February 25, 2001


Can I get a backpack with wheels?

I'm looking for a daypack that has wheels (for the airport) and also converts into a medium-sized carrying suitcase—a three in one. I saw it advertised on cable TV but missed the manufacturer's name.

— Alberto Valenzuela Bogota, Colombia

It's a little hard to say, but my guess is that you saw an Eagle Creek Switchback Plus, a nifty product that's proven wildly popular. It's a wheeled suitcase with 3,600 cubic inches of capacity, easily enough for four to five days of clothing for most travelers. It also has backpack straps behind a zippered flap—just unzip, and you can put the Switchback on your back when negotiating stairs or a steep hike to your hotel. The Switchback also has a removable, 900-cubic-inch daypack for carrying books and magazines on the plane when you want to store the main pack in an overhead bin, or for camera and water bottle when doing your tourist thing. Cost is $220. The Eagle Creek Latitude Switchback Plus is slightly larger and is made with slightly more durable materials. It goes for $240.

Of course, you may not want to limit yourself to a wheeled pack. Packs such as the Switchback are great, but they're not meant to be worn for extended periods of time. You might want to also consider a travel pack that's designed more like a backpack. The North Face's Galileo ($199), for instance, has a better suspension than the Eagle Creek (the suspension also tucks away for checking as luggage), a removable daypack, and dual accessory pockets so you can keep what you need handy. Madden Mountaineering's Journey ($270), is similar in design, with a slightly better suspension and incredibly bombproof construction—really a nice pack.