Dec.18: PUBLIC INTEREST
- Posted by CERC India
- Posted in DCMBR
Should you buy a hard or soft suitcase?
When you go to a store to buy a suitcase, the staff will ask you whether you want a hard-sided piece or a soft one. Consider the features below before making your decision.
Durability: Nowadays, hard-sided luggage is made with high-tech plastics such as ABS and polycarbonate which are lightweight and durable. Polycarbonate suitcases are also scratch-resistant. Soft luggage is made of nylon or polyester. It is less sturdy and more likely to get torn, dirty and smelly.
Weight: Even lightweight hard-sided luggage is usually heavier than soft luggage in the empty state. So if there is a weight limit, you will be able to carry fewer items in a hard suitcase.
Flexibility: Soft-sided luggage can compress to fit into tight spaces, such as the overhead bin in an airplane or the boot of a car. It takes up less room to store at home.It is also easier to stuff in extra things into a flexible soft suitcase.
Accessibility: Soft suitcases have pockets on the front of the luggage itself – a perfect place to keep essential travel items that you might need in a hurry.
Protection: A hard suitcase is better if you are packing fragile and valuable items, as it may be handled roughly. Hard luggage is also more secure as it cannot be ripped open easily and usually has built-in locks. As for soft luggage, unless your suitcase is made of water-resistant material, the contents can get wet if exposed to rain.
Design: Hard-sided luggage usually has a ‘clamshell’ design where you can pack the two sides equally and secure the contents with a strap. The disadvantage is that you require double the space to spread it open.
Cosmetic aspects: Hard-sided luggage has a far greater aesthetic appeal. Though, if you are going for the backpacker or athletic look, a soft bag may be ideal. Hard suitcases come in a larger variety of colours which make them easy to spot at the baggage carousel.
All in all, hard suitcases seem to have more advantages than soft luggage.
Sources: www.consumerreports.org, www.luggagepros.com, traveltips.usatoday.com
