Something you didn't mention, that I think is incredible important when choosing a carryon case in particular, is side handles. The presence or absence of side handles can make the difference between getting that case up into that over head compartment and back down again without assistance.
YES! I agree completely. And I'll admit, the Osprey (soft-sided) bag I show in this video is missing a side handle. My other soft-sided bags always had one, and I miss it. I shared this feedback with their design team. Their other soft-sided carry-on bags have side handles.
Hi Nora, I agree with everything you said but I would add one more thing in terms of moving your case around. When you carry your case on 2 wheels, the whole weight of the case is on your arm and back. When you carry on 4, the weight is on the floor. I know that it is not possible to wheel your case on 4 wheels all the time and you rightly pointed that any uneven surface will make it hard. I am a feeble woman 😉 and I appreciate any relief I can get, ie in the airplane aisle, in public transports, at the airport etc. Also you can move your 4 wheeler sideway rather than full front allowing you to move easier through narrow passage, ie entering or exiting gates on public transport when you have to validate a ticket as well. I think the hard cover luggage should get an extra point for that
(Team soft-side ✅) Y know i find moving my fabric spinner upright awkward - holding and pushing it ahead with one arm - esp longer distances on carpeting. I pull it! (Maybe my arms need more muscle😂)
This review is SPOT ON! I just don't understand the current trend of trendy cases. I was a commercial pilot for 33 years. People are always asking me what luggage do I use. My 4-day trip bag since it first came out maybe 20 -25 years ago was an absolute tank made by "Luggage Works". I beat the hell out of it, showed it no mercy whatsoever, used it roughly 182.5 days a year, and I replaced it twice, mostly just because it looked dirty from too many coffee spills. It has a rugged aluminum frame with a ballistic nylon cover, 2 ball bearing roller blade wheels that never break, and a stainless steel retractable handle that will carry the suitcase fully loaded banging up a flight of concrete stairs. You can't kill it. On the other hand, it weighs 13 lbs and costs $370 so not fun to lift into an overhead bin or what I take on vacation. I also think their quality control has slipped a bit recently, However if that's all you need for a trip, it will pay for itself eventually. They also have a hook as well as clip fasteners for attaching their other modular bags. I used the combination laptop/insulated cooler bag a lot to pack my own food (slides over the extended handle). For personal travel I am totally underwhelmed by what's popular today. A few years ago I bought a 3-piece soft-sided set - 21" spinner, 30" spinner, and a satchel, made by "Leisure" on sale at Kohls for maybe $150 in a loud blue color that no one else owns (think "Meet The Parents"). Ever heard of that brand? Me neither. No one is going to steal that off the luggage carousel. I figured it would break after a while and I'd just replace it on the cheap. I'm still waiting. Do you want luggage that is tough (hard) or resilient (soft)? I've yet to see a hard shell that can take the abuse my cheap soft sides can. Go ahead baggage dudes, drop it from 10 feet up. Toss it so it lands on the corner or edge. Also, the weather argument against soft side is weak because in most instances it will be protected from all but incidental exposure to the elements. The soft sides are also light as a feather which helps if you're up against the 50 lb weight limit. Great job pointing out the footprint. I can place the 30" inch bag on a chair, flip open the very lightweight lid piece, and leave it open. A hard clamshell case needs twice the room. I also love the cavernous space of softside. You can organize it with packing cubes as well as transport bulky items. I travelled for surgery once and crammed a huge wedge pillow in the 29" using the expandable zipper feature. Do you want luggage that is pretty (at least when it's brand new before the baggage smashers get hold of it) that you'll only get to admire for a few minutes of use? I have to admit, it does look great in those Mediterranean background ads. Spinners are great for people with strength issues, but personally (as pointed out in the video), I find myself using just two of the 4 wheels like on a roller bag just because it's more controllable. Also as pointed out, a spinner's wheels stick way out from the frame - that's 4 failure points just begging to break. A roller bag will have much more robust and protected wheel construction with much less of the wheel protruding from the frame. And good luck pushing a spinner through a carpeted concourse. The company "MVST" just came out with a line of aluminum spinners that have removable wheels you can take off before you check them at the ticket counter so that's good. The built-in TSA locks are a definite no-go IMO. For one thing, if the lock breaks on a hard shell case, you're screwed. At least a soft shell could accommodate a separate lock for the zipper pulls. But even the built-in TSA locks I've seen on soft cases have incredibly cheap thin zipper pulls locking into the mechanism. I just use a separate TSA lock to attach the two zipper pulls together and can move that union to a less-vulnerable position on the case (by the top handle). Yes zippers are vulnerable, but in a typical checked baggage chain of custody, the likelihood of that being a problem is very slim. Softside for the win! Unless you go to the French Riviera and can afford to replace it after every trip.
@@NoraDunn Thank you for your insightful, comprehensive, and concise videos! I recently discovered your channel. Even though I have decades of extensive travel experience it was in the limited realm of being a crew member. As such I am learning a lot of very useful information from your videos. 👍 I really appreciate a review that isn't mostly, "Look at this guys, isn't this just sooooo cute? Don't you just love the color?" 😜
I prefer a hard case, however my personal is very similar to the soft case you showed, except smaller. I carry a change of clothes, a sweater or jacket liquids, tablet, chargers, snacks, etc., without ever having to open my hard shelled case. It’s all about smart packing and knowing what you’ll need access to on your trip. All anyone needs is a 20” hard shell case and a 17” soft side backpack.
I'm a soft-side luggage girl who travels to Europe several times a year. As you mentioned, Nora, the soft-side luggage wheels feel more durable and protected from snapping off during handling, and the numerous outside pockets make things more accessible. I'm wary of bags that can't be flexible in overhead compartments. Great video, Nora!
I've travelled to over 60 countries, and I'm definitely in the soft shell, 2 wheel, camp. I have found people with hard shell, 4wheel type bags tend to walk with them slightly in front of themselves, which leaves their backpack vulnerable to street robbers. I have witnessed this happen twice. On both occasions they hadn't locked the backpack, and both were opened. Luckily nothing was stolen, only because of intervention by other travellers.
WOW - I totally hadn't considered that dragging 2-wheeled luggage behind you makes it difficult for somebody to walk/get behind you and access your backpack. Thanks for sharing!
Agree also two wheel has more space To protect from rain get a luggage sleeve I have a soft/hard hybrid used 30 yrs made by Samsonite pray my wheels don’t break also like the way the softside opens in cramped spaces
Do like a backpacker and line your suitcase with a contractor’s trash bag or a garbage compactor bag - both are durable, waterproof and long lasting! And you can also hold dirty laundry or other smelly stuff without spreading it through the rest of your stuff.
I bought 3 piece London Fog (black and white houndstooth pattern) fabric suitcases and buying a black cloth cover to protect the 25" I need to check in. The 17" cabin bag and the 20" 8 wheel spinner I'm carrying them on. I'm hopeful, the cover will protect the one I'm checking in. I'm also spraying them with scotch guard to seal them from staining. I need to admit I'm very hopeful they will maintain their classy appearance when we return! 😂
@@MiaHessMusic No, like I said, you line the suitcase with the bag - or bags. Just lay it down inside the empty suitcase and then pack as if they’re not there, overlapping at the zipper to protect from rain if you want. In a backpack, you do end up stuffing everything inside. Hikers esp love putting important things like your sleeping bag and extra clothes inside to keep them from getting wet. They’re way thicker and more durable than a regular plastic trash bag and hard to tear. Oh, and they prevent smells from escaping so great for dirty laundry or stinky shoes! 😁
Soft sided has been my choice since the 80's. As you pointed out, the flexibility makes it a hands down winner, though I do have a LARGE aluminum case for checking in. Used that one only once, years ago, having to bring TONS of requested items to several friends in 3 European countries. My soft bag has no wheels, and I carry it either over one shoulder or in my hand, without a problem. After watching this segment, I might consider the 2 wheel soft one.. Thanks for the presentation.. Though through my own expieriences I learned much, I do enjoy all the tips you so kindly share with the rest of us. 🎈Happy travels and stay safe..🙏😊💖
You brought up so many things that no other reviewer has - thank you! I was leaning to changing from soft side roller to hardshell spinner, but now I know it's not the right choice for me and I'll stick with what I have.
We live near a luggage repair shop (warranty repairs for most major brands) and the owner said he wouldn't buy spinner wheels. That was good enough for me!
I have both for carry on - I prefer the soft sided. I will usually get a can of the waterproof spray and spray the whole outside a few weeks before a trip. ( I am able to do this outside and let it air dry out in the sun)
We usually travel with only carryons, and we have both. I would agree on the 2-wheeled soft shell for ease in navigating the cobblestone paths in Europe but we also love our hard shell spinners to help our bad backs and they are great in the aisles on planes when traveling within the States.
I just bought a carry-on hardside suitcase from Take-off that has removable wheels. I haven't used it yet, but am thrilled that I can meet European airlines' baggage limits now.
We sat and watched our soft sided luggage set in torrential rain uncovered on the tarmac for over 30 minutes. Needless to say our clothes were soaked and some ruined. We’ve used hard sided luggage ever since.
Spray water repellent on the outside before your next trip, and make sure the bag is upright if possible. I’m guessing the careless baggage handler left it out on the flat side 😖
I’ve travelled extensively over 40 years for business and pleasure with both hard and soft sided. The only 2 catastrophic failures I have suffered were both hard sided cases (a Samsonite and a Delsey). My preference nowadays is softsided (Travelpro) with spinners on the large checked bags but 2 wheel pull along on the carryon. That for me is the optimum blend of ruggedness, flexibility and mobility. For shorter trips sometimes I’ll take a travel backpack that’ll fit under the seat and avoid the need to battle for overhead space.
If you do check in the carry on (it has happened to me many times), a hardcase gives more peace of mind. I no longer travel with a soft case but I totally get your points and bias. This was a great video as it made me reconsider my bias towards hardcase carry on bags.
Softside all the way. More capacity, better wheels, and much easier to access. I just purchased the Daylight in preparation for living home free permanently. I will be using two carry-ons and need one I can carry on my back. I tested Patagonia Blackholes (2 sizes) and a variety of travel packs. Daylight is a clear winner for versatility.
I’ve never owned a hard-shell full suitcase, but I tend to agree with all you’ve said here. A side note: About 10 years ago I purchased a Zuca carry on. It’s partly soft-sided, but has an aluminum outer frame. At the time, it complied with FAA dimensions (I actually live in Canada). Then in 2013 I flew El Al and YIKES, the Zuca didn’t fit in the overhead compartment. I still love my Zuca for non-flying travel. It rolls beautifully and you can sit on it during waits (up to about 250 lbs). Maybe I’ll look on their website and see whether they’ve altered their dimensions…although I already spent a bundle on the 1st one, and as a Canadian it’s so expensive to buy from the States. The Zuca also came with a liquids cube and 5 other packing cubes, which converted me to the cube camp (I have organizational challenges!). Thanks for the terrific episode.
