The Ultimate Guide to Hardside Luggage | Most Frequently Asked Questions
Are you on the hunt for the perfect luggage that can prove to be a trusted travel companion but have many doubts about hardside luggage? Look no further; this guide to hardside luggage has covered most of the questions that travelers have in mind before choosing hardside luggage.
In this guide to hardside luggage, we’ll dive into detail and cover the most frequent concerns about hardside luggage, like the best material for hardside luggage, why it’s so popular, and whether hardside luggage is better than softside luggage.
So whatever your concern is about hardside luggage, most likely you’ll get the answer here. So let’s start.
Table of Contents
What are the Benefits of Hardside Luggage?
- Hardside suitcases provide excellent build quality
- They’re resistant to water and temperature changes
- They can be cleaned more easily
- They look aesthetically more stylish and appealing
- Hardside suitcases also come without a zipper
What are the disadvantages of hardside luggage?
There are a few disadvantages of hardside luggage that you can consider when choosing a hardside luggage. So let’s take a quick look at each of them.
- Generally, no outer compartments or pockets come in hardside luggage
- 10% to 35% heavier than softside luggage
- Cannot be compressed in tight places because of the hard structure
Do hard suitcases crack easily?
It depends on the material of your hardside luggage. There are various types of materials for hardside luggage, like aluminum, polycarbonate, polypropylene, and ABS. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages.
However, the material that is most likely to develop cracks is ABS. This is the cheapest but one of the most popular materials for luggage. It can easily get scratched and cracked under high pressure.
Polycarbonate is the best choice, especially if you don’t want your luggage to crack even under high pressure. This is the most popular, reliable, and durable luggage plastic material.
Do hard suitcases weigh more?
It depends on the type of material used in luggage and other materials. Generally, hardside suitcases weigh more than softside luggage. For instance, nylon and polyester are the lightest softside luggage materials and any hardside luggage of any material weighs more than suitcases made from nylon and polyester.
So whether it’s polycarbonate, polypropylene, ABS, or aluminum luggage, these materials are generally higher than nylon and polyester fabric materials.
But that’s not the case all the time. For instance, ballistic nylon, which is the most durable soft luggage material, is mostly higher than all hardside materials except aluminum.
Summing up, generally, all hardside luggage materials weigh more than softside luggage materials like nylon and polyester. But when it comes to ballistic nylon, all hardside luggage materials generally weigh less, except aluminum material.
Which material is best for hardside luggage?
So you might be wondering which material is best for hardside luggage. Let’s tell you that polycarbonate luggage material is the best material. This is the most durable, reliable, and popular luggage material.
The good thing about polycarbonate material is that it maintains durability without adding too much weight. It’s not the lightest material but still, it doesn’t make you feel heavy. Most polycarbonate luggage is scratch-resistant.
But I won’t say that it prevents scratches completely but to a certain extent, depending on the brand and models.
If you compare other materials like aluminum and ABS material with polycarbonate material, you’ll find that undoubtedly aluminum is even more durable, but at the same time, it’s way heavier and more expensive than PC.
When compared with ABS, it’s very cheap and easily develops cracks and damages. It can save you some money in the short term but in the long term, polycarbonate material is the one that helps you save much more.
Also Read: Best Samsonite Polycarbonate Luggage
Why is hardside luggage so popular?
There are various reasons why hardside luggage is so popular, let’s take a look at some of the most prominent reasons one by one.
Durability and Protection
Durability is one of the main reasons why people love hardside suitcases. Now there are various types of material, which I’ve already explained above. These materials are highly durable and resistant to water and temperature changes.
Another thing is that any ambitious thief can cut through the fabric of softside suitcases and steal your valuables and that is not the case with hardside suitcases. I don’t say that hardside suitcases are completely safe but at least they cannot be cut through easily and can prevent theft to a greater extent.
Modern Designs
Another main reason why people love hardside suitcases is just because of their aesthetics and appearance. Softside suitcases feel more traditional compared to hardside suitcases. With hardside suitcases, you get different designs and color options that provide you with an excellent look wherever you go, whether it’s an airport, a hotel, or any meeting.
Water Resistance
Water-resistant capability is another of the main reasons why hardside suitcases are so popular. Softside suitcases generally come with a coating that prevents rain from going through inside, but it can only prevent it to a certain extent.
Softside suitcases can’t save you from heavy rain or thunderstorms but with hardside suitcases, the case is different because these hardside suitcases are made from plastic materials that the water or rain cannot pass through.
