What is the most durable material for hardside luggage?

What to look for when shopping for the best hardside luggage
  • Aluminum is the most durable material for hardside luggage, but it's much heavier than other options and can be pretty expensive.
  • Polycarbonate is the most popular material for hard 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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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 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 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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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.

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Aluminum is the most durable material for hardside luggage, but it's much heavier than other options and can be pretty expensive. Polycarbonate is the most popular material for hard luggage. It is both lightweight and durable, but it can scratch easily.

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

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The Samsonite Omni has a fully polycarbonate shell with a micro-diamond texture that prevents scuffing and keeps the back from feeling bulky.

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The Samsonite Omni has a fully polycarbonate shell with a micro-diamond texture that prevents scuffing and keeps the back from feeling bulky.

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While polypropylene is the lightest weight material in the hardside suitcase category, other hardshell suitcases will likely still be heavier than softside bags.

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Soft-sided luggage is generally lighter than hard luggage, so if you're worried about going over an airline's weight limit, it's a smart option, as it gives you more leeway to use those pounds for your belongings rather than for the suitcase.

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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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Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Carry-On It'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.

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The Samsonite Omni PC combines scratch-resistant textures with the polycarbonate construction, ensuring your luggage looks as great on the 100th trip as it does on the first.

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Consider hard-shell luggage if you want durable, easy-to-maneuver luggage with a robust exterior to protect your valuables. Soft-shell luggage can be for you if you're seeking versatility, ease of packing, and a big interior.

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Samsonite earns our top spot for the best luggage brand because it has a wide assortment for every preference — from business travelers to vacationers — and has continuously proven to be high quality as we've tested it over the years.

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It's Incredibly Durable Not only is it some of the most durable luggage around, but it also can handle anything from rain puddles to being thrown onto the baggage drop, which is good news for all of your belongings inside.

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