Team soft side for sure. Great analysis of the practical things travellers need. 100% agree with the wheel analysis, I don't understand those trendy spinner wheel designs. I am hanging on to my trusty old Atlantic nylon carry on. In Europe outside the airport/train stations it is 2 inline skate style wheels all the way. Also if they are replaceable even better. Last year in Portugal(nothing smooth there) I blew a tread off one of my wheels but the hub got me home. I replaced both wheels and kept the surviving one as a spare. I'm all set for Europe this year . That Osprey bag looks great.
Hi Nora, I recently purchased a hard shell suitcase because my friend had one and I liked the organization component. Having said that I wish I had purchased a soft sided with inline wheels and the one you showed looks awesome (what’s the name btw). I don’t dare buy another suitcase but I think on my next trip my soft side will be my choice. I agree about the opening a clamshell in a small room. I’m on team soft side!
If I'm checking a bag, I have to agree with you Nora. Soft sided for the win, except if there is a major rain storm going on while they load/unload the bags. Or the trolley sits outside in the rain while waiting to put on the baggage conveyor. If I'm just going carry on? I like my 22 in Level 8 bag....recommended by some fun lady in Toronto....Haha. It works great for most everything, including getting the laptop out without opening the case. It's surprisingly roomy too. Great minds/experiences think alike.
It's the rainy days with outdoor luggage trolleys that are the biggest deterrent in this debate for sure! I'm so glad you like the Level8 carry on! Woohoo!
I came to your conclusion back in 2018 when I traveled for 8 weeks in Europe with only my Osprey Ozone 42L bag. I have a CPAP machine, which all fits inside along with all my clothes (a few pieces of which I never wore…) and literally everything I needed for the trip. I did also have a small personal bag, as you also recommend. The biggest thing I’m glad you mention is THE WHEELS. The Ozone has even better wheels than the Daylite one you have- they absolutely gobble cobblestones and stairs and in the airport I can pull it alone effortlessly with only my pinkie due to the excellent ball bearings within the wheels. Oh- and before I left on that particular European trip, I asked Osprey if I could purchase an extra wheel just in case of a problem (I’ve had multiple problems with spinner wheels!!) Osprey sent me, no charge, an extra set of both wheels. I haven’t needed either one, and use that bag for every trip I take, checked or not. One thing I prefer about the Ozone is that it does not include backpack straps, giving me more room for my stuff. I like the strong single center expandable handle. There are several lines of Osprey luggage in various sizes, carry on or not. Oh- and the bag only weighs 4 1/2 pounds! The company’s 100% guarantee, design, fit and finish and general quality make it well worth the cost IMHO, and I am grateful for it every time I travel. Thanks for verifying my own experiences (and those of my wife, who also uses one).
The advantage of solid suitcases in terms of security is that even if it is possible to open the zip with a pen, if the metal tabs of the zip are enclosed in the lock incorporated into the suitcase, it will be impossible for the thief to close the zip again once it has been opened fraudulently. On the other hand, soft-sided cases less often have a built-in security system that immobilizes the metal tabs of the zipper, so once the zipper has been forced open, it can be reclosed by passing the tab over the area to be reclosed. So it's the hardshell luggage with a built-in lock that win the day.
One more thing for security, consider a luggage cover for suitcase. It can be removed but it makes your case less desirable than one without it. Also it makes your case easier to recognise in the conveyor belt. It will protect your case from marks an scratches. Some are made with PVC and protect your case from rain water.
Great video! We've been weighing all the same pros and cons and I am switching to a 2 wheel after making a wrong turn in the Netherlands and turning a 10 minute walk into an hour over some very rough streets while lugging spinners and too many bags. I will have 2 bags now with a 2 wheel that I know will fit Ryanair and a 30L backpack that I think I can get to fit properly as my personal item (may need a compression strap) plus I'll wear my fleece jacket around my waist with my puffer and gloves in the pockets. Side note: one of the best things we carry in addition to our firestick is a bluetooth transmitter so we can (1) watch movies with full sound quality and volume (2) one person can watch something and not bother the other and (3) we won;t bother neighbors. One bit of caution: if you get one be sure to get one that can do 2 sets of earbuds as many will only do one. They caost about $40.
Well I must admit that I was definitely a hard shell luggage person, but that I might reconsider after seeing your video! Right now I'm gonna keep my hard shell because we're going to Crete with checked luggage and bringing back tons of olive oil and delicious honey, and I feel they'll be safer in a hard shell. But .... I'll let you know what I do in the future!
Team Hardside Luggage. Don't have to worry about your bag getting wet when it rains. Spinner wheels are life. I don't like pulling anything behind me. I haven't had an issue with my hardshell set. I have used soft shell in the past. I feel the hardshell is more durable and protective of your things. My hardshell has expansion. I can expand it if need be. Still was able to fit in the overhead bin.
I liked your realistic comparisons!! ❤ A total must … Carry on has to be under five lbs 😊 so that means i’m on team soft-side. I add art or stencil in acrylics to the outside so it is easy to identify anywhere - esp these days when sometimes grrrr! it can get checked!! I spray it with lots of fabric protector (like i spray my bag, shoes, hat etc) so it’s easy to wipe clean and ok in the rain! 🎉 Truly - lately i do the same thing to a cloth small underseater with 2 wheels ❤ so i don’t have store luggage above and far away from my seat… Porter -- 😅
I have owned the Hypath 2-in-1 soft side luggage for years. It’s actually 2 backpacks that zip together, one with wheels. I keep looking for better luggage, but for me, I just can’t find anything. I keep comparing, but am in agreement with you. Guess I’ll stick with what I have. Just weighed my carryon & it’s just 7#. Now I’m even more content.
On the security front, my Away aluminum luggage has NO ZIPPERS, and great locks. There are other (more expensive) brands that are similar. So any hardsided luggage built with no zippers and with a sturdy locking system will be more secure. I agree that zippers in either hardsided or softsided luggage are the weakest link.
With two locks, just like small hard shelled cases we use for documents when office goers use. I have several hard shelled luggage that I used in the 70s/80s @@NoraDunn
Team Softside here. For all the reasons you mentioned plus NESTING. When we unpack in a hotel or cruise cabin we can put the carry on inside of the checked bags. Can’t do that so reliably with hard side- especially when there are hard dividers between the sides of the hard side cases. Plus, with hard side I am concerned that if the weight is uneven or the wheels snag in something the zipper will be torn/pulled open.
Thank you for this, i learned alot, including a new a new luggage term: kickplate! Love this Osprey, I took the checked version on a trip to Uganda where we were required to have soft sided luggage (at a total of 35lbs 😳) so it could be crammed into the offroad vehicles we traveled in - it performed beautifully. Thanks Nora!
Nora, I generally agree with your conclusions on the individual factors and the winner for each factor, and for many years I used soft-sided suitcases and was happy. But eventually, I bought an Away hard-sided suitcase (carry-on size but I always check it). One factor you did not include in your analysis was attractiveness/stylishness of the bag, and here I think the hard-side usually wins. To be honest, with my hard-sided Away case, I just feel more professional (even though I am retired) and more stylish; I just like the look of me and it. So, even with its drawbacks, I'm quite happy with my Away. Oh, and regarding durability: Cases like the Away have a life-time warranty, so if the wheels or zipper go bad, they will replace or repair the bag, and anecdotally, I understand Away is very good about such warranty claims.
Just got a hardshell with an outside pouch. I like the protection for my computer. I used to put it in my backpack but my packpack would get too heavy. Love the better protection the hard shell has. I also like the roller wheels so I can get it through the narrow aisles more easily when getting on and off the plane.
I love the look of the hardshell but after traveling with both, soft-sided all the way. I have a wonderful set that I got from Eddie Bauer over a decade ago, a soft-sided carry-on with a matching backpack, still my favorite luggage ever.
I pack in a trunk hard side two pops and it’s open. I also have a Topo Design roller/soft and hard as well that’s great in between. Which bag I use depends on the trip. Once that hard side is packed (I hate zippers on hard side bags with a passion) unless I get extra screening at TSA it’s not opening till the hotel-my underseat has stone cold everything I need. You have in my opinion have to really know who you are as a person. I wanted hard sided with NO expansion-yes I realize that you can use the expansion like compression but I felt that it just encourages me to take way more than I should-no bueno. I don’t pay to check bags- also not a factor in why I pack carry on only. It’s because when I get off the aircraft I can walk right on out! For years I used an LL Bean rolling back pack on skate wheels and while it was smaller than most soft sided rollers and awkward to pack the main compartment-it was stone cold the best to manage on any roads and great on two wheels at airports. Still dragged out for a trip of less than 4/5 days. Since 2001 I have checked bags less than a dozen times planned and that was when my now 22 year old was little.
I am on the fence as I see your points about both. I purchased a brilliant knock-your-eyes-out yellow set of hard sided last year from Heys and used the medium size and the carry on to go to Comox in February. It was -40 in Calgary and when the luggage changed planes, they tore the wheel housing off one wheel. Heys replaced the bag free of charge which was great PR for them but now I am nervous about heading to Fort Lauderdale in February next year. I have kept my old perfect soft side American Tourister set of luggage from my work travelling days, just in case. It has quite a bit of wear but is just brilliantly easy to pack and I have never found any other brand designed so well. Fuchsia color so no man is going to touch it in error. My latest concern, regardless of type, other than weight of the empty bag, is the ease of opening the zippers with a pen and nobody seems to be talking about that. I never pack anything other than clothes and any thief would be sorely disappointed to find a case full of plus sized women's wardrobe essentials.
Interesting about the cold weather affecting the durability of hard-sided luggage! I hadn't considered that. As for zippers - yep, they're the weak point of any luggage. That's why I loved Pacsafe's soft-sided luggage (which they sadly discontinued) because the zippers were tamperproof. I guess now I just have a certain amount of trust that my luggage isn't going to get tampered with this way. Once a zipper is opened with a pen I don't think it can be closed again, so whoever tampers with it has basically stolen the luggage.
Team soft side! I briefly reconsidered my long time stance after my checked bag sat in the rain and arrived at my destination with everything wet on my last trip, but accessibility still trumps all the other reasons. I’ve had my eye on your demo bag for a while now, want the backpack straps for cobblestone and train stations.
I have always used soft-sided luggage for their flexibility. I have spinner carry-ons and 2-wheeled styles so I can choose which one will work best for my travel. Back in the '70s my friend and I traveled in Europe for 2 months with soft-sided bags (adding trolleys after we got tired of schlepping the bags). They packed great, held everything in place, and even stayed mostly dry in a downpour.
I have the best of both worlds. My carry on is a hybrid. The bottom/back is hard and the top/front is soft. Opens like a hard side ( clamshell) but still has access from the front with another small pocket. Can also be expanded. No spinner wheels.
