Durability: Hard Suitcases

When it comes to durability, hard shell suitcases take the cake by far.Most modern hard suitcases have a polycarbonate shell, which is more durable than plastic and lighter than aluminum. Since polycarbonate is somewhat flexible, these suitcases are less likely to crack, which used to be more of a problem when plastic suitcases were more prevalent.

Aluminum suitcases are incredibly durable, but they tend to be heavier than most other options. If protection is the biggest factor for you,aluminum hard shell suitcases are the way to go. They may pick up some dents as time goes on, but these can often be evened out if you have the right tools.

Plastic suitcases can be a decent option depend on the durability of the specific type of plastic. Though polycarbonate suitcases tend to be both lighter and more durable, plastic suitcases are usually more inexpensive. If you’re only looking for some moderate protection at a lower price, plastic suitcases can be a good choice.

Hard shell suitcases tend to be more water-resistant overall as well.Though most aren’t completely waterproof, you don’t have to worry about a little rain damaging the exterior, and your belongings should stay dry as well. Soft suitcases, on the other hand, are more prone to soak up water. If that water is dirty—say, splashed up by car on a wet street—you’ll have trouble cleaning it out. Note that many soft suitcases do have a water-resistant liner, though.

Expandability: Soft Suitcases

It’snot a good idea to overfill any type of suitcase, but soft suitcases give you some wiggle room when it comes to capacity. While a hard case isn’t going to give you any leeway, soft suitcases are often designed with expandable compartments that are unlocked with a zipper. If you’re the type of traveler who likes to buy lots of souvenirs, it’s a good idea to make sure you have the room to bring them back. (Just make sure not to pack too heavy if you’re flying!)

Cleanliness: Hard Suitcases

If you’re planning on owning a suitcase for a long time, it can be tough to keep the fabric clean. Soft suitcases tend to get a bit dingy as time goes on, and if anything gets spilled on one, it’s tough to clean out. Hard suitcases, on the other hand, aren’t absorptive. You don’t have to worry nearly as much about the environment taking its toll on the exterior. If toothpaste squirts inside your suitcase, though, the exterior won’t matter much!

Price: Soft Suitcases

If price is your biggest factor, soft suitcases will tend to win out.There are always exceptions, but suitcases made with fabrics and meshes are cheaper to produces than many hard suitcases, and prices reflect that. If you just need something to hold your stuff while you travel, an inexpensive soft suitcases is a good way to go.

It’s best not to skimp too much on quality, though. Sure, that canvas bag might be half the price of a nice mesh suitcase, but if it only lasts 1 year instead of 5, you’ve just lost money.

Flying: Both!

There are advantages to both hard and soft cases when you’re flying. It mostly comes down to check-in vs. carry-on.

If you’re checking in your bag, it’s a good idea to go with the most durable option: hard shell. Once your bag is checked in, you have no control over how it’s handled. While airport luggage is generally handled with enough care, some airlines are known for not being so gentle with their passenger’s possessions. If you’re travelling with something fragile like pottery or a laptop, you’ll want to protect your belongings from the pressures of behind-the-scenes air travel.

For carry-on suitcases, soft shell is the way to go. If you fly very often, you’re probably pretty familiar with the frustrated passenger trying to shove a solid suitcase into an overhead bin that’s just a little bit too small. Soft suitcases can be squeezed a little bit if you find yourself in a tight spot, which could be the only thing keeping a flight attendant from gate-checking your emergency change of clothes.

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Here’s a pros and cons list, all things considered: