The Backpack Cons

Must Carry it Everywhere – Probably the biggest con of choosing a backpack versus a suitcase, is that you must carry the bag everywhere that you go. Literally everywhere. The more you bring, the more you will need to carry. I highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the essential travel gear so you don't overpack and regret it.

Can Strain Your Back – Luckily, I have never strained my back, or anything to that degree. But I have stepped on some uneven terrain a couple times and nearly fell to the ground. If the weight shifts and you are not ready for it, you definitely may be pulled to the ground. I'm sure there are many people who have pulled the muscle by carrying heavy rucksacks.

Harder to Pack and Unpack – Most bags have one opening at the top. You need to put your items in one at a time. If you need something at the bottom of your bag, you need to remove everything first to gain access to the items on the bottom. This is obviously annoying and time intensive.

Difficulty Accessing a Specific Item – As mentioned above, even if you buy a rucksack with a side zipper, it is still not as convenient as a suitcase. It doesn't matter where my item is inside my bag, it is usually a pain to get to it.

Weight Distribution – To distribute the weight properly and to feel the most comfortable, it is usually best to put the heaviest items in the center of your bag. But if you think you will damage the lighter items underneath, then I definitely recommend sacrificing the comfort of proper weight distribution, for the safety of your valuables.

Not For Business Environments – If you show up at a hotel wearing a suit and tie and meet your colleagues while carrying a rucksack or a backpack, they will probably mock you behind your back. Backpacks do not go well with business meetings.

Wrinkly Clothing – Jamming clothing into a rucksack definitely contributes to forming wrinkles in your clothing. This is something that I have had to deal with for many years. Rolling your clothes can help reduce wrinkles, as well as using packing cubes.

Usually Not Waterproof – Backpacks are generally not waterproof. Some of them do claim to be water resistant but I certainly didn't want to test my bags with my expensive electronics inside. I usually have a bag cover for added protection. But sometimes when caught in the rain, and using the cover, the bag underneath is quite moist. I carry a very large trash bag inside each bag just in case of downpour emergencies.

Necessary Repairs Are More Common – I don't want to lead you to think that backpacks need to be repaired often, but I think they do need to be repaired more than a suitcase. Rucksacks are designed to be exposed to rugged conditions. But sometimes, things get a bit too rugged. When that happens, you will need to go to a nearby tailor and ask them to do a bit of repairing.

Not Designed for Electronics – The material on the outside of a bag is not designed to protect your expensive electronics on the inside. They do not have hard walls or shells. It is usually made of soft but durable material. Any heavy blow to your bag may damage your expensive equipment on the inside. Be careful. I usually try to put expensive items in the center of the bag, which is surrounded by other soft items, such as clothing.

Balancing Difficulty – In addition to weight distribution, you must carry this very heavy bag sometimes kilometers at a time. As mentioned above, losing your balance can happen every once in a while. I have never officially fallen, but I have come close. After many kilometers, you will most likely improve your balance.

You May Bump Into People – This has definitely happened a few times. And I did not see someone, or I turned too quickly and my bag bumped into a random person. Oops. Sometimes these bags extend out from your back a little bit further than you think.