You missed a couple important disadvantages of soft shelled luggage (at least of the two wheeled variety). The first is the obvious physical burden pulling it behind you puts on your joints that many other commenters have mentioned, but the second is the poor stability which is just as important to me. A bag on four wheels is much much easier to keep upright than a bag with two. I know there are some wizards who have mastered the art of perfectly balancing the contents of their suitcase by weight so that their soft sided suitcase doesn’t face plant every time you take your hand off of it, but this is a skill I’ve never been able to get down. That’s a frustration I’m happy to no longer have to deal with now that I’ve switched to hard sided luggage. I will admit that I miss the front pockets on soft sided luggage, but it’s not a big trade off to me to just carry the sort of stuff I would have kept there in my personal item instead. I’m a woman who carries a purse, so I’m never going to be one bagging it no matter what luggage I choose, so this isn’t a big deal, but I imagine it would be a greater pain if for people who only want to worry about one bag with them.
Great point about the balance issue and the difficulty of pulling it behind you. I've rolled my 2-wheeled luggage off more than a few curbs and it ends up going off-kilter. Maybe soft-sided spinner luggage is worth looking into? Hmm.....(researching now)
My wife uses carry on hard shell, two wheels. I use a back pack-carry on. On our recent trip to Italy we used our regular luggage and checked a third hard shell carry on. We usually just do carry on, no checked luggage.
We’ve had bad luck with one of those roller wheels on the hard shell getting damaged. I like both but then again I rarely use them in any kind of bad weather
Im 100% on the soft luggage team. Both checked and carry on :) With a family of 5 you DO NOT want to get to a hotel room and try to open 5+ hard shell bags (like books) 🤦🏻♀️. I also utilize packing cubes :)
I have one of those old "brocade" soft suitcase groups...and the smallest on has 2 wheels and 2 little, stubby legs where other wheels would go...so, it stands up beautifully. Whether it would meet today's standards for size, I don't know...but it's real handy to have a case that stands up securely!
@@NoraDunn hey there! Two other things I was confused about with your analysis - and it may be because of the hard shell luggage you used as your sample. Mine has four sets of two wheels, one on each corner and it’s just as easy to pull it behind you on two sets of wheels as to let it glide beside you with the four sets of wheels. And I can leave my case upright to open it - no need to put it on a floor or bed to open it - one side has one big zippered compartment and the other side has a compression panel with straps and the panel has a zippered pocket - perfect for the raincoat or umbrella you may need to pull out. You do have to know where your stuff is to haul out something in particular but that’s true of every suitcase. The soft- sided ones are lighter for sure. I can still lift my carryon over my head when it’s packed. Check out the Monos back pack - it’s very stylish - I use it as my personal item and leave room at the top for my little cross body bag if an airline employee notices that I have three carryon bags. I’ve only had it on two trips so far and I find the vegan leather looks good - but heavier than my nylon one.
@@creativeinfusion6570 I have absolutely pulled my spinner (4-wheel) luggage behind me on two wheels - which is downright necessary on uneven pavement...which is what I was referring to when I spoke about wheeling it on cobblestones early in the morning....spinner luggage wheels (2 or 4) are inherently louder, which I don't like. Thanks for the Monos backpack suggestion, and for the tip to leave some extra space in case slings/purses need to be shoved in there. I do the same!
16:13 I wish all luggage was designed better. I have spinner wheels on a softshell. I like them because they stabilize my top heavy bag a little (I am terrible at packing and I try). Also, when I need to carry four other bags at the same time (it was a long-term move), I need something to be easy. They were all about the same size because the airline was strict and I still have no idea how people travel with huge luggage. I have no idea how people who need to bring a lot move the stuff. Some people I talked to said they checked cardboard boxes and it worked out great. Did they pull a hand truck out of their butt? Wish they came with skis for ice and snow. All the wheels I've ever seen are pretty pathetic.
Team hard shell here. I’ve used both and prefer hard shell for a number of reasons. I’ll just mention a couple. Not only are they easier to clean but I’m sure it’s harder for bedbugs to invade them. Yes they are still a thing. Also I prefer not to have the expandability. Most of us pack too much anyway. It keeps you honest.😂
Just subscribed. Thank you for your practical travel tips, especially the security & money handling tips. We looked at both options today and opted for soft for all the reasons you mentioned, except with 4 “spinny” wheels instead of two. Spoiler: the axels on the partially concealed two wheels on one of our previous soft sides distorted so we ended up dragging the case instead of rolling it along. We have both hard& soft and have found the hard shell very impractical in handling and luggage storage.
I think one thing you forgot to mention was that if you have a personal item bag, you should be putting important items in that, so the point of pockets on the outside might be unnecessary for some. Especially if the airline is making you check your carry-on due to limited space in the overhead bins.
One issue not covered is contents durability. A soft bag at the bottom of 6 other cases , contents will get crushed , hard shell, if it does not burst a seam will protect contents. On luggage conveyor the handlers throw soft bag down on the soft front not the hard back , potential damage to contents. Cheers Warren
Great point Warren! I'm going to be testing out some more hard-shell luggage on my next trip (5 months long), so I'll get some more intel overall. But when it comes to checked luggage, I see the case for hardshell from a durability standpoint.
As a senior petite woman I struggled with my soft sided luggage. I recently purchased a level 8 21”. 🤞this works better for me. I typically don’t do carryon often, just can’t get it into the overhead bin anymore. There isn’t always someone willing to help if needed.
If concerned about weather; put everything into a large plastic bag (I do this trail hiking). I have both, so I think I’ll go back to my soft shell next trip. Thanks!
I am soft shell as I was boarding a very packed plane with a friend who had a hard shell, both carry-on. The flight attendant looked at our bags and asked my friend to check her hard case because the cabin was too crowded. He let me on, though. Soft cases are much easier to fit in overhead compartments. Last thing I want to do is wait for my carefully packed carry on at the baggage carousel. Also, I have side handles and straps to grab.
Brics has softsided 28 inch luggage that’s 8 lbs and it has 4 wheels The duffle that’s a carryon is 5.5 lbs Pricy but worth it to me I’ve had my hardshell luggage cracked open and split open and they had to tape my stuff that feel out into a plastic bag As for rain protection you can also spray it with scotchguard to waterproof it
Great video! I'm always jealous of folks with spinner wheels while inside the airport, but even before watching your video, I thought my softside was more my style (and need). After watching this video, I know I made the right choice - I'm thinking cobblestones for 1/2 mile shag. 👎
I Noticed that airlines give more problems for checking soft shell luggage. As if it's now considered "special care" luggage, like huge backpacks [like they can get stuck in the tunnels which take your suitcase to the belly of the plane. This may become annoying....
Interesting! I've never heard that soft-shell luggage is now considered special care luggage. Though you're right about large backpacks with lots of straps that can get caught in the conveyor belts - if I were traveling with such a backpack with straps that don't tuck away, then I would use one of those services that wraps it in plastic.
I appreciate your information, details, and enthusiasm. The one piece of information I did not hear, or may have missed, is dimensions. In traveling internationally, especially in Latin America, a common size limit for a carry-on is 21.7 in x 13.8 in x 9.8 in or 55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm. The luggage in your video looks bigger than this, but could you clarify?
You can check the dimensions in the product links provided in the description. The hard-sided carry-on I demonstrated is 21.8” x 14.5” x 9.8” (I believe that's the expanded size) The soft-sided is 55H 35W 23D cm
I purchased a great brand hard frame with soft sides luggage. It was suppose to be carry-on size for most major airlines, you can get it services at all major airports should you lose a wheel etc. Well, it turns out to be way to heavy empty and many airlines highly suggest that it be checked in. I’ll keep it for a check in luggage, cause it is solid and the wheels have been great so far. I was looking at getting a hard shell luggage for my carryon only trips, but now I think I’ll research the type of soft shell luggage that was featured in this video.
@@NoraDunn thank you. I did take a look and the sizes are good and the prices are fair. I further researched the airlines I could possibly take or have taken in the past and their carry-on luggage size restrictions are all over the place; apparently there isn’t an industry standard. How more confusing can they make it.
Use giant Ziploc bags instead of packing cubes, or use the bags as covers for your packing cubes and anything else you don't want to get soaked. This has worked great for me. Your suitcase should dry out overnight, or you could treat yourself to a new one at your destination. 😉
Literally just bought a 29" soft luggage for an international trip. I had the same thought about the 50/50 split in having to pack and open and close. The soft I liked the box type storage with a lid to open and close. Maybe I'm being partial to what I'm used to but let's see. I really was torn between the two types but went with what I know especially in terms of having to open the luggage last minute for something and the floor space it may take up in room etc.
im about to go home from a 5 week trip and I need to check in a bag with bottles of wine and liquor 😂 I'm team-soft shell & usually only do carry on backpack style so im contemplating of buying a small hard shell cuz if it does get tossed around, it has a little more protection. And yes, Im padding/stuffing it with clothes too. Im torn if i should go ahead with it 😅
For checking fragile items like that, I think you may be right about bringing hardshell. Either way you'll need to pad the items, but hardshell might offer an extra bit of protection, especially against overzealous baggage handlers.
Fyi. Hanke is now making a hard sided checked size suitcase 26 inch that opens like a soft sided case. i just purchased it for 3 week trip next month. We'll see how it works.😊
80% of the time I'm a 35L Aer Travel Pack 3 person. Kicks butt over both the options. That said... When I need more room I've found that a Monos Hybrid (zipperless hardshell) combined with an AER City Pack Pro Backpack as my personal item solved nearly all the downsides you've listed for the Hardshell. Security definitely shift to Hard. Accessibility is a personal problem if you're not putting all the stuff you need in the backpack. One thing that you didn't cover is that hardshell forces limits. So...while you list flexibility as a pro for soft. I think that that disregards that it begs people to overstuff right past airline limits. This just doesn't happen with hard and I like KNOWING that I'm within spec. :)
I prefer hard sided, as I often bring bottles of wine home from USA. As for accessability if I know that I will eed something along the way, I just place it so I only have to open the zipper about 8 inches to get it out
Soft-side 2 wheels for me. Invested in the Briggs & Riley Baseline Global carry-on 2 months ago. Very pleased with my investment. Slightly more volume compared to equally priced global spinner.
@NoraDunn my little brother, who's 52 and 6'3" 😁, told me about B & R when I was stateside from my current Bahrain (I'm active duty). I did a LOT of overthinking/overanalyzing and committed to this bag. THEN I tried finding it. I placed two orders, both fell through. I was blessed to find one in LHR on my layover. The bag has been to Muscat, Madrid, and will go stateside next week. I chose the Global because I'll work and retire in Europe for my next assignment - European carrier specs. I've been semi-bingewatching you this weekend. 😊 Cheers!
