In addition to the materials themselves, we evaluated the overall design, weight, and capacity considerations for both bag types. We sifted through testing notes from more than 200 hardside and softside suitcases personally tested by our Travel + Leisure team, so once you pick team softside or team hardside, we narrowed it down to the best carry-on, checked, and underseat luggage pieces. Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of hardside and softside suitcases &#; and decide which will work best for you.
It&#;s time to settle the long-time debate between the two types of suitcases on the market: hardside and softside luggage. While the final decision boils down to personal preference, we put together this comprehensive guide with cold hard facts to help you decide which style suits your needs.
Materials
Most hardside suitcases are made out of polycarbonate, polypropylene, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), or aluminum. Polycarbonate is one of the most durable and flexible materials, which means it's more impact-resistant but is also heavier than polypropylene and ABS bags. Polypropylene is the most lightweight when it comes to plastic hardside bags while still remaining fairly durable.
ABS typically falls in the middle weight-wise &#; it is often the cheapest option but is commonly found in a blend with other materials. Aluminum, on the other hand, has the sleekest look but is usually the priciest and heaviest; it's the most protective, which also means it has the least "give" out of the hardside options when packing.
Arguably the biggest pros and cons of hardside luggage are related to the material used. A hardside suitcase is typically better than a softside bag for protection (as long as your items are packed safely inside, too). However, all hardside materials are prone to getting scuffed, scratched, or possibly cracked more so than with fabric suitcases. Just remember that it&#;s normal for hardside suitcases to look beat up, particularly after checking them in, but it&#;s usually not too difficult to buff the case with a sponge to remove the marks (and some suitcases even come with buffing sponges). You can also opt for dark colors that hide damage better like navy blue or black.
Design
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. In general, you can expect to see four 360-degree spinner wheels on most hardshell suitcases, which is ideal for maneuverability in crowded airports.
In terms of interior organization, there should be zippered sections or pocketed dividers to help pack a range of clothing items between the two clamshell-style compartments. However, you&#;d be hard-pressed to find exterior pockets on many hardside suitcases due to the stiff, solid plastic material, so once your items are packed away, it&#;ll be difficult to access anything. If this is important to you, seek out hardside suitcases with quick-entry front pockets to solve that problem.
Weight
While polypropylene is the lightest weight material in the hardside suitcase category, other hardshell suitcases will likely still be heavier than softside bags. Aluminum is very durable but it can be quite dense with most carry-ons, weighing over 10 pounds. If weight is important to you for a checked bag with airline weight restrictions, you&#;ll be better off with a lighter-weight polypropylene suitcase or a softside one. In general, a hardside carry-on will weigh anywhere between five and 10 pounds and a lightweight checked bag will weigh nine to 12 pounds.
Capacity
Since hardside suitcases typically have a clamshell-style design, it's possible to naturally divide up a lot of items. You may find it easier to use packing cubes to help maximize space and stay organized since there are generally fewer pockets in hardside luggage. Conversely, hardside suitcases have less give in the material, so it can be harder to squeeze extra items in.
With hardside carry-ons, your suitcase will always fit in the overhead bin as long as it fits the airline&#;s dimension requirements as the structure of the bag won&#;t allow it to exceed its original size &#; unless it has an expandable zipper that will add an extra inch or two of space. Still, it is easier to overpack a softside bag since the material is more flexible as long as you can close the zipper.
Best Checked
Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside
PHOTO: Amazon
Why We Love It
The polycarbonate shell feels nearly indestructible.
What to Consider
It weighs 11.5 pounds, which is on the heavier side for checked luggage.
Going on an international trip? This large Samsonite checked bag can fit more than a week&#;s worth of clothing items thanks to its generous capacity and built-in compression straps that help secure and compress clothes. Made out of durable polycarbonate, the suitcase helps protect all of your belongings no matter the conditions during transit. While it&#;s on the heavier end of the luggage spectrum at 11.5 pounds, it&#;s worth it for a durable and wallet-friendly checked suitcase.
The Details: 31.5 x 20.5 x 13 inches | 11.5 pounds | Expandable | 4 spinner wheels
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Vicky Wasik
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Vicky Wasik
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Vicky Wasik
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
Best Carry-on
Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner
PHOTO: Amazon
$200
Why We Love It
It&#;s super lightweight but spacious enough for a variety of trips.
What to Consider
There could be more pockets for storage.
This polypropylene carry-on is exceptionally durable to withstand anything from accidental drops to transits in inclement weather. Its light weight will surely be appreciated when you&#;re lugging it from place to place, too. The clamshell-style suitcase has plenty of room for clothing, shoes, and anything else you need to travel with, but we do wish there were a few more interior pockets for smaller items. The four 360-degree wheels are very smooth and make it easy to maneuver around any airport or hotel obstacles. There's also a matching checked suitcase in the Freeform line if you're looking to buy a great luggage set.
The Details: 21 x 15 x 10 inches | 5.6 pounds | Expandable | 4 spinner wheels
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
The Best Carry-on Luggage, Tested and Reviewed
Best Underseat
Calpak Hue Mini Carry-on Luggage
PHOTO: Calpak
Why We Love It
It has a variety of designated pockets to use the small space efficiently.
