Suitcases: Hard or soft?
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
We take 1 of each! While the soft are durable they can be sliced into , I use the hard to carry back things I've bought particularly pictures as even while durable when 20 other suitcases are piled on top of a soft side in the airplane hold it gives. Funnily enough , the soft and hard side cases I have are the same size but the hard sided case weighs less and has better rollers than my soft which cost twice as much!
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
I was a soft case devotee for years, bought my first hard case a couple of years ago, and haven't taken a trip without it since. It's a rolling carry-on by Samsonite, and I ADORE it. It also has the added benefits of (1) limiting the amount of stuff I can cram into it, making me really think through what I want to take, and (2) being able to be checked at the gate without fear -- even if there are fragiles in it. This enables me to take a folded-up canvas bag in which I can pack the breakables. I've never had anything break in my luggage -- and considering what I've packed, my family thinks it's a miracle
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
I prefer soft - I don't want to have any more weight to deal with than I'm already carrying on my hips! Seriously, I don't pack anything breakable, and I only ever take a rolling backpack, no matter how long the trip. The extra weight wouldn't be worth the protection to me. I've carried the same Eagle Creek backpack to Europe 8 times in the last 3 years and it doesn't even show wear.
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
You should think where you are going to use them next time. If you are planning to go on safari one day remember that on some small planes only soft bags are accepted. Similar situation in Maldives if you are flying to small islands or Mauritius. Personally we switched a few years ago to soft sided ORVIS bags and are very happy with them. When one bag got damaged in Montreal airport Orvis repaired it for free and no questions were asked. So we are devoted to our softsided Orvis bags.