@@NoraDunnmy pleasure! I'm used to 2 wheels (my Delsey from 2011 are soft-sided 2 wheelers. I don't believe Spinners were a thing yet). B&R has a lifetime warranty too. I spent HOURS evaluating different brands & styles of luggage. When I DO make a decision, I'm all in. My Delsey check-in bags & wheeled duffle are still going strong, no need to upgrade. I "needed" an international carry-on. I know I'll use it more than my other bags. You're the Ted Lasso of travel - bingeworthy!!! 😀
Note that you can get soft shell spinners. Also, for carry on luggage of the same size, (enclosed) 2 wheel luggage has more interior volume than 4-wheel spinners. This is the big deal breaker for me.
I'm actually curious to try a soft-shell spinner! But...like you say, two wheels has additional packing capacity, which when traveling carry-on is like gold.
I used to roll 2 wheel and 4 wheel TP luggage which I think is great But now I just use a 35 l backpack Much easier to maneuver through the airport and across cobblestone streets and going up and down stairs in Europe
True, but I detest wearing a heavy backpack for any length of time; it wears on my shoulders. For things like stairs and cobblestones, I find the inconvenience of hand-carrying rolling luggage to be quite temporary. It's very much a personal call though. I still take trips where I too, use a backpack. It depends.
I've always used soft-sided luggage. The bags have suffered some tears here and there, but I have heard that hard-shell luggage can crack to the point that your belongings end up all over the conveyor belt! Embedded wheels are important, and many hard-shell cases do not have these. To protect belongings in a downpour, keep a large garbage bag with you and put your stuff inside it for an extra layer of protection. Is it true that if these TSA locks that are embedded in the case get broken, you can't get into your suitcase without breaking the zippers? Thanks for the video!
Good tip about the garbage bag! As for the TSA locks, I guess if they're irrevocably broken you would need to break the zippers. But hopefully you could just reset them and get in.
I would consider a hardshell if it had more durable wheels.. When I go back home I like to check-in my carry on.. I don't know how long would a hard shell spinner last if you check it in regularly
I think the wheels are pretty solid overall, but I agree, when hardshell spinner wheels protrude from the case as they do, they're most liable to get damaged/broken off.
Meh, it all depends on where you are going. And HOW will you travel. I go to EU all the time but I have my own place there, and have transport door to door from the airport. Moot point about cobblestone. If you have to walk around in EU I would choose to be loud, then drag the entire weight of my luggage on my hand or back and ruin my vacation with shoulder pain. Soft sided luggage will for sure get you in trouble with acceptable dimension of carry ons on international flights. Been there. It's super easy to make them thicker than 9 inches. One sweater, and you will fail the fitting cages or machines. Hardside luggage for me, in 99% of cases. Soft side for checked luggage, and for more allowable airlines, car and train travel.
Soft-sided with two rollar wheels easily & far better!!! I'm willing to bet all long-term travelers will agree. I suspect the hard-sided folks are short-term vacation travelers and don't travel outside North America and Europe...
Those extra soft-sided pockets, cause the bag to tip over awkwardly, especially with the handle up, including hitting other people, but only if you use them!
Interesting! I haven't found the pockets to be problematic, but certainly it's important to pack any 2-wheeled luggage carefully (tip: put the heavy stuff at the bottom and back) so that it doesn't topple.
I’m going to be 72 later this month, and I still use a soft shell convertible backpack that can transform into a duffel bag. No wheels. My Minaal 21 litre Daily. I used to use a 35 litre bag, but learned how to downsize and go more minimalist. Whether for two weeks, two month, or indefinitely…my 21 litre and a small crossbody sling is all I take. Carry on always. Never a checked bag. No wheelie luggage for me….even at my age.
I have one bag that is hard sided on the back and sides but the front is typical soft side with outside pockets. Best of both worlds. Unfortunately it is a checked bag size.
Good video 👍 I do have to disagree with lockable zippers being as good as built-in locks. While I've never actually gotten to use built in locks, I bet they wouldn't get broken off by airline equipment and lost, as has happened to me multiple times with TSA padlocks (even on carryon luggage!). I just got home with a duffle bag (a spare initially carried inside other luggage in case of returning with more stuff) still having the twist-tie holding the zippers together but missing the lock (which I had to attach to the ends of the pulls). Since the twist-tie seemed to be as I left it, I figure the lock was pulled off by baggage-handling machinery rather than intentionally removed. More frustratingly, I once put my carryon in a sizer and had trouble pulling it out because something had caught. A rude airline employee accused me of forcing my bag in (which I hadn't!) even though she should have been able to feel that it was something catching rather than tightness when she pulled it out. I later realized my lock was missing. Btw, the reason I try to use TSA locks to keep zippers closed and slightly deter thieves, instead of twist-ties or whatever, is not because I think they work better. It's because I think TSA agents are more likely to put them back in place to hold the zipper closed. I particularly don't understand the people who recommend zip ties; TSA agents can't replace those even if they wanted to, they're single-use plastic waste, and you need a blade to remove them when you want to open your luggage. Back on topic... I used to only use soft-sided luggage but am leaning more towards hard-sided in recent years - I don't think either one is always better.
Interesting, I have never traveled with either. I travel with a large pack as my check in luggage and aim for 10kgs. Therefore I am on the soft sided luggage.
Durability. Many claim that hard-shell wins - I mean that's the point right? - but then amazon is full of reviews of the plastic cracking which is essentially impossible for a softshell. Until someone actually tests it, I'm very sceptical that soft shell is actually more durable. E.g. imagine throwing (filled) large soft and hard shell suitcases respectively off a 30ft drop. You would expect all the hard materials to crack whereas the soft would simply absorb the impact.
Good point! Though given the same 30ft drop test, I wonder how the contents of each bag would fare....the plastic may crack but I wonder if it absorbs that impact better. (This is coming from somebody on team softshell! - but I do wonder about this).
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🧳 PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO 🧳
🧳 SOFT-SIDED CARRY-ON - Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel w/ (removable) backpack straps: osprey.pxf.io/0ZNevN
🧳 SOFT-SIDED CHECKED - Osprey Transporter Wheeled Duffel 60L osprey.pxf.io/QyQ5R3
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🧳 HARD-SIDED CARRY-ON - Level8 Grace Ext (expandable, with exterior pocket): amzn.to/3ncyFPt
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Something you didn't mention, that I think is incredible important when choosing a carryon case in particular, is side handles. The presence or absence of side handles can make the difference between getting that case up into that over head compartment and back down again without assistance.
YES! I agree completely. And I'll admit, the Osprey (soft-sided) bag I show in this video is missing a side handle. My other soft-sided bags always had one, and I miss it. I shared this feedback with their design team. Their other soft-sided carry-on bags have side handles.
Hi Nora, I agree with everything you said but I would add one more thing in terms of moving your case around. When you carry your case on 2 wheels, the whole weight of the case is on your arm and back. When you carry on 4, the weight is on the floor. I know that it is not possible to wheel your case on 4 wheels all the time and you rightly pointed that any uneven surface will make it hard. I am a feeble woman 😉 and I appreciate any relief I can get, ie in the airplane aisle, in public transports, at the airport etc. Also you can move your 4 wheeler sideway rather than full front allowing you to move easier through narrow passage, ie entering or exiting gates on public transport when you have to validate a ticket as well. I think the hard cover luggage should get an extra point for that
Yes!!!
I'm totally with you on all these points! Thanks for sharing.
There are 4-wheeled soft carryons as well, so this is not necessarily a differentiator of hard vs soft
(Team soft-side ✅) Y know i find moving my fabric spinner upright awkward - holding and pushing it ahead with one arm - esp longer distances on carpeting. I pull it! (Maybe my arms need more muscle😂)
This review is SPOT ON! I just don't understand the current trend of trendy cases.
I was a commercial pilot for 33 years. People are always asking me what luggage do I use. My 4-day trip bag since it first came out maybe 20 -25 years ago was an absolute tank made by "Luggage Works". I beat the hell out of it, showed it no mercy whatsoever, used it roughly 182.5 days a year, and I replaced it twice, mostly just because it looked dirty from too many coffee spills.
It has a rugged aluminum frame with a ballistic nylon cover, 2 ball bearing roller blade wheels that never break, and a stainless steel retractable handle that will carry the suitcase fully loaded banging up a flight of concrete stairs. You can't kill it. On the other hand, it weighs 13 lbs and costs $370 so not fun to lift into an overhead bin or what I take on vacation. I also think their quality control has slipped a bit recently, However if that's all you need for a trip, it will pay for itself eventually. They also have a hook as well as clip fasteners for attaching their other modular bags. I used the combination laptop/insulated cooler bag a lot to pack my own food (slides over the extended handle).
For personal travel I am totally underwhelmed by what's popular today. A few years ago I bought a 3-piece soft-sided set - 21" spinner, 30" spinner, and a satchel, made by "Leisure" on sale at Kohls for maybe $150 in a loud blue color that no one else owns (think "Meet The Parents"). Ever heard of that brand? Me neither. No one is going to steal that off the luggage carousel. I figured it would break after a while and I'd just replace it on the cheap. I'm still waiting.
Do you want luggage that is tough (hard) or resilient (soft)? I've yet to see a hard shell that can take the abuse my cheap soft sides can. Go ahead baggage dudes, drop it from 10 feet up. Toss it so it lands on the corner or edge.
Also, the weather argument against soft side is weak because in most instances it will be protected from all but incidental exposure to the elements. The soft sides are also light as a feather which helps if you're up against the 50 lb weight limit.
Great job pointing out the footprint. I can place the 30" inch bag on a chair, flip open the very lightweight lid piece, and leave it open. A hard clamshell case needs twice the room. I also love the cavernous space of softside. You can organize it with packing cubes as well as transport bulky items. I travelled for surgery once and crammed a huge wedge pillow in the 29" using the expandable zipper feature.
Do you want luggage that is pretty (at least when it's brand new before the baggage smashers get hold of it) that you'll only get to admire for a few minutes of use? I have to admit, it does look great in those Mediterranean background ads.
Spinners are great for people with strength issues, but personally (as pointed out in the video), I find myself using just two of the 4 wheels like on a roller bag just because it's more controllable. Also as pointed out, a spinner's wheels stick way out from the frame - that's 4 failure points just begging to break. A roller bag will have much more robust and protected wheel construction with much less of the wheel protruding from the frame. And good luck pushing a spinner through a carpeted concourse. The company "MVST" just came out with a line of aluminum spinners that have removable wheels you can take off before you check them at the ticket counter so that's good.
