What's the difference between a hard and soft shell suitcase?
Hard shell suitcase, soft suitcase, and travel bag on wheels comparison
| Hardside suitcases | Soft suitcase | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of holiday | Travels by plane | Travels by plane and car |
| Protects fragile items | Yes | No |
| Water-resistant | Yes | No |
| Shape adapts to your luggage | No | Yes |
| Closure | Zipper or snap closure | Zipper closure |
Type of holiday
Hard shell suitcase: travels by plane
A hard shell suitcase protects your luggage better than a soft shell suitcase. This means that your belongings are less likely to be damaged by falls and bumps than with a soft shell suitcase. So it's not a problem if your suitcase falls off the baggage carousel. The water also drains from the suitcase, which keeps your belongings dry. Because hard shell suitcases have a fixed shape, the shape doesn't adjust in the trunk like a soft shell suitcase does.
Soft suitcase: travels by car and plane
Thanks to the soft material, a soft suitcase easily fits in the trunk of your car. Your baggage is less protected from moisture and bumps than a hard shell suitcase. If you don't bring any fragile items, you can easily take it with you on your travels by plane as well.
Luggage compartment
Hard shell suitcase: limited space
Because a hard shell suitcase has a fixed shape, it doesn't adapt to your luggage. That means that the space in a hard shell suitcase is limited, so you can't fill it as easily. The material determines the flexibility of the suitcase. A polycarbonate suitcase is easier to till than a Curv suitcase, for example. Due to the material, a hard shell suitcase does take up a lot of space after your travels.
Soft suitcase: shapes adapts slightly
A soft suitcase has reinforced edges to keep its shape, but it slightly adapts the shape to your luggage thanks to the soft material. In addition, a soft suitcase often has a front compartment you can store extra items in. The shape of this compartment also adapts to the items you put in. And thanks to the soft material, you can store the suitcase more easily than a hard shell suitcase.
