What are the pros and cons of a hard shell suitcase?

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.



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The main drawback is that hard-shell luggage can't be twisted to fit into a small space. Hard-shell suitcases also require a lot of room to store at home, making them less convenient in this sense.

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That said, a hard case around your valuables can also mean they stay more protected during rough handling. Fragile items are less likely to break since the bag won't compress. Hard shell bags may also be less susceptible to slashing by thieves armed with blades.

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Soft Versus Hard Shell 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.

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Hard-Shell Luggage ABS is lighter, but polycarbonate is more durable. The most durable, but also the heaviest, is aluminum. Hard-shell luggage sometimes features a 50/50-split opening, allowing you to pack two sides equally and stabilize the contents with an X-strap, a middle divider, or both.

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Hard-Shell Luggage ABS 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.

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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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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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Wrap it up Encasing your luggage in plastic cling wrap not only protects it from scrapes and scratches, it's a slight deterrent for the wide range of folks who'll be handling your bag on its journey.

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Polycarbonate has high tensile strength and is extremely long-lasting. Of all hardside, plastic suitcase materials, it is by far the most durable.

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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.

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Though you might find an inch or two of a difference with various airlines, the standard domestic carry-on luggage size is 22 x 14 x 9, which includes the handle and the wheels. This size limit ensures your bag — and ideally everyone else's — will be able to be stored safely in the overhead bin for your flight.

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The Best Travel Bags for Wherever You're Headed
  • Best Soft-Shell Bag. Travelpro Crew Versapack. Read more. $229 at Amazon.
  • Best Hard-Shell Bag. Away Bigger Carry-On Flex. Read more. $345 at Away.
  • Best Budget Bag. Travelpro Maxlite 5. Read more. $126 at Amazon.
  • Most Luxurious, Durable Soft Shell. Briggs & Riley Baseline CX. Read more.


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No cracking, no visible scratching, no fading, no broken zippers, wheels, or handles.” We'd call that a ringing endorsement.
  • Amazon Basics. 21-Inch Hardside Spinner. ...
  • Calpak. Trnk Mini Carry-On Luggage. ...
  • COOLIFE. Hardshell Suitcase 4 Piece Set. ...
  • July. Carry On. ...
  • Travelpro. Maxlite 5 Softside Lightweight Rolling Underseat Tote.


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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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