The built-in TSA locks are a definite no-go IMO. For one thing, if the lock breaks on a hard shell case, you're screwed. At least a soft shell could accommodate a separate lock for the zipper pulls. But even the built-in TSA locks I've seen on soft cases have incredibly cheap thin zipper pulls locking into the mechanism. I just use a separate TSA lock to attach the two zipper pulls together and can move that union to a less-vulnerable position on the case (by the top handle). Yes zippers are vulnerable, but in a typical checked baggage chain of custody, the likelihood of that being a problem is very slim.
Softside for the win! Unless you go to the French Riviera and can afford to replace it after every trip.
Thank you so much for sharing all this! Indeed, I never see flight crew using hardshell luggage....that speaks for itself!
@@NoraDunn Thank you for your insightful, comprehensive, and concise videos! I recently discovered your channel. Even though I have decades of extensive travel experience it was in the limited realm of being a crew member. As such I am learning a lot of very useful information from your videos. 👍
I really appreciate a review that isn't mostly, "Look at this guys, isn't this just sooooo cute? Don't you just love the color?" 😜
@@pi-sx3mb Ha ha - thank you so much! That means a lot.
I prefer a hard case, however my personal is very similar to the soft case you showed, except smaller. I carry a change of clothes, a sweater or jacket liquids, tablet, chargers, snacks, etc., without ever having to open my hard shelled case. It’s all about smart packing and knowing what you’ll need access to on your trip. All anyone needs is a 20” hard shell case and a 17” soft side backpack.
@@NeedleFabricThread Nice one!
I'm a soft-side luggage girl who travels to Europe several times a year. As you mentioned, Nora, the soft-side luggage wheels feel more durable and protected from snapping off during handling, and the numerous outside pockets make things more accessible. I'm wary of bags that can't be flexible in overhead compartments. Great video, Nora!
Thanks so much for your input! I'm so glad I'm not alone in my case for soft-sided luggage.
Soft side fan here too. It's nice to be able to squish a bit if needed. And many hotels don't have a place to fold open the hard side center zip.
"No easy access to hard sided luggage." That is a point that YT folks never seem to bring up. Excellent work, Nora! Thank you!
Thanks Mia!
I've travelled to over 60 countries, and I'm definitely in the soft shell, 2 wheel, camp. I have found people with hard shell, 4wheel type bags tend to walk with them slightly in front of themselves, which leaves their backpack vulnerable to street robbers. I have witnessed this happen twice. On both occasions they hadn't locked the backpack, and both were opened. Luckily nothing was stolen, only because of intervention by other travellers.
WOW - I totally hadn't considered that dragging 2-wheeled luggage behind you makes it difficult for somebody to walk/get behind you and access your backpack. Thanks for sharing!
Surely you can drag a 4-wheeler behind you too?
@@leanderian Yep! But it's not mandatory in the same way it is with 2 wheels. You have a choice with 4 wheels.
Agree also two wheel has more space To protect from rain get a luggage sleeve
I have a soft/hard hybrid used 30 yrs made by Samsonite pray my wheels don’t break also like the way the softside opens in cramped spaces
Just a note regarding storing your bags when not traveling. I use mine (especially the large ones I rarely use) to store my seasonal wardrobe. 😉
I keep my packing cubes, toiletries and anything I might travel with right in my luggage.😊
Great strategy!
Yes! Keeping other packing essentials in your luggage is also a great tip.
My mom used to use them as hiding places for Christmas presents ;)
@@studiosphoto Ha ha! Great hiding spot!
Do like a backpacker and line your suitcase with a contractor’s trash bag or a garbage compactor bag - both are durable, waterproof and long lasting! And you can also hold dirty laundry or other smelly stuff without spreading it through the rest of your stuff.
Great tip!
Do you put everything INTO the trash bag? I'm confused.
I bought 3 piece London Fog (black and white houndstooth pattern) fabric suitcases and buying a black cloth cover to protect the 25" I need to check in. The 17" cabin bag and the 20" 8 wheel spinner I'm carrying them on. I'm hopeful, the cover will protect the one I'm checking in. I'm also spraying them with scotch guard to seal them from staining. I need to admit I'm very hopeful they will maintain their classy appearance when we return! 😂
@@MiaHessMusic No, like I said, you line the suitcase with the bag - or bags. Just lay it down inside the empty suitcase and then pack as if they’re not there, overlapping at the zipper to protect from rain if you want. In a backpack, you do end up stuffing everything inside. Hikers esp love putting important things like your sleeping bag and extra clothes inside to keep them from getting wet. They’re way thicker and more durable than a regular plastic trash bag and hard to tear. Oh, and they prevent smells from escaping so great for dirty laundry or stinky shoes! 😁
@@sylviarodriguez9817 I hope they stay great looking too! Good on you for getting the cover for the one that gets checked.
Soft sided has been my choice since the 80's. As you pointed out, the flexibility makes it a hands down winner, though I do have a LARGE aluminum case for checking in. Used that one only once, years ago, having to bring TONS of requested items to several friends in 3 European countries.
My soft bag has no wheels, and I carry it either over one shoulder or in my hand, without a problem.
After watching this segment, I might consider the 2 wheel soft one.. Thanks for the presentation.. Though through my own expieriences I learned much, I do enjoy all the tips you so kindly share with the rest of us.
🎈Happy travels and stay safe..🙏😊💖
Thanks so much for weighing in, Blake!
We are on team soft side. Nora, I think you should design a line of luggage.
Add a side handle that osprey doesn’t have.
Ha! I've considered it.....
YES! That's my biggest complaint about this Osprey bag. I've shared this with their design team.
You brought up so many things that no other reviewer has - thank you! I was leaning to changing from soft side roller to hardshell spinner, but now I know it's not the right choice for me and I'll stick with what I have.
Awesome - I'm so glad I could help you make the right choice for you, Paula!
We live near a luggage repair shop (warranty repairs for most major brands) and the owner said he wouldn't buy spinner wheels. That was good enough for me!
Wow! Good to know!
I have both for carry on - I prefer the soft sided. I will usually get a can of the waterproof spray and spray the whole outside a few weeks before a trip. ( I am able to do this outside and let it air dry out in the sun)
Good call with the waterproof spray! Love it.
We usually travel with only carryons, and we have both. I would agree on the 2-wheeled soft shell for ease in navigating the cobblestone paths in Europe but we also love our hard shell spinners to help our bad backs and they are great in the aisles on planes when traveling within the States.
True about spinner luggage within the airplanes! Although I'm very well-practiced, 2-wheel luggage can get caught up on the seats.
I just bought a carry-on hardside suitcase from Take-off that has removable wheels. I haven't used it yet, but am thrilled that I can meet European airlines' baggage limits now.
Super interesting about the removable wheels! Are they spinner wheels? How easily do they come off and go on?
@@NoraDunn Extremely easy and yes, they are spinner wheels, and you can even buy replacements. The case without wheels is 18 x 14 x 8.
@@sylviaescarcega6616 Fascinating! If you remember to, please drop a comment after using it to let us know how you like the bag while traveling!
We sat and watched our soft sided luggage set in torrential rain uncovered on the tarmac for over 30 minutes. Needless to say our clothes were soaked and some ruined. We’ve used hard sided luggage ever since.
I totally get it! I had a similar experience, except on that trip I had waterproof luggage.
Spray water repellent on the outside before your next trip, and make sure the bag is upright if possible. I’m guessing the careless baggage handler left it out on the flat side 😖
I’ve travelled extensively over 40 years for business and pleasure with both hard and soft sided. The only 2 catastrophic failures I have suffered were both hard sided cases (a Samsonite and a Delsey).
My preference nowadays is softsided (Travelpro) with spinners on the large checked bags but 2 wheel pull along on the carryon. That for me is the optimum blend of ruggedness, flexibility and mobility. For shorter trips sometimes I’ll take a travel backpack that’ll fit under the seat and avoid the need to battle for overhead space.
I've wanted to try out TravelPro for a while - their soft-sided spinner looks like the best of all worlds!
If you do check in the carry on (it has happened to me many times), a hardcase gives more peace of mind. I no longer travel with a soft case but I totally get your points and bias. This was a great video as it made me reconsider my bias towards hardcase carry on bags.
I hear you on the peace of mind when the bag gets checked. I'm going to give hard-sided luggage another chance and challenge my own biases :-)
Softside all the way. More capacity, better wheels, and much easier to access. I just purchased the Daylight in preparation for living home free permanently. I will be using two carry-ons and need one I can carry on my back. I tested Patagonia Blackholes (2 sizes) and a variety of travel packs. Daylight is a clear winner for versatility.
Woohoo! Happy travels!
I’ve never owned a hard-shell full suitcase, but I tend to agree with all you’ve said here. A side note: About 10 years ago I purchased a Zuca carry on. It’s partly soft-sided, but has an aluminum outer frame. At the time, it complied with FAA dimensions (I actually live in Canada). Then in 2013 I flew El Al and YIKES, the Zuca didn’t fit in the overhead compartment. I still love my Zuca for non-flying travel. It rolls beautifully and you can sit on it during waits (up to about 250 lbs). Maybe I’ll look on their website and see whether they’ve altered their dimensions…although I already spent a bundle on the 1st one, and as a Canadian it’s so expensive to buy from the States. The Zuca also came with a liquids cube and 5 other packing cubes, which converted me to the cube camp (I have organizational challenges!). Thanks for the terrific episode.
I hope the Zuca incident (not fitting into the compartment) was an isolated incident! Was it a smaller plane?
How many litres was your Zuca?
Team soft side for sure. Great analysis of the practical things travellers need. 100% agree with the wheel analysis, I don't understand those trendy spinner wheel designs. I am hanging on to my trusty old Atlantic nylon carry on. In Europe outside the airport/train stations it is 2 inline skate style wheels all the way. Also if they are replaceable even better. Last year in Portugal(nothing smooth there) I blew a tread off one of my wheels but the hub got me home. I replaced both wheels and kept the surviving one as a spare. I'm all set for Europe this year . That Osprey bag looks great.
Thanks for weighing in, Dave!
Yes- You should look at that and the other Osprey travel models. Lightweight, straps or not, 100% warrantee, great design and quality.
Hi Nora, I recently purchased a hard shell suitcase because my friend had one and I liked the organization component. Having said that I wish I had purchased a soft sided with inline wheels and the one you showed looks awesome (what’s the name btw). I don’t dare buy another suitcase but I think on my next trip my soft side will be my choice. I agree about the opening a clamshell in a small room. I’m on team soft side!
Links to the suitcases in her video are in the description… ⬆️
Thanks Lori! Here's the link: Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel w/ (removable) backpack straps: alnk.to/6bS98mC
If I'm checking a bag, I have to agree with you Nora. Soft sided for the win, except if there is a major rain storm going on while they load/unload the bags. Or the trolley sits outside in the rain while waiting to put on the baggage conveyor. If I'm just going carry on? I like my 22 in Level 8 bag....recommended by some fun lady in Toronto....Haha. It works great for most everything, including getting the laptop out without opening the case. It's surprisingly roomy too. Great minds/experiences think alike.
