As a retired road warrior, I've owned just about every kind of bag imaginable. My preference is soft sided, for a completely different reason. Most hardsided bags are clamshell design. When they're completely open they need twice the horizontal space to access both sides, sitting awkwardly on a luggage rack. Most soft side bags position the zipper for a lid design. The lid leans back against the wall using half the horizontal (floor) space. My favorite brand is Briggs & Riley, with Travelpro coming in second with price as a consideration.
I Totally agree! After spending 3 months touring with a different hotel every night, You don't want to continually unpack and repack everyday . The offset lid of the soft side bag allows you to open the bag and flip back the lid and leave it still packed [only taking out what you need]
@@SanSan-lb9iv not in the center. at one side, or the top if you lay it down. I was trying to buy one only a month ago and I checked out some shops. the first surprise, hard case baggage opening like a cookie box.
Bucket! After traveling for 6 years with hard sided luggage, I switched a year ago to good quality soft sided luggage (Travelpro Platinum Elite) and I'm much happier with the additional flexibility, the extra pockets, and even the occasional use of the expansion zipper when I'm coming back with a few more things than I left with. The extra flexibility allowed me to make several trips with only my backpack and carry-on, something I greatly appreciated. Also, the bucket style is so much nicer to use in the hotel room. When I had the hard sided luggage, the clam shell design often meant I had to put it on the floor because it took up so much more horizontal space when opened up. I would love to see a comprehensive comparison of soft sided luggage.
My opinion about luggage is that I carry-on soft, check hard. Soft usually has the pockets which is great while you are at the airport. I don’t consider security or it’s contents a concern as it is with you all the time. The hard sides are excellent for durability, especially vs rough baggage handlers.
BUCKET!!! (Carry-ons with wheels) Soft-shell suitcases work better on a hotel luggage rack with the "lid on a bucket" design. The main body of the case fits on the luggage rack, and then you just lift up the "lid" and rest it against the wall, to access the contents. The hard-shells with the 50/50 clamshell design don't work well on luggage racks nor even lying on the room's desk. You have to open those spread out on the bed because it doesn't fit on a luggage rack completely open. If you put half of it on the luggage rack, and the other half resting against the wall like a soft-shell, the contents fall out of the vertical half! Why don't they make hard-shell luggage that has just a "lid" on one side over a deeper "bucket" on the other side like the soft-shell? Until they do, I'm sticking with my Swiss Gear soft-shell. I also prefer the outside pockets.
excellent point! I was thinking about going with a hardshell because I like the look. Now that you mentioned the functionality at a hotel I need to rethink it. Thanks!
100 % agree with this comment and it is the main reason I prefer soft-shell. Like most travelers I don't unpack at everyplace and I take the items I need directly from the suitcase. This is the deciding factor for me.
I was ten years on business travelling with both types of luggage. Soft and hard version, but both in 50/50 design and zipper or locks at the half of the hight. You are right, the space for the luggage on the racks or beside the cabinets is very limited. But my experience with the hard shell luggage was far better than with the soft shell. Open the soft shell half upright in a 90° position ends always in a unstable wrecked half which also slack the straps to fix the content and it falls out. With the hard shell luggage, the opened half hold the position and every thing stays at his place. And finally in most cases when the storage box was too small I place the luggage on the floor beside the desk or wherever a space was available. During the travel with the hard shell I got also the better experience. For sample to have a seat or a place to locate the business trolly on top during transport (the luggage was a mid-size Rimowa, expensive, but with the best rollers and movability, I got at the end)
As a baggage handler at the airport, please do yourself a favor and get hard sided, 4-wheeled rollers. The soft sided ones often have multiple pockets that jut out and get caught on other luggage. The pockets tend to open up if not locked. Also, hard sided stack neater and glide/slide easier over bags as they are loaded and unloaded into/out of the cargo pits & bag carts.
@@kerplunk38880 Yes, but sometimes when they run out of space on the overheard they will take your carry on and put it under the plane. Happened to me 2 years ago flying to the US from Europe.
