Is a 60L pack too big?

Yes. A 60L pack will be too heavy to carry comfortably and will almost always force you to check your luggage, risking lost gear and extra fees.

Should I get a backpack with wheels?

Avoid them. They add significant weight, take up internal volume, and the wheels often break on uneven cobblestone streets or dirt roads.

Choosing the right backpack for long-term travel

Prioritize a bag between 40 and 45 liters to meet carry-on size limits and avoid checked-bag fees. Ensure the harness system has a load-bearing hip belt to transfer 80% of the weight off your shoulders and onto your hips.

Measure your torso length. Do not go by your height. Use a soft tape measure to find the distance from your C7 vertebra (the bony bump at the base of your neck) to your iliac crest (the top of your hip bone). Choose a pack size (S, M, or L) that matches this measurement.
Select a clamshell opening. Avoid top-loading hiking packs. For travel, you need a bag that opens like a suitcase (clamshell or front-loading). This allows you to access your clothes without dumping everything out of the bag.
Prioritize suspension over features. Look for internal frame stays and adjustable torso heights. If the bag doesn't have a padded, structured hip belt, don't buy it for long-term travel; your back will suffer after walking more than 20 minutes.
Check the weight of the empty bag. Aim for a pack that weighs under 3 pounds (1.4kg) when empty. Every pound of bag weight is a pound you can't use for gear while staying under airline weight limits.

Is a 60L pack too big?: Yes. A 60L pack will be too heavy to carry comfortably and will almost always force you to check your luggage, risking lost gear and extra fees.
Should I get a backpack with wheels?: Avoid them. They add significant weight, take up internal volume, and the wheels often break on uneven cobblestone streets or dirt roads.