Hi everyone,
We're starting our RTW April 2007 getting very excited now. Three of us going my husband and a male friend, I retire in 7 weeks 3 days and the lads retire next March. This questions come up again and again in our discussions. We're travelling for up to a year and my husband back not that good and I don't think a backpack is the thing for him. He says you can't go backpacking with a suitcase, but surely it's the sensible thing to do.
Just wondered what other people thought about this and do any of you take suitcases, I certainly will be taking one.
Thanks everyone.
Jeanie

Whether it be a suitcase or backpack Jeanie, they're really a means of taking your clothes and other gear with you between places of accomodation, and most times they'll be in storage area of a plane, train or bus but there'll also be places where a wheelie suitcase is not so good.

rmeg was asking a similar question here and hopefully they will be happy with their choice though it puts extra dead weight into a backpack.
There's traveller packs which can be a harness type that zipped away looks the shape of a suitcase with handles to suit.

There's also a couple of recent threads you may have seen on choices and as stated there, distribution of weight through a good frame that transfers weight on to hips is a key, there should be little carrying load actually taken by the back.

With there being three of you together, assistance with getting a pack on should eliminate any of the dynamics back loading that can occur in that action and then carrying impose less strain than dragging/lugging.

But do as we tell all people with the query, ask around some of your friends and rellies and you'll be sure to find someone who has a backpack you could borrow and stuff it full with clothes/shoes and whatever and also do the same with a suitcase and head off for a day, maybe even a weekend using preferably public transport and take turns with the pack/suitcase making sure you find somewhere with not the best footpaths.
Some places in Asia, you might find people using the footpath for a snooze too and that can be another obstacle with a suitcase.

You might even find a store who will let you use a pack for a weekend trial, but if deciding on a pack, make sure you go somewhere that pays attention to how it fits and explains harness adjustment.
Once you know what suits, also have a look on Ebay or any local secondhand gear sales places and you could find same one at a huge saving.

Here's more than enough info on fitting to take you past the dangerous mode.

Thanks for that Gonorth it's much appreciated. I don't know where you get all your information from you've helped me out before. You wouldn't care to come on our RTW we could do with someone with your knowledge to look after us you could be our resident adviser/Guru.
Regards
Jeanie