The best type are hard plastic ones with snap buckles no zipper because of security problems . These are used by camera people and techs to carry equipment. Pelican brand for example very strong and they do make a carry on version with wheels
One thing to add: Soft shell luggage absorbs moisture so your bag will “weigh more” if you are coming back from a country that is humid. And who needs that after you have bought souvenirs!
I really love my hybrid Ebags Motherlode. I've been using it for nearly 5 years, averaging more than 100 flights a year and it's still in great shape. I love that one side is hard to protect items, while I can pack all my clothes on the soft side for maximum flexibility. Best of both worlds.
I like softsided luggages: 1) light weight 2) expandable 3) it offers the traditional 2-wheel version with wheels better protected. They are not as versatile nor spin freely as the 4 wheel version but the wheels can last a long long time.
Ageed. My 24" soft sided luggage lasts almost 2 decades and I travel around 3-5 times a year on average, I got it very cheap (like USD2x) on the street in Shamshuipo in Hong Kong. The wheels are huge and built in the suitcase and super duper durable. I am planning to retire it cuz the zippers on the external pockets fell off and the stitches on the handle also show sign of RIP too.
Thanks for your comment. I’m looking for a smaller, lighter suitcase and tempted to get a spinner but I keep wondering about the long-term durability of the wheels.
After much research, I purchased the soft-sided TravelPro's Crew VersaPack Global Carry On Expandable Spinner. I love it. It rolls easily through the airport and down the aisle of the plane. With a convenient handle on the right side of the carry on as well as the main handle, it easily lifts into the overhead bin. No worry about fit because it is the global size. The wheels are well recessed and protected. I expect to enjoy this luggage for years to come. I personally don't care for the hard shell luggage because of scuffs, scratches, and dents and the fact that most of them take up too much space when opened.
Good presentation! I got a Level 8 Road Runner in Aug 2021 and have used it on over 100 flights. I love it, and my wife bought one a year ago. We have no regrets! And would not consider any others. What you need matters most but if this looks good, I think you’ll love it too.
Softshell bucket!! Moved from the old and heavy Delsey Axiom 2 wheel hard-shell in the 90s to the soft American Tourister spinners with 4-double wheels.
Here's a tip he didn't mention. If you check your luggage or travel to places that might steal from your bags, get a hard shell bag WITHOUT a zipper. Get one with locks. Zippers are easily broken into. I haven't seen a soft sided bag with locks instead of zippers. If theft isn't a concern where you travel or where you are checking your bags to, then no worries. A friend just had his expensive luggage destroyed and looted here in Colombia.
@@bambinaforever1402 They are talking about latch style hardside luggages. They have TSA locks on them so there would be no need for them to break the luggage
We've used max carry-on size (14x9x22 inch) Eagle Creek backpacks for years for travel. We've traveled all over Europe using those and they're great for travel by train (which we love). The bags are nearly indestructible. Lately we've been cruising, and after a recent cruise I ordered TravelPro soft-sided for each of us, because we're now over 70 and the backpack is tough for my wife to wear. Love the TravelPro bags - we'll continue using those for cruising, but we'll revert back to the Eagle Creek backpacks for European travel. Driving trips in the US - either will do. So no hard-sided bags for us.
I have both hard side and soft side with spinner wheels lugguages. I always use a luggage strap with checked suitcase to ensure it doesn't pop open during transit.
TIP: do like we backpackers and line your suitcase with trash compactor or contractor grade bags to prevent moisture! You can pack inside them or just use them as a liner so they overlap at the zipper. A bonus is using them as your dirty laundry bag as well. And I prefer hard sided since I like discipline of not over packing - again, backpacker. 😂 My rule is that if I can’t pick it up and carry it myself without wheels, it’s too heavy. Period.
exactly. And these ones have less chance to be forced to check in, they weigh empty a lot less and have all the chances to go into even RyainAir carryon luggage pattern at the boarding gate. As a bonus advice, just look at the majority of airlines having 9" thickness when the vast majorit of "cabin aproved" luggage is at least 10", and the hight limit of just half an inch below the 22" luggage; just enough to need to be checked in at the gate.
