Choosing the right suitcase can make or break your adventure, depending on the trip you’re going on. You’ll have a wonderful, stress-free trip if you choose the right suitcase, but the wrong one might lead to a nightmarish misadventure.
This post is everything you need to know about hard-sided and soft-sided luggage. You can make an informed decision and be better prepared for your next trip!
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Here are links to all the hard shell and soft-sided luggage I talk about in this post:
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Why You Should Do Your Research First
I’ve been to more than 65 countries and lived in five, and I have so much experience and misadventures with having the wrong luggage and the right luggage.
When it comes to travel, selecting the right luggage can significantly impact your overall experience. Whether you’re taking a quick weekend getaway or planning an extended international adventure, your choice of luggage can affect everything from the ease of your journey to the safety of your belongings.
I’ve made the mistakes and tested out so many types and brands of luggage, so you don’t have to! This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the world of luggage options and feel more confident in your choice for your next trip.
Key Factors to Consider First
Before diving into specific luggage types, here are some primary factors that should influence your purchase decision:
- Size: Consider airline restrictions, trip duration, and personal packing habits.
- Weight: Lighter luggage allows for more belongings within weight limits.
- Durability: Look for luggage that can withstand the rigors of travel.
- Price: Balance quality with your budget constraints.
- Brand Reputation: Research reliable brands known for quality and customer service.
2 Types of Luggage
In this post, we’re just looking at your primary carry-on and checked luggage types, like hard shell and soft-sided. If you’re interested in my thoughts and recommendations on backpacks (which make excellent carry-ons), then check out my post here.
Carry-On Luggage
- Pros: Convenient, time-saving, and reduce the risk of lost luggage.
- Cons: Limited space and restrictions on liquids you can carry.
Checked Luggage
- Pros: More packing space and fewer restrictions on the contents.
- Cons: Additional fees, risk of loss or damage, and waiting time at baggage claim.
The Pros & Cons of Hard Shell and Soft-Sided Luggage
So, let’s get started with the most obvious things about the two types of suitcases. The top two considerations are the materials and how the openings are shaped. Then, we’ll talk about durability, security, wheels, and other factors.
The Materials
Hard shell suitcases are made of polypropylene, polycarbonate, or this long, drawn-out thing called ABS. Polycarbonate is the most durable and the heaviest, while polypropylene is not as durable but is very lightweight. If you’re looking for super lightweight, then polypropylene is the best option for a hard shell suitcase.
On the flip side, soft-sided suitcases are made of nylon. Sometimes, it’s made of parachute material called Cordura.
The Pros & Cons
So, what are the pros and cons of each? Hard-sided suitcases are more durable, withstand more impact, and are easier to clean but crack and chip easily. They also scuff easily, so if you’re looking for a hard-sided suitcase, get a scratch-resistant material, especially if you’re using it as checked luggage.
On the other hand, the soft-sided with nylon and Cordura are wonderful! They can stretch, so you can pack more things. The downside is that if it’s raining and your soft-sided luggage is stuck on the tarmac or you’re wheeling it around, then the items inside will probably get wet.
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The Openings
Hard-sided luggage opens like a clam shell, about 50/50 on each side. So, you can pack less stuff on each side and then close it together. Soft-sided luggage is more like the lid of a pot that you can pack deeply.
The Pros & Cons
Hard-sided is typically more organized because you can put things in each side, and the compartments aren’t as deep. On the other hand, the soft-sided can go so deep you can make a mess of your suitcase. So, if you’re going to use soft-sided, I recommend packing cubes or some type of additional organization.
Now, let’s talk about something that can be extremely embarrassing if you’re in the airport or traveling somewhere. If you have to get into your hard-sided suitcase with its clamshell opening, you’ll have to lay your suitcase down, possibly on the dirty floor, unzip the entire thing, and practically show everything in your suitcase to everyone around. With a soft-sided suitcase, you can usually open up the top of the zipper and dig around to pull out what you need.
Durability & Storage
When it comes to storage, hard shell suitcases are easier to stack in a closet. However, soft-sided luggage may be better if you live in a small space because it can squish down a little more. The hard-sided luggage is more durable, but the frame will not give if you have to squish your suitcase into a small area.
