samipii (flickr)

A couple months back I wrote a post entitled What backpacking IS, and IS NOT. One of the points I made in the post was, “backpacking IS NOT an activity that even requires a backpack”.

This point received some criticism from readers, however is one that I still fully support.

I don’t mean to say that you should not carry a backpack while “backpacking”. In some cases a backpack is the best choice. However, it makes a lot more sense to analyze your personal needs as a traveler, and choose your baggage accordingly, as opposed to assuming, “Well, I’m going ‘backpacking’ through Asia, better buy a backpack”.

Below are some of the downsides to traveling with a backpack that many travelers may overlook:

1. Much harder to blend in:

When was the last time you saw a native Nigerian walk out of the local bus station with a 40lb North Face strapped to their back? Locals don’t travel with huge backpacks, they use standard everyday luggage: duffel bags, rolling bags, or suitcases. Just look at the girl in the picture above, is there any question that she’s from out of town? That’s not to say you won’t still stand out with standard baggage, but at least it won’t be because of your luggage.

2. Limited mobility in urban environments:

I think many people choose to travel with the backpack because they think it improves mobility, however in urban environments a large backpack is actually a detriment to mobility. Have you every tried to make your way onto a crowded subway with a large backpack strapped to you? The pack probably hit at least a dozen people in the head, made it very difficult for you to get on and off the train, and pissed off at least half the people in the process. A standard suitcase or handbag, on the other hand, is much easier to maneuver and control. You can easily move it to your front, left, right, rear, even up over other passengers heads making it far superior to the backpack when comparing urban mobility.

3. Can simply be a pain in the ass:

You run to catch the last train back to Phuket, and on the way step in a huge puddle. You make the train, but your shoes and socks are now soaked from the puddle. You then spend the next 45 minutes taking everything out of your backpack in the middle of the train trying to find clean socks, which of course are at the very bottom of the top-down packing bag. You then try to stow your pack in an overhead compartment, though it’s awkward shape prevents it from fitting. The whole ordeal takes over an hour, and draws tons of attention to you (which can pose a security risk). However, had you been traveling with a normal piece of luggage, you likely would have found your socks in under 5 minutes, stowed your bag in one, and been happily asleep in no time.

4. Often unnecessary:

If I’m going on a 12 week trek through the Amazon jungle or the Himalayas, sure I’d be inclined to use a backpack as my primary bag. This is what the large “backpack” was designed for, a way to carry a large amount of equipment for 6-10 hours everyday, during a multi-day trek through the wilderness. However if I’m traveling like most “backpackers”, through civilization, cities and small towns, by airplane, bus, and train, I would personally prefer the convenience of a standard piece of luggage. I also take a day backpack for short excursions, but my primary bag is just an unassuming duffel bag. The duffel bag would surely get uncomfortable if I had to carry across a 12 mile hike, but for travel through civilization, it’s far more convenient.

What do you think of the backpack? A necessary piece of equipment for the “backpacking” traveler, or nothing more than a cliché?

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