The Difference between Soft Sided and Hard Sided Luggage – Explained

The Difference between Soft Sided and Hard Sided Luggage – Explained

If you have been looking into your different luggage options for a holiday you’ve been planning or a business trip maybe, then you will have definitely heard of the terms soft sided and hard sided. This essentially describes the material that the luggage is made out of. In order to choose between the two types, it is a good idea to learn about the benefits and drawbacks that each type offers. With this in mind, please read on to learn about the pros and cons of each type.

Soft Sided Luggage

Soft sided luggage is usually made of canvas or other soft material. This type of luggage is often found in the form of sports bags and the like, but there are also plenty of soft sided luggage sets that are used for traveling too. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros:

Flexibility – One of the biggest benefits that come with soft sided luggage is that it offers far more flexibility than hard sided. This means that you are able to store more in your luggage, which can be particularly helpful if you are traveling for a week or more.

Style – Another of the advantages of soft sided luggage is that it is generally more stylish. There are more designs available to choose from and fashion is often at the forefront of the design. If you want something that is stylish whilst still remaining practical then soft sided luggage is probably the best option for you.

Cons:

Water Resistance – One of the issues that you may find with this type of luggage is that more often than not, the fabrics used are not water resistant. This can be a big problem if you are traveling to a country where the weather is unpredictable and even more of a problem if you are carrying expensive items such as laptops or smartphones.

Less Secure – Another issue that you have with soft sided luggage is that it is not as safe and secure as hard sided. There are some luggage sets that have rip proof fabric which prevent theft, but they aren’t very common. If you are carrying expensive things or you are traveling to an area where crime is a concern, then you might want to look into hard side luggage instead.

Hard Sided Luggage

Hard sided luggage is the more common type that you will see in airports all over the world. These cases are usually made out of polypropylene or something equally as tough. Here are the pros and cons:

Pros:

Prevent Damage – When your luggage is in transit, it is important to remember that it will get bashed around quite a lot. This can often cause damage to the contents of your case. One of the biggest advantages that come with using hard sided luggage is that the hard material protects your belongings during travel.

More Capacity – Although there are some soft sided cases that have quite a bit of capacity, you are more likely to get bigger capacity with a hard sided case. This can be very useful if you are traveling for more than a week at a time or you want to pack for more than one person.

More Secure – More often than not, hard sided luggage will have a much more secure lock than soft sided. If you want to make sure that your luggage remains safe and secure and you are carrying expensive items, then hard sided is definitely going to be the best option.

Ultimately, choosing between the two comes down to whichever option is going to serve you best. Each option has their benefits and drawbacks, so carefully consider how long you will be traveling for and where you are traveling before making your choice.

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