After ten years of traveling the world, I am not the typical budget backpacker anymore; I still love the independence and freedom a backpack gives me. However, I often got frustrated with carrying it and putting it on and off, especially at airports.
So last year, I switched from a regular backpack for women with 50 Liters volume to a travel backpack with wheels.
Spoiler alert: I am super happy with my choice and the increased comfort I have while still maintaining flexibility and freedom.
A travel backpack with wheels is right for you if:
– Love being independent and flexible while traveling
– Need a bag with superior protection, generous storage space, and an effortless carrying experience.
– Want to keep weight of your back
– Don’t plan on carrying the backpack on hikes
+ Need a more sophisticated-looking option to a regular backpack
A travel backpack with wheels is not right for you if:
– You want to carry it on longer hikes
Here is my personal review of the current travel backpacks with wheels on the market.
Find the best travel backpack with wheels
– Pros and Cons of a wheeled backpack
Pros and Cons of travel backpacks with wheels
Quick verdict:
I can’t imagine traveling without a wheeled backpack! They are perfect for independent travelers like me, offering a heavenly solution for those who want comfort and flexibility. However, I wouldn’t recommend them for hikers.
Advantages of traveling with a wheeled backpack
Comfort and Flexibility
As someone who loves the flexibility and independence of a backpack but hates the hassle of carrying and sweating, I find wheeled backpacks to be perfect.
This ideal balance makes my travels so much easier and more enjoyable.
Quick Transformation
They transform from wheeled luggage to a backpack in seconds, so it’s super easy to switch based on what I need at the moment.
Always the right look
My wheeled backpack is the perfect blend of practicality and style. It allows me to roll into upscale accommodations with a sophisticated look, and when I’m truly backpacking, it fits right in and lets me handle everything effortlessly.
Disadvantages of a backpack with wheels
Added weight
Wheels and handles naturally make a wheeled backpack heavier than its non-wheeled competitors.
However, to me, the added weight is a small price to pay for the convenience of not having to carry my luggage all the time.
The ease of rolling my bag far outweighs the slight increase in weight.
Less comfortable to carry on your back
While wheeled backpacks may not be as comfortable to carry on your back due to the easily storable straps, this isn’t a major issue for me.
Since I wheel my luggage most of the time, the convenience of rolling it far outweighs the need for carrying it on my back. It’s a small trade-off for the added ease and flexibility.
Less comfortable to wheel
Compared to a regular suitcase, the wheels on a wheeled backpack might not run as smoothly and are harder to maneuver.
But while you may not be doing pirouettes, you also won’t break a sweat carrying it.
Plus, most wheeled backpacks are designed for adventurous travelers and come with wheels that can handle uneven terrain.
This makes them perfect for any journey, combining practicality and versatility.
Carry on backpacks with wheels
I decided to try a carry-on back with wheels after realizing that my office and electronics make my carry-on pretty heavy. I started to dread carrying it around on longer layovers. Before we go into more detail, here is a comprehensive overview:
- Grey
- Navy
- Mint
- Beige
+ Easy Rolling
+ Expandable
- Weight
- Perfect for Carry-on only trips
- Longer Trips
- Petrol
- Navy
+ Easy Rolling
+ Expandable
+ Very comfortable
- Weight
- Very comfortable carrying
- Blue
+ Easy Rolling
+ Stylish
+ Good value for money
- Comfort when carrying
- Very smooth rolling
+ Easy Rolling
+ Laptop protection
+ Smart Organizing
wheels can be covered
- small volume
- Best for Digital Nomads and Business travelers
My choice:
TROPICFEEL LIFT ROLLERBAG
Volume: 40-52 L
Weight: 2,9 kg
Color Options: Black, Navy, Grey, Mint, Beige
Front-opening: Yes
Dimensions: 55,2cm x 36cm x x 22cm
Price: $299
My verdict: Even though it feels much more like a suitcase than anything I am used to, it has been a lifesaver on my travels. With modular expandable its warroble system for those who like to stay organized and have to unpack often.
Best for: Travelers who prefer a suitcase look and love compartments!
Tropicfeel Lift Rollerbag 40 L benefits:
The Tropicfeel Lift Rollerbag 40L is the newest addition to my luggage collection, and so far, I absolutely love it.
Expand your luggage
With its expandable capacity from 40L to 52L, this bag is perfect for travelers who love to pick up a souvenir or two.
Smart Design
I’m incredibly anxious about losing my passport, phone, or credit cards because it’s happened to me quite a lot. That’s why I love the Roller Lift’s Smart Design. Its well-thought-out compartments make organizing and navigating airports a breeze, keeping all my essentials secure and easily accessible.
Very easy to convert
Converting it from a roller bag to a backpack is done in just seconds!