What to Consider
The TSA-approved lock has a slight learning curve.
Calpak&#;s underseat suitcase fits perfectly under a standard airplane seat and, although it&#;s a hardside bag, it has enough flexibility to squeeze underneath a smaller airplane seat. There are a variety of interior pockets for a laptop, charger, and other small items to stay organized while packing light, but you can still easily fit a weekend&#;s worth of clothes. Plus, the 360-degree wheels make it incredibly easy to roll this small polycarbonate suitcase through a busy airport.
The Details: 16 x 13.5 x 8 inches | 6.05 pounds | 4 spinner wheels
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
The Best Hardside Luggage of , Tested and Reviewed
Materials
The most common fabrics used to make softside luggage are nylon and polyester. Higher-end softside luggage is often made with more durable materials like cordura and ballistic nylon whereas budget luggage may be made of a less durable polyester. Ballistic nylon was created during World War II and is a thicker woven fabric designed to be more resistant to abrasion, tearing, and odors. It can also result in a heavier bag.
Softside material can generally hide tears or stains better than a hardside suitcase can hide scuffs or scratches but may still fray and fade over time. A downside to softside luggage is that although the fabric conceals damage better than hardside luggage, your items may not be as well-protected in inclement weather transit so you may want to travel with a hardside suitcase if you&#;re traveling to a cold or wet destination.
Design
There&#;s nothing more classic than a piece of softside luggage. While four 360-degree spinning wheels are the industry standard now for prime mobility, there are still quite a few softside suitcases with two wheels on the market. It&#;s ultimately a personal choice whether you find it easier to get around with four wheels rather than two, but a suitcase with four wheels offers both options as it&#;s possible to either pull this style behind you on two wheels or roll it by your side on four wheels.
The typical design of a softside suitcase includes one large main compartment with a separate top flap that often has both interior and exterior pockets for organization. That option for external pockets is softside luggage&#;s most notable design feature as most hardside suitcases lack these. In fact, most softside suitcases will have at least one large front zippered pocket with smaller pockets in or around the larger one so you can access items without having to open the entire suitcase.
Weight
Polyester fabric is very lightweight, so if you&#;re looking for a suitcase to stay within an airline&#;s strict limits, softside luggage is a great option. (Remember that any wheels, handles, or the frame itself can add weightiness, too.) It ultimately depends on the brand and size of the suitcase itself, but softside carry-ons can weigh as little as four pounds. Polyester checked bags typically weigh between eight and 11 pounds, with ballistic nylon options often checking in around 15.
Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
Capacity
When it comes to capacity, softside luggage truly shines. Nylon and polyester have more give than hardside suitcases, so there&#;s more room to cram items in if needed. Plus, softside luggage often comes with expandable zippers that can add several inches of room in the suitcase &#; a game changer for squeezing in last-minute items. The front zipper pockets are also very helpful for easily accessing items while traveling and can keep you extra organized, too. However, remember when packing this style that you may inadvertently exceed overhead luggage size requirements with overstuffed or expanded bags.
Link to Shengtailuo Case &Bag
Best Checked
Hartmann Luxe II Medium Journey Luggage
PHOTO: Hartmann
Why We Love It
It exudes quiet luxury with leather accents and elegant colorways.
What to Consider
We wish the interior had a few more pockets.
One of the biggest drawbacks to softside luggage is usually the style factor, but luckily, that's not the case with this stunning Hartmann checked bag. The vintage-inspired design of this large suitcase makes it effortlessly elegant thanks to the delicate leather trim and subtly patterned fabric. During our durability tests, we noticed that the bag came out completely unscathed, looking as good as new after being hit with a baseball bat several times. This bag can easily fit enough clothing for up to two weeks of traveling, and it also has an expandable zipper to add even more room. The only slight inconvenience we noticed is that the interior only has one large pocket on the opening flap; otherwise, you'll need packing cubes or you can utilize the two large front pocket for organizing smaller items.
The Details: 27.3 x 18.5 x 11.5 inches | 9.4 pounds | Polyester, polypropylene | Expandable
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim
Best Carry-on
Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-on
PHOTO: Amazon
$430
$430
Why We Love It
The high-density nylon is super durable and the wheels roll smoothly across all types of surfaces.
What to Consider
It has a USB port, but you have to buy a power bank separately.
When it comes to durability, Travelpro&#;s Platinum Elite Carry-on is made with a high-density ballistic nylon fabric with Duraguard coating to ensure the longevity of the suitcase. It has four spinner wheels that glide smoothly over rough and flat surfaces, and going around sharp corners was a breeze when we tested it. The capacity is standard for a carry-on and there are a variety of internal and external pockets including a pocket with a USB port &#; but you&#;ll need to supply your own power bank to place in the compatible pocket.
The Details: 23.5 x 14.5 x 9 inches | 8.3 pounds | Expandable | Smart | 4 spinner wheels
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
Best Underseat
Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage
PHOTO: Calpak
Why We Love It
This underseater is deep and spacious, but it still has some give in the material, so it&#;s easy to place underneath an airplane seat.
