Hardside luggage is made from a rigid outer shell (usually ABS, polycarbonate, or polypropylene) and offers better impact protection as well as protection from moisture. Softside luggage is made from flexible fabric such as polyester or nylon, is usually lighter, compresses better, and often offers more outer pockets. Which type suits you better depends mainly on your travel style and what you're carrying.
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What Is Hardside Luggage?
A piece of hardside luggage is made from a rigid, shape-stable outer shell. This is usually manufactured from plastics like ABS, polycarbonate, or polypropylene, and less commonly from aluminium. The rigid shell reliably protects the contents from knocks, pressure, and moisture, which is why hardside suitcases are especially popular for air travel.
The most common materials differ significantly in weight, sturdiness, and price:
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ABS: the cheapest hardside material, flexible and pliable — quickly springs back into shape after a dent. Look for wall thickness and reinforced corners; well-made ABS suitcases offer solid protection at an attractive price.
- Polycarbonate: lightweight, sturdy, and flexible material — considered a premium choice among hardside suitcases. Springs back into shape after impact rather than breaking. More prone to scratches than polypropylene.
- Polypropylene: a very tough and impact-resistant material, a more affordable alternative to polycarbonate. Suitcases made from polypropylene are usually somewhat heavier than polycarbonate models.
- Aluminium: the toughest and most durable material among hardside suitcases — especially popular with business travellers. Aluminium is virtually indestructible, but heavier and more expensive than plastic alternatives. Under heavy impact, the shell can dent rather than flex back.
A simple practical test shows the difference: press on the suitcase shell, and good polycarbonate springs back into its original shape – inferior ABS stays dented or cracks. Anyone after maximum durability who's willing to accept the extra weight will find the toughest option on the market in aluminium suitcases.
What Is Softside Luggage?
Softside luggage refers to suitcases and travel bags with a flexible outer shell made from woven material such as polyester, nylon, or Cordura. Instead of a rigid shell, a sturdy fabric protects the contents here. The big advantage: softside luggage is usually lighter, can be expanded via expansion zips, and offers extra storage through outer pockets.
The most common materials at a glance:
- Polyester: the most widely used material for softside luggage. Lightweight, shape-retaining, easy to care for, and attractively priced – though it absorbs moisture slightly more readily than nylon.
- Nylon (polyamide): more tear- and abrasion-resistant than polyester, but usually in a higher price bracket. Considered the toughest standard option for frequent travellers.
- Cordura: a high-performance fabric originally developed for military use. Extremely abrasion-resistant and durable, mainly used in premium travel bags and backpacks.
The tear strength of fabrics is stated in denier (den): the higher the value, the more hard-wearing the material. A typical travel bag fabric often falls in the range of 600 to 1,000 den.
Also typical of softside luggage are expansion zips, multiple outer compartments, and – in classic wheeled travel bags – sturdy fabric combined with reinforced base panels. Brands such as Eastpak are a good example of this bag type, which proves especially useful for car, train, and short trips.
Hardside vs. Softside: The Direct Comparison
Both suitcase types have clear strengths and weaknesses. The table below shows the key differences at a glance:
| Criterion | Hardside | Softside |
|---|---|---|
| Impact protection | High, especially with polycarbonate | Medium, depending on the internal frame |
| Weight (75 cm) | approx. 3.5–5.5 kg depending on material | approx. 3–4.5 kg |
| Flexibility / storage space | Rigid, usually only expandable via an expansion zip | Expandable, often more volume at the same size |
| Water resistance | High, usually rainproof | Only water-repellent, not waterproof |
| Outer pockets | Rarely present | Usually several, for quick access |
| Care | Easy to wipe clean, prone to scratches | More effort to clean, but scratch-resistant |
| Lifespan | approx. 10 years or more for polycarbonate | approx. 5–8 years with good care |
These figures apply to the common plastic variants ABS, polycarbonate, and polypropylene. Aluminium suitcases form a special category of hardside luggage: they outperform all other materials in sturdiness and durability, but are noticeably heavier and usually priced well above polycarbonate models.
