Is a suitcase possible for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL route?

Hey everyone,

Silly question—backpack or hard-shell suitcase for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL trip? I’m struggling to fit all my son’s and my stuff into the 70L backpack... and I’m thinking a suitcase would be easier, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for getting around.

Thanks! 🙂

Hi,

for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL itinerary?

What makes this itinerary special? What’s different enough from other Southeast Asia routes to prompt your question? Does it require bringing any heavy or bulky gear?

I asked a silly question, I didn’t expect an even sillier answer! But the point of my question was clearly explained with all the necessary details.

and I’m thinking it’d be simpler with a suitcase, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for all the moving around. 🙂

Good evening! I think a backpack offers more flexibility when traveling, whereas with a suitcase you have to drag it around. The advantage of a backpack is that it fits better in the tight space of a boat since you’re heading to Kinabatangan. Plus, a rolling suitcase is tricky to pull if the ground isn’t paved or concrete—basically, if it’s soft.

That’s just my take... it’s worth what it’s worth.

Hi there Thanks for your advice I’ll take the backpack to avoid the hassle of dragging a suitcase

Good evening! Happy to help :) A little travel update would be great, since I’m interested in this part of Malaysia!

Hi Nabb,

I honestly think many trips are suited to both types of luggage mentioned: backpack or suitcase. The most important thing is to use the one you feel most comfortable with for everything—getting around, waiting, different modes of transport, and unpacking your stuff.

Personally, I’ve been traveling for several months a year with a small suitcase for over 10 years. It’s taken countless flights, buses ranging from the most comfortable to the most run-down, trains, long-tail boats, barges, a crossing of the Aegean Sea in a nearly unsinkable vessel, Sri Lankan tuk-tuks (sometimes over long distances), songthaews, and often the back of my scooter during road trips—including a month-and-a-half-long journey across the Peloponnese starting from Athens.

It’s held up well and isn’t the grudge-holding type. It even forgave me for leaving it at a café by a dock in southern Crete and for the time it took a tumble with me and my scooter into the bushes during my Ha Giang loop in northern Vietnam.

That said, it didn’t love being dragged through the rocky laterite of Nong Khiaw in Laos or getting soaked during river rafting trips.

It doesn’t complain too much when I sit on it to close it because, even though it looks like a suitcase, phylogenetically speaking, it’s actually part of the same species as Captain Caveman—able to pull all sorts of odd items out of its belly, including my pillow. It even carried a rearview mirror for a few legs of a trip in Vietnam. Small suitcase, mind you—I did specify. Yes, yes, you skeptics: it’s the max carry-on size for planes.

Overall, you’ll always find a way to make life easier with whatever luggage you choose. Just consider that trekking with a suitcase is a no-go. And that’s coming from a suitcase fan!

Have a great trip. All my sympathy/empathy to your luggage. ;)