Nov. 27, 2024
Apparel
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales upon us &#; and the festive season approaching &#; many Australians are turning their thoughts to heading off for a well-earned break.
If you're travelling this summer and in the market new luggage, you may find yourself tossing up between a hard-shell suitcase and a soft-sided one.
There's a lot to consider, so we take a look at the pros and cons of each.
Consumer advocacy group CHOICE puts suitcases through a rigorous series of trials, assessing durability, weight, and general stability and ease of use as the organisation's household expert Kim Gilmour explains.
"We have rigs where we run rain simulator showers through them, we do a lift and drop test where we drop them hundreds of times onto a hard surface, and we also do a puncture test and drop a sharp object onto them to see if they break," Ms Gilmour says.
"We find that when it comes to hard and soft, there's pros and cons of both types."
Perhaps unsurprisingly, hard-shell suitcases generally fare better in puncture tests; when soft cases are punctured, they can rip and make a hole, but that damage can often be easily repaired.
You can often squeeze a few extra items in a soft-sided suitcase. (Supplied: Vlada Karpovich/Unsplash)
"[But] if something cracks in our lift and drop test on a hard-shell one, it's really hard to fix that and the crack might get bigger, or little pieces of plastic might break off," Ms Gilmour says.
Hard-shell suitcases are generally constructed from high-tech plastics, and aluminium, which is more durable, but also heavier than its plastic counterparts.
Soft-sided luggage is commonly made from woven nylon blends such as cordura, ballistic and ripstop.
Photo shows David Stuart with his wife and two children on a Denmark beach at sunrise.
But appearances can be deceiving, and hard-shell suitcases don&#;t always weigh more than soft-sided ones.
"A number of the hard cases are actually quite light," Ms Gilmour says. "They're made of ultra-lightweight materials that are quite durable and a number of the soft ones are made of kind of a heavier type of type of vinyl material, so [opting for a hard-shell] doesn't necessarily mean that you're going to get a heavy suitcase."
If you're not planning on checking-in your luggage, it's important to remember most airlines have a 7-kilogram limit for carry-on suitcases.
"A number of the ultra-lightweight models might be under two kilos or so, so that gives you plenty of space to take it up with the rest of your belongings.
"We're seeing quite a few around the two-and-a-half-kilo mark, about a third of the of the [carry-on] allowance or a bit over that, so if you're [only] paying $40 for a model you might be prepared to sacrifice a little bit of weight."
One of the big tips to take heed of when looking for a new suitcase is to shop around &#; particularly during Black Friday and Boxing Day sales.
Big-brand suitcases can sell for hundreds of dollars and as Ms Gilmour explains, there are often discounts on offer &#; even when it's not sales season.
"One thing we do say is don't go by the recommended retail price," she says.
"Quite a number of stores will have discounts and it just pays to shop around because you might save hundreds off the recommended price."
As well as avoiding paying full retail for a suitcase, shoppers shouldn't assume that a hefty price tag automatically equals higher quality.
"Paying the cheapest [amount] doesn't necessarily mean you'll get a bad product," Ms Gilmour says.
"If you've got a carry-on suitcase and it's not going to be thrown around, and you're going to be with it most of the time, maybe it's just worth getting a cheap one."
Soft-sided suitcases have a bit of "give", so you can squeeze a few extra items in.
They often have external pockets, which can be handy for quick access &#; but make sure they can be locked if you're intending to store important documents or items in there.
You have to check in luggage that weighs more than 7kg limit on most airlines. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
Transport Security Administration (TSA) locks are a feature on many suitcases and allow you to secure your luggage while still making it possible for security authorities to inspect baggage without damaging the locks.
Hard-sided suitcases might offer greater protection for your belongings &#; especially if you're checking luggage in &#; but fitting additional belongings inside might be more difficult.
Four-wheel spinner cases have become more common than two-wheelers and rotate 360 degrees, which allows for greater manoeuvrability. But they can sometimes be trickier to control on rough terrain and inclines.
And importantly, make sure you check how far the handle extends &#; especially if you're tall.
"Check things like how tall the handle goes up to if you're a particularly tall person, how many different settings you have for the handle for heights, and just how easy it is to manoeuvre."
The age-old baggage conundrum rages on. Hard vs soft luggage: which is the best option?
While the tried-and-tested soft-shell style remains the most popular choice among consumers, its hard-shell adversary has been making inroads in recent years.
