Written by Annabel
Edited on
27 January 2025
·
16:09
What's the difference between a hard shell and soft shell suitcase?
You're going on a trip and need a new suitcase, but should you choose a hard shell or soft shell suitcase? A hard shell suitcase protects your belongings better, but a soft shell suitcase shapes to your luggage. In this article, we'll explain the differences and tell you which travel suitcase best suits your situation.
Hard shell suitcase, soft shell suitcase, and travel bag on wheels comparison
| Hard shell suitcase | Soft shell suitcase | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of vacation | Travels by plane | Travels by plane and car |
| Protects fragile items | Yes | No |
| Water-resistant | Yes | No |
| Shape adapts to your luggage | No | Yes |
| Closure | Zipper or snap closure | Zipper closure |
Type of vacation
Hard shell suitcase: travels by plane
A hard shell suitcase protects your luggage better than a soft shell suitcase. This means that your belongings are less likely to be damaged by falls and bumps than with a soft shell suitcase. This means it's not a problem if your suitcase falls off the baggage carousel. The water also drains from the travel suitcase, which keeps your belongings dry. Because hard shell suitcases have a fixed shape, the shape doesn't adjust in the trunk like a soft shell suitcase does.
Soft shell suitcase: travels by car and plane
Thanks to the soft material, a soft shell suitcase easily fits in the trunk of your car. Your baggage is less protected from moisture and bumps than in a hard shell suitcase. If you don't bring any fragile items, you can easily take it with you on your travels by plane as well.
Luggage space
Hard shell suitcase: limited space
Because a hard shell suitcase has a fixed shape, it doesn't adapt to your luggage. That means that the space in a hard shell suitcase is limited, so you can't fill it as easily. The material determines the flexibility of the suitcase. A polycarbonate travel suitcase is easier to fill up than a Curv suitcase, for example. Due to the material, a hard shell suitcase does take up a lot of space after your travels.
Soft shell suitcase: shape adapts slightly
A soft shell suitcase has reinforced edges to keep its shape, but it slightly adapts the shape to your luggage thanks to the soft material. In addition, a soft shell suitcase often has a front compartment you can store extra items in. The shape of this compartment also adapts to the items you put in. And thanks to the soft material, you can store the travel suitcase more easily than a hard shell suitcase.
