I've been pulling around a trusty pair of nesting soft-sided Samsonite bags for the last few years that have served my husband and me well for our travels domestically and abroad. No complaints really. But some upcoming travel plans have us needing to invest in an additional set of bags, which has sent me down the rabbit hole of researching what to get.
My biggest question is whether or not to make the switch from soft-sided bags to hard-shell cases. Hard-shell cases are certainly all the rage at TPG and with TPG readers. They are of-the-moment, aesthetically pleasing and made by brands with cult followings.
As someone who has never used one of these bags before, I wanted to know a little bit more about what I might be getting into given the financial commitment (a Rimowa bag can easily run you between $1,000 and $2,000). So, I turned to the experts and polled the TPG Lounge to find out the pros and cons before making a final purchase ' and the responses did not disappoint. Here are the major takeaways.
Polycarbonate is the secret weapon behind any hard-shell case's durability. Many readers commented that clothes managed to stay dry when these non-porous cases get caught on the tarmac in the rain. When packing fragile items, like wine, a hard-shell case offers an added layer of protection when getting tossed around during travel (although there are plenty of ways to safely travel with wine when packing a soft-sided bag).
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Finally, and maybe the point that hit closest to home for this survivor, is added protection from bed bugs. It's tougher for these ruthless critters to penetrate a hard shell, and there are fewer places for them to hide inside. That alone could be reason enough for me to make the switch.
This can be a pro or a con depending on your travel style. For chronic over packers, using a bag that forces you to keep your load light can be beneficial when it comes time to stuff your bag in an overhead compartment or meet tight carry on requirements on certain airlines. This also helps keep the weight down which can make for an easier travel day.
Hard-shell cases not only look modern, many are modern. Many feature built-in power banks, a huge plus for those who rely on their devices during long travel days (let's be honest: in a world of QR codes and digital boarding passes, who doesn't?). Some even come with digital locks that you can control through your smartphone.
This was by far and away the biggest complaint for the hard-shell club, and one that I hadn't considered. Because the zippers of most hard-shell cases are right in the middle, you have to fully open the entire case to retrieve something as opposed to simply lifting the lid. This means it's tougher to quickly grab something from your bag and, possibly even more problematic, when laid open in a hotel room, can take up value space ' especially smaller European rooms.
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Related: Travel is back ' and that means it's time for a luggage upgrade
Many TPG Loungers also confessed to needing to use packing cubes to keep their items in order due to the way these bags open. While the packing cube club is a loyal one, if that's not something you mess with, sticking with a bag with more built-in compartments may be a better option.
Outside pockets are typically where I stash my laptop for easy access as well as bulky reading materials or other heavy items I don't want weighing down my shoulder bag. However, most hard-shell cases tend not to come equipped with external pockets. Consider where those items will ultimately end up being stored if an easily accessible pocket is no longer available.
Related: What to do if an airline damages your luggage
A few readers commented that they had booked travel experiences that prohibited or limited the use of hard-shell cases, such as select cruises and safaris. Although this is not likely to happen often, it's something to keep in mind if you book a smaller excursion or with a smaller-scale travel company that might have difficulty packing or storing these bags.
Change can be hard. I have a soft-sided bag that I am happy with, but given I don't purchase a new set of luggage every day, I don't want to miss an opportunity to get with the times and go hard shell. The majority of TPG Loungers who have made the switch seem to be happy they did so. And, the few complaints they did have, like the clamshell open, don't seem to be major deterrents. If you're still, ahem, up in the air like I am, consider taking our quiz on what your luggage brand says about you to help get you sorted.
Photo by wera Rodsawang/Getty Images
Shot of queue of passengers waiting at boarding gate at airport. Group of people standing in queue ... [+] to board airplane.
gettyI travel by plane four times a month, with a few road trips thrown in for good measure, and I've watched as suitcase preferences have changed over the years. I'm seeing more hard-sided luggage than ever before ' enough to make me get my own hard bag to get to the bottom of this upswing. Mind you, I've never owned hard luggage in my life, so this was a big step for me, and one I am glad I took. But I still love my soft luggage and happily switch between the two of them.
Link to Shengtailuo Case &Bag
There's so much to consider here, from durability to weight to ' let's face it ' how much you can stuff inside without massive wrinkling or messy breakage. So with all that in mind, here are two great carry-ons ' one soft-shell and one hard-shell ' and the pros and cons that go along with each.
