Luggage can be a very personal choice.
Some people are happy with a backpack, while for others even the idea of travelling with less than two sizeable suitcases might make them blink away tears.
But perhaps the most basic choice is between soft or hard suitcases, and like most choices, there are pros and cons. Here’s our guide.
The case for hard cases
Hard cases are becoming increasingly popular and it’s not hard to see why.
Their structural design offers increased security as thieves can’t easily cut them to gain access or sneak something into pockets to get it through customs.
They are lightweight and offer optimised packing space due to the thinner exterior walls.
It used to be that four-wheelers couldn’t handle much more than a gentle pavement, but improvements in technology mean they can be guided over a variety of surfaces. Take that, rustic Italian cobbled backstreets. Dusty gravel tracks are probably still an impossible dream.
Hard shell luggage also has the option of some pretty nifty tech as well. You can buy cases with built-in phone chargers or USB ports for portable chargers.
While you would expect they would weigh more, due to using ultra-lightweight construction materials, often they clock in below their soft counterparts.
They last longer than soft suitcases.
If looks count, hard cases come in more colours and patterns. You can also buy luggage covers which add a bit more protection depending on the material used. If you search online, you can even have them covered in your personalised design.
The case against hard cases
They require more storage spaces as they keep their shape once empty. Even when travelling, opening both sides can take up more space than a soft textile case.
They can’t be squeezed into space like a soft case. Put two hard suitcases in the back of an ordinary sedan and that’s about the limit of your storage space.
Hard suitcases can’t rip, but they can crack. We’ve all seen the footage of baggage handlers gleefully tossing suitcases around. Soft cases may absorb some of those blows, but hard cases often will not.
The case for soft cases
You get those multiple outer pockets on soft cases. They are supremely handy for items like books or last-minute items or even just stuff you want to keep separate from your main luggage.
They are easier to store as they take up less room.
Hard cases have expander zips, but they are less effective than the soft cases zips, which can add up to a third more space, and once closed, offer considerable space savings for storage as compared to hard cases.
Soft suitcases are on the whole cheaper than hard shell suitcases, making them more budget-friendly.
If your suitcase does rip, it can be relatively easily repaired depending on the level of damage. You might as well chuck out a damaged hard shell suitcase with a hole in it as repairs are almost impossible.
The case against soft cases
They are harder to clean. Hard shell cases can generally be given a vigorous wipe over and presto-bingo, you are usually good to go. Soft suitcase spills and stains take a bit more work, and even then, the stain may not come out.
Those outer pockets may be handy, but they also represent a security risk. You may have to invest in extra locks to reduce theft if you are using them all.
Your soft suitcase probably won’t offer a lot of protection to items inside the suitcase. One decent knock and your toiletries are leaking all over the place.
Universal luggage tip
Never pay the ticketed price. This is an industry not-so-secret secret. Retailers – outside of airport outlets, where they know they have you over a barrel – will almost always be open to negotiating the price down.
And that’s not just me buying a lot of luggage, that advice was given to me by a retailer who spent decades in the industry handing out discounts like lollies and had a thriving business because of it.
Do you prefer hard shell or fabric luggage? Why not share your opinion in the comments section below?
Also read: Eight tips for keeping your luggage light on your next holiday
