Chelsea Dickenson, the savvy traveller behind Cheap Holiday Expert, has shared her thoughts on the best type of luggage to take on your next holiday.

She expressed confusion over why anyone would choose a suitcase for a flight when they didn’t need to.

In a ‘Team Backpack’ versus ‘Team Suitcase’ debate, Chelsea championed the backpack as the superior choice, but with a caveat.

In a recent TikTok video, she clarified: “I’m talking about when you don’t pay for additional baggage, you’ve just got that small cabin bag.”

Most budget airlines include a small cabin bag in their ticket price, which is designed to fit under the seat in front of you.

The dimensions for these bags vary between airlines.

For instance, Ryanair’s small cabin baggage allowance must not exceed 40 x 20 x 25 cm, Wizz Air’s must be no larger than 40 x 30 x 20cm and weigh no more than ten kilos, while easyJet’s small cabin baggage allowance must fit within 45 x 36 x 20cm and weigh no more than 15kgs, reports MirrorOnline.

Chelsea argued: “But to me a backpack is the absolute winner, because, one: you have your hands free which is so handy when you’re going to the airport. You need to reach for your passport or for your boarding pass.

“And two: you can just pack more stuff in there, and that’s because look at the suitcase, it’s got sides on it, it’s got a handle, it’s got wheels, and it’s taking up that real estate that you need for all your bits and bobs.”

Chelsea, an avid traveller, has sparked a debate on luggage preferences by extolling the virtues of backpacks over suitcases.

She stated: “Now obviously, if you need a suitcase for accessibility reasons, that’s absolutely fine. But otherwise, get yourself a backpack, it is so much easier to just push your clothes into it to make the most of the space that you’re actually allowed.”

She confidently added: “I honestly don’t think you can change my mind on this, I’m so set into the backpack life.”

Chelsea also highlighted the financial benefits of opting for a backpack, noting: “Oh, that and I must have saved a FORTUNE over the years by option for something that goes on my back!”

The discussion drew mixed reactions from fellow travellers online.

@roselands commented: “Backpacks can be overfilled making them too fat to fit in the baggage size checkers. I know. I’ve done it. A small hard case cannot change its dimensions. Since getting one I’m team case all the way.”

Steph shared her positive experience with backpacks, “Now team backpack. I usually do the free Ryanair. Managed five days in winter. I did put Xmas mugs in my pockets on the flight home but was fine,” while Charli admitted. “I’m team backpack, but after limiting the amount of cheese I could bring back from France in my small bag last time, I’m also team upgrade bags.”

However, Hananh offered a different perspective: “My back hurts carrying a backpack! I really wish I could use one tho. [Because] you can defo fit a lot more!!”

Nikki stated: “Team suitcase! I bought the TikTok Ryanair suitcase. Yes, it’s small but it fits the sizers and you can’t overpack, causing the backpack to bulge and not fit in the sizer. Backpack ends up hurting my back.”