Yeah, but if you get a scratch or a scarf that won’t come off a hard shell, just get some travel sticker or a bumper sticker and slap that sucker on there and it looks cool like you did it on purpose and it helps you recognize it if it ever gets checked
If you travel a lot and internationally, I think the soft side is your best bet. Both don't last better one to another. I had used both, and I chose good brands like samsonite and Swiss gear. They don't last more than 3 years for travelling, but they were good for 10 years of use in daily office trip. As they both make no much difference in price and same length of time I use, I prefer soft case for a lot of extra pockets and the convenience to reaching stuffs I need during my trip on plane. My daughter has a Tumi for work and travel. The difference is that Tumi still scratchy but keeps a good nice shape after 2 years. It's hard side carry-on. Will see how long it will last. 👍 Your video+subscribed
You make a good point. I’m just thinking now, if one uses a typical hard shell for carryon, what do you do if during the flight you need to get something out? If you’re staying in economy, opening the luggage clamshell style is very inconvenient to impossible.
We bought a set of softsided luggage for our honeymoon two decades ago. It's black, still looks great and the carry on bag is light, wheeled and has external pockets. What I like best about this luggage is, it is nesting. We only have to have space to store the largest suitcase because the other three nest inside it. The only reason I want a BUCKET list is, I miss placed the keys and I would like to have bags I can secure, if necessary.
Nik: This is a beautifully done video. You are concise, comprehensive, and offer LOADS of information. The fact that you are a beautiful human being makes this easy to watch!
I have a Ricaro polycarbonate carry on bag that has been my solo travel bag, including one trip to Europe for a month with everything I took in that one bag. I occasionally lubricate the wheels so they roll VERY easy and recommend all your folks do thye same. But the best feature is the almost impossible to damage material. Last summer, we were at a train station with no elevator to take down to the transfer corridor. I just put the handle back into the bag, put it on it's flat side and shoved it down the stairs (on the flat side). It slid down the stairs to the bottom, and was fine, all contents safe. You can't do that with soft side luggage. I can also throw it off the train if it's too hard to carry down steps, etc. It's six years old, still looks and works like new. Also, it's red, makes it a LOT easier to spot in a pile or conveyor belt of luggage.
We like the expansion feature because we wear heavy warm clothes while we travel from a snowy climate to warmer areas. When we arrive, we expand our cases and tuck away our warm hoodies and long pants.
Thanks great info. I've used both and I prefer the hardside. I almost never open my carry on inflight, it remains in the overhead. If I have to check it, I'm more confident it will hold up better than softside. I don't mind scuffs, I actually welcome them to give my bag a well-travelled patina. When I think back to softsides I've owned, it's like dumping everything into a deep canvas bag. What you are looking for is always at the bottom. Hardside had the two sides so if you are rummaging through it to find your nail clippers you don't have to empty the entire case find them.
Nooo! Hard shell you're always looking on the wrong side! Whatever you need, guarantee it's on the other side, which you usually have to flip to get to.. It's like losing the coin toss! Same reason I hate a purse with a divider! Lol!
Bucket. Love your videos. I also prefer hard sided luggage but occasionally use soft-sided for certain trips. Your reviews and comparison videos are amazing. Clear, concise and fun to watch.
One advantage of hard-sided luggage is that it is more secured and don't have pockets which allow people to drop drugs or bullets into it. In many developing world countries, there are such scams going on where unwitting tourists become drug mules for drug gangs as they dropped drugs into side pockets of luggages and then pick them up later. In some countries, having illegal drugs in your possession, whether knowingly or not, incurs an automatic death sentence penalty. In some countries, the customs and baggage handlers will place drugs or bullets in your luggage and the officers will 'suddenly' discover them, and you will be 'persuaded' to bribe them.
I think soft sided is probably a little better. If your hardcase is just slightly too large then it is more difficult to compress to the overhead bin. I have also found that hard cases tend to fail at the zipper stitch in the corners where the bag repeatedly gets bumped.
I use soft sided luggage. I like having the extra compartments it is quite nice. I was in a Don Quijote in Tokyo and bought a soft luggage for all of the souvenirs I bought. It was cheaper than the hard body and had more features.
