A travel reporter for Business Insider has tested the limits of minimalist travel, spending two weeks traversing four European countries using only a backpack. Joey, the reporter, undertook the challenge in October 2022 following a successful one-week backpacking trip in Eastern Canada, aiming to streamline travel for longer periods.
The experiment revealed significant trade-offs between the convenience of a backpack and the practicality of a carry-on suitcase. Key factors included boarding stress, physical comfort during long transit days, and overall travel efficiency.
Escape from Overhead Bin Anxiety
One clear advantage of travelling with just a backpack was eliminating the stress of securing overhead bin space. As a budget traveller often placed in the last boarding group, Joey frequently faced frantic searches for luggage space or the risk of gate-checking a carry-on suitcase. "This leaves me wondering if my bag might get lost," the reporter noted. For travellers guaranteed early boarding, a carry-on may remain the easier option.
The Physical Toll of a Backpack
The primary drawback emerged on long European travel days, which involved carrying the backpack to catch trains and then keeping it on until accommodation check-in. Extended wear led to significant shoulder and back muscle soreness. Joey also found the backpack's size challenging in crowded spaces, leading to accidental bumps. "After lugging my backpack all day, I felt as if it would have been easier and better for my body to bring a suitcase," the reporter concluded.
Context and Expert Recommendation
The reporter's shift to minimalist travel began in August 2022, driven by the need to "lighten my load" for frequent, longer trips. The European test was a conscious effort to "push myself to fit everything I needed into my backpack again." Based on the experience, Joey advises that travellers unaccustomed to carrying weight, especially on itineraries with long transit days, should seriously consider using a suitcase instead.
The experiment underscores that the optimal luggage choice is highly situational, depending on boarding priority, itinerary intensity, and the traveller's physical preparedness for carrying weight.