Hi out there!
I will be leaving for you-know-where in about a week and am not sure if I should take a small bag w/wheels (the size that will fit in an overhead), along with a day pack, or a small back-pack??? I don't want to look like a geek pulling this bag, on the otherhand, it is much easier on the back...
My travel partner is taking a pack and I kind of like the convenience of wheels...
I am traveling for a 3 weeks in Spain..about 2-4 days per city...
Any thoughts about this? :p

With a pack you have your hands free. I have done both and prefer the pack. Hve fun!

Rolling bags are absolute torture on cobblestones. Try running to the bus station, completely hungover, without any sleep, with a sweatshirt tied to the handle of the bag. It tipped over every five feet, the sweatshirt fell off into traffic, and I was ready to keel over myself by the time we actually got where we needed to be. I vote for backpack too.

I just got a soft-side (lighter weight) expandable rolling suitcase that converts to backpack and is carry-on (til I really stuff the expandable sections.It even has extendable front legs so it stands up when really loaded.It should be the perfect combo for both running thru airports and on cobblestone. It is made by Luggage America,Inc. 1-800-255-2990.

[ 06-11-2001: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

Take the pack. That is all.

And then they invented the backpack with wheels!!! Check out this link - you might be interested! http://jw-us.tops.net/images/Jpgglobe/23360690.jpg

I'm sure that there are other brands that make this type of pack, but I thought you might like to visualize it! Mind you, it's kind of bulky - that's why I didn't buy it.

SusiLaGallega

Samsonite has a cool backpack w/wheels ($200). It's rugged and functional. We just bought one for our trip to Spain next week. 4 of us going, 3 w/roller bags, 1 w/roller - backpack. I bet the backpack will win!
Have fun.

Back pack. Hands down. Wheels are okay if you're walking down a long hallway, but they just don't cut it walking down the average Spanish street.

I take a suitcase on wheels for my serious packing and a small carry on/backpack for the things I absolutely have to have handy on the plane. I generally take taxis from the airport (or wherever) to my hotel, so it isn't a major problem hauling the thing across cobblestones. While a lot of contributors on this board are young, sturdy folks who don't mind struggling with luggage of any size on metros and buses, SOME of us would prefer springing for the cab fare so we can drop the bulky stuff off and THEN hit public transportation. (I can picture myself, jet-lagged and wobbly, falling face first down the stairs of the metro with this mammoth pack on my back!)

Now, if the plan is to travel from town to town with great frequency AND the individual is able to manage easily with a large pack, that is probably the best way!

Personal preference, physical abilities and/or disabilities, and traveling style are all important considerations! If you decide on a large backpack, I strongly suggest you load the sucker up to maximum capacity and walk around the house with the thing on for several hours to see how the contraption works for you. I've been hiking with folks who moan and groan an hour into the trip because the pack rubs them in the wrong place! You will be living with your packing gear the whole time you are on the road, and it make the trip a lot more pleasant if you are compatible.

I am in Palencia as I am writing and my advice is whatever you are taking, take half as much! The air is so dry evrything dries quickly.I´m finding 1 black skirt, 1 black capris, 1 khaki walking shorts, little black dress,a cardigan or jkt, anda few little tank tops of varying degrees of dressiness(they have great sales going on everywhere so I could have brought 1 and bought 10!)are all a girl needs. and just bring your best walking shoes and buy 5 pairs of sandals when you get here!

Canada Girl, I'm curious...how did your rolling backpack work out?

You backpack users are a hardy bunch! I can't imagine carrying the weight of my suitcase on my back down metro steps! When I backpack these days I use hiking sticks to keep me balanced and somehow I don't see myself doing that in Madrid!

la maestra, I bragged about one of those combos earlier and there is no way I would have wanted that thing on my back when is was F90+! I agree w/a previous post, the smaller day pack on the back and a smallish rolling suitcase that you could handle carrying when necessary is best.

I'm coming to Spain for 2+weeks in a couple of days and trying to pack light. I would like to have one weeks cloths washed and iron if possible. Is it convienent to do so throughout Spain? Are laundrimats readly available for me do the wash myself or can I just drop my cloths off to be washed and pick them up after several hours? Thanks for the help.

I'm going to Madrid for three weeks on September 29 to study Spanish at an escuela. I'm staying with a Spanish family close to the school. I've never been away for so long and would welcome advice on several topics? What's the weather like in Madrid during the first 3 weeks of October? Is it as handy to get laundry done in Madrid as it is in the States?

Hey Arthur,

I happen to be leaving for an escuela in Madrid on September 29th as well. I too will be living with a Spanish family close to the school. I thought it was kind of a cool concidence that we were leaving on the same day. Maybe we can meet up or something. I've never been for so long either. What school are you studying at? I'll be at Don Quijote. But anyways, to answer your question you might want to ask the school to see if the family provides laundry service. I know mine does and it would be pretty convenient.

Saludos,
Marcel

Hi all-

I agree with Marcel, check if the family provides laundry service, or if you can even have them throw it in for a little charge. It would save you a lot of hassle. When I studied in Spain my family provided meals, laundry, towels, etc, and it was wonderful!

