whaaa happened?

Backpack all the way. Not only does mine's small size force me to carry around ONLY the crap I need for the day, it's stayed in good shape for almost 4 years.

I used to get about a year out of my wheelie bags because I'd drag them everywhere.

Even with a hurt shoulder, I did okay w/ the backpack. I don't load it from the ground, I put it on the bench first, then pick it up. That helps a lot too.
 

I'm a backpack fan, too; I got one after the big handle in my wheelie refused to go back in. I just bought my second, having learned that my first was actually roller-hockey-style, in that it had a smallish opening, leaving an opening barely big enough for my pants. Everything fit fine for Vegas last year, though, and even had some extra corners for clothes! My new bag is even bigger, and has a big square hatch at the back (same kind Andrea & Steph C have), leaving an opening plenty big enough. The thing is hyooooge, but OTOH it's nice not to have to worry about putting stuff in in exactly the same way each time. ;-) I've passed my old backpack on to Yoshii, since her gear is smaller than mine and she's currently only got a shoulder duffel bag.

I was surprised how well-balanced my old one felt; I'm still adjusting my new one, but believe me, having enough space in this one is *not* a problem. :-) Mine's red, Andrea & Steph got blue ones, and it also comes in silver and in orange, but I'm sure there are other brands...this was just the only ice-type brand of pack that Hockey X-sport had at the time.
 

Only owning a wheeling and a sans wheelie, I can comment on those. If you go for a wheelie make sure the skate pockets are one to a side like mine for an even load. Ju has the one skate pocket for both skates and the cussing can be quite amusing as the bag tips all the time.
 

ok, i can only think in lists, so here goes:

pro: easier to get through the doors. yeah, you have to turn and sidestep through but it's better than having to yank open the door as wide as it goes, drag you and your bag through before the door closes, and then twist your arm when bag tips. if you're lucky, all your crap dumps out of the side pockets when said bag does its flip.

pro: two free hands! i can almost carry the puck bag, except i don't wanna. =D

pro: much lighter since you're not also hauling the extra weight of the frame and wheels.

pro: like heather said, it's fricking HUUUUGE, it fits all my XL gear. i carry both sets of jerseys and socks, with PLENTY of room left. i'm pretty sure i could fit another set of gear in there if i try.

pro: i can pack stuff in there whichever way i want. with the wheelie, the two skates were on one side so i had to counterbalance that so it wouldn't tip over as easily.

pro: if you orient the big flap towards you while it's open, you'll have a dry place to put your feet and keep your socks dry. =D

con: i'm not sure if i had the backpack too tight but i swear the blood was not getting to my head. i was feeling a little light headed while standing in the parking lot. it might just be due to me being all out of whack from sleeping in funny positions.

con: small complaint but this is so annoying me! the main flap is not a big pocket but is instead a pocket in the shape of the X, which means it's hard to retrieve stuff should it fall into the corners of the X. should've just been a big pocket!

con: added weight on shoulders. before, i could drag my wheelie bag out of the car, have it slam to the ground and keep walking. i think it's a matter of me getting used to something new.

con: friends thinking it's funny to yank the back of your pack to see if you'd turtle.