I type this post with a heavy heart. After 14 years and 40 countries, I've given away my trusty Gregory Chaos backpack. This was the first and only one I bought as I began traveling the world on my own.
It has been beaten up, kicked across countless bus station and airport floors, thrown atop buses, and tossed in and out of many a boat. Yes, it's a bit dirty, but it's still fully functional. I have no doubt it'll last longer on Earth than me.
I donated it to a hostel, which will give it to the local community. Why did the guy who had been blogging about backpacking for six years give it away?
Lower back pain. It struck a few days after I arrived in Lima, following an arduous 26-hour bus ride from La Paz, Bolivia. It started as mild discomfort, but when it didn't go away after a few weeks, I went to see a doctor. He ordered X-rays and proceeded to point out the areas where the bones in my lower back didn't quite come together like normal.
It's a congenital variation I was born with and will have to live with for the rest of my life. It's neither serious nor is there anything that can be done about it. I'm left with the knowledge that it makes me prone to bouts of lower back pain.
Instead of surgery or drugs, I need to focus on:
- Improving my posture.
- Strengthening and stretching the right muscles.
- Reducing the amount of time I spend sitting at any one time.
- Taking a protective approach toward lifting and carrying heavy things.
As much as I wanted to switch to a daypack and travel super light, ANY weight on my shoulders was aggravating my lower back pain. So I switched to the dark side and bought the Overhead by The North Face.
Although it was more expensive than the other options, it appears sturdy, durable, and a bit more stylish. The red and black are the same colors as my Gregory backpack.
There's less space in the Overhead than in my backpack, so this change still forces me to get rid of some clothes I've been toting around South America for the last year.
One of the things I like about this product is the second, smaller pouch into which I can slip my 13" MacBook Air laptop if I want to take the bag as carry-on luggage. I prefer this option, even if I don't always use it.
The rubber handle offers a good grip, and a red plastic button on the side allows you to extend and compress the handle. It works very smoothly, at least for now.
It might seem like a small detail, but including The North Face's motto on the handle won big points with me. If I can't be toting around a well-worn backpack to broadcast my adventures, at least these words will help instead. Unless The North Face has become so utterly commercial by this point, it means diddly-squat. Either way, it makes me happy.
Are you visiting my blog for a backpack, not wheeled luggage? Read this review and see the benefits of getting a versatile one.
After taking it on a test run from Lima to Medellin, I noticed several pros and cons to using wheeled luggage.
Pro's
- Less stress on shoulders, neck, and back in most travel circumstances.
- I feel like a grown-up.
- Looks more professional.
- Easier to find stuff, pack, and unpack.
Con's
- You can't move as quickly and easily as you can with a backpack. For example, it's harder to bypass pedestrians on a crowded sidewalk.
- Rolling the luggage on a smooth airport floor is nice, but it can be bumpy on rough and cracked sidewalks.
- You still have to lift it and put it in taxis or overhead luggage bins, so it's not a complete savior for my lower back.
- You can't easily walk down a beach, forest, or jungle trail. You'd have to carry it, which would be way more stressful than a backpack.
- The zippers in the main compartment do not curve to the bottom of the bag, so you can't fully flip the cover 180 degrees. This makes packing and unpacking the bag a little more cumbersome than necessary.
As you can tell, it's still a toss-up for me regarding which is better. But until my back is pain-free again, and possibly from here on out, I don't have a choice. If I'm going Ieling, I want it to be pain-free.
Gary Arndt says
I did the same thing 2 years ago. I found there were few places I went where I really needed to carry something on my back. Almost all my travel was in vehicles and I was really carrying things between vehicles. The occasional times where I do have to walk, i'm usually doing it on a paved surface.
I know just carry my camera bag on my back and have a duffel bag with wheels.
Steve says
I own both and only take the backpack on more adventurous trips especially when I know that I will need to be walking with my stuff. The wheeled luggage is great in the industrial word but a major pain in less developed areas.
Dave says
Hey Steve, I was thinking about doing the same -- choosing my luggage based on the destination or region I'm visiting.
I'll be in Europe for the rest of the year, so I'm sure the wheeled luggage will be fine.
icha says
interesting article. Btw, I also go backpacking using wheeled luggage. As you wrote, there are pros and cons but I still prefer the wheeled one to the backpack
The Runaway Guide says
David! How could you!? It's almost like a sin for a backpacker to go wheels. I hear ya though, I have the same lower back pain. I'm afraid that this might happen to me in a few years. This past year, I traveled with a cvs bought lawn chair rigged to my pack. It was really painful to carry, but getting to lay back in a recliner anywhere made up for it.
Dave says
I know, I can't believe it either! The thing is I don't think the backpack is the problem, I think it's my sedentary lifestyle.
Despite all the traveling, I spend a lot of time sitting in front of a computer writing, and working on the websites.
Jeff Broman says
I use a combination of wheeled and backpack depending on the trip. For trips within the U.S. I almost always use my trusty Travel Pro wheeled bag. When I am traveling internationally I always use a backpack.
