Heading to Japan as a solo female with arthritis in my hands. I’m looking for the best backpack on wheels. I think. Unless someone could recommend something else. I’m going for 10 days and would love to avoid a checked bag. Any other tips also welcome.

I found a great bag at Staples. Very light. I used it all over south east asia for 3 months. Backpack on wheels. If I remember it was around $80.

This are the best and cheap. They also have other sizes. https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/.../voy.../Jet%20Black/...
MOUNTAINWAREHOUSE.COM
Voyager 50L Wheelie Backpack | Mountain Warehouse CA

If you are traveling between cities you can have your bag sent ahead to your next destination for reasonable price. Saves you having to navigate transit with luggage. DM me if you want more details.

Jill I second this! Even on the way back to the airport, you can send your luggage to the airport if you don't need some stuff for the last couple of days.

Jill would you please give me more info on this? Thanks

Dawn Roberts
Jill and it’s not like other places…your bag will always arrive and on schedule…it’s a very efficient system. I lived there for 4 years and used this all the time!

Check Winners/ Marshalls, sometimes they have great finds!

If you message me we can chat about travel with Range of motion and mobility issues. I choose a osprey on wheels they no longer sell in their website

Osprey is the best but pricey

I have an Osprey backpack on wheels. It's made specifically for a female frame. I love it! It wasn't cheap but in the short time that I've had it, it's been worth every penny

Packables

I’m big on being cheap and not paying for checked baggage on low cost carriers. The best thing for me is an actual carry on suitcase, not backpack. I purchased a really light hard side suitcase from Costco online for like $80 and it’s a dream. Alternatively, July luggage has a very light hard side suitcase, but last I checked several months ago they weren’t available in Canada yet.
Previous when on a trip with friends, a buddy of mine had a big backpack and he ended up needing to check it on every flight. He was pissed lol.

I have had two backpacks on wheels. Both reputable brands. The first one I returned before using as the pull handle jammed. The store owner was rather negative to me implying I damaged the bag, however when he reluctantly got me a replacement that ones handle also jammed
. This was not a cheap online brand but we’ll known adventure travel brand.
The second bag, again a reputable travel bag company, the pull handle in this also has jammed after only a few uses. I can still drag the bag on the wheels however it is not very steerable and constantly flips without the extended handle in operation.
Whilst I like the idea of backpacks on wheels I think you are better off with one or other, especially if keeping within cabin specs as the added backpack design features add weight that takes away from your pack limits and a quality wheeled bag may offer more flexibility

Osprey 40L might be the play

Mountain coop sells a backpack with wheels that is affordable

What about a backpack not on wheels? Then you wouldn’t have to pull it with your hands

I agree osprey has good backpacks with wheels that work well both ways

Osprey hands down I love mine.

Osprey Sojourn. Wife and I both have them and love them. We each have the same bag in two sizes. Mostly use the carry on size, but for the very few times we need to take checked bags, we take the larger size. They really are a very good bag.