It's the rainy days with outdoor luggage trolleys that are the biggest deterrent in this debate for sure! I'm so glad you like the Level8 carry on! Woohoo!
I came to your conclusion back in 2018 when I traveled for 8 weeks in Europe with only my Osprey Ozone 42L bag. I have a CPAP machine, which all fits inside along with all my clothes (a few pieces of which I never wore…) and literally everything I needed for the trip. I did also have a small personal bag, as you also recommend. The biggest thing I’m glad you mention is THE WHEELS. The Ozone has even better wheels than the Daylite one you have- they absolutely gobble cobblestones and stairs and in the airport I can pull it alone effortlessly with only my pinkie due to the excellent ball bearings within the wheels. Oh- and before I left on that particular European trip, I asked Osprey if I could purchase an extra wheel just in case of a problem (I’ve had multiple problems with spinner wheels!!) Osprey sent me, no charge, an extra set of both wheels. I haven’t needed either one, and use that bag for every trip I take, checked or not. One thing I prefer about the Ozone is that it does not include backpack straps, giving me more room for my stuff. I like the strong single center expandable handle. There are several lines of Osprey luggage in various sizes, carry on or not. Oh- and the bag only weighs 4 1/2 pounds! The company’s 100% guarantee, design, fit and finish and general quality make it well worth the cost IMHO, and I am grateful for it every time I travel. Thanks for verifying my own experiences (and those of my wife, who also uses one).
Awesome! Glad you've had a good experience with Osprey.
The advantage of solid suitcases in terms of security is that even if it is possible to open the zip with a pen, if the metal tabs of the zip are enclosed in the lock incorporated into the suitcase, it will be impossible for the thief to close the zip again once it has been opened fraudulently. On the other hand, soft-sided cases less often have a built-in security system that immobilizes the metal tabs of the zipper, so once the zipper has been forced open, it can be reclosed by passing the tab over the area to be reclosed. So it's the hardshell luggage with a built-in lock that win the day.
Wow! This is good to know....
One more thing for security, consider a luggage cover for suitcase. It can be removed but it makes your case less desirable than one without it. Also it makes your case easier to recognise in the conveyor belt. It will protect your case from marks an scratches. Some are made with PVC and protect your case from rain water.
Can you put thoseon soft sided?
Great call on the luggage cover!
You probably could, but it might be a bit awkwardly sized since most softshell luggage is shaped a bit differently.
Great video! We've been weighing all the same pros and cons and I am switching to a 2 wheel after making a wrong turn in the Netherlands and turning a 10 minute walk into an hour over some very rough streets while lugging spinners and too many bags. I will have 2 bags now with a 2 wheel that I know will fit Ryanair and a 30L backpack that I think I can get to fit properly as my personal item (may need a compression strap) plus I'll wear my fleece jacket around my waist with my puffer and gloves in the pockets.
Side note: one of the best things we carry in addition to our firestick is a bluetooth transmitter so we can (1) watch movies with full sound quality and volume (2) one person can watch something and not bother the other and (3) we won;t bother neighbors. One bit of caution: if you get one be sure to get one that can do 2 sets of earbuds as many will only do one. They caost about $40.
Good new strategy, and thanks for the tips on the bluetooth transmitter!
Well I must admit that I was definitely a hard shell luggage person, but that I might reconsider after seeing your video! Right now I'm gonna keep my hard shell because we're going to Crete with checked luggage and bringing back tons of olive oil and delicious honey, and I feel they'll be safer in a hard shell. But .... I'll let you know what I do in the future!
I think you've made a good call for this trip, given your precious return cargo!
@@NoraDunn 😄😄😄
Team Hardside Luggage. Don't have to worry about your bag getting wet when it rains. Spinner wheels are life. I don't like pulling anything behind me. I haven't had an issue with my hardshell set. I have used soft shell in the past. I feel the hardshell is more durable and protective of your things. My hardshell has expansion. I can expand it if need be. Still was able to fit in the overhead bin.
Nice! I'm experimenting more and more with hardshell and spinner luggage, and they both have their merits.
I liked your realistic comparisons!! ❤ A total must … Carry on has to be under five lbs 😊 so that means i’m on team soft-side. I add art or stencil in acrylics to the outside so it is easy to identify anywhere - esp these days when sometimes grrrr! it can get checked!! I spray it with lots of fabric protector (like i spray my bag, shoes, hat etc) so it’s easy to wipe clean and ok in the rain! 🎉 Truly - lately i do the same thing to a cloth small underseater with 2 wheels ❤ so i don’t have store luggage above and far away from my seat… Porter -- 😅
Great call on the fabric protection spray! Thanks!
I have owned the Hypath 2-in-1 soft side luggage for years. It’s actually 2 backpacks that zip together, one with wheels. I keep looking for better luggage, but for me, I just can’t find anything. I keep comparing, but am in agreement with you. Guess I’ll stick with what I have. Just weighed my carryon & it’s just 7#. Now I’m even more content.
Whaaaaaaat?!?! Off too google that!
@@tceller08 you are supposed to be able to configure it 8 ways. I’ve not used it that many, but several.
Awesome! Hypath just redesigned their pack too! - they finished a Kickstarter campaign for the new pack and it did really well!
The Demo Film Was IMPRESSIVE!
Thanks Nora...will be traveling frequently...and your channel is exactly what I needed in terms of the how-too's, thanks for your efforts.
Yay - thanks Steven!
On the security front, my Away aluminum luggage has NO ZIPPERS, and great locks. There are other (more expensive) brands that are similar. So any hardsided luggage built with no zippers and with a sturdy locking system will be more secure. I agree that zippers in either hardsided or softsided luggage are the weakest link.
No zippers?? How does the luggage close? I'm intrigued!
With two locks, just like small hard shelled cases we use for documents when office goers use. I have several hard shelled luggage that I used in the 70s/80s @@NoraDunn
@@jamesng9831 I have since seen some models like this. I think they look great!
@@NoraDunnthey refer to them as trunks. So with 2 latches. Usually pretty costly. I’ve seen a level 8 version.
@@catiejohnson7910 Indeed, I have since seen them. They look interesting! I'm curious to try some. I do like the absence of zippers.
Team Softside here. For all the reasons you mentioned plus NESTING. When we unpack in a hotel or cruise cabin we can put the carry on inside of the checked bags. Can’t do that so reliably with hard side- especially when there are hard dividers between the sides of the hard side cases. Plus, with hard side I am concerned that if the weight is uneven or the wheels snag in something the zipper will be torn/pulled open.
Great point about the nesting! Softside for the win! :-)
Thank you for this, i learned alot, including a new a new luggage term: kickplate! Love this Osprey, I took the checked version on a trip to Uganda where we were required to have soft sided luggage (at a total of 35lbs 😳) so it could be crammed into the offroad vehicles we traveled in - it performed beautifully. Thanks Nora!
Thanks Cheryl! Great to know the checked version of the Osprey soft-sided luggage was a win!
Nora, I generally agree with your conclusions on the individual factors and the winner for each factor, and for many years I used soft-sided suitcases and was happy. But eventually, I bought an Away hard-sided suitcase (carry-on size but I always check it). One factor you did not include in your analysis was attractiveness/stylishness of the bag, and here I think the hard-side usually wins. To be honest, with my hard-sided Away case, I just feel more professional (even though I am retired) and more stylish; I just like the look of me and it. So, even with its drawbacks, I'm quite happy with my Away. Oh, and regarding durability: Cases like the Away have a life-time warranty, so if the wheels or zipper go bad, they will replace or repair the bag, and anecdotally, I understand Away is very good about such warranty claims.
You're right - the fashion-factor of hard-sided is not to be underestimated! Also, the warranty is super important. Thanks Bruce!
Just got a hardshell with an outside pouch. I like the protection for my computer. I used to put it in my backpack but my packpack would get too heavy. Love the better protection the hard shell has. I also like the roller wheels so I can get it through the narrow aisles more easily when getting on and off the plane.
Very true! Thanks for sharing :-)
Very true! Thanks for sharing :-)
I love the look of the hardshell but after traveling with both, soft-sided all the way. I have a wonderful set that I got from Eddie Bauer over a decade ago, a soft-sided carry-on with a matching backpack, still my favorite luggage ever.
Awesome!
I pack in a trunk hard side two pops and it’s open. I also have a Topo Design roller/soft and hard as well that’s great in between. Which bag I use depends on the trip. Once that hard side is packed (I hate zippers on hard side bags with a passion) unless I get extra screening at TSA it’s not opening till the hotel-my underseat has stone cold everything I need.
You have in my opinion have to really know who you are as a person. I wanted hard sided with NO expansion-yes I realize that you can use the expansion like compression but I felt that it just encourages me to take way more than I should-no bueno.
I don’t pay to check bags- also not a factor in why I pack carry on only. It’s because when I get off the aircraft I can walk right on out!
For years I used an LL Bean rolling back pack on skate wheels and while it was smaller than most soft sided rollers and awkward to pack the main compartment-it was stone cold the best to manage on any roads and great on two wheels at airports. Still dragged out for a trip of less than 4/5 days.
Since 2001 I have checked bags less than a dozen times planned and that was when my now 22 year old was little.
Great point about opting NOT to have expansion so you don't give yourself permission to bring more than you need! I hadn't thought of it that way.
I am on the fence as I see your points about both. I purchased a brilliant knock-your-eyes-out yellow set of hard sided last year from Heys and used the medium size and the carry on to go to Comox in February. It was -40 in Calgary and when the luggage changed planes, they tore the wheel housing off one wheel. Heys replaced the bag free of charge which was great PR for them but now I am nervous about heading to Fort Lauderdale in February next year. I have kept my old perfect soft side American Tourister set of luggage from my work travelling days, just in case. It has quite a bit of wear but is just brilliantly easy to pack and I have never found any other brand designed so well. Fuchsia color so no man is going to touch it in error. My latest concern, regardless of type, other than weight of the empty bag, is the ease of opening the zippers with a pen and nobody seems to be talking about that. I never pack anything other than clothes and any thief would be sorely disappointed to find a case full of plus sized women's wardrobe essentials.
Interesting about the cold weather affecting the durability of hard-sided luggage! I hadn't considered that.
As for zippers - yep, they're the weak point of any luggage. That's why I loved Pacsafe's soft-sided luggage (which they sadly discontinued) because the zippers were tamperproof.
I guess now I just have a certain amount of trust that my luggage isn't going to get tampered with this way. Once a zipper is opened with a pen I don't think it can be closed again, so whoever tampers with it has basically stolen the luggage.
Team soft side! I briefly reconsidered my long time stance after my checked bag sat in the rain and arrived at my destination with everything wet on my last trip, but accessibility still trumps all the other reasons. I’ve had my eye on your demo bag for a while now, want the backpack straps for cobblestone and train stations.
