Over the summer we visited Switzerland and Orlando, Florida. On both trips I was accompanied by my two kids and to Switzerland I travelled solo. My first time on planes and trains with just me and them – finding a bag that worked for me and so that I felt that they were safe as they are still young and airports and train stations are big spaces was essential. For many years I carried all my worldly possessions on my back. For 3 years I lived out of a back pack, it was OK, and I say OK because when I travelled around areas like Peru it wasn’t fantastic to carry on my back and because of the style never fitted into baggage holders easily. This summer I got an opportunity to try the Berghaus Women’s Trailhead 60 Rucksack from e-outdoor and it has revolutionised our family travel.
Year’s ago a backpack/rucksack was just that, it came in different measurements a day pack, small, medium and large but whether you were tall or short, male or female it was all the same. As I mentioned my backpack used to be uncomfortable, difficult to use and impractical in many ways. When I returned from travelling I swapped my backpack for a suitcase and until this summer didn’t really look back.
This summer arrives and our first trip to Switzerland me solo with the kids, 3 nights worth of outfits for us, 3 days of clothes needed plus shoes – into the bag they all went, a small backpack for each of the kids with their activities for the plane and train and a bag for me – and there I was 1 rucksack on my back easy to get to the hotel at the airport, then to the airport with the kids.
Suddenly my fear of losing one of them in the busy check-in area was gone I had both children in hand all of our clothes on our backs and we were ready to head off. Arriving in Switzerland we had train travel from Zurich up to Saint Moritz – 3 different trains and major platform differences, I watched others struggle with suitcases up and down stairs as my bag was put on my back and we headed off holding the kids hand no problem.
Arriving at the hotel with all of the pockets and space inside everything came out hung up and with a little press for the smartest of our clothes we were ready to enjoy our time away. The return journey was just as easy. 3 days worth of belongings for 3 of us coped with the 65 litres and there was space for the little extra’s that the kids brought back.
But, the biggest challenge 2 weeks in Orlando with 4 of us. So ok – my husband took his suitcase for his belongings and birthday presents for our son. Me – I took mine and the kids clothes and belongings on my back. This time we had parked a distance from our overnight hotel so I had a walk and monorail ride with the backpack on my back. Unlike my previous backpack this was adjustable – now I’m not short 5ft 6inches, but I do have a very short body in comparison (long legs!) and I loved the fact that the bag was adjustable. It also had a very handy bottle pocket so I could quickly put the kids drink in whilst we moved between the car and the airport.
Whilst in Florida we took a weekend trip down the coast with a choice of the suitcase or the backpack the backpack won – we quickly filled it with everything that all 4 of us would need, adjusted it for my 5ft 8inch husband and he was able to carry it around comfortably as well.
From fearing travel at airports with the kids because using a suitcase I always have 1 hand filled to my husband buying his own Men’s equivalent we have returned to my travel routes and our belongings for family holidays will now me on our backs instead of wheeled around the airport. An added bonus, my bag was easy to spot as soon as it came onto the baggage claim conveyor belt and there was no checking which one of the many black bags it was. Travelling to a family destination we were unique.
To look at the full range of backpacks and outdoor clothing check out the e-outdoors site.
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The Little Tourist says
I like the idea of being hands-free while traveling with the kiddos… thanks for this idea! 😉
beckybabybudgeting.co.uk says
oh tghis looks terrific I nEVER have the right bacg for our travels tis an endless search
Darrin says
I started using a backpack in the ’80s and still love them to this day. I couldn’t travel without one!
Darrin says
I started using a backpack in the ’80s and still love them to this day. I couldn’t travel without one!