In this post, we're cracking the case of the soft or hard luggage debate. Read on to learn about the core characteristics of each luggage type and their key pros and cons.
Also known as soft luggage or soft-shell luggage, this popular baggage type is exactly as it sounds: soft.
Now, that&#;s not to say it&#;s made out of fluffy cotton. Rather, softside luggage features a malleable fabric on the outer shell. That way, the bag can be contorted to fit inside irregular-sized spaces, like an overhead compartment or a narrow luggage locker. And as a bonus, it&#;s a cinch to store while it&#;s not in use.
Manufacturers construct soft-sided luggage using a tough, high-yield material such as woven nylon. There are three main types of nylon to consider:
Cordura nylon has a sleek woven texture and is relatively soft and abrasion-resistant.
Ballistic nylon is a bit glossier but tends to abrade.
Ripstop nylon is tough and super weather-resistant but doesn&#;t look as stylish (it&#;s more commonly used to produce outdoor accessories than luggage).
Soft-sided luggage typically features exterior pockets so you can quickly stash your essentials. On the downside, it usually only has two wheels, making rolling navigation cumbersome. What&#;s more, you usually won&#;t find integrated locks on soft-sided luggage.
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Commonly referred to as hard luggage or hard-shell luggage, this heavy-duty baggage type is defined by its sturdy exterior.
Hard-sided luggage features a rigid, virtually-impenetrable outer shell designed to provide optimal protection for the contents within. While a hard-shell suitcase will keep your valuables safe from rain, hail, or shine (or an overzealous baggage handler), it won&#;t easily squeeze into confined spaces&#;flexibility is not the hard-shell&#;s forte.
Manufacturers make modern hard-sided luggage from lightweight, durable materials, either high-tech plastics or aluminium.
The top-of-the-line hardside suitcases have a polycarbonate shell with a reinforced aluminium frame. Therefore, you get the best of both worlds: lightweight and durable.
Most hard-shell luggage comes in the classic clamshell design, where a zipper down the middle opens the case in an even, 50/50 split. That way, you can pack both sides evenly to create an equal weight distribution. Note that you&#;ll need twice the bag&#;s surface area to open it up, which can be a tad tricky in confined spaces.
Some hardside luggage opens via a zipper on the lid. This design lets you quickly access your bag in a small space, but you&#;ll need to rummage around a bit to find what you need.
Due to a rigid outer shell, hard luggage does not usually feature exterior pockets. That said, almost all come with interior pockets and sleeves for storing accessories.
Soft-shell luggage reigns supreme in the baggage sales game due to a range of benefits. We examine the primary pros below.
The main selling point for the soft option is its superior flexibility. Built from a malleable material, this pliable fabric-encased bag can be contorted to squeeze into small spaces, be it an overhead compartment or the gap underneath your bed.
As a soft-shell suitcase is stretchable (to a degree), you can squeeze more inside. Just be careful not to overpack, or you&#;ll risk breaking the zipper.
Softside luggage typically includes an exterior pocket or two, perfect for stowing travel essentials like your passport. This perk is even more beneficial when you only travel with one bag.
If you opt for a quality model made from high-grade materials, your soft-shell bag should stand the test of time. It won&#;t crack or scratch when tossed around by a time-poor baggage handler.
Soft-shell luggage tends to be a tad lighter than hard-sided, which lets you carry more contents without exceeding the airline weight limit.
The soft-side design isn&#;t without its drawbacks, which we examine in detail below.
The soft, malleable outer shell means your contents will feel the full force of the impact every time your bag bumps around. The absence of a shock-absorbing shell puts fragile items &#; glassware, electronics, instruments &#; at immense risk. While you may treat your luggage with great care, not everybody else will.
Soft-sided suitcases don&#;t provide adequate water protection. Leave your suitcase out in the rain for more than a few minutes and the contents will suffer as a result. Dampness can also lead to odours developing.
While soft luggage won&#;t scratch or crack, it certainly will stain. Spill some red wine on the surface and your suitcase will instantly lose some of its aesthetic appeal. What&#;s more, mud, dust and food stains are a huge pain to clean from fabric.
Soft-sided luggage is less secure. Would-be thieves can easily slice through the thin fabric and start rummaging through. Also, most don&#;t come with an integrated lock, so you&#;ll have to purchase one separately.
