MY NEWEST FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION: EAGLE CREEK’S SWITCHBACK 22

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but I am not a light packer.

Although I’ve certainly improved my packing skills over the past 3 years of traveling, I’ve still got a long way to go.

It doesn’t help that there’s this on going debate between what’s better to travel with, a suitcase or a backpack. I personally think there’s a time and place for both, so I constantly alternate what I use depending on where I’m going.

Maybe it’s the constantly switching between the two that’s prevented me from mastering the art of packing either.

So you can imagine my panic when I needed to decide what I’d bring to Europe with me. I kept going back and forth between my beloved backpack and my beloved suitcase. Just when I thought I had chosen, I thought of another point that would make me change my mind again.

I needed something that I could lug easily on and off trains, something I could easily carry across cobbled city streets, and something that was going to hold up throughout six weeks of intense travel.

Part backpack, part roller luggage, the Eagle Creek Switchback 22 was the bag that would solve all of my packing problems.

I traveled for 40 days with only this carry-on! And it was a breeze.

I’m happy to say this luggage exceeded my expectations, and is without a doubt, the best bag I’ve ever owned.

The Switchback 22 is comprised of a spacious main bag that acts just as any standard upright luggage would. The only difference is, the backside of the suitcase’s body has a compartment that unzips to reveal backpack straps and even a super comfy hip strap for better weight distribution.

  

Say goodbye to sore shoulders! Since I have back issues, it’s great being able to carry the pack when I need to, but then when I get tired I can simply put it down and wheel it like normal luggage.

On top of that, attached to the main bag is a zip-off backpack. When attached to the luggage it’s perfect for storing electronics. It fit my 15” Macbook Pro perfectly in its built-in laptop slot, and it had an additional slot small enough to secure my iPad.

Once I was actually settled in at my destination, I’d simply detach the backpack and it would become my daypack if I needed something more than my purse for touring around the city. I actually debated whether I should bring my Pacsafe backpack for more security, but Eagle Creek already implemented awesome security like locking zippers and armored fabric.

Speaking of which, the durability of this bag is incredible. In the six months that I’ve had the Switchback 22, I’ve lugged it through 11 different countries in Europe and have continued to travel with it on various trips stateside.

There are no tears, rips, broken seams, broken zippers or buckles and the handle and wheels look perfectly new.

I’ll admit that I was surprised at how well it held up considering the abuse I put it through. Over the years I’ve tried a few other brands of luggage, including one that was recommended to me by an ex-airline attendant, but none of them held up. In fact, the one recommended to me broke my first time using it when I moved to Japan. The zipper busted off rendering the entire bag useless without repair– a repair that would’ve cost me money.

The other great thing about Eagle Creek? Their products come with a lifetime warranty meaning they will fix it free of charge no matter what.

Really, my only complaints would be that I wish the wheels rolled in multiple directions and that when packed full the bag won’t stand up on its own with the backpack attached.

But honestly those are really minor complaints in the grand scheme of things, I was happy enough just being able to fit everything I needed for 40 days in one carry-on bag– especially since I travel with so many bulky and heavy electronics.

It’s size ended up being absolutely perfect. It was small enough to meet carry-on size restrictions for strict airlines including both Easy Jet and Spirit, yet it was large enough when fully expanded to hold all the souvenirs I ended up bringing home.

I plan to go on many more journeys with my Switchback 22, he really is my newest favorite travel companion– now I just think I need to get him some travel companions by finally trying out some of Eagle Creek’s Pack-It System products and packing cubes!

 

WHAT DO YOU PREFER TO TRAVEL WITH? SUITCASES OR BACKPACKS?

Disclaimer: Eagle Creek kindly provided me with the Switchback 22 to test on my trip around Europe. As always, only the products that I love and use myself end up making it on my site as recommendations to you!