Chelsea Dickenson, popularly known as the Cheap Holiday Expert, recently took to TikTok to settle the debate between backpacks and suitcases for cabin baggage. As someone who doesn’t prefer paying for additional baggage, Dickenson argues that a backpack is the clear champion.
In her video, she outlined reasons for her standpoint, citing the hands-free nature of backpacks as a major advantage while travelling. She referred to tasks such as reaching for your passport or boarding pass for which free hands are essential. Moreover, she explained that backpacks can store more items, unlike suitcases, which lose space due to their structure including sides, wheels, and handles.
While Dickenson promotes backpacks enthusiastically, she acknowledges that suitcases might be necessary for certain accessibility needs. However, she maintains that a backpack is generally easier to maneuver and pack optimally. Over the years, she asserts, choosing a backpack over a suitcase has resulted in significant savings during her travels.
Despite her fervid endorsement of the ‘backpack lifestyle’, the debate amongst travellers remains split. Some shared positive experiences with backpacks, while others cited issues with backpacks, such as being overfilled, causing discomfort due to weight, and problems in fitting them into the baggage size checkers. While suitcases have their limitations, some travellers prefer them to keep their packing organized and to avoid overpacking.
