{"id":4389,"date":"2012-12-10T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-12-10T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/?p=4389"},"modified":"2024-06-19T07:25:00","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T11:25:00","slug":"wheeled-backpacks-why-theyre-the-best-and-tips-for-buying-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theprofessionalhobo.com\/wheeled-backpacks-why-theyre-the-best-and-tips-for-buying-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Wheeled Backpacks: Why They’re the Best, and Tips for Buying One"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this modern world, a backpack is one of the common things that can be seen almost everywhere. Gone are the days when a backpack was only used for carrying school books or going on a hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nowadays, people use backpacks for various purposes such as traveling, working, and even diaper bags. However, with so many different types of backpacks available in the market, it can be quite confusing to choose which is the right one for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all of my years of full-time and long-term travel (since 2006), my backpack\/suitcase\/whatever has assumed the functionality of my \u201chouse\u201d (and then some) \u2013 keeping all my possessions safe while enduring the hard knocks of travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve lived out of a bag for about 18 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or rather, a few bags<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And I’ve determined (and demonstrated by example) that wheeled backpacks are the best for travel. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is essential to have a backpack that is both comfortable to carry and has enough space to store all your belongings while traveling. When you travel, it becomes your “house” while on the road! This is all the more reason for travelers to invest in a good quality backpack. In this article I’ll show you what to look for and how to find the perfect wheeled backpack for you. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Wheeled
Pin this for later!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

While this post was originally published in 2012, it is constantly updated with relevant information and links. It was overhauled in 2022, and continues to be updated for accuracy of links etc. <\/em>

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What is a Wheeled Backpack?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is a no-brainer that a wheeled backpack is a backpack with wheels! It has all the features of a regular backpack but with the added convenience of wheels and a handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two main types of wheeled backpacks: rolling backpacks and wheeled duffel bags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rolling backpacks are designed to be carried on your back like a regular backpack but with added wheels and a handle. They are great for those who want to travel light and do not want to carry their backpack on their back all the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wheeled duffle bags, on the other hand, are designed to be pulled like a suitcase. They are perfect for those who are looking for more storage space as they usually have a larger capacity than rolling backpacks.

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At A Glance: My Top 4 Picks for Wheeled Backpacks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ready to meet the top 4 picks for the best-wheeled backpacks? Here they are!

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1. Osprey Fairview Wheeled Travel Packs <\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Osprey<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

These wheeled backpacks are our top pick for the best-wheeled backpack. Osprey in general makes amazing gear from durable fabric with great travel-friendly features. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fairview line of packs is designed specifically for women so they’re ergonomically easier to carry on your back. They both come in checked luggage size (65L), and carry-on size (36L) – though I would argue that 36L may be a wee bit small if you’re traveling long-term. Osprey has larger options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The comfortable backpack harness and hip belt stow away when you want to use the wheels and retractable handle for easy maneuverability. And there are straps on the front of the pack to which you can attach the Osprey Daylite or Fairview\/Farpoint daypacks so you can wheel or carry your whole travel entourage easily and keep your hands free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the Fairview 65L Wheeled Travel Pack<\/a> <\/strong>
and the Fairview 36L Carry-On version<\/a>. <\/strong>

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2. The Osprey Farpoint Wheeled Travel Packs <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In truth this ties for the #1 spot because the Farpoint has exactly the same features as the Fairview – except it’s designed for men. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the Farpoint 65L Wheeled Travel Pack<\/a> <\/strong>
and the Farpoint 36L Carry-On<\/a> version.<\/strong>

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2. Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT 90L Wheeled Duffel With Backpack Straps <\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Eagle<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This wheeled duffel bag from Eagle Creek is our top pick for the best rolling duffel bag. There are tons of rolling duffel bags, but very few also have backpack straps; this one does. It is made from durable fabric and features a large main compartment with internal compression straps to keep your belongings in place. It also has a handle and rolling wheels for easy maneuverability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now here’s the thing. At 90L this thing is larger than I would normally recommend for long-term travel, because it will be heavy. But if you spend a lot of time in colder climates, or you have hobbies that require gear, this will be ideal for hauling everything around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You won’t want to carry it on your back for too long however, because there’s no waist belt and anything this big is bound to be too heavy to carry comfortably with just the backpack straps. That said, when the terrain is just too inappropriate to wheel your luggage, you’ll be thankful for the straps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily they are super sturdy oversized treaded wheels. I have some ancient Eagle Creek rolling luggage with similar wheels and I’ve rolled it countless miles on gravel, cobblestones, and other non-wheel-friendly terrain. They’re still like new. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This wheeled bag has some great organizational features too, like mesh divers and easy-access zippered pockets. Overall, this is a great rolling duffel bag for those who need to carry a ton of stuff and are looking for durability, comfort, and versatility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get your Eagle Creek cargo hauler here<\/a>. <\/strong>
For something a bit smaller, check out the Osprey Sojourn Wheeled Travel Pack 80L<\/a>. <\/strong>

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4. Everki Atlas rolling laptop backpack <\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Everki<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This rolling laptop backpack from Everki is our top pick for the best rolling laptop backpack. It is made from durable fabric and features a spacious main compartment with a padded laptop sleeve that can fit up to a 17-inch laptop. It also has a front organizational pocket and a quick-access top zippered pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At 30L, you could use this as your only luggage for shorter carry-on only trips if you are a super light packer. Or, you could use this as your carry-on\/daypack on longer trips with checked luggage. It has a trolley strap so you can attach it to your larger rolling luggage, and after you’ve checked it, you can use the wheels to breeze around the airport in style. The rolling wheels and retractable handle also makes this a nice thing to have at your destination, for example if you’re going to and from a coworking space<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, this is a great rolling laptop backpack for those who are looking for durability, comfort, and convenience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out Everki’s rolling laptop backpack<\/a> here. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023 Update: <\/strong>Do you like the idea of carry-on sized wheeled backpacks but the Everki is too small? I’ve used the Osprey Daylite Carryon Wheeled Duffel (40L)<\/a> on trips as long as 3 months. The backpack straps aren’t designed for heavy loads but can get you through the bits where you can’t roll it. They also detach if you need more packing space.

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My own journey to wheeled backpacks: I started with a backpack…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

…as many budget travelers<\/a> do. Something about the “backpacker” moniker that means you have to travel with a backpack. (Spoiler alert: you don’t). Actually, I started my full-time travels with my second <\/em>backpack, thinking I was smart for ditching the first one. (This turned out to be a smart move, but sadly not smart enough).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My First Backpack \u2013 Lowe Alpine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My first (pre-full-time traveling) backpack was a Lowe Alpine 60-80L trekking backpack.
It was a pretty simple, bare bones deal, that I took to South Africa for a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There, I realized three impracticalities of this bag<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n