Awesome! I'm currently in Europe with the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Carry-on and it's holding up very well.
I'm so glad somebody thinks like me!! I am on 'team soft shell' for sure! :)
Yay! Team softshell for the win! ;-)
I have always used soft-sided luggage for their flexibility. I have spinner carry-ons and 2-wheeled styles so I can choose which one will work best for my travel. Back in the '70s my friend and I traveled in Europe for 2 months with soft-sided bags (adding trolleys after we got tired of schlepping the bags). They packed great, held everything in place, and even stayed mostly dry in a downpour.
Nice one!
I have the best of both worlds. My carry on is a hybrid. The bottom/back is hard and the top/front is soft. Opens like a hard side ( clamshell) but still has access from the front with another small pocket. Can also be expanded. No spinner wheels.
Name of your carrying please?
E bags 21 inch Motherlode duffle.
Nice! I actually think most soft-sided luggage is hard at the back. It's a necessity to hold the wheel/trolley system in place.
I fell for the advertising so my last case was a shell. Never again. For all the reasons that Nora gave it will be soft sided luggage for me.😊
Team Soft-Sided for the win! ;-)
You missed a couple important disadvantages of soft shelled luggage (at least of the two wheeled variety). The first is the obvious physical burden pulling it behind you puts on your joints that many other commenters have mentioned, but the second is the poor stability which is just as important to me. A bag on four wheels is much much easier to keep upright than a bag with two. I know there are some wizards who have mastered the art of perfectly balancing the contents of their suitcase by weight so that their soft sided suitcase doesn’t face plant every time you take your hand off of it, but this is a skill I’ve never been able to get down. That’s a frustration I’m happy to no longer have to deal with now that I’ve switched to hard sided luggage.
I will admit that I miss the front pockets on soft sided luggage, but it’s not a big trade off to me to just carry the sort of stuff I would have kept there in my personal item instead. I’m a woman who carries a purse, so I’m never going to be one bagging it no matter what luggage I choose, so this isn’t a big deal, but I imagine it would be a greater pain if for people who only want to worry about one bag with them.
Great point about the balance issue and the difficulty of pulling it behind you. I've rolled my 2-wheeled luggage off more than a few curbs and it ends up going off-kilter.
Maybe soft-sided spinner luggage is worth looking into? Hmm.....(researching now)
Delsey Paris has soft-sided spinner luggages in various sizes and colors.
I love my soft-side Eagle Creek 20 inch bag. The one thing I wish it had is mesh bottle holder - that would make my bag perfect.
Agreed!
My wife uses carry on hard shell, two wheels. I use a back pack-carry on. On our recent trip to Italy we used our regular luggage and checked a third hard shell carry on. We usually just do carry on, no checked luggage.
Nice!
We’ve had bad luck with one of those roller wheels on the hard shell getting damaged. I like both but then again I rarely use them in any kind of bad weather
I do tend to worry about the durability of spinner wheels, but admittedly nothing bad has happened to any of mine.
Nice and detailed
Thanks!
Im 100% on the soft luggage team. Both checked and carry on :) With a family of 5 you DO NOT want to get to a hotel room and try to open 5+ hard shell bags (like books) 🤦🏻♀️. I also utilize packing cubes :)
Ooh good call when it comes to family travel! The footprint of 5 open hard-shell cases would be insane! Ha ha.
I have one of those old "brocade" soft suitcase groups...and the smallest on has 2 wheels and 2 little, stubby legs where other wheels would go...so, it stands up beautifully. Whether it would meet today's standards for size, I don't know...but it's real handy to have a case that stands up securely!
Yes, a case that stands up securely is so good! I've had cases topple over while traveling and it's annoying.
Monos has a fabulous “no zipper” closure. Just easy-to-use locking clips. Hard shell for the win.
Ooh - clips! Interesting. I'll have to check it out.
@@NoraDunn hey there! Two other things I was confused about with your analysis - and it may be because of the hard shell luggage you used as your sample. Mine has four sets of two wheels, one on each corner and it’s just as easy to pull it behind you on two sets of wheels as to let it glide beside you with the four sets of wheels. And I can leave my case upright to open it - no need to put it on a floor or bed to open it - one side has one big zippered compartment and the other side has a compression panel with straps and the panel has a zippered pocket - perfect for the raincoat or umbrella you may need to pull out. You do have to know where your stuff is to haul out something in particular but that’s true of every suitcase. The soft- sided ones are lighter for sure. I can still lift my carryon over my head when it’s packed. Check out the Monos back pack - it’s very stylish - I use it as my personal item and leave room at the top for my little cross body bag if an airline employee notices that I have three carryon bags. I’ve only had it on two trips so far and I find the vegan leather looks good - but heavier than my nylon one.
@@creativeinfusion6570 I have absolutely pulled my spinner (4-wheel) luggage behind me on two wheels - which is downright necessary on uneven pavement...which is what I was referring to when I spoke about wheeling it on cobblestones early in the morning....spinner luggage wheels (2 or 4) are inherently louder, which I don't like.
Thanks for the Monos backpack suggestion, and for the tip to leave some extra space in case slings/purses need to be shoved in there. I do the same!
16:13 I wish all luggage was designed better. I have spinner wheels on a softshell. I like them because they stabilize my top heavy bag a little (I am terrible at packing and I try). Also, when I need to carry four other bags at the same time (it was a long-term move), I need something to be easy. They were all about the same size because the airline was strict and I still have no idea how people travel with huge luggage. I have no idea how people who need to bring a lot move the stuff. Some people I talked to said they checked cardboard boxes and it worked out great. Did they pull a hand truck out of their butt? Wish they came with skis for ice and snow. All the wheels I've ever seen are pretty pathetic.
LOL - "did they pull a hand truck out of their butt" 😂
Team hard shell here. I’ve used both and prefer hard shell for a number of reasons. I’ll just mention a couple. Not only are they easier to clean but I’m sure it’s harder for bedbugs to invade them. Yes they are still a thing. Also I prefer not to have the expandability. Most of us pack too much anyway. It keeps you honest.😂
Ha ha! True.
Just subscribed. Thank you for your practical travel tips, especially the security & money handling tips.
We looked at both options today and opted for soft for all the reasons you mentioned, except with 4 “spinny” wheels instead of two. Spoiler: the axels on the partially concealed two wheels on one of our previous soft sides distorted so we ended up dragging the case instead of rolling it along.
We have both hard& soft and have found the hard shell very impractical in handling and luggage storage.
Good to know about the wheel axis of your former soft luggage.
I think soft luggage with spinner wheels is a good compromise!
I think one thing you forgot to mention was that if you have a personal item bag, you should be putting important items in that, so the point of pockets on the outside might be unnecessary for some. Especially if the airline is making you check your carry-on due to limited space in the overhead bins.
Yes! I have mentioned this in other videos, but you're right it's great advice that bears repeating.
I use both - a small carry-on size spinner and a 35L backpack. My backpack is a Gregory Border 35 - a very nice travel backpack.
Nice combo!
One issue not covered is contents durability. A soft bag at the bottom of 6 other cases , contents will get crushed , hard shell, if it does not burst a seam will protect contents.
On luggage conveyor the handlers throw soft bag down on the soft front not the hard back , potential damage to contents.
Cheers Warren
Great point Warren! I'm going to be testing out some more hard-shell luggage on my next trip (5 months long), so I'll get some more intel overall. But when it comes to checked luggage, I see the case for hardshell from a durability standpoint.
As a senior petite woman I struggled with my soft sided luggage. I recently purchased a level 8 21”.
🤞this works better for me. I typically don’t do carryon often, just can’t get it into the overhead bin anymore. There isn’t always someone willing to help if needed.
Yes, getting carry on into the overhead bins can be a challenge!
Me, too. I can't lift a carry-on over my head, and I'm tall. I have a bad shoulder.
I like a soft sided spinner. As an older woman with back issues, dragging the bag can be difficult at times.
Good call with the spinner. I totally understand.
If concerned about weather; put everything into a large plastic bag (I do this trail hiking). I have both, so I think I’ll go back to my soft shell next trip. Thanks!
Great tip about the plastic bag!
I am soft shell as I was boarding a very packed plane with a friend who had a hard shell, both carry-on. The flight attendant looked at our bags and asked my friend to check her hard case because the cabin was too crowded. He let me on, though. Soft cases are much easier to fit in overhead compartments.
Last thing I want to do is wait for my carefully packed carry on at the baggage carousel. Also, I have side handles and straps to grab.
Yes, soft-sided luggage can sometimes eek through whereas hard-sided is inflexible that way.
You have to be more intentional about balance when packing soft sided to keep it from tipping forward.
This is true!
Absolutely true. Discovered this when I packed my soft side carry on for a 12 day trip in Japan last month.
Brics has softsided 28 inch luggage that’s 8 lbs and it has 4 wheels
The duffle that’s a carryon is 5.5 lbs
Pricy but worth it to me
I’ve had my hardshell luggage cracked open and split open and they had to tape my stuff that feel out into a plastic bag
As for rain protection you can also spray it with scotchguard to waterproof it
I hear Brics is great!
I prefer and go for a soft luggage for carry on and hard for check in luggage.
Great strategy!
Great video! I'm always jealous of folks with spinner wheels while inside the airport, but even before watching your video, I thought my softside was more my style (and need). After watching this video, I know I made the right choice - I'm thinking cobblestones for 1/2 mile shag. 👎
Woohoo! Glad I helped validate your choice ;-)
I Noticed that airlines give more problems for checking soft shell luggage. As if it's now considered "special care" luggage, like huge backpacks [like they can get stuck in the tunnels which take your suitcase to the belly of the plane. This may become annoying....
Interesting! I've never heard that soft-shell luggage is now considered special care luggage. Though you're right about large backpacks with lots of straps that can get caught in the conveyor belts - if I were traveling with such a backpack with straps that don't tuck away, then I would use one of those services that wraps it in plastic.
I appreciate your information, details, and enthusiasm. The one piece of information I did not hear, or may have missed, is dimensions. In traveling internationally, especially in Latin America, a common size limit for a carry-on is 21.7 in x 13.8 in x 9.8 in or 55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm. The luggage in your video looks bigger than this, but could you clarify?
You can check the dimensions in the product links provided in the description.
The hard-sided carry-on I demonstrated is 21.8” x 14.5” x 9.8” (I believe that's the expanded size)
The soft-sided is 55H 35W 23D cm
I purchased a great brand hard frame with soft sides luggage. It was suppose to be carry-on size for most major airlines, you can get it services at all major airports should you lose a wheel etc. Well, it turns out to be way to heavy empty and many airlines highly suggest that it be checked in. I’ll keep it for a check in luggage, cause it is solid and the wheels have been great so far. I was looking at getting a hard shell luggage for my carryon only trips, but now I think I’ll research the type of soft shell luggage that was featured in this video.
