decided to write this article after reading a heated discussion on the topic on a Facebook group for travelers. I don’t claim to be able to settle the “team suitcase” vs “team backpack” debate, but I do think I can offer an objective opinion.

Indeed, I’ve been “team backpack” and then “team suitcase.”

In 2016, we left for a “classic” year-long round-the-world trip with backpacks. We changed accommodations very frequently, every three days on average. I think we would have had a hellish trip if we had been with suitcases 😀

Since 2017, we’ve become digital nomadsour accommodation changes are much less frequent (about once a month) and I’m very happy with my suitcase.

You might guess it: I think one of the important criteria to consider in the choice is the frequency of travel. The more frequent they are, the greater the chance of finding yourself in a situation where you have NO desire to have a suitcase.

Examples of situations where you’ll hate your suitcase

You arrive at your accommodation for two nights: it’s on the 5th floor without an elevator (very common if you choose budget accommodations)
You board a boat with water up to your knees (hey Nusa Penida).
You disembark from the boat right on the beach (hey Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, Koh Tao)
Your bus drops you off in an area where the road is potholed and lacks sidewalks (hey Kathmandu)
You can’t find a taxi car; the only option is to take a moto taxi
The city’s roads are sandy (hey San Pedro de Atacama)
In the crowded metro, your fellow travelers will give you dirty looks if you take up too much space
…

This list is obviously not exhaustive, but in each of these situations, you’ll curse yourself if you travel with a suitcase.

The advantages of a backpack

You can move anywhere regardless of surface quality (water, gravel, sand, potholed roads, …)
You keep both hands free, very handy for taking photos, checking your route on Google Maps, paying for a transport ticket, a bottle of water, …
Your belongings will feel much lighter when climbing stairs
Lots of small pockets that make it easy to access a water bottle, a Swiss Army knife, …
More practical for running to catch your train when you’re running late
Lighter than a suitcase, it’s easier to stay under the 15kg checked baggage limit imposed by low-cost airlines.
On bus rides, you can consider putting it on your lap if you don’t trust the luggage compartment
Encourages minimalism: since you’ll be carrying your stuff, you’ll be particularly picky about what you pack to keep it from getting too heavy.

The downsides of the backpack

Less secure: we had an umbrella, carabiners, and a Swiss Army knife stolen on our second flight.
Your stuff is harder to access; you’ll usually have to unpack/repack your bag at every stop.
On a longer journey, the fatigue of carrying your backpack can quickly set in.
You’re labeled a backpackerwe still remember amusingly how we were stared at (and escorted by security!) when we had an hour to kill and wanted to have breakfast in a luxury casino in Macau 😀
Often placed directly on the ground, it will quickly get dirty

The advantages of the suitcase

It’s a big rectangle, much easier to organize your belongings without emptying everything each time
You can pack more stuff
Much more pleasant to move around as long as you’re on “normal” ground (of course, we’re talking about a suitcase with wheels!). Your back will thank you.
Easier to protect fragile items
You won’t be looked at like a vagabond if you go to places fancier than a hostel 😀
Safer, with a good lock, it (almost) doubles as a safe

The downsides of a suitcase

You’ll hate it in certain situations (see start of article)
You’ll end up putting more stuff in it. To illustrate, we used to travel with 28 kg of luggage between the two of us when we had backpacks. Now we’re at nearly 50 kg with suitcases (it’s also a choice: more comfort and the equipment needed to work).
One hand is always taken while moving around
More risk of a moment of inattention during which it can be stolen
It has a more “tourist” than “traveler” image (but you have no idea how much we don’t care!)

Invest in good gear

Whatever you choose, I strongly urge you not to try to save money on your suitcase or backpack.

I was a scout in my youth and used first-price backpacks (team Decathlon / Quechua) for several years.

For our first year of world travel, I invested in a backpack Gregory Baltoro 65, it’s a whole different ballgame! The weight is much better distributed and it’s your hips that do the work, not your back. You’ll (almost) not feel it.

Anh had an Osprey backpack which she was thrilled with.

Same goes for suitcases. I tried to play the economy card when I bought my first suitcase: an American Tourister (a subsidiary of Samsonite): the wheels gave up after a year (and barely ten trips!).

Since then we’ve both had a Samsonite suitcase, it costs an arm and a leg, but it lasts 10 years without any issues.