Hard Shell Luggage Vs Soft Shell Luggage: A Practical Comparison
Still struggling to choose the right luggage type out of these types? For you, we bring a practical comparison breaking down the two types of luggage. This will be the last guide you’ll ever need to make the choice.
Durability and Strength
Factors like durability, resistance, and strength are a huge factor that separates the two types of luggage. These factors might affect a traveler’s lifestyle in a range of scenarios.
If you are a frequent traveler, you must know about the rough handling of your baggage. The hard shell luggage is completely immune to these damages. Its hard exterior layer protects your fragile electronics and souvenirs from sudden impacts. Luggage with polycarbonate shells can flex and absorb to prevent shattering from rough handling. Soft shells are ineffective in such scenarios.
However, hard shells are more prone to scratches. Soft shell luggage hides them well. Hard shells, especially polycarbonate options, weaken over UV exposure. They can cause fading and become more brittle as well. Soft shell luggage is no different. They also show fading and abrasion under frequent UV exposure.
Security
Almost all luggage comes with anti-theft combination locks, but security spans much further. Thieves may use a variety of other ways to bypass locks and get access to your belongings. Here’s how hard shells and soft shells can offer security in different real-world cases.
The hard shell suitcase is extremely safe from slashes. The exterior shell is usually made from polycarbonate and durable plastics, which are very difficult to rip or cut open. Travelers can carry them with complete peace of mind, especially in crowded airports and streets.
Soft shell luggage is comparatively more vulnerable to theft. These luggage often have external pockets which may be convenient for you, but opportunistic theft. And sometimes during searches, the belongings in these pockets are more likely to be removed and not placed back.
But soft shell luggage also features hidden compartments, which can overcome this drawback.
Weather Protection
One of the crucial areas the two types differ is their weather resistance. The two types, hard shell and soft shell luggage, excel in different areas under this topic.
Hard Shell luggage offers better protection against rain and water submersion in almost all times. In most cases, they have the upper hand even though they aren’t fully waterproof.
Not just rainfall, the shell is resistant to snow, dirt, and dust as well. The fabric of the soft shells isn’t very effective in such harsh weather conditions.
Soft shell luggage doesn’t dry very fast either. They can be more prone to absorbency when wet and are more prone to staying damp.
Where soft shells benefit is by temperature sensitivity. In extreme cold environments, hard shells can crack while soft shells remain flexible.
Organisation & Packing Experience
Most travelers only notice its durability or flexibility differences. But the two types vary based on their layouts as well. This can impact the packing experience of travellers hugely.
The soft shell luggage is ideal for stuffing. Unlike hard shells, they aren’t rigid and can be adapted to your belongings. They even allow top loading, making it ideal for quick packing and short trips. The extra pocket advantage shouldn’t go unmentioned. They offer quick access to accessories and relevant belongings.
The hard shell suitcases often force a 50/50 clamshell layout, which makes the luggage open from the middle, giving two halves of storage. These mostly have plenty of interior pockets to help travelers organize and pack neatly. They offer flexibility in a whole other dimension.
Choosing Based on Your Lifestyle
Overall, hard shell luggage is clearly best for:
- International flights
- Carrying tech items, souvenirs, and other fragile items
- Rainy seasons
- Long-distance travel
Meanwhile, soft shell luggage can be best for:
- Road trips
- Work travel
- Expanding luggage needs
Trips that need packing flexibility
Pick Your Final Choice in Confidence
Prepare to pick the ideal luggage choice for your needs with Bag Plus. We offer a comprehensive variety of premium luggage in Sri Lanka for the best prices and reliable quality. Pick from a variety of global brands like Goby London and American Tourister that have won the trust of millions across the world.
Either hard shell luggage or soft shell luggage, whatever the choice you make, Bag Plus makes it a trendy and stylish decision.
Bag Plus, we cater to your bag needs in style and practicality.