Great review of the differences. Some other considerations. Expansion bags are good contingency bags. You obviously don’t overpack on the way out, you consciously decide to check your carry on as a checked bag. But if you have extra items on the way home, you can expand and check your carry on or buy a new bag on your trip. I’ve never used a hard sided bags before of the inefficiencies of packing, but now they have a few hard side “bucket” style bags, so that might be the best of both worlds. You might seek a few out and do a review. One thing that IMO is the most important consideration in a bag is the quality the wheels. But, I guess that’s not a hard to soft consideration, just a which one consideration.
Definitely Hard Shell for me. But those can be further divided into those with both halves connected somehow wobbly with a zipper and those with an aluminum frame, a real hinge and traditional suitcase locks. I think those with a zipper can be seen more often and their advantage is that they are lighter. Anyway, I don't really trust those zippers and the overall stability. Not sure if this really justified, but I prefer those poly-carbonate hard shells with an aluminum frame. Probably those lighter zipper suitcases are good enough as carry-on, but sometimes it is necessary to check your luggage in, which requires better durability.
Great work on the detailed analysis. Based on my experience, it matters more to checked luggage considering hard or soft cases. My opinion, hard shell suitcases are much more preferred for checked in luggage if you can afford.
Bucket. Please! I have a two wheeled soft sided that we have used a lot. Maybe they have improved the four wheel spinners, but I didn’t think they worked very well on cobblestones. Thanks for your channel, very helpful.
I made that video! Here you go >> th-cam.com/video/Jl6fXuWhtcc/w-d-xo.html Check it out and give me your thoughts! I've had great success w/ 4 wheeled bags on cobblestones when the wheels are high quality! Worst case, it can be rolled as a 2 wheeler too!
I used to be hard shell suitcases ONLY and after getting a soft sided one, I am a officially switching teams. The way it opens is much better and I find I can store so much more than the clamshell opening of hard shelled suitcases. And the amount of space it takes up in a hotel is minimal which is important when space is lacking!
I bought A hard shell one and after one trip I gave it to my daughter and bought a soft shell. If you travel and are not really planing on unpacking the soft sided is more convenient.
I don't fly very often, at least not yet, but EVERY TIME I've flown I've had to stuff my soft sided carry on into the over head bin. Had I had a hard shell it wouldn't have fit. So soft sided for me.
I use hard sided, with an expansion zipper - it is a carry on sized bag, but normally check. I have used this traveling throughout Europe 3 weeks+ and is definitely easier to maneuver when on cobblestone streets. I bought a set in orange (samsonite) and have never used the larger bag. Also, this bag is incredibly durable, it is a bit scratched up, but I’m fine with that. A note on the color - I recommend brightly colored bags when checking or lots of colorful stickers on a darker bag.
I’m definitely a depends person between the two. For carry-on, I go with soft-sided as they are very flexible and the multiple pockets are good for packing. For checked luggage, I go with hard-side, specifically polycarbonate. I don’t need those extra pockets and the hard shell protects the contents well during the rough handling by both man and machine.
Soft for me due to the lightness! Some models can be 1-2Kg heavier and that’s a lot of extra stuff I can carry! I’ve packed wine bottles and some other fragile items and never had them broken even when checked in so as long as you pack it well it’s gonna be ok most of the time 👍
soft sided is better when using it as a general bag for a family. We put all the computers and electronics, and heavy stuff in it while walking around. The interiror pockets are good for currancy changes, passports etc. Things you may want quickly and without drawing much attention from others. We also pack it with snacks, diapers, change of clothes for the little one. It is easy to open and slide items out at security. It is easy to open on the airplane, either on the seat, aisle or even slipping a hand in while its still in the overhead. Also at least in less expensive bags the soft sided two wheelers have more space as the wheels are partly encased by the bag. Hard shell and are almost always hanging down, that's two inches of space lost. Maybe I should make my own video
Having loaded luggage on commercial aircraft, one thing I will say is hard sided luggage shifts much more easily in the luggage hold due to the slickness. Depending on where it is, it may go flying forward upon landing depending on where it was loaded. The most common damage I saw was to wheels when this king of thing happened. I do think wheels have improved somewhat since then.
