In recent years, an incredible number of wheeled backpacks have appeared on the market. Whereas you used to have to choose between a backpack or a suitcase, now you can find them from multiple brands: from budget to expensive outdoor labels. But not every wheeled backpack is worth the money. In this guide, you'll learn exactly what to look for before buying one, so you don't waste money on a bag that breaks after just a few trips.
Handles and accessibility
How you grab and open a wheeled backpack makes quite a difference once you're on the go. Pay attention to these things.
Multiple handles
In addition to the handle you use for rolling, an extra handle on the top or side is useful for quickly lifting the bag, for example, into an overcrowded luggage rack on the train or bus.
Quick access
Small extras like an elastic cord to secure items on the outside or a separate pocket for your water bottle can save you a lot of hassle on the go. This way, you don't have to constantly unzip the entire bag for something small.
Wheels and underside
The wheels are usually the first part to give out. Pay attention to these things:
Sturdiness
Cheap, thin wheels break more easily on roads with pebbles, gravel, or speed bumps. Sturdy wheels with a rubber coating absorb shocks better and simply last longer, even if you roll the bag over rougher terrain every day.
The handle
Does the handle wobble as soon as you start rolling? That is usually a sign of cheap wheels. Just test it in the store: there is the most pressure on the handle when it is at its longest setting.
You can recognize a good wheeled backpack not by the lowest price, but by sturdy wheels, water-repellent material such as a backpack cover, and a back panel that is comfortable even without wheels.
Content and layout
The number of liters you need depends on your trip. For a weekend getaway or a city trip, 25 to 35 liters is usually sufficient. If you're going backpacking for a few weeks, you'll be looking at 45 to 55 liters, and that's exactly where the Legpack 50L falls. Please note: some brands include loose pockets and external compartments in the total volume, meaning less fits into the main compartment itself than you might expect.
Also consider the bag's internal organization. A wheeled backpack that opens completely like a suitcase makes packing and finding items much easier than a bag you can only fill from the top. A separate laptop compartment with extra padding is essential if you work on the go, and multiple compartments with handy pockets keep your belongings organized instead of everything being loosely piled together.
Comfort as a backpack
You roll your wheeled backpack along the street, but carry it on unpaved terrain or up stairs without an elevator. In that case, the back panel is just as important as the wheels.
Padded back panel
A padded, ventilated back panel ensures your back doesn't immediately get sweaty the moment you have to carry the bag for a while. Look for breathable fabric instead of thick, dense foam.
Padded shoulder straps
Extra padding on the shoulder straps makes a big difference in carrying comfort once you have the bag on your back instead of on its wheels.
Empty weight
Due to the base and the wheels, a wheeled backpack quickly weighs more than a regular backpack. The Legpack 50L weighs 3.4 kilos, a handy benchmark to compare other models with. With budget airlines that have a strict carry-on limit, that can be the difference between taking it on the plane for free or having to pay extra.
Check our carry-on dimensions guide for the exact weight limits per airline.
Extra features and price-quality ratio
Besides handles, wheels, volume, and comfort, there are a few other things that differentiate an average wheeled backpack from a good one.
TSA lock
With a built-in TSA lock, security personnel at US airports can open your bag without forcing the lock, while your belongings remain secure.
Rain cover
A detachable rain cover protects your belongings if you encounter a downpour while traveling. Not every brand includes one as standard, so check this before you buy.
Warranty
Wheels and zippers are usually the first things to break. A warranty of two years or more, where broken wheels, zippers, or straps are replaced free of charge, is a good sign that the manufacturer itself has confidence in the quality.
Price
Wheeled backpacks generally cost between 60 euros for a budget model and over 250 euros for a premium brand. Between 120 and 180 euros, you usually find the best balance between quality and price, which is exactly where the Legpack 50L falls.
If a wheeled backpack checks most of these boxes, you'll have a bag that will last for years instead of just a few trips.
Osprey, Airback, and Samsonite all make excellent wheeled backpacks and are worth considering depending on what you're looking for. However, the Legpack is the smartest choice for most travelers, and that's not just because we make it ourselves.
The Legpack 50L is made for exactly this type of trip: a trolley on the street, a backpack as soon as the terrain gets rougher. With 50 liters, you have enough space for 2 to 3 weeks of travel, and thanks to the TSA lock, you don't have to worry about who can access your belongings. The padded back panel and shoulder straps also make it comfortable to carry as soon as you can't roll it, and the detachable rain cover keeps everything dry if it starts to rain on the way. At 3.4 kilos, it weighs barely more than a regular backpack, and at 149.99 euros, you pay a lot less than you would with Osprey, Airback, or Samsonite, without sacrificing the things that really matter.
- Sturdy wheels that can take a beating
- Padded back panel and shoulder straps
- TSA lock and 2-year warranty
|
Budget model | Premium brand | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sturdy, durable wheels | |||
| Padded back panel and shoulder straps | |||
| TSA lock included | |||
| Price under 180 euros |
- Free shipping on orders over €50
- 2-year warranty on all parts
- Delivered to your home within 1-3 days
- 50+ reviews and 300+ satisfied customers
Spacious leg pack
50L checked baggage. For the long haul so you can bring enough gear.
