Hard Case Vs Soft Sided Luggage

The polycarbonate shells required for making hard side luggage while the ballistic nylon weave for soft side luggage has revolutionized the production of luggage in the recent years.

Hard case vs soft sided luggage.

Although many hard cases especially those made from polycarbonate are expandable soft luggage can still stretch more around the edges. A hard suitcase comes with clear benefits mainly that your stuff is better protected. Hard sided luggage has a rigid exterior that is stiff rather than flexible. Be prepared to increase your luggage budget when looking for hard sided bags.

Hard side luggage on the other hand will hold up to being thrown around if you need to make frequent transfers. Over smooth surfaces like you find in airports they handle much better are easier to move and are more balanced. Soft sided luggage is made of fabric and has a flexible exterior. Some of the stylish hard cases will run you a lot more than a soft side case of the same dimensions.

They re not as flexible. Soft sided luggage is still popular but hard sided luggage has made a comeback according to consumer reports exclusive member survey. However our lab testing of suitcases over a number of years has proven this isn t the case. However you should also look beyond the material of bag and pay closer attention to quality and the craftsmanship.

Soft sided suitcases normally have two wheels with the hard sided cases normally sporting four. Soft luggage is also easier to manipulate into small spaces such as overhead bins or luggage racks on buses whereas hard cases really compete with other bags. There is very little exception to that rule. Soft sided bags are easier to stuff into overhead compartments and typically expand.

It s convenient that the soft side makes it so it can compact or expand and the hard side protects things from being crushed. There s often a perception that hard sided suitcases are more durable than soft sided suitcases. Cr explains what to consider when deciding which type is. Yes the hard style luggage is usually the trendier of the two which also makes for a bigger price tag.

But the soft shell faithful disagree arguing that a soft light suitcase that will actually give a little. What i do not like about it is that it requires two locks as the sides are accessed separately.