Anthony says
Hey David,
Good on you for sorting out your pain before it gets any worse. I've been travelling for 3 months with hand-luggage only and exploring all avenues. What size (in litres) is the smaller one, mate?
May be worth a bash!
Dave says
The North Face? It's 35 liters.
Carlo Cretaro says
I slipped a disc in my back last summer in Asia which forced me to return home so I'll probably have to look into the wheeled luggage option for long term travelling from here on in. End of the day you gotta look after your health.
Good for you though for making the tough decision.
Fred Perrotta says
Bummer to have lost you to the dark side.
A few tips for anyone carrying a backpack regularly: (1) Use the waist belt. Yeah, it looks lame, but it really does take a lot of the weight from your shoulders/back to your hips. (2) Pack your heaviest stuff in the middle (vertically) of your bag and as close to your back as possible. Medium-weight stuff up top and lightweight stuff at the bottom. Sounds weird, but it's the most ergonomic way to do it.
Dave says
Good tips Fred.
Lissie says
Fred has it right - I'm a lot older than you, and my partner, who is 60 carries a pack just fine, and he has a bad back in real life! However we don't have wheeled packs - they are heavy and they throw the balance. I've packed a pack as Fred describes for 30 years - and it obviously works because all that happens after we travel is that we have much better arm and leg muscles. The weight should be down the back of your legs - if they hurt after walking with a pack- you are doing it right.
I have to use a rolling suitcase when I am doing competitive dance - and I can end up with a sore back inside a couple of days - because you twist to pull it along.
It bemuses me that people say they don't walk with their packs - I do so all the time - I particularly in Europe we walked for miles, in snow with packs on, and neither of us had problems.
Maybe it's because we only carry about 7-8kg weight (including a netbook and big camera).
Lissie says
And yeah there shouldn't be any weight on your shoulders if your pack is packed and carried properly - it's all about the waistbelt
Fred Perrotta says
Thanks, Lissie. You're doing it right! Sounds like you've got it just about figured out.
Carlo Cretaro says
Curious to know if any of ye travel with a day bag as well as backpack? Like keeping your laptop and camera gear in day bag and all your clothes etc in backpack?
Fred Perrotta says
I haven't recently but want to add one for carrying a camera (day-to-day) and carrying my computer when I'm working from somewhere other than where I'm staying. Ideally it would fit inside my full size bag or be small enough to use as a "personal item" and tuck away under the seat.
Jeff Broman says
I always have a day bag in addition to my backpack or suitcase.
Dave says
Yes, I would do the turtle look -- carrying my main bag on my back, and my daypack with laptop and stuff in the front. Think I'm getting too old for that look :)
mike says
Dave, I'm a golfer and have used a pull cart to carry my clubs. Found out that even doing that is not good for the back. Now what's popular is using a golf cart that I push instead of pull.
Franca says
Oh noooo! What a shame to get rid of your 'travel fellow' after so long!
Anyway it was strictly necessary to do so, I'm sure it will find a new owner that will love it as much as you did! :)
Have I been too dramatic?
Anita Mac says
Sorry to hear that Dave! It is a sad day, but at least your trusted bag went to a good cause! I am still carrying mine - a wheelie just won't cut it on the Camino Trail, which is my next big adventure, but after watching the Europeans cart their wheelie bags over cobbles and through the streets of town, I have to wonder - will I go the same route? Keep my bag for treks and hikes in the mountains, but the robust wheels on some of those bags just makes me think I can do anything with them!
Keep up those back exercises - you only get the one back! Happy travels.
Dave says
Thanks Anita, one way or another, I'm gonna keep on truckin'
Jeff Broman says
You need some kind of off-road wheeled luggage for cobblestones and rough pavement. Something with big wheel. @Fred This could be your next product.
Fred Perrotta says
Feels risky, designing something for a hostile environment (wheels on rough terrain).
Andrew says
Sorry to read about your back. :(
How do you find the difference in weight and capacity? I would imagine the wheeled luggage must have significantly added more weight and lessened capacity compared to your backpack. I have been hoping to find an ultra lightweight carry on wheeled luggage that is no more than than 3 kg, and ideally closer to 2. But I don't think that will ever be a reality considering the mechanics.
Currently, I use this: http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101?productid=1370034&rlid=DETAIL
It is 1.79 kg in itself - particularly useful for those airlines with 10 kg limit - with a whopping 54 litre capacity and is standard carry on size. Plus, it has a separate padded compartment for a laptop or iPad. The best of all worlds except for wheeling, which can be helpful sometimes when you tire of carrying it on your back.
If you ever find an ultra light wheeled luggage with optimal capacity, I would love to know! I have been looking but I hate to sacrifice 1.79 kg and 54 litres. :) I'm not a backpacker - more of an urban traveler who does not like sharing rooms with strangers lol - so I prefer something stylistically more like a piece of carry on luggage.
Jodi says
I use both as well, but primarily the backpack for trips through Southeast Asia or South America, and the suitcase for the times where I know there will be business meetings and I need nicer clothes with me. I DO prefer the backpack though - I like to have my hands free on public transportation, both to hold on to something and to have the flexibility of movement if I need it. As Andrew said, the frames are quite heavy as well, which is difficult when you are flying on budget airlines and have a 15kg luggage requirement.
