Sports bags are evil

  You may end up looking less like a hardcore traveller, but wheeled luggage is definitely something to consider. It will relieve you of a great burden and make you less reliant upon others. Wheeled luggage is hopeless for overland trekking and camping, but if your wanderings are restricted to cities, towns and civilized coastal areas, then you may as well let the ground bear the brunt of the weight rather than your back or arms. Some Indian pavements may not be wheel friendly, but generally speaking, you will get by – I certainly did. Many Indians tend to walk on the roads anyway.

  The wheels should be close to the bottom corners: this offers the greatest manoeuvrability and rolling comfort. Do not purchase a brand where the wheels are set too close together, as these tend to wobble when towed. Some of the better cases can either be towed horizontally on four multidirectional wheels or can be pulled along on two wheels with a handle. Invest in a good brand, like Samsonite, as your luggage will have a hard life over there. The last thing you need are broken straps and handles.  Try to buy a case in an unconventional colour, like red or green, so it can be spotted easier at a distance. This is handy if a thief is surreptitiously carting it away in a crowded place, and it will be easier to describe if it gets lost. Don’t worry about the colour drawing attention to the case itself, as from the outset, anything you carry will already have the wrong people’s interest.

  Sports bags are atrocious. They are fine for throwing on the backseat of your car and for the local gymnasium but should NEVER be used for long distance travelling. They cut painfully into your shoulder, strain your arms and get in your way when you walk. Even amongst the better brands, straps and handles still seem to break - and then you’re up the Ganges without a paddle.

   If you buy a backpack, think carefully about the size. If you buy a huge one, then you will be tempted to fill it to capacity. When you're carting around a backpack the size of a Fiat in the pre-monsoon heat, you're likely to regret it. If you are not packing a tent, buy a modest size pack. This will force you to travel light. I could give lots of clever advise about backpacks, but the best thing to do is visit a camping store and try them on for size, as it is not always the most expensive or advanced that will suit you the best. Try buying a heavy bag of groceries just before entering the shop, then put your shopping bag into any backpack you try on. Do this as most will feel comfortable when empty.  

   Look out for modifiable back systems, which allow you to slide the pack up and down your back until you're comfortable. Solid back supports are crucial, these toughen up a pack and stops it lumping into your back - which can be very uncomfortable, and YKK zips, which are corrosion resistant and heavy-duty zips that prevent zippers breaking at awkward moments.

  Do not be overimpressed with copious pockets and pouches, as most of these will not be lockable, and even if they are, you will end up with lots of fiddly little keys. Somewhere between Madras and Port Blair, I once had a good water bottle stolen from a pouch in my backpack. The poverty in India is such that for some people almost anything is worth stealing; as a result, all those side compartments, pouches, zips, flaps and straps are just an invitation to robbery. As already mentioned, solid ergonomic backpacks with hard plastic (polycarbonate) casings are the most secure.