Choosing between hardside vs softside luggage might be tricky if you haven’t used both in the past. Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine quality from the sellers as they will always tout their products as the best option for you.
Luckily you have me, because being a frequent traveler I have used both luggage on several trips and I can give reliable advice.
Now, before we dig into the main agenda, let’s look at the factors one should consider when deciding on using hardside vs softside luggage for your trip.
- Where you are going, in terms of weather.
- Length of your trip. Think about access to laundry because you need to clean your luggage, how much you carry, and the extras you will bring back.
- Mode of transport. Think about where and how your bag will be carried and handled.
- Type of items to be packed. Will you have anything delicate?
- How often do you travel?
- Think about durability & maneuverability.
Hardside vs Softside Luggage – Pros & Cons
In this article, I’ll look at hardside vs softside luggage, to understand the pros and cons of each so you can better choose which one fits your travel needs.
Soft-sided Luggage
Pros
Durability
Because they are made of flexible materials, soft-sided bags tend to be more durable, unless the craftsmanship is lacking or if they are exposed to too much impact.
If you are satisfied with the material, look at the zippers and the straps. Also, don’t forget to check the quality of the handle and the wheels because they determine the ease of maneuverability.
Flexibility
Soft-sided luggage is more flexible, and this is because of the material used. They are, therefore, easy to fit in various compact spaces, but you should be careful not to damage their content in the process.
Packing/carrying capacity
Because they are more flexible with dividers and many compartments, they are more expandable and easy to manipulate when packing.
Accessible compartments
One thing to love about this type of luggage is the numerous easy-to-access pockets where you can store your travel documents.
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Most have two wheels and are not so easy to maneuver
- Not available in various colors and patterns
Hard-sided luggage
Pros
Water-resistant & easy to clean
These are made of rigid materials that are also water resistant. As such, they are ideal for use during the rainy seasons and are also very easy to clean.
Better protection
Apart from protecting its content from liquids, this type of luggage takes on impacts better; thus, it is ideal for use when carrying delicate items. However, adding some cushion to your clothes might also help greatly.
The chance of theft also lessens, given how heavier and awkward it can be for someone to ‘lift’ it off of you in a flash.
Better maneuverability
Most hard-side luggage has four double wheels, and this means better maneuverability.
Available in various colors
I try to be as unique as possible with my luggage to help me locate it quickly at the baggage claim, and the hard-side option has made it possible.
Cons
- No external pockets; thus, accessing some items during travels might prove difficult
- Not flexible, so enough means enough, no way of manipulating it
- Not easy to fit in various spaces
Hardside Vs Softside Luggage – Final Thoughts
The determinants of what is better between hardside vs softside luggage are your needs, how you use it, and the nature of your trips since they have their strengths and weaknesses.
Furthermore, Reading consumer reviews and research before traveling is important to ensure that whatever you grab suits your needs.
