You may have seen countless backpackers struggle daily with carrying heavy and often overweight backpacks, some of which are bigger than the travelers themselves.
You have probably seen people trying to carry huge backpacks on and off planes, buses, and trains, struggling to walk through terminals or even down the road, and putting themselves at risk of a serious back injury. You may use Travags backpack bags in place of standard backpacks as they provide high-quality personalized & customized bags.
This should make you think about the whole backpack vs suitcase dilemma and may beg the question: Is a backpack really an essential travel item for older travelers?
Pros and Cons of Backpack vs Suitcase
This list of the pros and cons of backpack versus suitcase is designed to help you decide which is elderly-friendly luggage, a backpack or a suitcase?
Which is hands-free?
When traveling with a backpack, both hands are free. You can use both hands to carry other things, pay for stuff, as well as eat and drink on the go without having to put the backpack down.
It’s very convenient to be able to use both hands anytime you need to, which is something you can’t do with heavy luggage unless you put it down.
Which is easier to pack and unpack?
Backpacks are weirdly shaped in a way, much like a tube. This makes them a bit awkward to pack certain items in and harder to utilize their space efficiently.
Additionally, backpacks have a smaller opening at the top for packing items with only one way in and one way out.
If you wish to access something that is packed at the bottom, you may first have to remove everything above it. Backpacks make it more difficult to organize your items.
It is recommended that you look for a type of backpack with an opening at the bottom to make traveling easier. Some travel backpacks are designed with zippers that go all the way around, so you can open them up like a suitcase.
With a suitcase that opens like a book, you can easily see all of your stuff inside. The wide opening allows you to easily access everything inside, too. It also makes organization simpler and easier.
Which is safer to carry?
Unlike a suitcase, a backpack requires you to support the entire weight of your luggage on your body. Suitcases don’t even need to be carried that often. You only need to roll them most of the time, which hardly takes work, given how they’re designed these days.
Backpacks can put stress on the back, shoulders, and hips, especially if it’s too heavy or is improperly fitted. It’s best to stick with a suitcase if you have chronic pain in your back.
Which wrinkles clothes?
Due to the unusual shape of backpacks, it is almost impossible to fold clothes flat and stack them. You have to think outside the box when packing.
Rolling your clothes is the best solution for backpacks. This way, you can fit more in the space available and avoid wrinkling your shirts.
In the same vein, because you can fold your clothes flat in a suitcase, wrinkles are less likely to form while traveling.
You don’t have to worry about packing your favorite dress or suit. This is especially important if you are traveling for business or another occasion where you must dress well.
Suitcase wins this round!
Which offers more protection?
Most suitcases are equipped with some type of reinforced plastic around the edges. This helps prevent damage to your stuff and the suitcase and over-compression. As most of you know, airline baggage handlers can be particularly harsh on luggage.
Backpacks are soft and, therefore, don’t offer the same level of protection. This can make your stuff susceptible to damage from falls.
Which is more secure?
Sometimes, you have to put your suitcase down. During this time, you could be a victim of a snatch and grab.
But with backpacks, your stuff is on you most of the time. You won’t have to fear someone grabbing your suitcase and running away with it when you put it down.
With or without wheels?
Many suitcases now have wheels, which means they don’t require you to carry the full weight of your luggage. It makes walking around airports and train stations easier.
When you travel with a backpack, you will always need to carry it on your back. There are still limited options for backpacks with wheels.
Which is more lightweight and easier to carry?
Manufacturers of backpacks use lightweight materials to help keep the weight as low as possible since these products are meant to be carried.
Additionally, backpacks don’t have rigid frames, collapsing handles, or wheels that would contribute to the weight. Some of the lightest backpacks don’t weigh more than two pounds. They make carrying your stuff a lot easier.
Takeaway
After giving much thought and consideration to the above-mentioned points, you can start looking for the perfect senior-friendly suitcase for yourself or a loved one.