Either way, you made the right choice for your back, and your bag looks stylin'!
Dave says
Thanks Jodi. I think the wheeled luggage will work fine for me the rest of the year since I'll mostly be in Europe.
If my back is fine after that, I'll probably buy a new backpack and see how it goes.
Michael says
gowheeledluggage.com taken yet? ;)
Steph and I have been using wheeled luggage a lot more often lately as well. I don't know why but on shorter trips, I tend to bring the luggage but on much longer trips, I'm bringing the backpack. I've been traveling with a lot more lately and definitely slowed down a lot more so carrying around luggage isn't a bad idea. If I know I'll be moving around a lot, then backpack for sure.
I got a new backpack and hope that takes away some of the back pain the other backpack gave me sometimes.
Dave says
I refuse to buy that domain on principle alone!
cailin says
I've never owned a travelers backpack! I've always done the wheeled suitcase thing :)
Kevin Post says
I couldn't imagine using wheeled luggage for most of my endeavors because it would be nearly impossible for all the trekking, mountaineering and climbing trips I take. Dave, have you thought about just trying a lighter better fitting pack? The technology has improved significantly in the outdoor industry the past 10 years and maybe there is a better and much lighter fitting pack for you. To paraphrase Fred, you need a bag that rests nicely on the iliac crest and it is recommended to pack your heaviest items closest to your back on top of your iliac crest (and put your sleeping bag on the bottom to avoid any of your heavier items going below your iliac crest).
Come by to Orlando and I'll fit you a kickass bag you'll never want to give away :)
Sally Stretton says
Sorry about the retirement of your trusty old backpack! I too feel your pain. Backpain is no joke and can take you out and have you laid out for days! Its going to be a good thing for you in the long run becuase you will be able to continue your travels in less pain and discomfort, New blog site name suggestion..."Go Packing on Wheels" lol :)
Sally Stretton
Dave says
Lol, thanks Sally. Slowly but surely I'm starting to feel better :)
Lee Carter @ Global Goose says
I use wheeled at the moment in South East Asia and it is a pain, I keep offering to trade with my girlfriends backpack but shes is too wise. The bumpy streets you mention are a problem the biggest challenge I find is steps. You arrive at your hostel and you are on the 4th floor with no elevator.
I'm planning on buying one of the hybrids (wheels on a backpack, ideally with daypack) have only seen one which looked big enough and good enough, It was in Bangkok and I am still kicking myself for not buying it!
Dave says
My first (and only) hostel in Iceland put me in a dorm room on the 4th floor! Minus one for wheeled luggage!
Careful about the hybrids. I often seen people wearing them and due to the design, it may not distribute weight very well.
I will probably buy a small backpack at the end of the year, and use one or the other, versus a hybrid.
alex says
Backpack or wheeled carry-on really depends on where I am going. If I know I am going to be staying in a city, carry-on is the more convenient option. As you can just drag it behind you it's less of a burden than a backpack, plus it keeps my clothes relatively crease-free. Anywhere off the beaten path a backpack is the way to go though. If you ever see a tourist drag a wheeled bag over a dusty sand road you know there are times when a wheeled bag isn't very convenient. And if you are anywhere with a rainy season a backpack will keep your belongings off the wet streets. Like I said, there are pros and cons to both types of luggage. It really depends on where you are going.
Claire says
Hi Dave, sorry to hear about the back, I am a postie and get a bit of trouble myself, so I'm all for helping out the lumbar region! Well I was to-ing and fro-ing over the wheeled back pack or not, and have decided to go for a hybrid wheeled one for my trip to South America next year. It seems that a lot of the hybrid packs have no hip belt, which of course when you do have to carry it, is absolutely no good for the back, especially if you're carrying a lot of stuff! The only one I found that appears to have a good backpack system and frame, including a decent hip belt, is the Osprey Sojourn/Meridian series. I am opting for the Sojourn 60 litres, hoping to have made the right decision!
For me I'm thinking I should be able to wheel it a lot of places, saving the back, but then when necessary use the pack and hit the cobbles in the traditional way!
Although I am slightly concerned that I will be looked upon differently by the die hard 'no wheels' crew!! :-)
Dave says
I would avoid the hybrid backpacks, because they're trying to be everything, instead of either being an excellent backpack or an excellent wheeled luggage.
Uktraveller says
What would be your suggestion for travelling in uk? Wheeled luggage or backpack?
Dave says
I never wrote a follow-up, but I ended up finding the wheeled luggage a pain in the butt to travel with, even in Europe. I've returned to using a backpack.... and an even smaller one than I use to carry!
Lucy says
Hi, we are midway through our intended year long trip. It was good to read this post as my husband injured his lower back recently - exacerbation of chronic problem - so now we are rethinking our bag choices as I can't carry two rucksacks! Great to hear you haven't let lower back pain stop you. I hope it s much improved now! We will be looking at wheeled backpacks for versatility.
Dave says
Yes, my back is fine now but the experience reminded me that I need to be more conservative. No more 24 hour bus rides!