Duffle Bags or Backpacks?

We followed a recommendation we read online to get duffle bags to cover our backpacks during air travel.  The intent of using a duffle bag is to protect the backpack and its straps from damage and to make the backpack and its contents less interesting to anyone who otherwise might be interested in our backpacks.  The duffle bags served their purposes perfectly.  The backpacks were undamaged and their contents safe.  However, and this is the lesson learned, duffle bags are not backpacks.

After we collected our bags from the luggage carousel there was a short walk to the rental car shuttle bus.  Once at the rental car facility there was a short walk to the rental car.  We estimated that it would take more energy and time to take the duffle bags off of the backpacks than it would save for the short walk.  We were wrong.  It was painful and difficult.

A loaded backpack is difficult to carry unless it is on your back, even for short distances.  From now on we will remove the duffle bags even for short distances.