Do hard case or soft case suitcase last longer?

Made of durable materials like polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and aluminum, hard shell luggage is practically indestructible. That means everything inside the bag stays well-protected, which is especially important if you're bringing home fragile purchases from your trip.



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Hard-shell luggage is the way to go for durability and maneuverability, but soft-shells often pack more easily.

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Hard case luggage doesn't easily fit into compartments the way soft luggage does. A con of some hard surface luggage pieces is that they can be much heavier than cloth cases. On the other hand, a pro is that many are available with extending handles, bottom wheels and other innovative features.

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The 12 Most Durable Luggage Brands
  1. LEVEL8 Luggage. Credit: LEVEL8. ...
  2. Away. Credit: Away Travel. ...
  3. Pelican. Credit: Pelican. ...
  4. Briggs & Riley. Credit: Briggs & Riley. ...
  5. Eagle Creek. Credit: Eagle Creek. ...
  6. Samsonite. Credit: Samsonite. ...
  7. Delsey. Credit: Delsey. ...
  8. Travelpro. Credit: Travelpro.


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Hard shell suitcases can crack, which causes them to fall apart more rapidly than soft luggage. To avoid this concern choose a suitcase made from polycarbonate ABS that stands up to the rigors of travel. The FERGE brand makes a TSA-lockable suitcase on wheels using polycarbonate ABS.

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How long luggage lasts depends on multiple factors, including how often you travel, the quality of your luggage, and how well you care for your suitcases and bags. High-quality, durable luggage can last for over a decade of frequent use. Less well-made bags have much shorter lifespans.

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Not every bag, or every traveler for that matter, is built the same – but for the more part, you can sit, lean or stack stuff on your hard luggage without worry.

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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. Plastic bags are available in up to 22-gallon sizes in hardware and other stores.

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A suitcase with 4 wheels is very convenient, especially at train stations and airports. A suitcase with 2 wheels is only an option for me if I'm traveling with a small suitcase (size S) and have to pull it over longer distances. Even more important than the number of wheels is the quality.

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Polycarbonate is one of the most durable and flexible materials so it's more impact-resistant but is also heavier than polypropylene and ABS bags. Polypropylene is the most lightweight when it comes to plastic hardshell bags while still remaining fairly durable.

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For maximum durability, the handle should have little to no wiggling or rattling as you pull the bag. Also, check for smooth movement as you pull it up and retract it. The suitcase's wheels should roll smoothly and stay in place. Gently jiggle the wheels with your hands to make sure they are firmly attached.

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In short, the 3-1-1 rule is: Each liquid you bring through the TSA checkpoint must be in a 3.4-ounce or smaller container (3), all containers must be placed inside one clear quart-size plastic bag (1) and each passenger is only allowed one plastic bag (1).

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Pack based on item weight. Heavy items should be packed at the bottom of your bag, to keep luggage stable as you wheel it around. Top-heavy bags can fall over, potentially damaging the luggage's wheels or exterior.

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Read on to learn the five key red flags that signal that it's time for a new bag.
  1. It's not stowable. ...
  2. It's falling apart on the outside. ...
  3. It's falling apart on the inside. ...
  4. It doesn't fit your (or your party's) needs. ...
  5. It's ugly, or you don't like it anymore. ...
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Store With Care Keep your suitcase out of direct sunlight when you're not using it to protect its color from fading. Store smaller suitcases inside of larger suitcases, make sure that all zippers are closed, and stuff outside pockets with newspaper in order to help the luggage maintain its shape.

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