Finding wheeled backpacks available in the USA isn’t that easy. I’m not sure why, but a quick amazon search just doesn’t seem to come up with the goods on this one.
So I’ve collated some of the best options I’ve found in one article to help others to make an informed decision.
Why Choose a Wheeled Backpack?
Whether to choose a backpack or a suitcase for your trip is an issue intensely debated in the travel community.
Personally, I love the middle-ground option – the hybrid backpack (or wheeled backpack). I wrote a post about why here: Backpack or Suitcase for Travelling?
Once I had decided where I stood on the issue, I set about searching to buy a wheeled backpack. And it surprised me how difficult it was!
Cheapest wheeled backpacks available in the USA
Portal 28″ Wheeled Duffle Travel Roller Bag + Backpack Hybrid
The cheapest wheeled backpack that I’ve found available to buy in the USA is the Portal 28″ Wheeled Duffle Travel Roller Bag + Backpack Hybrid.
Cost
The normal price is just $80 – bargain!
Size
This wheeled backpack is 28 (l) x 15 (w) x 8.5 (d) inches and holds around 50L of luggage.
28 x 15 x 8.5 inches
Weight
On its own (without any of your stuff in it) this bag weighs in at 6.3 pounds – so you need to consider that if you’re planning to use it as a backpack often, or if you have strict weight limits on any of your flights.
What the reviews say
For the cheapest product on the market, the reviews are really quite strong – typically rated 4-5 stars. The only lost points seem to be that it is too large for carry-on and, if fully loaded, it can be a little unsteady on the wheels.
There’s no padding under the backpack straps so it might not be the most comfortable to carry for long periods of time.
I’d say if you’re looking for a budget option with only limited use as a backpack – this one will be perfect for you.
It’s a good size, doesn’t seem to have any major design flaws, and is pretty cheap!
Mid-price wheeled backpacks available in the USA
FCS Departure Backpack / Luggage – Black – Wheels, Extendable Handle and Backpack straps
Cost
The FCS Departure Backpack is $158.98 on Amazon at the time of writing, so not too expensive.
Size
This one is 28 (h) x 15 (w) x 10 (d) inches and holds 55L of stuff.
Weight
According to Amazon, this one weighs in at 3 pounds when empty – which is exceptionally light, so I’m unsure if that is really accurate. If true, that is a major bonus as hybrid bags are notoriously heavy.
What the reviews say
Um, absolutely nothing. I’ve tried and completely failed to find any reviews at all, on any retailer website. People are usually quick to write a review if they don’t like something, so I wouldn’t take that as a bad sign. It is unusual though.
Again, there isn’t any padding behind the backpack straps so it might be uncomfortable to carry using the straps for a long time.
Top of the range wheeled backpacks available in the USA
Osprey Ozone Convertible 22″/50L Wheeled Luggage
Cost
The Osprey Ozone Convertible 22″/50L Wheeled Luggage prices up at around $300, which is the most expensive so far. But do you get what you pay for?
Size
The 50L option is US airline carry-on size approved, so is a great option if you don’t like hanging around waiting for your bags once you’ve landed. It’s 22 (h) x 14 (w) x 9 (d) inches.
This one holds 50 Litres of luggage, and there is also a 75 Litre version available.
Weight
The 50L option weighs 6.3 pounds when empty, which is really not too bad considering the frame and wheels.
The 75 L option weighs 6.9 pounds when empty.
What the reviews say
The vast majority of reviews for this bag are 5 star, which is really great news. If so many people rate it as such, you’ll probably get on well with it too.
The few low-star reviews are around weight when full (a common issue with hybrid bags), and the amount of space taken up by the frame inside the bags.
If you can cope with those things though, this one looks like a sturdy competitor!
Vango Escape 60+20L Roller Rucksack
Cost
The Vango Escape will cost you over $400 on Amazon, so it’s the most expensive I’ve found.
Size
This one is listed as 60L+20L which means that the main back has a volume of 60L and the smaller day pack that comes with it has a volume of 20L.
The main bag is 28 (h) x 15 (w) x 14 (d) inches.
Weight
This one weighs 9 pounds without anything in it – although I believe this includes the weight of the day pack so you can probably take around 2.5 pounds off that figure.
Still – it’s fairly heavy so you’ll want to consider that if you’re planning to use it as a backpack often, or if you have strict weight limits on any of your flights.
What the reviews say
The reviews are fairly faultless, with 5 stars everywhere I’ve looked. However, I’ve only managed to find a handful of reviews and most before the bag had been road-tested. So I guess the jury is out!
I would watch the weight of the bag, because if it’s 9 pounds to start with and you fill it with 60L of stuff, you’re unlikely to be able to use it as a backpack unless you’re pretty damn strong!
The major downside of this one is the price. And, honestly, it is much cheaper outside of the US so I suspect you don’t really get what you pay for.
The verdict
Which would I buy?
I guess it would depend on my budget. The two top contenders for me are the Portal 28″ Wheeled Duffle Travel Roller Bag + Backpack Hybrid and the Osprey Ozone Convertible 22″/50L Wheeled Luggage.
There is a big difference in price between the two – over $200 in fact!
A big factor to consider is the weight of the bag when empty, and these two are the same.
I personally feel that, as Osprey is a better known bag manufacturer, there has probably been more research into the design of their product. The many 5 star reviews seem to support that.
So if I had the money, I think I would invest in the Osprey Ozone Convertible 22″/50L Wheeled Luggage. 50L is plenty of space and 5* reviews all round AND no need to check it in on a flight – that sounds pretty good!
I hope this summary helps you to find the right wheeled backpacks available in the USA. Of course, go and look around for yourself and see what you think.
Just for transparency, because integrity is really important to me, I do want you to know that the product links on this page are affiliate links. That means that I will get a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to order one of them.
Post updated: 16/7/2017 – I like to keep this page up to date with wheeled backpacks available in the USA so that it is useful. If you find any of the links are unavailable please let me know.
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