Is the Backpack Even Necessary?
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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[…] Budget Travel asked readers if they thought a backpack is a necessary to be a backpacker traveller, and gave four good reasons to answer no and I agree, well sort […]
Nothing says “foreign money” quite as much as a large backpack
question: What’s the alternative? Let’s pretend you’re doing a classic 6-weeker through Europe. Just “flashpack” it and get by with minimal clothing?
Jim: Thanks, I agree!
MRB: Good question. Personally, I prefer a duffel bag. I think they are much more mobile in urban environments, and draw a lot less attention to you as a traveler. You can still fit plenty of clothing and other items in a duffel bag, which can be just as spacious as the biggest backpack (though I don’t recommend such large baggage).
There is a downside that I see to standard baggage (duffels, rollers, suitcases, etc.) that I didn’t outline in the article and that is theft-protection. It’s a lot easier to steal a bag that you just carry with one hand than one that is strapped around both shoulders. Also, backpacks may be a pain in the ass to get things out of (if they are top-down loading), but that also means it’s a lot harder for thieves to open them up and take things out. On the other hand, the backpack is MORE susceptible to being cut (thieves slice pack open, remove contents and run).
When I bought my Gregory Chaos pack 9 years ago, I did so under the guidance that you should be able to navigate within a china store (delicate plates, not the country) without breaking everything.
Sure my pack is probably intended for ice climbers on McKinley, however it fits to the curve of my back due to a zillion straps, and I feel at one with it, even when full.
I often feel a bit smug when I see others backpacking with packs meant for 5 month hikes on the Appalachian Trail! Then again, there’s always a person with less than me which reminds me that I’m not the lightest traveler on the road.
Dave: Sounds like a good pack! I also really like the advice about being able to navigate through a china store. That’s great advice, I completely agree!
Overall I think you make a good point that most of the disadvantages to traveling with a backpack are only pertinent to large packs. If you can travel light, and carry your possessions in a small pack, you essentially avoid the inconveniences I outlined regarding backpacking with a large pack.
When I used to ride the New York City subway, I would occasionally spot backpackers squeezing into jam-packed subway cars. I would see people trying to dodge their bulging backpacks as the visitors swung left and right. I agree, the giant backpack is a symbol of an outsider–a Western outsider, especially–but as what another commentor brought up, what is the alternative? Traditional luggage? Lugging your six-piece luggage package seems even more cumbersome when you’re on a long-term trip.
I agree with you, and am posting on this subject at the moment, but I’m curious to know what you think of issues such as Palace Brisbane who have this policy:
*** These rooms are only available to genuine Backpackers.
A Backpacker is considered to be a person carrying a backpack- not a day pack.
It’s not enforced, but it’s still irritating in that you must conform 0 when backpacking should be about doing your own thing.
Brian: Thanks for your comment and question. I guess everyone has to decide for themselves what kind of luggage is best for their needs as a backpacker. I certainly don’t many people would choose the 6 piece set to carry with them, but perhaps a simple handbag or duffel bag would meet there needs better. These are the bags I opt for, and I find they meet my needs as a traveler much better than an oversized backpack.
Cari: Wow, that’s an interesting policy. I guess I understand why they have such a policy - to really create an atmosphere and meeting place for backpackers. They may have even developed the policy at the request of backpackers. However, if you consider one of the main goals of backpacking to be meeting new people and cultures, will beliefs, customs, and ways of life different to your own - having a hostel that promotes backpacker conformity seems to miss the point of the whole experience (and does so over an incredibly trivial thing). Great question! I look forward to reading your post and opinions on the topic.
I encountered the ‘backpacks only’ policy while travelling in Australia too. Other hostels have a ‘No Australians’ policy. I’m sure both are designed to keep out people who have caused problems in the past.
I was turned away from a couple of hostels because I’m Australian, but others took the time to ask about my trip and let me stay because I was genuinely travelling around the country. I’m sure if you’re a genuine traveller, it doesn’t really matter if you have duffle bag, suitcase or whatever else.
[…] other day, GoBudgetTravel asked “Is the Backpack Even Necessary“, which followed a post from this summer ” What Backpacking Is and Is Not“. Both […]
I fully agree with backpacks being silly mostly. how often do you actually carry it around, really? I travel a lot and I too always take a duffel bag and a little backpack for daytrips.
i’m a big fan of using a duffel or other semi-light weight piece of gear hauler to act as a mother ship to a significantly smaller daypack. that being said, back when i had more time than money, i had one bag - a backpack - and that bag did everything and went everywhere and was my trophy. the root of the problem is that most people take way too much stuff with them when they travel… yet i reserve my distain for the people with wheeled luggage at the train station (just as space taking as a backpack and 3 times slower on and off the platforms). cheers…
Interesting thread… I have been travelling for nearly two years now, when I first left the UK I had a duffel bag and it was a problem for me, firstly to carry and it was also a security risk for me personally, I ditched the duffel and bought a back pack (a propper travellers pack) so I thought… This was “a pain in the back” and a pain everywhere I went. When I came to China I ditched the pack and I now have three bags. (1) a big suit-case on wheels (2) a smaller case (the sort that you can carry on a plane) again on wheels. (3) a small day pack. This works great for me and if I need to I can put all my stuff in the one big case on wheels. I have only ever had one problem with my big case and that was snow!
Honestly I think you can still avoid most of those problems if you’re smart about how you use your backpack. (And if you use a more day-pack looking one instead of a big REI deal with a ton of straps.) But it’s interesting to consider other options.
I TOTALLY TOTALLY agree with the above article! Backpacks are a pain in the A** and make you stick out like a sore thumb - something no amount of speaking the local language or being sensitive to local culture can help you avoid.
I think Dave’s suggestion (from 2007! - of being able to walk through a china store) still holds good!
Having said that, I’m most comfortable with a backpack with wheels - handy at airports and when I’m too tired to carry it and easy enough to carry when I’m at train stations and on cobbled streets!
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