Soft-sided luggage typically doesn&#;t come with four wheels (most models feature two or none), making it harder to manoeuvre the suitcase around the airport terminal or hotel lobby. However, backpack-style soft-shell bags can be picked up and carried over rugged terrain.
Let&#;s take a look at the pros and cons of hardside luggage, starting with the benefits.
Encased by a durable, high-tech plastic shell, hard-sided luggage will keep your contents safe from harm. If you&#;ve invested in a tough polycarbonate or aluminium model, you can rest assured your laptop will survive the trip.
Spilt a drink onto your hard-shell suitcase? No matter. Just wipe it off with a sponge. Hard-shell luggage is extremely easy to clean. Just don&#;t use harsh chemicals or an abrasive scourer, as you might scratch or discolour the surface.
With many featuring a multi-directional wheel on every corner, the hard-shell suitcase is certainly the more agile (at least on a flat, smooth surface).
Although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, most feel hard-shell suitcases look that bit sleeker than their soft-sided counterparts. If you&#;re going for a sophisticated professional look, hard-shell always delivers.
Hard-shell luggage can be stacked up in a neat little pile without the risk of breaking the contents inside. This characteristic is uber-convenient on cruise ships where staff stack luggage vertically in the hull.
Keep the following hardside downsides in mind.
The main drawback is that hard-shell luggage can&#;t be twisted to fit into a small space. Hard-shell suitcases also require a lot of room to store at home, making them less convenient in this sense.
Because hard-shell suitcases use rigid, high-tech plastics or aluminium, the manufacturer usually won&#;t sew on any outside pockets.
Once a hard-shell suitcase is full, you&#;ve got zero chance of stuffing anything else in &#; it won&#;t flex at all. Nonetheless, that can be a boon for habitual over-packers as it forces you to re-think what you need.
The outer shell can scratch or scuff with time, especially if handled without due care. But do hard case suitcases break easily? Not really, but it can happen with excessive force.
While we&#;re on the topic of baggage, we thought we&#;d mention a few favourites from our Luggage collection.
If you like to travel light, then check out The Carry-on X. Custom-designed to comply with European, US and RoW carry-on size restrictions, this compact 42L polycarbonate suitcase lets you skip the baggage carousel and circumvent costly check-in luggage fees.
Unlike other hard-shell suitcases, it&#;s got an in-built exterior pocket to stow your essentials. Other perks include an optional USB charger, a space-saving compression pad, 360-degree manoeuvrability and a durable aluminium frame with a secure combination lock.
Whether you prefer longer excursions away or simply want to travel with a decent wardrobe in tow (we won&#;t judge), you&#;ll need that bit more packing space.
Our 62L polycarbonate check-in suitcase features the exact same elegant-yet-functional design as The Carry-on but with plenty of spare space to stow your clothes.
Still haven&#;t chosen a side on the great Carry-on vs Checked Bag debate? Or perhaps you just like the look of both these suitcases? Grab the two together at a discounted rate with The Luggage Set.
Flexibility
Malleable enough to contort into a tight space Rigid frame can&#;t be compressed to fit in small spaces Protection Soft exterior less likely to protect fragile items Tough exterior protects your valuables from extreme force Cleaning Difficult to clean stains from the fabric Easy to clean with a simple wipe down Durability Shell won&#;t scratch, crack, or scuff, although it can easily stain and sometimes tear May scratch, scuff or crack with rough use, although it won&#;t normally stain Weight Fabric-based luggage is generally lighter Expect hard-shell luggage to be slightly heavier Packing Can be stretched to fit more items inside Impossible to add more items once it&#;s full, as there is no give Security Easy to cut through and many don&#;t have integrated locks Better theft and tampering protectionNow we&#;ve defined both luggage types and discussed the pros and cons, one key question remains: is hard or soft luggage better? There&#;s no universal answer. The best option boils down to how you travel and what you pack.
If you travel with plenty of valuables, then hard-case wins hands down. The durable outer shell absorbs most of the brunt from bumps and knocks, leaving your contents unscathed. A hard-sided case is also more secure, easy to clean, manoeuvrable and stackable.
Soft-shell suitcases are the preferred option for people who aren&#;t stressed about protecting fragile contents. The malleable, shape-shifting form makes it simple to slide into tight spaces, while handy exterior pockets let you access your travel essentials with ease.
Now you&#;ve got the lowdown on hard vs soft luggage, all that&#;s left to do is pick the perfect suitcase for you.
Are you interested in learning more about Fabric Suitcase Set? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
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