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We mapped out the pros and cons of hardside versus softside suitcases for all traveler needs.

Hardside and Softside luggages in blue and on a blue background

Credit:Travel & Leisure

Polypropylene is the most lightweight when it comes to plastic hardside bags while still remaining fairly durable.

Arguably the biggest pros and cons of hardside luggage are related to the material used.

Design

One of the most appealing factors of hardside luggage is the sleek design.

Person Examines Inside of a Suitcase

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If this is important to you, seek out hardside suitcases with quick-entry front pockets to solve that problem.

Aluminum is very durable but it can be quite dense with most carry-ons, weighing over 10 pounds.

It weighs 11.5 pounds, which is on the heavier side for checked luggage.

Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage With Spinner Wheels

Credit: Amazon

Going on aninternational trip?

There could be more pockets for storage.

This polypropylene carry-on is exceptionally durable to withstand anything from accidental drops to transits in inclement weather.

Person weighing the Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage With Spinner Wheels while another watches

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Vicky Wasik

Its light weight will surely be appreciated when youre lugging it from place to place, too.

The four 360-degree wheels are very smooth and make it easy to maneuver around any airport or hotel obstacles.

The TSA-approved lock has a slight learning curve.

Person pulling a Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage With Spinner Wheels over rocks

Plus, the 360-degree wheels make it incredibly easy to roll this small polycarbonate suitcase through a busy airport.

It can also result in a heavier bag.

Theres nothing more classic than a piece of softside luggage.

Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage With Spinner Wheels being pulled over small rocks

That option for external pockets is softside luggages most notable design feature as most hardside suitcases lack these.

(Remember that any wheels, handles, or the frame itself can add weightiness, too.)

When it comes to capacity, softside luggage truly shines.

Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage With Spinner Wheels displayed in front of a sofa

Because it’s so large, it can be cumbersome to maneuver when packed full.

It also stood up well to our durability tests and feels well worth the investment.

The handle popped out after we threw it off a table, but it wasnt damaged.

Person weighing the Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage With Spinner Wheels while another watches

It has a puffy, softside exterior and a padded laptop compartment in the front pocket.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the standard carry-on and checked luggage dimensions?

How should I pack a suitcase?

Person pulling a Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage With Spinner Wheels over rocks

Packing a suitcasecan be a tricky task, as it depends on the items youre bringing.

Generally, you want to distribute the weight evenly so the suitcase isnt bottom- or top-heavy.

If you oughta save space or pack strategically, we recommend using regular orcompression cubesto maximize your suitcases capacity.

Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage With Spinner Wheels being pulled over small rocks

Anna participates in every travel test and has tested luggage from nearly every popular luggage brand.

Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage With Spinner Wheels displayed in front of a sofa

Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner

Credit: Amazon

A person wheels the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner across carpet

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

A person places the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner into an overhead compartment

A person secures the strap on clothing packed in the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person places a travel pack into the pocket of the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person unzips a pocket on the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person unzips the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person presses on the lock on the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person pulls the expansion lock on the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person weighs the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person hits the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner with a baseball bat

A person wheels the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner across carpet

A person places the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner into an overhead compartment

A person secures the strap on clothing packed in the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person places a travel pack into the pocket of the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person unzips a pocket on the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person unzips the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person presses on the lock on the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person pulls the expansion lock on the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person weighs the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner

A person hits the Samsonite 21 Inch Freeform Hardside Expandable Carry-on Spinner with a baseball bat

Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage

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Person sliding the Calpak Hue Mini Carry-on Luggage under a metal rack

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Calpak Hue Mini Carry-on Luggage displayed in front of a sofa

Person sliding the Calpak Hue Mini Carry-on Luggage under a metal rack

Calpak Hue Mini Carry-on Luggage displayed in front of a sofa

A person using a handheld scale to weigh the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage

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Travelpro Platinum Elite 29-inch Expandable Spinner

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The Travelpro Platinum Elite 29-Inch Expandable Spinner sits in a living room

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A person hitting the Travelpro Platinum Elite 29-Inch Expandable Spinner with a baseball bat

The Travelpro Platinum Elite 29-Inch Expandable Spinner sits in a living room

A person hitting the Travelpro Platinum Elite 29-Inch Expandable Spinner with a baseball bat

Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

Credit: Dagne Dover

A person wheeling the Dagne Dover Seattle Carry-on down an airplane aisle

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The pockets inside the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

The front pocket on the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

Clothing is secured inside the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

A person secures a waist pack in the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

A person reaches inside the back pocket on the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

A person places a laptop into the front pocket of the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

A person weighs the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

A person places the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches into an overhead compartment

A person touching an empty Dagne Doverr Seattle Carry On Rolling Luggage 20.5"

A person buckling the Dagne Doverr Seattle Carry On Rolling Luggage 20.5"

A person unzipping a compartment in the Dagne Doverr Seattle Carry On Rolling Luggage 20.5"

A person placing a laptop inside of a compartment in the Dagne Doverr Seattle Carry On Rolling Luggage 20.5"

A person lifting the Dagne Doverr Seattle Carry On Rolling Luggage 20.5" into an overhead bin

A person wheeling the Dagne Dover Seattle Carry-on down an airplane aisle

The pockets inside the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

The front pocket on the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

Clothing is secured inside the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

A person secures a waist pack in the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

A person reaches inside the back pocket on the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

A person places a laptop into the front pocket of the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

A person weighs the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches

A person places the Dagne Dover Smaller Seattle Carry-on Luggage 20.5 Inches into an overhead compartment

A person touching an empty Dagne Doverr Seattle Carry On Rolling Luggage 20.5"

A person buckling the Dagne Doverr Seattle Carry On Rolling Luggage 20.5"

A person unzipping a compartment in the Dagne Doverr Seattle Carry On Rolling Luggage 20.5"

A person placing a laptop inside of a compartment in the Dagne Doverr Seattle Carry On Rolling Luggage 20.5"

A person lifting the Dagne Doverr Seattle Carry On Rolling Luggage 20.5" into an overhead bin

Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage

Credit: Calpak

A person pushing the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage down the aisle of an airplane

Credit: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

A person stowing the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage under the seat of an airplane

A person putting the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage in an overhead compartment of a plane

A person packing the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage

A person placing their laptop into the sleeve of the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage

A person pulling the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage during a test

A person putting the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage on top of a large suitcase

A person using a handheld scale to weigh the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage

A person pushing the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage off a counter

A person pushing the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage down the aisle of an airplane

A person stowing the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage under the seat of an airplane

A person putting the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage in an overhead compartment of a plane

A person packing the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage

A person placing their laptop into the sleeve of the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage

A person pulling the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage during a test

A person putting the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage on top of a large suitcase

A person using a handheld scale to weigh the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage

A person pushing the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on Luggage off a counter

Person Hits Suitcase With Baseball Bat to Test Durability

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A person placing the Dagne Dover Seattle Carry On Rolling Luggage 23.5 Inches into an overhead bin

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