Modular expandable
With its modular wardrobe system, roll-up toiletry bag, and sealed laundry bag, this bag allows me to pack smarter and unpack much quicker and easier. These features make organization effortless, saving me time and reducing travel stress.
Tropicfeel Lift Rollerbag Review
+ Very smart design to stay organized
+ modular system to expand the rollerbag
+ Expandible from 40 L to 52 L
+ super easy to convert from roller to backpack
+ stylish design & color choices
+also suitable for business travel
– not as comfortable as the Farpoint
Volume: 36 L
Weight: 2,4 kg
Carry-on: Yes
Color Options: Black, Navy, Petrol
Front opening: Yes
Dimensions:54H 39W 31D in cm
Price: $300
Quick verdict: Osprey’s Farepoint backpack with wheels is the ideal travel companion if you are planning on carrying it a lot. It offers a true backpack-like experience with the added convenience of wheels. The well-padded shoulder and hip straps make it super comfortable, even on longer trips.
Best for: Travelers who want to carry it for a longer time and are love the sporty look!
Osprey Farpoint 36 benefits
Organization
The spacious front panel opening and internal compression capabilities make packing and unpacking easy.
Made from recycled materials
Also, the Farpoint Wheeled 36 is made from recycled high-tenacity nylon with bluesign® approved fabrics, so you can enjoy your journey knowing that your bag isn’t adversely affecting the environment.
Compatible with daypack
Plus, it’s compatible with the Farpoint™/Fairview™Travel Daypack and the Daylite™, allowing you to quickly take only what you need.
Osprey Farpoint 36 review
+ more backpack than suitcase
+ super comfortable to wear due to hip straps
+ Smart compartments allow for easy organization and easy access to important stuff like passports and laptop
+ Easy and comfortable to roll
– limited color options
– More casual look
Volume: 35 L
Weight: 2,9 kg
Carry-on: Yes
Color Options: Black, Blue
Front-opening: Yes
Dimensions: 35 x 55 x 21 cm 22cm
Price: $ 179
Quick verdict: If you’re seeking a budget-friendly carry-on backpack that feels more like a suitcase, the Eagle Creek Expanse is your ideal choice! Despite lacking hip straps, it remains comfortable to carry, and its sizable wheels handle uneven terrain.
Best for: Travelers who are looking for a more suitcase-like budget-freindly option.
Eagle Creek Expanse Convertible features
Budget friendly: This bag offers fantastic value for money, making it perfect for travelers who want to stick to a budget without sacrificing quality.
Low weight: The lack of hip-straps amkes the Eagle Creek Expanse lighter than its competitors
Smooth Rolling
I love how these wheels handle uneven terrain with ease. They ensure a smooth roll on all kinds of surfaces, making my travels so much easier.
Eagle Creek Expanse Convertible review
+ most economic option
+ sleek design and nice color options
+ easy rolling even though the wheels are small
– not as comfortable to carry as the Osprey Farepoint
EVERKI ATLAS
Volume: 30 L
Weight: 6.4 lbs.
Carry-on: Yes
Color Options: Black
Front-opening: Yes
Dimensions: 21.3 x 15.7 x 8.1 inches
Price: $ 169
Quick verdict: This wheeled backpack is super comfortable to wheel and carry! I personaly need more volume for longer trips.
Best for: The Everki Atlas rolling backpack suits digital nomads and business travelers best.
Large wheels with cover
The standout feature has to be its large wheels, which make rolling through airports and bustling city streets a breeze. What’s even more impressive is that these wheels can be discreetly hidden behind a cover when you decide to carry it on your back, which keeps your back clean!
Quiet and easy rolling
The Atlas is super easy to maneuver and impressively quiet. This silent efficiency is perfect for hotel floors or keeping a low profile in a quiet office.
Compartments
One of the things I love about this backpack is its cleverly designed compartments. They help me keep everything neatly organized and ensure that my essentials are easily accessible, especially when I’m passing through airport security.
RFID protected
And let’s not forget the added protection it offers for laptops, going above and beyond with RFID technology to keep your data safe.
Everki Atlas review
+ Best for digital nomads and business travelers
+ RFID Protection for electronics
+sleek design
+ Limited lifetime warranty
+very easy to roll and comfortable to carry
– color options
– small volume
Travel Backpacks with wheels 50-70L
I switched from a regular 55 l backpack to a backpack with wheels last year after realizing that I really dreaded maneuvering especially at airports. And let me tell you: having wheels has increased my comfort so much!
My choice:
OSPREY SOJOURN 60 L/ 25″
Volume: 65 L
Weight: 8.2 lbs
Carry-on: No
Color Options: Black, Petrol
Front-opening: Yes
Dimensions: 13.78H x 17.32W x 27.95D in inches
Price: $ 395
It effortlessly combines the convenience of a wheeled suitcase with the ease of a real backpack. With lots of storage, tough wheels, and a comfy harness system for when you need to carry it on your back.