Osprey makes great softshell luggage! There's a link in the description if you want to have a closer look.
@@NoraDunn thank you. I did take a look and the sizes are good and the prices are fair. I further researched the airlines I could possibly take or have taken in the past and their carry-on luggage size restrictions are all over the place; apparently there isn’t an industry standard. How more confusing can they make it.
@@l.c.6282 Ha ha - ain't that the truth!
Use giant Ziploc bags instead of packing cubes, or use the bags as covers for your packing cubes and anything else you don't want to get soaked. This has worked great for me. Your suitcase should dry out overnight, or you could treat yourself to a new one at your destination. 😉
Hooray for ziploc bags!
Literally just bought a 29" soft luggage for an international trip. I had the same thought about the 50/50 split in having to pack and open and close. The soft I liked the box type storage with a lid to open and close. Maybe I'm being partial to what I'm used to but let's see. I really was torn between the two types but went with what I know especially in terms of having to open the luggage last minute for something and the floor space it may take up in room etc.
Awesome! I think you made the right choice with the soft luggage!
Thank you Miss Nora🙂
With pleasure!
im about to go home from a 5 week trip and I need to check in a bag with bottles of wine and liquor 😂 I'm team-soft shell & usually only do carry on backpack style so im contemplating of buying a small hard shell cuz if it does get tossed around, it has a little more protection. And yes, Im padding/stuffing it with clothes too. Im torn if i should go ahead with it 😅
For checking fragile items like that, I think you may be right about bringing hardshell. Either way you'll need to pad the items, but hardshell might offer an extra bit of protection, especially against overzealous baggage handlers.
Fyi. Hanke is now making a hard sided checked size suitcase 26 inch that opens like a soft sided case. i just purchased it for 3 week trip next month. We'll see how it works.😊
Thanks for the info! Please drop another comment here once you've used it! I'd love to know what you think.
great video! team soft-side also-thanks for validating my choice-I was wondering what the appeal of hard shell was.
Gosh, I thought I was the only one! Ha ha
Excellent video! Informative. Your delivery is on target, too.
I appreciate that!
80% of the time I'm a 35L Aer Travel Pack 3 person. Kicks butt over both the options.
That said... When I need more room I've found that a Monos Hybrid (zipperless hardshell) combined with an AER City Pack Pro Backpack as my personal item solved nearly all the downsides you've listed for the Hardshell. Security definitely shift to Hard. Accessibility is a personal problem if you're not putting all the stuff you need in the backpack.
One thing that you didn't cover is that hardshell forces limits. So...while you list flexibility as a pro for soft. I think that that disregards that it begs people to overstuff right past airline limits. This just doesn't happen with hard and I like KNOWING that I'm within spec. :)
Thanks for sharing your preferences, and you make a great point about hardshell luggage forcing limits. Thanks !
I prefer hard sided, as I often bring bottles of wine home from USA. As for accessability if I know that I will eed something along the way, I just place it so I only have to open the zipper about 8 inches to get it out
Very clever!
Thank you for the help
Soft-side 2 wheels for me. Invested in the Briggs & Riley Baseline Global carry-on 2 months ago. Very pleased with my investment. Slightly more volume compared to equally priced global spinner.
I'm super interested in trying out a Briggs & Riley case (I have my eye on a soft-sided 4-wheel spinner). I have a friend who ADORES his.
@NoraDunn my little brother, who's 52 and 6'3" 😁, told me about B & R when I was stateside from my current Bahrain (I'm active duty). I did a LOT of overthinking/overanalyzing and committed to this bag. THEN I tried finding it. I placed two orders, both fell through. I was blessed to find one in LHR on my layover. The bag has been to Muscat, Madrid, and will go stateside next week. I chose the Global because I'll work and retire in Europe for my next assignment - European carrier specs. I've been semi-bingewatching you this weekend. 😊 Cheers!
@@elyseb674 First off thanks for bingeing my channel! Secondly, thanks for sharing more about why you chose B&R! Very handy.
@@NoraDunnmy pleasure! I'm used to 2 wheels (my Delsey from 2011 are soft-sided 2 wheelers. I don't believe Spinners were a thing yet). B&R has a lifetime warranty too. I spent HOURS evaluating different brands & styles of luggage. When I DO make a decision, I'm all in. My Delsey check-in bags & wheeled duffle are still going strong, no need to upgrade. I "needed" an international carry-on. I know I'll use it more than my other bags. You're the Ted Lasso of travel - bingeworthy!!! 😀
@@elyseb674 OMG best comment of the week "You're the Ted Lasso of travel" - Waahooooooo!
I am a world traveller I agree you can pack more of your trip purchases. We always buy soft sided.
Thanks for weighing in, Kathleen!
Note that you can get soft shell spinners. Also, for carry on luggage of the same size, (enclosed) 2 wheel luggage has more interior volume than 4-wheel spinners. This is the big deal breaker for me.
I'm actually curious to try a soft-shell spinner! But...like you say, two wheels has additional packing capacity, which when traveling carry-on is like gold.
I used to roll 2 wheel and 4 wheel TP luggage which I think is great
But now I just use a 35 l backpack
Much easier to maneuver through the airport and across cobblestone streets and going up and down stairs in Europe
True, but I detest wearing a heavy backpack for any length of time; it wears on my shoulders. For things like stairs and cobblestones, I find the inconvenience of hand-carrying rolling luggage to be quite temporary.
It's very much a personal call though. I still take trips where I too, use a backpack. It depends.
I've always used soft-sided luggage. The bags have suffered some tears here and there, but I have heard that hard-shell luggage can crack to the point that your belongings end up all over the conveyor belt! Embedded wheels are important, and many hard-shell cases do not have these. To protect belongings in a downpour, keep a large garbage bag with you and put your stuff inside it for an extra layer of protection. Is it true that if these TSA locks that are embedded in the case get broken, you can't get into your suitcase without breaking the zippers? Thanks for the video!
Good tip about the garbage bag! As for the TSA locks, I guess if they're irrevocably broken you would need to break the zippers. But hopefully you could just reset them and get in.
I would consider a hardshell if it had more durable wheels.. When I go back home I like to check-in my carry on.. I don't know how long would a hard shell spinner last if you check it in regularly
I think the wheels are pretty solid overall, but I agree, when hardshell spinner wheels protrude from the case as they do, they're most liable to get damaged/broken off.
Thank you for the time stamps!
You’re welcome 😊
Meh, it all depends on where you are going. And HOW will you travel. I go to EU all the time but I have my own place there, and have transport door to door from the airport. Moot point about cobblestone. If you have to walk around in EU I would choose to be loud, then drag the entire weight of my luggage on my hand or back and ruin my vacation with shoulder pain.
Soft sided luggage will for sure get you in trouble with acceptable dimension of carry ons on international flights. Been there. It's super easy to make them thicker than 9 inches. One sweater, and you will fail the fitting cages or machines.
Hardside luggage for me, in 99% of cases. Soft side for checked luggage, and for more allowable airlines, car and train travel.
Great points! Thanks for sharing.
Soft-sided with two rollar wheels easily & far better!!! I'm willing to bet all long-term travelers will agree. I suspect the hard-sided folks are short-term vacation travelers and don't travel outside North America and Europe...
Some interesting comments are coming through to the contrary, but I'm also team soft-sided, so you know where I stand!
Those extra soft-sided pockets, cause the bag to tip over awkwardly, especially with the handle up, including hitting other people, but only if you use them!
Interesting! I haven't found the pockets to be problematic, but certainly it's important to pack any 2-wheeled luggage carefully (tip: put the heavy stuff at the bottom and back) so that it doesn't topple.
👍👍👍 Great topic and awesome comparison. Very useful.
Glad it was helpful!
I’m going to be 72 later this month, and I still use a soft shell convertible backpack that can transform into a duffel bag. No wheels.
My Minaal 21 litre Daily. I used to use a 35 litre bag, but learned how to downsize and go more minimalist. Whether for two weeks, two month, or indefinitely…my 21 litre and a small crossbody sling is all I take. Carry on always. Never a checked bag. No wheelie luggage for me….even at my age.
Good for you, Robert! That's awesome.
Totally with you :))
Thanks!
Team hardside. Just more durable. My personal bag has all I need to access.
Nice! I think for my next long trip (5 months) I'm going with hard-sided luggage. Gonna give it a proper whirl!
I like soft shell
Team soft-shell!
I have one bag that is hard sided on the back and sides but the front is typical soft side with outside pockets. Best of both worlds. Unfortunately it is a checked bag size.
I think most rolling soft-sided luggage is actually hard on the back, to support the trolley handle/frame.
Good video 👍 I do have to disagree with lockable zippers being as good as built-in locks. While I've never actually gotten to use built in locks, I bet they wouldn't get broken off by airline equipment and lost, as has happened to me multiple times with TSA padlocks (even on carryon luggage!).
I just got home with a duffle bag (a spare initially carried inside other luggage in case of returning with more stuff) still having the twist-tie holding the zippers together but missing the lock (which I had to attach to the ends of the pulls). Since the twist-tie seemed to be as I left it, I figure the lock was pulled off by baggage-handling machinery rather than intentionally removed.
More frustratingly, I once put my carryon in a sizer and had trouble pulling it out because something had caught. A rude airline employee accused me of forcing my bag in (which I hadn't!) even though she should have been able to feel that it was something catching rather than tightness when she pulled it out. I later realized my lock was missing.
Btw, the reason I try to use TSA locks to keep zippers closed and slightly deter thieves, instead of twist-ties or whatever, is not because I think they work better. It's because I think TSA agents are more likely to put them back in place to hold the zipper closed. I particularly don't understand the people who recommend zip ties; TSA agents can't replace those even if they wanted to, they're single-use plastic waste, and you need a blade to remove them when you want to open your luggage.
Back on topic... I used to only use soft-sided luggage but am leaning more towards hard-sided in recent years - I don't think either one is always better.
Great point about built-in locks being a bit sturdier! I hadn't thought of it that way. Thanks!
@@NoraDunn Thanks!
Interesting, I have never traveled with either. I travel with a large pack as my check in luggage and aim for 10kgs. Therefore I am on the soft sided luggage.
Nice! Team (softside) backpack for the win! :-)
Durability. Many claim that hard-shell wins - I mean that's the point right? - but then amazon is full of reviews of the plastic cracking which is essentially impossible for a softshell. Until someone actually tests it, I'm very sceptical that soft shell is actually more durable.
E.g. imagine throwing (filled) large soft and hard shell suitcases respectively off a 30ft drop. You would expect all the hard materials to crack whereas the soft would simply absorb the impact.
Good point! Though given the same 30ft drop test, I wonder how the contents of each bag would fare....the plastic may crack but I wonder if it absorbs that impact better. (This is coming from somebody on team softshell! - but I do wonder about this).