Hard or Soft?

Since I travel a lot, I have my standard go to luggage that I usually use and bring.  I admit some of them are looking a bit tired and may need replacements soon.  I do have one piece of check-in soft luggage that I purchased last year so that one is still pretty new.  However, this piece of luggage is not my favorite and not the best to travel with.  It is big and bulky and is not one of the ones you will classify as lightweight.

I’ve always bought soft bags as they are still more common than the hard-shell luggage.  They are easier to squeeze and fit in overhead compartments and are better in absorbing shock.  Soft side luggage is also available in a wide variety of models.  However, I keep on seeing more and more people straying away from soft luggage and buying the hardside ones.  Honestly, I am not a fan of how the hardside luggage looks but I admit, I started warming up to the idea of switching over and as I look around, I have found that not all hardside luggage are “ugly-looking”.  I always thought that hardside luggage is not just ugly but is susceptible to falling apart and cracking more easily than the softside luggage.  As I read and learn more about the hardside luggage I am now convinced that I may be moving to the dark side and will now say yes to the hardside!

So why should I consider and choose a hardside suitcase or luggage?

Hardside luggage is more durable and a good choice if you tend to pack fragile items in your suitcase.  It is not totally waterproof but it will keep your items inside dry and more protected from snow, rain and other humid elements and wet accidents.  Softer suitcases absorb water easily so it will easily stain and retain horrible smells.

Most hardside luggage have four wheels instead of two and therefore tend to be easier to handle and maneuver especially because they have 360 degree wheels that prevent the suitcase from losing its balance making it harder to flip over and will definitely not drag when you pull.

I also found as I shop around that there are a variety of colors available for hardside cases.  Although soft luggage also comes in multiple colors I tend to choose the usual dark colors of blue, black and brown because the light colored fabrics tend to get stained and dirty looking after a few trips.  Looking at hardside suitcases , I now have the option to choose a color I normally would not pick if I was buying a softside suitcase.

What is hardside luggage made of?  You will find that hardside luggage is made of either ABS or Polycarbonate.  These are the two most common types of plastic that are suitable as a materials used for hardside suitcases.  Polycarbonate has a higher impact resistance and is more flexible than ABS.  ABS is cheaper and therefore will not last as long and generally would be heavier.

ABS is a mixture of three types of plastic – Styrene, Butadiene and Acrylonitrile — -each having its own uniqueness.  When these three types of plastic are combined together they form ABS, which is resistant to impact and heat, easy to process and has gloss.  It is considered the cheapest material for luggage use.  Unfortunately it is not the most durable.  Some manufacturers would combine ABS with other materials in order to produce a better quality and a stronger luggage overall.

Polycarbonate on the other hand is an amorphous polymer or plastic that in addition to having a high level impact resistance and durability is also transparent so it can be manufactured in a variety of colors and designs.  It is also resistant to high temperatures and can really take a beating.  It is lightweight and flexible that you can bend it or dent it and it will come back to its original form.

Now that I am set in finding a hardside luggage, what else should I be looking for?

I always thought that hard cases are not expandable.  As I shop around, I found that they actually are.   Some of them have built-in extra panels of fabrics that I can unzip if I require more space.  I also had to convince myself that I can do away with built-in compartments that most soft luggage provide.  With the packing cubes now available, I can create my own compartments to keep everything organized in my suitcase the way I want it.

It is also important to check the zippers.  Look for zippers that have a larger tooth as they are generally sturdier and will survive wear and tear better.

After shopping around, I decided to buy the Samsonite Tennyson Hardside Spinner. Here’s a picture of it and feature highlights.

• Four multi-dimensional dual Spinner Wheels allow 360 degrees rolling in multiple directions
• Rolls upright so there is no weight in your arms or shoulder
• Fully lined interiors feature a full zip interior divider with organization pockets and cross straps to keep contents from shifting
• Retractable top and side carry handles
• Ergonomic push button locking handle for comfort

 

 

 

Below are a few other hardside suitcases I looked at and considered as I shopped around:

Delsey Chatelet Hard Case Spinner Suitcase

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• Made from durable 100% virgin polycarbonate and faux leather accents
• Unique brake system locks on two front wheels to prevent bag from rolling away
• Silent running double spinner wheels for superior maneuverability
• Deluxe interior featuring removable hanger, laundry and shoe bags
• Two full packing compartments with tie-dowm straps and zippered dividers

Samsonite Centric Expandable Hardside

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• Scratch-Resistant twill texture. keeping cases beautiful trip after trip
• Lightweight aluminum tubes
• Spinner wheels for effortless mobility, re-enginereed lightweight
• Full-zip interior divider and cross straps for increased packing organization
• Expands up to 2 inches for more carrying space
• Side-mounted TSA locks to deter theft.  Only you or a TSA agent have easy access

Samsonite Freeform Expandable Hardside Spinner

Available at Macy’s – Click here to purchase.

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Spinner

• Interior: Increased packing capacity with cross ribbon and divider for easy packing, multi-pockets for managing belongings during travel
• Exterior: Durable polypropylene with recessed metal logo plate
• Expandable:1.5″
• Handle: Retractable pull handle and carry handle
• Bonus features: Built-in ID tag and TSA 3-dial combination recessed lock
• Wheels: Double spinner wheels for increased maneuverability

TravelPro MaxliteHardside Spinner

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• Super lightweight, chromashift hard shell provides durability and visual appeal with color changing aesthetic
• Telescoping airline-grade aluminum handle system with stops at 38″ and extra tall 42.5″ for comfortable roll for users of different heights
• 360 degree 8 wheel spinners roll effortlessly in any direction
• Roomy main compartment expands up to 2″ to maximize packing flexibility

After you decide which luggage works for you, read our blog on how you can make packing easier with approved Amazon items.