# Backpacking without a Backpack!

**URL:** <https://community.tourradar.com/t/backpacking-without-a-backpack/33757>\
**Category:** Trip Planning Tips\
**Created:** [September 29, 2025, 5:56pm UTC](https://community.tourradar.com/t/backpacking-without-a-backpack/33757 "2025-09-29T17:56:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![andrea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c37758/32.png) [@andrea](https://community.tourradar.com/u/andrea)\
**Post date:** [September 29, 2025, 5:56pm UTC](https://community.tourradar.com/t/backpacking-without-a-backpack/33757/1 "2025-09-29T17:56:53Z")

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I want to join some friends who have plans to backpack across Asia, but due to my physical limitations, I cannot use a backpack and need to pack using a suitcase that can roll. I know my friends can help me, but I don’t want to feel like a burden! Is backpacking Asia a bad plan? Is there another solution that I haven’t thought of? I really want to go but I would hate to slow anyone down, or hurt myself and have to head home early.

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**Author:** ![bagelabroad](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.tourradar.com/bagelabroad/32/2296_2.png) [@bagelabroad](https://community.tourradar.com/u/bagelabroad)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2025, 1:40pm UTC](https://community.tourradar.com/t/backpacking-without-a-backpack/33757/2 "2025-10-06T13:40:40Z")

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If you can fit everything into a carry-on sized suitcase, that would be ideal! If it’s possible, you could use that, and a small backpack? Depending on your physical limitations!

I personally did use a backpack, but there were honestly many times where I thought, a suitcase would have been fine. The only times that you are really carrying your bag, is when you are changing accommodations - as long as you don’t mind the bag maybe getting a bit dirty in some cases, you are definitely going to be fine 😃

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**Author:** ![olivetheplaces](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.tourradar.com/olivetheplaces/32/2297_2.png) [@olivetheplaces](https://community.tourradar.com/u/olivetheplaces)\
**Post date:** [October 8, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://community.tourradar.com/t/backpacking-without-a-backpack/33757/3 "2025-10-08T17:35:13Z")

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Totally agree with @bagelabroad, you’ll be fine and when I was in SEA I found I was taking tuktuks from hostels to the bus stop or train station so I barely carried my bag.

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**Author:** ![ck\_explorer1000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ck\_explorer1000](https://community.tourradar.com/u/ck_explorer1000)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2025, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.tourradar.com/t/backpacking-without-a-backpack/33757/4 "2025-10-22T17:49:05Z")

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I feel you @andrea - I have various issues that come up where I find it difficult to use a back pack.

But as @bagelabroad and @olivetheplaces say - it is totally doable (and I have done it plenty in Asia and European cobblestones) - and I love the tuk tuk tip!

My advice is get a durable suitcase, not one with the spin all ways wheels (they are too flimsy). I have [this one](https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/p/023007/mw/voyager-50l-wheelie-rucksack/jet-black/). The wheels are really durable and will easily go across way more surfaces than a traditional style suitcase, it also looks more like a back back so it’s not going to stand out. I think your travel companions will wish they had one too, as I can tell you, travelling with a back pack is not always that fun either!