When Is Hardside Luggage the Better Choice?
Hardside luggage is especially well suited to air travel, since it protects the contents from rough handling at the airport. When transporting delicate items such as electronics, glass, or souvenirs, the rigid shell also has the advantage, as it absorbs impacts or at least reliably cushions them.
Hardside suitcases are specifically recommended for:
- Frequent flyers who regularly check in luggage
- Trips involving fragile or delicate contents
- Regions with a high likelihood of rainfall
- Travellers who value easy cleaning
For hand luggage, especially lightweight hardside models made from polycarbonate or polypropylene are well suited, as they offer protection without unnecessarily eating into the permitted hand luggage weight limit. You can find out how big and heavy a suitcase is allowed to be for hand luggage in our hand luggage guide.
When Is Softside Luggage the Better Choice?
Softside luggage plays to its strengths wherever flexibility and storage space matter more than maximum impact protection. For car, train, or motorhome trips, a soft travel bag is easier to squeeze into irregularly shaped boots or storage compartments. Classic wheeled travel bags combine the advantages of a bag with the mobility of a trolley.
Softside luggage is specifically recommended for:
- Trips by car, train, or motorhome
- Heavy packers who appreciate the extra storage offered by expansion zips and outer pockets
- Travellers who need quick access to documents or small items
- Everyday and short trips, where lower weight matters more than maximum protection
Hybrid Suitcases: The Best of Both Worlds?
Hybrid suitcases combine a hard front or back panel with flexible fabric elements and outer pockets. The idea: maximum protection from the hard shell, combined with the accessibility and expandability of softside luggage. Hybrid models are a sensible option for anyone who can't quite decide between the two types, though they usually come with a compromise on weight and maximum protection.
Conclusion
The choice between hardside and softside luggage depends mainly on how and with what you travel. Anyone who flies frequently and transports delicate items is well served by a hardside suitcase made from polycarbonate. Anyone travelling by car or train who values flexibility and extra storage will benefit from softside luggage. Many frequent travellers therefore rely on both types: a sturdy hardside suitcase for flights and a flexible travel bag for shorter trips.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Hardside and Softside Luggage
Which is more durable: hardside or softside luggage?
High-quality polycarbonate hardside suitcases usually last more than ten years, as the material withstands impacts by flexing rather than breaking. Softside luggage made from good nylon or Cordura lasts around 5 to 8 years with careful use.
Which suitcase is better suited as hand luggage?
For hand luggage, lightweight hardside suitcases made from polycarbonate or polypropylene are particularly well suited, as they offer protection while keeping their own weight low. Lightweight softside models made from nylon are also a good option if extra storage from outer pockets is important.
Is hardside luggage heavier than softside luggage?
Not necessarily. Cheap ABS hardside suitcases are usually heavier than comparable softside luggage. High-quality polycarbonate or polypropylene models, on the other hand, often weigh about the same as nylon softside luggage.
What happens if a hardside suitcase is dropped or thrown?
High-quality materials like polycarbonate absorb the impact by flexing and then spring back into their original shape. Cheaper ABS suitcases are more brittle and can crack or break under heavy impact.
Which material is easiest to care for?
Hardside suitcases are the easiest to care for: a damp cloth is usually enough to remove dirt. Softside luggage requires a bit more effort, as stains and dirt can penetrate deeper into the fabric.
Which types of trips is softside luggage recommended for?
Softside luggage is especially well suited to car, train, and motorhome trips, where flexibility in packing matters more than maximum impact protection. Anyone who packs a lot and appreciates expansion zips or outer pockets is also well served by softside luggage.
Are there combination suitcases made from both hardside and softside materials?
Yes, so-called hybrid suitcases combine a hard outer shell with flexible fabric elements and outer pockets. They offer a compromise between protection and flexibility, but usually don't achieve the full protection of pure hardside models.