Best for: Adventurous travelers who need to carry their luggage over 20 minutes at a time.
Quick to transform
It takes less than 20 seconds to transform it from wheeld to backpack.
Smooth Rooling
Its HighRoad chassis and 90 mm oversized wheels provide an effortless rolling experience.
Comfortable to carry on your back
The Sojourn’s AirScape™ backpanel and harness expand your carrying capacity because they are comfortable and distrubitue weight well.
Osprey Sojourn review:
+ very easy to roll (easier than the Farepoint)
+ quick conversion from roller to backpack
+outside protection and compression elements
+ hip straps allow for very comfortable carrying
+ the perfect combo between backpack and suitcase
– color choices
– price
DEUTER AVIANT DUFFEL PRO MOVO
Volume: 60 L
Weight: 3,3 kg
Carry-on: NO
Color Options: Black, Yellow, Green
Front-opening: Yes
Dimensions: 74 x 35 x 33 cm
Price: $ 235
Quick verdict: The Deuter Aviant Pro Movo is the best budget option and super leightweight. It is the only bag which van be carried as duffle, too!
Best for: Travelers who really don’t plan on carrying it over 20 minutes.
Deuter Aviant Pro Movo Features
Carry as a duffle
Deuter’s Aviant Pro Movo 60 is the only backpack with wheels that can also be comfortably carried as a duffle thanks to handles on both sides and at the top. Making it simple to pick up and go.
Leightweight
It is also one of the most lightweight travel backpacks with wheels.
Big front-opening
The robust bag features two convenient zip pockets – one on the top and one in front – making it easy to store your valuables and access them when you need them.
Safety for your belonging
Protection comes courtesy of reinforced plastic feet, while a two-way zipper ensures your belongings stay safe and secure during transit.
Compartments with compression
Inside, there’s a plain-colored polyester lining, plus compression straps for optimized packing and two zip pockets for organization.
Deuter Aviant Pro Movo review
– lack of hip straps makes carrying the Deuter Aviant Pro Movo less comfortable than the Sojourn
+ super durable
+ easy wheeling
+ more of a duffle rather than a backpack
+ Easy to put on back
Best Alternative
Eagle Creek: Cargo Hauler
Volume: 110 L
Weight: 4.3 lbs
Carry-on: No
Color Options: Beige, Petrol, Red, Grey
Front-opening: Yes
Dimensions: 30.25 x 13.5 x 15 in inches
Price: $ 229
Quick Verdict: Its lightweight design and rugged wheels make it easy to maneuver, while the multiple carrying options provide versatility for any adventure. The water-resistant fabric keeps your gear safe and dry. Plus, the easy conversion between backpack, duffel and wheeled modes adds a layer of convenience that makes your travels even smoother.
Best for: Adventurous travelers who need to carry their luggage less than 20 minutes at a time.
Product features
Can be carried as a duffle
One standout feature is that it can be carried as a duffel, giving you even more flexibility on the go.
Water-resistant material
The water-resistant fabric keeps your gear safe and dry.
Leightweight materials
One of its key advantages is the use of lightweight materials, which makes it easy to carry and maneuver.
Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler review:
+ smooth to roll
+ quick conversion from roller to backpack
+ water-resistant materials to protect belongings
+ can be carried as duffle
+ color choices
+ leightweight
– does not stand alone well
– price
Volume: 65L/27.5″
Weight: 6.2 lbs
Carry-on: No
Color Options: Black, Navy
Front-opening: Yes
Dimensions: 13.39H 16.14W 27.56D in inches
Price: $ 320
The Osprey Farepoint wheeled
Lightweight Backpacking harness
The backpacking harness is much more lightweight compared to the Sojourn. Saving 2 lbs. in weight.
Big front-opening
With the spacious front-panel opening and internal compression capabilities, packing and unpacking is easy.
Sustainable materials
Plus, the entire wheeled collection is constructed from recycled high-tenacity nylon, which is bluesign® approved – so you can enjoy your travels knowing that your bag isn’t having an adverse effect on the environment.
Modular extpandable
The Farpoint Wheeled 65 is also compatible with the Farpoint™/Fairview™ Travel Daypack and Daylite™, making taking only what you need even easier.
Osprey Farepoint wheeled review
+ super comfortable to carry
+ smooth rolling
+ Easily convertible from roller to backpack
+ Hip straps for comfortable carrying
+ Modular expandable
– not as comfortable to wheel or carry compared to the Sojourn
Pro tip: Travel backpacks with wheels are always a bit more difficult to put on your back. Make sure to distribute weight evenly!
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