I haven’t traveled with a rolling suitcase since December 2020. I’m a huge fan of being hands-free and not a fan of checking luggage. It took years of practice to pack lightly enough to only use carry-on bags, but here’s why you won’t catch me with a roller:

5 reasons why I don’t travel with a suitcase

Reason #1: Checking luggage is a hassle

I despise checking bags. It forces you to arrive earlier at the airport, stay longer once you land, and you run the risk of having your belongings lost or damaged. I’m likely biased since the very first time I ever left the country my suitcase didn’t make my connecting flight with me. Airlines will usually deliver delayed luggage to you relatively soon (assuming they haven’t lost it) but in that timeframe you have to go without the precious cargo you painstakingly chose just for that trip. Not worth the risk, in my opinion. (And look out the window on your next flight to see for yourself how bags are handled when they’re stowed and removed from under the plane).

Even if you didn’t check your bag willingly, rolling suitcases are the first to get checked at the gate if your flight is full and overhead bin space is (allegedly) limited. The later your boarding group, the more likely you’ll be handed a tag to check your bag and then forced to wait at baggage claim once you land.

The main reason I don’t like checking a bag is time. Once my flight lands, I’d rather be out the door or first in line for a rental car than have to wait around for a suitcase with everyone else.

Reason #2: Stairs

Unless your destination is completely flat and only consists of single-story dwellings…stairs are an inevitable part of travel. The older the building, the less likely there’s an elevator. You’ll certainly find a way to make it work with a roller, but how nice if all your belongings are already strapped to your back and easily transportable?

Reason #3: Cobblestones and unpaved roads

From cobbled streets to rugged trails, not all routes are suitcase-friendly. And the more remote you go in new countries, the less American city standards you should have.

Back in January 2019, Stephen and I bussed to a remote Brazilian village halfway between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Paraty (pa-ra-chee) was founded in 1597 and the infrastructure was some of the oldest I’d ever seen. Streets built centuries ago were worn uneven by time and weather.

Certainly, if you’ve encountered cobbled streets, you already know the inefficiency of rolling a suitcase. “But you can drag it, Nicole” you sigh, rolling your eyes. Yes, true you can still manage to bump your suitcase down a path of uneven terrain. But if the weather is also against you, you might be faced with…

Reason #4: Flooding

It stormed for most of the 2 days we spent in Paraty. Navigating the cobbled streets up to our ankles in water meant carrying our boxy suitcases. Inclement weather is simply part of life and a risk in travel. In destinations prone to flooding, being prepared to carry your belongings becomes essential.

Paraty, Brazil

Reason #5: Boats

Perhaps oddly specific but my final straw for using a roller suitcase was because of a boat. To visit the Veragua Rainforest in northeast Costa Rica, you must travel by river. I recall walking down the dirt path (see reason #3) and awkwardly juggling my luggage while boarding a rocking boat. Meanwhile, I watched in envy as a fellow traveler simply strolled down the path and easily stepped onboard, his hands outstretched for balance.

It never hurts to ask for help when boarding a boat, of course. Cruises will often just handle your bags for you!

What to use instead

Somehow in the last 7 years, I’ve visited 15 countries! Along the way, I’ve packed in a variety of ways. Here’s what has worked best:

Option #1: Small personal backpack + duffel bag

My current packing strategy is a waterproof backpack purchased from Tortuga and a duffel bag I’ve had since elementary school. For flights, I’ll pack everything down to fit in these 2 carry-ons. I’ll also pack a few plastic bags, a fanny pack, and a reusable tote just in case I want more carrying options at my destination.

The longest I’ve been able to travel with this duo has been 2 months (so far).

I love the flexibility of a duffle bag. It changes shape easily and expands more than one might expect. It always gets overlooked for being checked on flights. And I’m still hands-free thanks to the crossbody strap. A duffel also makes a great makeshift seat.

Option #2: Backpacking pack

The first few times I traveled sans suitcase I relied on my 35L Osprey backpacking pack. While I enjoyed having my hands free, my shoulders had much more weight to bear. With the use of packing cubes, my clothes stayed neatly folded inside a bag you otherwise stuff.

The longest I traveled with this pack was 4 months. But as the pack filled, I got tired of stuffing it into plane overhead bins and ended up checking it more often. Now I rarely use it for flight but it’s a staple on the trail!

Option #3: Garment duffel bag

I haven’t personally used such a bag yet but I keep eyeing a garment duffel bag like this. It’s ideal if you need to pack nicer hanging clothes like for a wedding.

When to use a rolling suitcase

While I’ve bid farewell to the suitcase, there are instances when it remains a viable option:

• If you need additional storage like when traveling with children…
• If you purchase lots of souvenirs and can’t ship them home…
• If you feel comfortable with airport carts…
• When someone else handles your luggage for you (though tipping may be required).

Share your packing wisdom

What’s your go-to packing strategy?

Share your insights in the comments!