Ask any traveler whether they prefer a hard or soft suitcase and you’ll get an earful. It makes sense. What type of luggage you choose, hard or soft, is a very personal choice.
If you’re in the market for a new suitcase, you’ve got a lot of options. While it’s useful to note that soft-shell luggage still dominates the US market, hard-shell bags are winning over some travelers thanks to new light-weight materials (according toconsumerreports.org).
Can’t decide between a soft or hard shell suitcase? Here are the questions to ask yourself, and a hint:it’s all in how you prefer to travel.
Do you check your luggage or carry it on the plane?
It’s no lie that checked luggage takes a serious beating. They don’t call it ‘throwing the bags’ for nothing and there’s no easier way (yet) to get all those bags across the airport and into the right plane. It takes human power to empty and reload a plane in less than an hour.
Loose ends can get caught in automated belts, tearing straps, zippers, or tags
Handles can break off if the bag is very heavy
Cheap bags are flimsy and will fall apart fairly quickly
If you prefer to check your bags, buy a high-quality hard-shell suitcase with four wheels (the “spinners”). These bags are rolled down the belly of the plane (not tossed) and the contents suffer less damage.
If you prefer to carry on, soft-shell luggage is easier to manipulate into overhead bins. These bags also take less room to store at home.
When and where are you traveling?
Softer suitcases can absorb water and are more susceptible to stains, butthey can be cleanedtoo.
If you’re traveling through rain or snow, for example, a hard-shell bag will provide better protection for what’s inside. A hard-shell bag can be easier to maneuver across gravel or cobblestones too.
Hard-sided luggage also stacks easily, which makes it ideal for cruise ships where bags are stacked up before departure.
What’s typically packed in your bag?
If you pack electronics like an iPad or high-end camera, for example, in your suitcase ahard-shell bag will provide better protectionwhether you check it or not. The same is true for bottles of wine or alcohol.
Fragile items and soft-sided suitcases don’t typically go together.
Pro tip: if you pack anything valuable, make sure you use a TSA-approved lock on whatever bag you choose.
Are you a light or heavy packer?
This is a tricky question because it’s relative, but here’s the point: a hard-shell suitcase doesn’t give like a soft one does. If you tend to overpack, a hard-sided bag could either rein in your tendencies or frustrate you.
If you’re a light packer, a softer suitcase is the way to go because you can tighten up or expand the outer shell according to your trip.
Do you shop when you travel?
If you like to buy lots of things when you travel, you may find it difficult to fit those extra items into a hard-shell bag that’s already full.
Most hard-shell luggage is not expandable, but soft luggage can stretch around the edges, so a few extra items will fit in easily.
Still not sure?
Still not sure what bag to take on your next trip? Check out the face-off between twoCondé Nast Travelereditors with very different opinions.
If you really can’t decide between a hard- or soft-sided suitcase, look intothe hybrid bags with a hard bottom and a soft top. Gives you the strength and maneuverability of a hard suitcase with the flexibility of a soft shell bag.
Damian Tysdal is the founder of CoverTrip, and is a licensed agent for travel insurance (MA 1883287). He believes travel insurance should be easier to understand, and started the first travel insurance blog in 2006.
It depends on your personal preference and requirements, but hard-shell suitcases are better at protecting contents from damage. Soft-shell suitcases are flexible, so can be overpacked to a degree and squeezed into small spaces.
Consider hard-shell luggage if you want durable, easy-to-maneuver luggage with a robust exterior to protect your valuables. Soft-shell luggage can be for you if you're seeking versatility, ease of packing, and a big interior.
In conclusion, hard shell suitcases have both pros and cons to consider. They are durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean, but they may be less flexible and have less storage space compared to soft-sided suitcases.
You may want to buy hard-shell luggage if you'll be packing breakable items. It could offer better security than soft-sided baggage because it can't be ripped open as easily and usually has integrated locks.
Durability. Soft-side suitcases have a reputation for being less durable than hard-side luggage, but this isn't always true. Soft-sided bags can tear or rip if made from the wrong fabric but are very durable when made from high-quality materials. For built-in durability, look for luggage made from high-density fabric.
Capacity. When it comes to capacity, softside luggage truly shines. Nylon and polyester have more give than hardside suitcases, so there's more room to cram items in if needed.
Which is lighter, hard or soft luggage? Soft-shell suitcases are noticeably lighter than their hard-sided counterparts. This makes them easier to carry and gives you a few extra kilograms toward your airline-imposed weight limit.
What is the best and worst luggage to use when travelling? Lazear said to him: “Don't check-in a hard-sided black suitcase. It's the most common type of suitcase in the world. In the baggage industry, it's 22HW type and almost regarded as the default bag type.”
A top pick in our Best Carry-On Luggage story, Briggs & Riley is known for its durability, reliability and accommodating lifetime warranty. For those who prefer the flexibility of softside luggage, the Baseline Essential Carry-On has a lot to offer.
While other colors are increasingly common, black remains a great suitcase color for hiding signs of wear and tear. You can't go wrong with a stylish black luggage set, especially if you travel for business purposes. A black suitcase is the bag of choice for corporate travelers.
Soft suitcases, on the other hand, offer much more flexibility for different types of travel and transportation and usually take up less space, however they don't always offer the stylish aesthetic that their hard shell counterparts do.
Polycarbonate has high tensile strength and is extremely long-lasting. Of all hardside, plastic suitcase materials, it is by far the most durable. ABS is ranked second.
They can also help you avoid bringing bed bugs home. Use hard-cased luggage if possible. It is more difficult for bed bugs to attach to rigid materials than to fabric. Pack your clothing in re-sealable plastic bags.
But bottom line: No matter which company you buy your luggage from, just make sure it's not a black hard-sided suitcase because you want your luggage to be easy to identify. And if you do have black hard-sided luggage, add an identifying strap like one of these.
Introduction: My name is Velia Krajcik, I am a handsome, clean, lucky, gleaming, magnificent, proud, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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