However, in heavy rain or thunderstorms, water can still pass through the zippers but definitely, hardside suitcases prove a much better choice when it comes to protecting our belongings from rain.
Easy to Maintain
Maintenance is also one of the main reasons why people choose hardside suitcases over softside suitcases. Suitcases attract dust and debris, and in the case of softside luggage, it becomes very difficult to clean them completely.
You’ll need to completely wash the suitcase with detergent and water. But with hardside luggage, it’s way easier. You simply need a dry and wet piece of cloth, and with these two pieces of cloth, you can easily clean your luggage.
If you need to further clean it, then you need to wash it with water; otherwise, you’re good to go.
These were the main reasons why people prefer hardside luggage over softside luggage. There are many other benefits of hardside luggage as well, but we kept it precise and only discussed the main reasons.
But let me tell you, softside suitcases are not bad either; they also have benefits that hardside suitcases don’t.
Which brand of luggage is the most durable?
It’s difficult to specify the most durable luggage brand because it’s very subjective and depends on various factors like personal preference, type of travel, and budget.
But without applying any filters, Rimova, Tumi, Briggs & Riley, Away and Travelpro are some of the most durable luggage brands. These luggage brands are comparatively expensive and a single piece of Tumi or Rimvoa can cost you up to $1500.
So it depends on your budget. If your budget is moderate, you can go with either Briggs & Riley, Away, or Travelpro. These are the best luggage brands in terms of durability.
If you want something even more affordable, you can also consider Samsonite and Delsey; these brands are also durable, but not as durable as Briggs & Riley, Away, and Travelpro. But Samsonite and Delsey suitcases are also worth it. They can last for many years and are also backed by a 10-year warranty.
Also Read: Samsonite Omni PC vs. Omni 2 Luggage Comparison
How long do hardside suitcases last?
It depends on the brand and material used in the luggage. If you purchase a suitcase from the most durable and reputable brands like Away, Tumi, Rimova, Briggs & Riley, and even Travelpro, it’s most likely to last for a lifetime. That’s the reason why they offer a lifetime warranty instead of a 10-year warranty, because they know the strength of their suitcases.
On the other hand, there are various brands like Samsonite and Delsey, and their suitcases are most likely to last for up to 10 years if taken care of properly.
But if your suitcase is made of ABS material, it cannot last as long as that of polycarbonate. No matter which luggage brand you choose. They’re more likely to get damaged and cracked sooner. So if you want your luggage to last as long as possible, consider choosing a reliable brand and a polycarbonate or aluminum material for your luggage.
Guide to Hardside Luggage: FAQs
Is hardside luggage more durable than softside luggage?
It’s difficult to decide which one is more durable because, in both categories, there are highly durable suitcases. It depends on your preferences and requirements and what type of luggage you choose.
For hardside suitcases, aluminum and polycarbonate are the most durable materials.
For softside suitcases, nylon and ballistic nylon are the most durable fabrics.
Can hardside luggage be expanded like softside luggage?
Yes, hardside luggage also comes with an expandable capacity, just like softside suitcases. They generally expand between 1 and 2 inches, depending on the model and brand you choose.
A few brands, like Away, offer expansion up to 2.5 inches, which is the biggest expansion in the industry.
Do hardside suitcases offer better protection for fragile items?
Yes, hardside suitcases offer better protection, especially for fragile items. The outer shell of hardside luggage absorbs all the shocks and bumps that your luggage goes through. It can also easily handle the rough handling by baggage handlers, providing you with better protection for your fragile items.
Can hardside luggage be used as checked luggage?
Yes, hardside luggage can be used as checked luggage. But there are two things to keep in mind: one is material and the second is airline rules.
Make sure you get polycarbonate luggage so that it doesn’t get damaged during rough handling and make sure your luggage stays within the restrictions of the airlines you like to fly with.
Do hardside suitcases come with a warranty?
Yes, if you’re purchasing your luggage from a reputable brand, they offer a reliable warranty to ensure that you’re satisfied in the long run and their customers’ trust. The warranty’s durability can vary depending on the models and brands.
A few brands offer a lifetime warranty and some offer a 10-year warranty. A few brands offer unconditional warranties, while most luggage brands offer a limited warranty that covers only manufacturing defects.
Looking to explore more Luggage Brands? Check out our Huge A-Z List of EVERY Luggage Brand to find the perfect luggage set for your upcoming travels!
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