What is the best hard case luggage material?

Some brands of suitcases use a mixture of Polycarbonate and other hard plastics, like ABS, to form the outer shell. Aluminum is the most durable material for hardside luggage, but using aluminum also increases the price of the luggage.



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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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Polycarbonate is an extremely tough polyester compound used to make over 40% of hard-side luggage. While heavier than polypropylene and ABS suitcases, polycarbonate bags are flexible and highly resistant to cracks.

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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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While all three types of plastic are at least somewhat durable, polycarbonate luggage is going to be the most durable. This type of plastic is both impact and scratch resistant, which makes it stand out the most in the durability category. Polypropylene is the second-most durable of the three types of plastic.

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The 12 Most Durable Luggage Brands
  • Eagle Creek. Credit: Eagle Creek. ...
  • Samsonite. Credit: Samsonite. ...
  • Delsey. Credit: Delsey. ...
  • Travelpro. Credit: Travelpro. ...
  • Victorinox. Credit: Victorinox. ...
  • American Tourister. Credit: American Tourister. ...
  • Paravel. Credit: Paravel. ...
  • Hartmann. Credit: Hartmann.


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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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Polypropylene is the second-most durable of the three types of plastic. Although not quite as strong as polycarbonate, it is still temperature and chemical resistant. This type of plastic can handle minor drops, but over time it is at more risk of getting cracked.

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The airlines don't choose sides when it comes to luggage. It is entirely your choice whether you'd like to carry hard-sided or soft-sided luggage for your journey. However, it is important to consider the size and weight restrictions as well as the durability of the bag when making your choice.

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Polypropylene is known for its strength, shock resistance & high density of colour pigments to avoid stress whitening. Samsonite succeeded in creating a range of extremely lightweight polypropylene collections, thanks to new revolutionary polypropylene material called Flowlite.

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One of the most appealing factors of hardside luggage is the sleek design. The shell is typically protective enough to safeguard your belongings during rough airport baggage handling, in-flight turbulence, or rainy delays on the tarmac, making the investment worth it for peace of mind.

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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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