It's Incredibly DurableBack in the day, hardside luggage was known to crack and deteriorate more quickly than soft-sided luggage, but luckily, companies like Briggs & Riley have changed all that.
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Soft Versus Hard ShellHard 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.
A hardshell suitcase is typically better than a softside bag for protection (as long as your items are packed safely inside, too). However, all hardshell materials are prone to getting scuffed, scratched, or possibly cracked more so than with fabric suitcases.
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.
Hard-shell luggage is the way to go for durability and maneuverability, but soft-shells often pack more easily. American Way, Hemispheres, CultureMap, JohnnyJet, and more. Alisha is a freelance writer and photographer.
Hard-Shell LuggageABS is the lightest, but polycarbonate is more durable. The most durable, but also the heaviest, is aluminum. Hard-shell luggage often features a 50/50-split opening, allowing you to pack two sides equally and stabilize the contents with an interior strap or a middle divider.
For hardside luggage, the best choice of material is aluminum due to its impressive durability properties. However, aluminum is also really heavy and expensive, so another good option is polycarbonate (PC), which is the most durable plastic used in luggage.
Swedish pilot Maria Pettersson prefers “half soft-sided” luggage, which offers a bit more support than the typical soft-sided luggage, but provides more flexibility than hard-sided luggage.
Best Luggage For International Travel OverallWhen considering the ideal luggage for going abroad, it has to be reliable, and it has to last. For these two foundational reasons, Travelpro and its line of Platinum Elite luggage is our go-to choice for getting you and your stuff securely to Destination Unknown.
Soft Versus Hard ShellHard 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.
Soft-sided luggage gives you more packing flexibility, but hard shells protect your belongings better. Also, hard shells tend to be heavier, but soft-sided ones can damage more easily. There are good and bad features for both and, in the end, it really comes down to personal preference.
Most hard-shell luggage comes in the classic clamshell design, where a zipper down the middle opens the case in an even, 50/50 split. That way, you can pack both sides evenly to create an equal weight distribution.
Dodgy WheelsSpinner suitcases make travelling the world a breeze. But if your bag's wheels don't roll as smoothly as they used to, getting a new one might be your only option. The first sign that a suitcase needs replacing can often be seen in how smoothly it moves across surfaces.
Polycarbonate is more flexible than ABS and has a higher impact resistance. As a result, it makes for a stronger suitcase. ABS suitcases are cheaper than Polycarbonate ones, but they are often heavier and do not last as long.
Hardside luggage materials offer maximum protection for suitcase contents and can withstand rough baggage handling. While stronger than most soft-side bags, hard-side luggage can be more difficult to fit into crowded overhead compartments, as you cannot compress the bags to fit in small spaces.
Aluminum luggage is more durable than polycarbonate or soft-sided luggage, though it's still prone to scratches and dents. It's also more secure, as aluminum suitcases typically close via latches rather than zippers.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Carry-OnIt's no secret that Travelpro is one of the most recommended brands by flight attendants, and this Maxlite 5 softside carry-on is a great example of why.