Are you guys going the wheeled suitcase or backpack route? I've always opted for the wheeled suitcase, and it's worked out fine for me. (See MadridMan I CAN keep it on topic!!) It seems those giant backpacks would be too cumbersome and heavy.

Buena suerte!!

GranadaGirl (Who's still devising a plan to get back to Spain a.s.a.p.!)

Hahhaa.. GranadaGirl, you GOT me! I was reading a long, rolling my eyes and WHAM! you JUMPED back on topic. Thanks! Hahaha... Good job!

Any time, MM!!

-GranadaGirl (Using her WHEELED SUITCASE as a desk chair...)

I apologize to all for getting off topic. This message board stuff is still a little new to me. Thanks anyway to Marcel and Grenada Girl for your sound advice.
Put me in with the wheeled suitcase crowd. I agree totally with GG on this. It's just much, much easier to deal with than the duffle packs.

Hi Travelers-
I posted the question about 'Wheels or Pack' in June, shortly before my trip...After a 3-week trip, and being back for a few months, I now have the answer...But first, I just have to say thanks to MM for making me feel more comfortable traveling to you-know-where...It turned out to be a great, safe, fun trip and I appreciate MM and all participants to this site, for making my trip so much fun...
Now, wheels or pack? I took a pack, as the person I traveled with took one (I met her on Craig's List!). I could have gone either way (not w/her!), but it worked fine w/the pack. I did notice that at times it would have been easier in the heat w/wheels -- but also hard to control wheels in the rough sidewalks, etc. I noticed that "younger" folks in Spain never tucked their t-shirts in and they never had wheels...being a youthful wannabe at 47, I was glad I took a pack...When I can no longer manage a pack, I'll take wheels...If I had to do it again, I would take a pack, just like I did...

This is a great thread! After "listening" to everyone's advice, I went with an option that gives me both: wheeled and backpack. REI has a great bag, one size is legal carry-on, the other is 4" larger. The larger model also has a zip off day pack. The great thing about REI is that they guarantee all of their products 100%. I found their models better than the Eagle or Swiss Army luggage.[email]null[/email]

This is exactly the question that I have been pondering. I leave for España in 3 weeks, and have been debating which to bring. My mom, who has travelled to Spain, and is by no means a backpacker, recommends the luggage with wheels since this can be locked. How much of a concern is leaving luggage in the room? I do not expect to be very concerned leaving a camera discreetly in the room (of course, youth hostels are different) and I always carry important papers with me. ALso, isn't a bookbag more permeable to theft in general (ripping, cutting)?
What I also wonder is what do the Spanish kids who go on holiday carry? I am perhaps deluded in thinking I may be able to "blend in." Each seems to have its advantages I guess.
Sorry if this sounds paranoid. I am from Miami you know, and I just wanted to be specific.

Thanks! Alfavela alfavela@hotmail.com

Well, I'm 23 years-old and I usually travel with a bag, unless I have a great amount of things (clothes) to carry.

I have done more than 3 dozens of trips throughout my country and I have never been robbed or stolen. I've been in hostels, hotels and private houses. Just keep an eye on your cases (leaving it unattended in an airport usually ends with your case stolen) and don't leave valuable things visible in your rooms (althoght service waitresses are generally more than honest, there are always exceptions, or someone can enter your room by any other way).

For me the best place to have your documentation is with yourself, but separated from the money (in case you are robbed)and not accesible for someone who tries to take it.

For your information: Spain is one of the most secure countries I know. It is more secure (in my honest opinion) than the average of the USA. I've never seen here fire arms, nor I've never been robbed or assaulted. In the USA I saw fire arms... (for the first and shocking time in my life).

Enjoy!

Fernando

Hi everyone, just thought I would add my ideas to this question of what to take. I have used a wheeled case on several occasions only to find on either inward or outward journeys the case has been covered in oil or damaged by the dragging action of the chaps who do the loading. I have just bought one of those holdalls on wheels for my next trip and hope this will not receive as much damage as previously encountered. Also, I think that the majority of wheeled cases are quite heavy when empty, thereby cutting down on the amount of clothes etc. to comply with weight restrictions.
Sue.

Hi Alfavela and All,
Decisions, decisions...

Sue you listed the major drawbacks of a "wheeled" suitcase, in addition to what has already been mentioned in this thread, the worst enemy is the cobblestones!

Alfavela, the question you need to ask yourself is can you carry the weight of a loaded backpack on your back? If you travel light, and I would advise that, you may find that you can easily handle a back pack.

Or, you might buy a combination backpack with wheels. These are real handy. I have one of these and I use it when I go to the University where I am a student. When I use the stairs I put it on as a backpack and when I am rushing from class to class I roll it, unlike you I'm no spring chicken, so rolling is wonderful.

In order to make your decision a good idea is to try each one out for a day and see which one you are most comfortable using.

For travelling I prefer the a small wheeled carryon, mainly because it's easy on my back and it gives me a lot of independence. Through the years I've learned to pack as light as I can.

If you feel comfortable in Miami(I've lived there) you will not have any problems in Spain. Use the same safety skills you use in Miami and you won't have any problems.

Buena Suerte y Buen Viaje!
________
Booklady: Who Totes Tons of Heavy Books Daily

Kuba

There are some great deals on backpacks at: www.rei.com