It’s Time to Ditch the Suitcase and Travel With a Backpack. Here’s Why

The world is a big, beautiful place and we’re fortunate to live in a time when seeing large swaths of it is pretty darn easy. Not long ago, a trip around the globe required walking, horses, trains and a ship or two. Now you can make your way to the farthest corners of the planet with relative ease and comfort, thanks to the air travel industry.

Still, things aren’t always so simple and convenient. The sheer number of people moving through airports at any given time is staggering. And chaos is compounded the tiny tag-alongs that are carry-on luggage, causing collisions, traffic jams, smushed toes and the like.

If you, like us, would rather be a part of the solution than the problem, we’ve got a suggestion: ditch that roller bag in favor of a backpack and/or duffle bag.

Shoulder-hauled bags are not without their own downsides, of course. They can get heavy, depending on how you pack, and can be annoying to take on and off (or just drag around) in the security line. They’re not a viable option for everyone, especially if you have back issues or other physical limitations. And they require a bit more personal awareness; you don’t want to be the person that knocks everything off a shelf simply by turning around.

But their upsides are much more numerous. Here’s why backpacks are far better for air travel than roller bags — plus four we love.