(Joe Prinz) wrote in message . com...
Check this out!

Columbia Windpass Wheeled Backpack
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/st...berId=12500226

Its an amazing deal. $70.00 for a wheeled backack.. I have looked
alot, and to find one like this with a BELT is hard pressed for
under$200.00.

My GF and I ordered one for each of us for a trip to Italy. We just
got them yesterday.. here is my review WITHOUT using them:

1. They seem to have really good quality... stitching etc..
2. The are carryonable without the external day pack..
3. The external day pack sips completely to main pack and becomes as
one with it.
4. Its heavy.. I weighed it with the day pack at 10 lbs and the day
pack is barely one lb if that.
5. The day pack is quite large and has a nice expansion zipper.
6. The day pack does not have a belt, but one would be easy to add.
7. Did I mention its heavy?
8. Wheels are roller blade type.. on bearigns I believe..
9. Built almost too well.. did I mention heavy?
10. The handle extends to a nice length.. if you are tall I think you
coudl pull it nicely.
11. Cheap.
12. you can't get much bigger and still carryon.. its only .5"
smaller than most airlines maximum.
13. The top is not as curved as most... but the picture shows it more
square than it really is.. I was a bit let down with that part...


I think the following.. if you are in great health, have no back
problems, and you are very fit.. get a backpack. If you have a weak
back, or any ailments,.. and frankly, if you are not a REALLY fit
woman.. I suggest a wheeled backpack WITH a belt.. WITH a belt.. the
weight should be mostly on your HIPS!!!!!

Reason: you can switch between wheeled and backpack and you will feel
much better.. its long extended strains on certain parts of the body
that make me feel uncomfortable? How about you? I think this is true
for many.


I have a number of different types of backpacks, depending upon my
needs. I do own one small daypack size that has wheels. I thought it'd
be convenient for airplane travel as well as small/local travel. It
*is* useful for airline travel for two reasons :1), I can wheel it in
the airport if I put something heavy into it and 2)it's not hard on
all sides so if there's not much in it I can squish it a bit to fit in
a small space. It does fit under seats in some planes.

However, I don't find it useful for actual travelling when I need to
carry it on my back. The wheels cut into my back/hips and it's rather
uncomfortable and awkward to carry. I *have* done so, and it's useful
to have that option, but vastly prefer my backpack. Outside of the
plane flights, I am generally not in a place where I want to pull the
bag on wheels. Even on nicely paved city sidewalks, pulling a bag is
not practical. If I'm travelling (as opposed from just flying from
point A to point B and staying put), and walking a lot, I vastly
prefer a typical backpack. I agree with having the hip belt, and it's
important to find a backpack that fits well.

I do use my little one a fair amount. Bought it at Kmart about 6 years
ago for $15. It's in amazingly good condition still.

For a backpack for travel, I use a convertible Eagle Creek bag (it was
the 2nd biggest at the time, can't recall size), bought from Campmor
on sale for $90 a few years ago. For _backpacking_, I use another
internal frame top loading backpack..can't recall the brand or how
much I paid. It's a great pack though.

I wouldn't suggest a wheeled backpack unless you're not intending to
carry it much at all, and not if you'll be doing a lot of train/bus
travel or walking outdoors.