How To - Pick Your Luggage

To suitcase or to backpack, that is the question!

It can be tough choosing your luggage, especially knowing you’ll have to lug it around and use it to house your whole life for the entire duration of your trip. Sounds pretty scary, but it really just depends on your itinerary and how you’re looking to travel. Check out our quick pros & cons comparison between backpacks and suitcases below to help make your pick! 

Backpacks
We knew that we would need fairly squish-able luggage for our overlanding trip in southern Africa, so a backpack was the way to go from the start. We also knew we would be bringing an array of different items – from medical supplies to camping gear – so the abundance of pockets and sections was a plus for us too. We went with the Gregory 80L and 85L packs. Below are some other elements to consider when it comes to backpacks: 

✓ They’re easy to carry on any terrain. 

✓ Multiple pockets and compartments to store a variety of items & make it easy to access them on the go. 

✓ They ‘re compressible and soft, so you can fit them into small spaces or make it more compact as you shed items throughout the trip (or expand as you collect souvenirs).

✓ They can be converted into a hiking pack, if desired. 

✘ They can be fairly heavy to carry, especially if you’re packing for a year. 

✘ They may not be waterproof, unless you use an added raincover. 

✘ They are at risk of getting damaged during travel, especially as a check-in item. Consider bringing a protective travel cover like this Deuter one. 

✘ They can be tricky to pack clothes, so consider using packing cubes like these from Amazon. 

✘ May be annoying to access items needed on a daily basis, so make sure you prioritize certain pockets! 

Suitcases

Alternatively, you can travel fairly easily with a large check-in suitcase, which comes with it’s own benefits and downfalls:

✓ Easy to pack, although you may need packing cubes or internal storage bags. 

✓ More durable if it is a hardshell suitcase.

✘ Tricky to carry on certain terrains, like cobblestone or dirt roads.

✘ Suitcase may have be fairly heavy before packing, impacting how much you can bring. 

✘ More difficult to store, especially on tours that require light packing, like a safari. 

✘ Requires packing an additional hiking pack. 

✘ Not as adventurous! 

At the end of the day, the luggage that will work best for you probably depends on the type of trip you’re planning alongside your personal preferences, needs, and the destinations you have planned. Once you’ve decided on the type of luggage you’ll be taking on your big trip, you’ll need to decide on what actually goes into your bag, which is usually the bigger challenge! Be on the lookout for a post detailing with what and how to pack coming soon!