One of the most important things to consider when deciding which bag to use when traveling is its mobility and ease of carrying. More and more travelers choose wheeled luggage because it’s pretty effortless to roll around in most situations. Yet many travelers prefer the hands-free convenience of a backpack style bag. Rolling luggage with backpack straps combines each of these features to provide the best of both worlds.
Advantages of Rolling Luggage With Backpack Straps
Choosing luggage with both wheels and backpack straps makes sense in many situations, including:
- You’ll be traveling to places where the terrain is so rough that wheels just won’t work
- You plan to walk a great deal with your bag during your trip (as opposed to just to and from airports and hotels)
- You’re comfortable and accustomed to wearing a backpack, and it doesn’t cause you any back pain or excess strain
- You plan to use the backpack around town and at school as well as when you spend a week-end away
Other benefits:
- Backpack straps and clips can be zipped out of the way, keeping them from getting caught up in airport security scanning machines or breaking off when shoving into a plane’s overhead compartment
- The prospect of carrying your bag on your back helps influence you to travel as light as possible, and not bring along more clothing or gear than you really need
The Best Luggage With Wheels and Backpack Straps
High Sierra AT7 Wheeled Duffel with Backpack Straps
High Sierra has perfected wheeled duffel bags with backpack straps, and the AT7 series is among the most popular. If you’re looking for a larger bag to take on a multi-week vacation, don’t mind checking your bag, and want the convertible convenience of a large backpack and a wheeled suitcase, then the 26-inch AT7 is the way to go.
This feature-full luggage with wheels and backpack straps has two large interior areas that provide ample storage and organization options, with a zippered divider in between that can be rolled up to create a single large compartment. And the expandable main compartment can be unzipped to create 2 inches of additional capacity when needed.
It glides smoothly on two recessed inline skate wheels, using the retractable telescoping handle to guide the way. And it’s got attractive reflective piping details which provide added visibility when wheeling or carrying it at night.
Constructed of material, the High Sierra AT7 is extremely durable as well as lightweight.
Choose your favorite color from black, blue, or cranberry.
Like this design but prefer a carry-on size? Then take a look at the smaller High Sierra 22″ wheeled carry-on luggage with backpack straps. It provides all the same features in a smaller package that you can take with you on board.
Samsonite Luggage MVS Carry-on Spinner Backpack
For those who prefer the comfort and ease of a spinner style bag, Samsonite has designed the answer with their in their MVS Spinner Backpack. Measuring about 19″ x 12″ x 12″, this handy carry-on sized wheeled backpack will carry all your essentials for an overnight or week-end getaway. A quick change back panel can either hide the straps when you want to roll, or access the straps when you want to carry, giving you your choice of pushing, pulling, or carrying it when and how you choose.
If you’re traveling with a laptop, a notable feature is the separate padded sleeve that protects up to a 17 inch screen laptop. Additional felt-lined hidden pockets protect valuables, and multiple exterior zippered pockets are useful for water, glasses, books, and other easy access items.
High Sierra Carry-on Wheeled Backpack with Removable Day Pack
It’s a wheeled suitcase, it’s a backpack, it’s a daypack – it’s 3 bags in one! The clever design of the High Sierra 22″ Inch Wheeled Backpack delivers everything you need for a short or longer duration trip by combining a carry on luggage with backpack straps with an additional removable day pack. The main bag is a 22″ has a single large compartment, with tie down straps for keeping clothing in place. This main bag has backpack straps that can be hidden away by storing them into a zippered back panel.
But what makes this unique is that there is also a completed separate, removable day pack zipped to the front of the bag. This makes it easy to travel with a suitcase and pack, while also having ready access to just grab the daypack on its own and go. The day pack has two side pockets for water bottles and small easy to access items, a convenient headphone port, and an integrated cell phone pocket on the padded shoulder strap.
The 22″ main bag is just the right size to be able to carry comfortably on your back when filled, and both can be brought on board with you when on a flight. It’s also a great way to free up your hands for a stroller or other luggage when traveling. Comes in two color options: black or graphite.
J World New York Sunrise Rolling Backpack
The ultimate in stylish patterns and versatile use, the lightweight Sunrise Rolling Backpack from J World New York serves as a great book bag for school, a fun overnight bag for visiting friends, and a functional carry-on bag for hands-on access when flying to your destination.
Designed to help you organize and carry everything needed for school, work, or travel, these bags have a roomy interior for a few sets of clothing (or a stack of textbooks), and exterior organizer pockets with places for cell phone and mp3 player, lipsticks or pens, glasses, and keys. There’s also a mesh side pocket that’s perfect for a water bottle or snack. The shoulder straps are extra cushioned for comfort, and slip in a back panel and out of the way when not in use.
With a choice of 40 color and pattern options, it’s no surprise that this bag receives the highest ratings and reviews from users of all ages.
High Sierra Ultimate Access 30-inch Wheeled Duffel with Backpack Straps
High Sierra does it again, delivering the ideal combination of rolling duffle bag and backpack in their Ultimate Access Wheeled Duffel with Backpack Straps. This extra spacious 30-inch bag is perfect for those heading out out on a long trip, or just needing to bring a lot of gear. Keep in mind this can get pretty heavy when filled, so carrying it as a backpack is meant for the most able-bodied.
Two smooth rolling inline skate wheels are inset into protected wheel housings, and the backpack straps tuck away into a zipped back panel when not in use to prevent damage during travel.
The spacious main compartment is accessible through a u-shaped opening at the top, and two large top loading end compartments on each side are perfect for shoes, swim gear, electronics, or other items you want to keep separated. And there’s also a handy exterior zipped pocket for easy access to smaller accessories. Available in blue or black.
Other Considerations: Wheeled Backpack vs. Traditional Backpack
If you love the idea of traveling with a backpack, and you’re able bodied enough to carry it on your back, then be sure to carefully consider whether it makes better sense for you to get a traditional backpack. Not only do wheels and retracting handles take up a lot of packing room, but they add extra weight as well.
No piece of luggage is right for everyone or for every situation. But you may certainly find that you’re one of the growing number of people who swear by their rolling luggage with backpack straps, whether traveling through Europe, heading on an active adventure vacation anywhere in the world, or simply trekking around town.