What to Consider
The handle popped out after we threw it off a table, but it wasn&#;t damaged.
This compact bag makes a great alternative to a tote or duffel if someone wanted a bag that had wheels (but it also has a luggage sleeve on the back if you do want to place it on top of a larger suitcase). It has a puffy, softside exterior and a padded laptop compartment in the front pocket. We especially loved the accessory pockets lining the main compartment, and the smaller pocket on the outside that was perfect for storing a or keys. There is a semi-accordion style opening so you can unzip the bag while its standing upright without the whole lid flapping open. The handle did pop open after we tossed it around when we tested it, but it wasn't damaged, and the puffy material seems like it would be great for protecting the items you have packed inside.
The Details: 16 x 14.25 x 9 inches | 5.3 pounds | Polyester | 4 spinner wheels
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson
Planning to buy a suitcase? The diversity of this group of products is simply amazing. But you should not trust only your own taste when choosing. There are parameters on which the usability will depend suitcase, and its practicality, and its durability. This article will help you make the best choice in each individual situation, and help you determine which suitcase is better for you: plastic or fabric.
Customers choose a "fellow traveler" for trips and travels, first of all, they pay attention to its basis, that is, to the material. Having figured out which suitcase is better than plastic or fabric, the purchase can be made faster.
Plastic suitcase with or without wheels is made of polypropylene, polycarbonate, or ABS.
Mixed models are also available, but are less common. The advantages of polycarbonate are lightness and strength. If you think about which plastic suitcase is better, given these parameters as the main ones, then it is impossible to make a better choice.
But keep in mind that the material that the average consumer simply calls "plastic" can be represented by different types of raw materials.
First of all, this:
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is considered one of the strongest materials. It is stable due to its rigidity. Does not pass moisture, normally withstands shock, and does not allow damage to transported items. Even fragile transportation will be safe and sound in it.
For example, glass will normally endure transportation or flights, clothes will not get wet during transportation in rainy weather.
And maintenance is simple. A damp sponge removes dirt without any problems.
Polycarbonate
The advantage of polycarbonate is lightness and strength, and excellent properties in relation to operation.
ABS
Flexibility is considered to be the main advantage of ABS suitcases. Also, these models normally tolerate minor damage.
But compared to polycarbonate suitcases, they are thinner, meaning they will last a long time only with careful use and care.
Knowing what a plastic suitcase can be, which one is better to choose for yourself or as a gift to a loved one, it will be easier to decide. But not everything is as good as we would like.
Before making a final decision, you need to study the disadvantages of plastic. First of all, it is fragility. A suitcase may well become cracked from a push or impact, and often scratches of different depths appear on its surface. Of course, there is protection from them. It is enough to use an additional cover or a regular film during transportation.
We also note weight as a disadvantage. If you try to choose a lighter plastic suitcase, it will come out more expensive, because it will be made of special innovative materials.
Medium-sized and large fabric models for carrying/transporting various luggage are sought by those who are looking for in such products not only visual appeal but also ease of use, lightness, tangible spaciousness, and unconditional wear resistance.
Nylon, polyamide, polyester, and similar fabrics are preferred.
Polyester suitcases are smooth and have a slight sheen. They are strong, lightweight, and durable. They do not require special care, they retain a rich color, and they do not fade in the sun.
For luxury models, manufacturers choose a combination of nylon and polyamide. It's in the luxury category. quite a popular combination. The strength of the material is also appreciated. Textiles, it is the most resistant to chemical and mechanical types. Moisture is not afraid, the color retains excellently.
Nylon and polyester suitcases are becoming more common. For those who cannot decide whether a plastic or fabric suitcase would be better to purchase, it is worth considering such options. They are durable, highly durable, and resistant to fading under the rays of the sun. Moisture resistance &#; is also their undoubted plus.
It is impossible to answer such a question. You need to make a choice for yourself, taking into account the purpose of the purchase, purpose, conditions, and frequency of use.
To make it easier to make a choice, you can view catalogs with plastic models, compare them with textile suitcases, and study material features, and advantages of different manufacturers.
Detailed descriptions and high-quality photos from different angles will help you get the most complete impression of the product and understand which suitcase to buy plastic or fabric this time, and which option to put in the basket of the site.
The solution is different for every situation. For one trip, you need a reliable suitcase with a strong frame (fabric or plastic), while for another, lightness and the ability to wash in a typewriter will be more important. The right choice, taking into account the features of the models discussed in the article, will be much easier.
In addition, we recommend reading the article How to choose a suitcase? What is the best suitcase to buy? From this, you will learn how to choose a suitcase for a train, plane, or car, depending on the duration and purpose of the trip. Other materials on the site also contain a lot of useful information.
We want the online store of suitcases and bags to develop in accordance with the needs and requests of customers, and therefore we ourselves carefully study information about new products around the world and try to tell you interesting things.
It turns out that our resource is indispensable for anyone who plans to buy a plastic or fabric suitcase (medium or any other on 4 wheels). Come visit us more often. For shopping and useful interesting information!
Are you interested in learning more about Fabric Suitcase Set? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!