It's officially backpacking season, but some people who chose to take their massive suitcases are now sharing their travel nightmares and regrets on TikTok

21.07.2023 - 13:15 / insider.com / On Tiktok

It can be tempting to overpack on holiday, but some ambitious travelers who decided to take big suitcases on backpacking-style trips are now regretting it.

"POV: You didn't listen to your mom when she said don't overpack and now you're dragging a 60 pound suitcase in a city full of stairs," reads the caption on a June 2 video with 5.8 million views. It shows a group of women wheeling their suitcases in the heat of a summer's day in Croatia.

Several travelers have shared similar videos in recent months, saying they overlooked the long walks and bumpy roads that a summer trip can often lead you on — especially through older European towns. Their videos often show them with their companions struggling to carry suitcases up long flights of stairs, with one traveler even dropping to her knees upon seeing the feat of steps ahead of her.

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Another TikToker from April said she found it difficult to travel with a 25-kilogram suitcase during a three-month trip across South East Asia, filming the moment she noticed three of the wheels had fallen off as she was walking with it in Singapore.

Commenters empathized with not wanting to carry a heavy backpack during vacation, even though it may have been the better option for her.

"This is why I can't go backpacking cus I'm not sacrificing my suitcase lol," one user wrote. 

Facing a similar predicament, another creator from July shared a clip of himself having to pick up his three-wheeled suitcase from the airport baggage claim, saying that one of the wheels fell off right at the beginning of his seven-week trip. 

Videos about luggage regrets aren't new and tend to crop up most frequently during the summer, a peak-travel season, stirring up an ongoing debate about how to pack for a long holiday efficiently. Commenters underneath these videos have also shared their tips and opinions on the best way to travel. 

One commenter, who said she had "no regrets" bringing her suitcase on a trip to Croatia, wrote that she would "die on the suitcase is superior hill," under a TikTok from April 26. 

"Packing/unpacking a soft bag each day is my idea of hell," another commenter added.

Even some TikTokers who've taken large backpacks agreed with their view. They've filmed themselves looking exhausted and weary while carrying their belongings on their backs, encouraging users to opt for suitcases despite the numerous viral TikToks denouncing their use. 

Travel is a hugely popular genre on TikTok. TikTokers who travel often have built careers offering their best packing hacks and travel advice for others. Creators have also pushed surprisingly effective travel products.

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