When it comes to suitcases, there are so many to choose from. It can be overwhelming! Which brand is the best? What size suitcase should I buy? What color should I get? And on and on.
One of the questions many travelers have is what type of suitcase should they buy.
We have used softside luggage for the last decade and recently switched over to hardside suitcases. It may not seem like a significant change, but it actually is!
There are features and characteristics of hardside suitcases that I didn’t even know about before purchasing.
Below I compare hardside vs softside luggage, in order for you to make an informed decision on your next suitcase purchase!
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Hard Suitcase Pros & Cons
We will start with the hardside luggage features, as this style seems to be more and more popular, thanks to brands like Chester Travels.
Reasons To Buy Hardside Luggage
1) Color Choice
Hardshell suitcases come in many colors, designs, and textures. This gives the purchaser a chance to show off their individuality. Do you love Star Wars? Then buy a Darth Vader or Storm Trooper suitcase! Are you looking to stand out at the luggage carousel? Hundreds of different colors are available for you to choose from. Pick your favorite!
2) Water-Resistant
Let me start out by saying that most hardside luggage is not waterproof. BUT they offer more protection from liquids than a softside suitcase would. Have you ever sat on the plane and watched the luggage sit out in the pouring rain? Knowing your belongings are enclosed in a hard, polycarbonate shell gives you a little more peace of mind.
3) Packing Design
Instead of one large area to place all of your travel items and clothing, the hardside bags are a clam-shell design, splitting the suitcase (almost) evenly in two. This makes it easier to stay organized when you pack. As a family, we pack the kids’ clothing on one side, and our belongings on the other. It makes it easier to find what we need on trips when we don’t completely unpack, versus digging through piles of clothing.
4) Easy To Clean
Travel is dirty. No matter where you drag your bags, you know they are bound to get a little messy or marked up. A hard shell suitcase can easily be wiped down, or even cleaned with strong solutions, and look (almost) new again!
Some Negative Features of Hardsided Luggage
1) The Clam-Shell Design
What? Didn’t I just say this was a positive feature? Yes, for packing.
But the clam-shell design actually causes some issues when we are in the hotel room. The suitcase doesn’t fit on a standard suitcase rack when open. And you need the bag to fully to lay flat to unpack (or your stuff is falling out of the one side).
So we end up having to unpack with the suitcase on the bed, which is gross. Put a towel down first!
2) No Quick-Access to Belongings
After years of using softsided luggage, we have been spoiled by front pockets.
It’s a small feature, but a nice one to have, especially in a carry-on. I don’t want to have to unzip my entire bag to grab my sweater or book before boarding the plane.
Some brands have started to add this feature to their hard shell suitcases, but it is not a standard feature like it is on softside luggage.
Softsided Suitcase Pros & Cons
A classic style, the softsided suitcases keep getting better, thanks to brands like Samsonite and Travelpro.
Why You Should Purchase Softside Luggage
1) Expandability
Though some hardside suitcases are adding this feature, the softside suitcases still reign. And, due to the fabric having some give, you can usually squish a little more into a softside bag vs the same size hard shell.
2) Accessibility
Outside pockets on softside luggage are one of its best features! It is so nice to be able to place a few items that you need to access quickly and easily. Most hardside bags do not have outside pockets, though I have seen a few.
3) Ease of Unpacking
Due to its design, most softside luggage fits on the luggage racks in hotel rooms. This makes it easier to unpack, or even live out of your suitcase while you are traveling.
As noted above, hard shell suitcases are a clam-shell design, requiring you to lay the suitcase flat in order to unpack. This cannot be done on a standard suitcase rack!
Some Negative Features of Softsided Luggage
1) Easier to Tip Over
The features that I love about soft-sided luggage (its expandability and those outside pockets) lead to a negative. If your soft suitcase is packed to the brim, it is more likely to tip over. So many times, my bag would be standing at my side, and all it takes is one light tap or brush from the kids or me, and it falls on its face. This doesn’t happen with hardside suitcases because the weight is evenly distributed.
2) Items More Likely to Get Damaged
The material of the softside suitcases is porous, meaning water, rain, or liquids from other passengers’ suitcases can penetrate your bag and ruin your clothing. You are not fully protected using a hard shell suitcase, but it offers a little more protection versus softside.
Also, the soft material has more give, so any other luggage stacked on top of yours can squish your items. Make sure to wrap up any breakables VERY well when you travel with soft luggage!
Hardside vs Softside Luggage: Which Should You Buy?
The answer is: It depends!
You read the pros and cons above. I think which type of luggage you should buy depends on the kind of travel you do the most.
If you travel via car more often, go with the softside. You are in charge of its safety, so you don’t have to worry about damaging items. And it is easier overall to use in hotel rooms.
If you travel via planes but prefer to carry-on, go with the softside. The easily accessible front pockets are a big perk when on a flight. And you should use these compression packing cubes to squeeze more space out of your bag!
If you travel via planes but prefer to check your luggage, go with the hard shell. Your belongings will have the added protection of the poly-carbonate. And you can choose a fun, and different design to make it a lot easier to find your bags at the baggage carousel.
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