One of the disadvantages of the durability of hard shell luggage, though, is the airlines tend to crack these suitcases. They may be rougher with them because of their durability. I’ve had a ripped, soft-sided suitcase once in all my years of traveling. I’ve had to replace my hard shell luggage every few years because the airlines are so hard on them.
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Security
A major advantage of hard-sided suitcases is the TSA lock on the zippers. Some soft-sided suitcases do have locks for their zippers, but the TSA lock is usually only a feature of hard-sided luggage. It’s great! You can lock up your luggage so you don’t get anything stolen during your travels, and the TSA employees can open it if they need to.
The Wheels
Another advantage of a hard-sided suitcase is the four spinner wheels. I really like having four wheels on my suitcase; that’s just a personal preference. Some of the soft-sided suitcases have four wheels, but many just have two wheels.
With two wheels, you’re often dragging your luggage behind you. With four spinner wheels, you’re either pulling it by your side or pushing it in front of you. So, it’s just your personal preference, but for me, I love having four wheels and pushing them in front of me.
Additional Pockets
Another pro for soft-sided luggage is that many have an outside zipper. A lot of them actually have two! You can conveniently put your documents and passport in the top small zipper if you use it as a carry-on. With the bigger zipper, you can put an extra pair of shoes or other items you need to grab quickly.
Most hard-sided suitcases don’t have an outside pocket, which can be challenging if you want to carry your computer or important documents for easy access. Some of the new hard-sided suitcases do have an outside pocket, so now I’m going to make sure every one I buy has an outside pocket.
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Bonus Space
Another advantage of the soft-sided I love is that you can overstuff it, which is amazing! I always feel I can stuff more in a soft-sided suitcase. If you’re buying a lot of trinkets and gifts on your vacation, then you can stuff more into your soft-sided suitcase.
However, if you’re buying fragile items to bring back with you, a hard-sided suitcase is better because it gives more protection. You’ll need to weigh the pros and cons of having a little extra space versus having more durability.
My Thoughts on Hard & Soft-Sided Luggage
So, before you buy that next piece of luggage, think about what you will be doing with it. Is it going to be a carry-on? Well, I actually have two TravelPro carry-ons; one is hard-sided and one is soft-sided. Sometimes, I want to take a hard-sided as a carry-on, and sometimes I want soft-sided. It really depends on what I’m doing with it.
Again, hard-sided is more durable and easier to wheel around but is typically heavier and can’t be overstuffed. A soft-sided carry-on can squish into the overhead compartment even if it’s over-stuffed. Both of my TravelPro suitcases have four wheels.
If you’re going to check your bag, that is something completely different. With a checked bag, I always prefer hard-sided. I just like the durability because that poor luggage is being thrown all over the place, and I want to protect my belongings more. And I definitely don’t want my suitcase sitting on the tarmac or on one of those conveyor belts when it’s storming at my destination.
My Luggage Recommendations
These are the hard shell and soft-sided suitcases that I personally love and recommend:
Tips for Buying Hard or Soft-Sided Luggage
Number one, make sure the handle, no matter whether it’s hard or soft-sided, is tall enough for you. I’m 5’11, and some handles don’t pull up high enough for me. I’m leaning over to drag the bag either in front of me, beside, or behind me.
Additionally, when you buy a piece of luggage, bring your personal item bag to the store so you can slide it over the handle and knock the suitcase around to ensure it doesn’t fall over. So many suitcases are not stable when you slide your personal item bag over the handle. You don’t want to be traipsing through the airport with your bag falling over every time you stop to go to the bathroom or to buy a coffee.
In general, look for these important features when selecting your luggage:
- Wheels: Four spinner wheels offer better maneuverability than two wheels.
- Handles: Ensure telescoping handles extend to a comfortable height.
- Security Features: TSA-approved locks provide peace of mind.
- Compartments: Internal and external pockets help with organization.
- Expandability: Some bags offer extra space when needed.
Do You Prefer Hard Shell or Soft-Sided Luggage?
So, is there a clear winner between hard-sided and soft-sided? Actually, no! It just depends on what you’re doing. I have both carry-on and checked luggage for hard-sided and soft-sided. The best luggage is the one that meets your specific needs and travel style. Take the time to research and test out options in person before making your final decision.
What do you think? Let me know your thoughts and preferences in the comments below.
Happy travels!
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Looking for more tips and recommendations on luggage? Check out my favorite travel products and some of my other posts on suitcases below!
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