Travel suitcase isolated on white.
gettyWhen it came time to replace my old bag, I opted for what I saw all the flight attendants using ' Travelpro. I purchased the Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-on Spinner. It was lightweight, affordable, and durable, with the added bonus of a history of excellent reviews. I've found it to be consistently reliable, and with the exception of some black surface marks from the times I checked the bag, it has worn incredibly well. Here are the benefits and weaknesses of a softside suitcase:
A soft bag tends to be lightweight, and on the occasions when I've had to check mine, it's never been subjected to overweight restrictions or additional costs, a huge consideration when buying a suitcase. Moving through the airport is easy ' just a light grip pulls the suitcase along seamlessly. And lifting this case up into and down from the overhead is not a strain.
Soft luggage tends to remain more popular than hard luggage because it is more flexible. You can pack it to the gills, open the extender zipper for a couple extra inches, and shove a laptop in the large front zipper compartment. You can wedge shoes along the sides, pushing the edges out to their maximum capacity. Basically, you have wiggle room where needed.
Conversely, if your suitcase isn't jam packed, you can squeeze it into smaller spaces, an option you won't get with a hard-shell suitcase. I've been able to finagle mine into smaller-than-usual overhead bins or find a spot for it in a packed shuttle suitcase rack.
My biggest concern about soft suitcases has always been their ability to protect what I've packed inside, and I think that concern has merit. If I decide ' as I have on a few occasions ' to check my bag on my return flight, I worry about my liquids every single time. Will my bag appear on the claim belt drenched in red wine? Will I manage to ruin all of my clothes packed inside? If you've ever watched bags being handled by airport personnel or worse ' airport machines ' you've likely sweated the safe return of your bag. Soft-sided luggage just doesn't give you the peace of mind you need when packing liquids or breakables.
It's rare with a good quality suitcase like Travelpro, but fabric can be ripped and stained over time. Soft-sided suitcases are more susceptible to overhead damage, being crushed by heavier suitcases, and soaking up general 'gunk' that is part of the checked bag process. Eventually, no matter how carefully you take care of your bag, you have to accept that when it's out of your hands, it will be beaten up and stained, and that wear will show.
The emerald hard-case Tumi in full size and carry-on
Courtesy of TumiWhen I dipped my toe into the hard-shell luggage pool, I decided to go with the increasingly popular Tumi brand. The latest and greatest is the Tegra-Lite line made from recycled materials that are durable and lightweight. I travel with a suitcase I've grown to love ' the International Front Pocket Expandable Four-Wheeled Carryon.
The main reason travelers opt for hard-shell luggage is durability and protection against damaged contents. And I have to say that using my very first hard suitcase gave me a sense of peace, especially when I had to check it. No matter how far that bag was tossed, the contents would be safe. And if a liquid broke inside, it might spill onto some contents, but it wouldn't damage and stain the outer suitcase as it would a soft-sided one.
And speaking of moisture, one must consider what your bag will be exposed to, weather-wise. If you've ever retrieved a soft-sided bag from a baggage carousel and found it soaked from being transported in the rain, you know what I mean. Not to mention shuttle transports to your destination and your own walks through the rain, suitcase in tow. Hard-shell suitcases can easily be cleaned and toweled off.
While my Travelpro has one large packing section, my Tumi splits the sections in half, with one half in a zippered, covered section, and the other open with straps to contain the contents. This allows me to pack shoes and miscellaneous options in one half and my clothes in the other, with no fear of transfer of germs and dirt. And while this bag complies with international standards (making it a couple inches smaller than U.S. approved bags) its layout (especially with the expander open) allows me to carry just as much.
There's no squeezing hard-shell luggage into a small space ' it simply won't get smaller or allow itself to be tucked around overhead hinges and protrusions. It's the biggest downside to hard luggage, so if this aspect is important to you, you might want to stick to a soft carry-on and perhaps try a hard bag you can check for the best of both worlds.
The first time you get a scuff on the outside of your gleaming new hard-shell suitcase, you'll sigh and bemoan your decision. In my mind, a scuff is no different whether it's on a soft-shell piece or a hard-shell piece ' and scuffs will happen no matter how much care you take. Just know that hard luggage is still susceptible to damage. Tumi is known for its advanced technology in its materials (and the price reflects that), so if you want a bag that will stay in great shape over the years and you can afford it, it's a great choice.
For more information, please visit Fabric Suitcase Set.