Hard cases but no zippers - the ones that have an edge that sits within a rim are my favourite - they usually have 3 locks, top, bottom and side - are weatherproof and so durable.
soft sided THULE carry-on or the soft sided THINK TANK ROLLER DERBY if I'm taking camera gear, I like hardshell but hate the 50 50 split. I have a 70/30 hardshell for my checked bag, its more like a trunk and is fabulous in a hotel room for not taking up too much space.
Soft is best. I've seen so many hardshell luggage on the airport conveyer with their corners dented in. My son had one that actually cracked rather than dented in. You have to flip over one whole filled side of your luggage onto the other to close a hardshell. Our family barely made the weight limit on each of our 5 suitcases before the airline would have increased the charges dramatically - we would not have been under that limit with hardshell. Scratches and scuffs on hardshell make your luggage look ratty real fast. No way we had room in our hotel or cruise ship cabin to open hardshells flat. I just dont roll my luggage outside through rain too much to worry about that.
I use a wheeled duffle-style carryon. It squashes down well with straps, and is easier to fit in an overhead. Especially if other people take too much space.
A hard side convert. I’ve watched luggage on the truck going to the plane from window at the gate with a long trail of luggage falling off the truck onto tarmac. I’m the pouring rain. Easily fixed if they just closed the sides of truck, but they couldn’t be bothered. All those soft side bags no doubt were soaked
Bucket. I'm on the hunt for a carry on back pack with wheels. We bought the eBags Mother Lode for our trip to Europe in 2019 and while it was a great backpack, I really would like to have one with wheels. We do carry on only now so the weight of the bag itself is important too because if it's too heavy, it limits how much we can pack. Thanks for all the great videos!
I like a heavy duty expandable duffle bag I have used for years. I only ever have a small amount of fragile items that I will usually carry with me in a backpack. Only clothing and maybe a pair of shoes in the duffel, so no concerns about rough handling. Sturdy shoulder strap means I can walk anywhere with it.
I have both and variety of material and price tier. To me the basic difference is hard shell opens from the middle, so not as flexible in loading, soft shell can be less protective when it’s not full. So, if I bring only a carry on to travel, I choose soft shell because it’s more forgiving to stuff. If I have check in luggage also, I take hard shell case more to carry my camera gears for better protection and there are more stylish models to choose from.
Bucket, great video, also enjoyed the videos with your Dad in Israel, my wife & I just returned from there & they were a great help! Regards from Sydney Australia
Thanks for this video. Very informative and well made. I don't have carry on bags with wheels currently but if I'm going to get one, I think it'll be the soft one but I'll also probably get a cover/rain cover for it.
I used to have 3 different mid-size soft shell suitcases that I really liked and mainly used to travel to SEA for winter. And somehow each of them returned from the second trip with a broken side panel (well, one also had a wheel disintegrate). So I switched to hard shell. Four years later, this January, they somehow broke it as well -- a crack on the bottom roughly around the mounting point of one of the wheels. My next one will be a hard shell again, though. I've got until first snow or so to find one that speaks to me.
Hard shells come wrapped in plastic, which can be left on protect the case from scratches for quite a long time, obviously depending on the user and multiple other variables. I have a hard shell that you can sit on and ride. You should see the looks like it going down the terminal look at the airport, but to be quite honest I'm surprised more people don't have them. Point is when I got my ride on luggage I didn't even know how to plastic wrap on it until a couple years of use when I started to see some wear around one of the corners and I thought it looked odd and then I realized I hadn't even removed the plastic. 😂
Bucket. My family had excellent experiences with the soft sided carry on that used to be available at Costco (“Kirkland” brand). But they stopped making/ carrying them. The wheels on my 1999 Kirkland crumbled a few years ago. I haven’t replaced it (or gotten rid of it) yet because I haven’t found anything as practical. (And haven’t traveled that way/ much since COVID). The Kirkland was perfect 2-wheeler (you get more packing space with less ground clearance) with all the bells and whistles and a TRUE carry-on size unlike so many that actually run over.
I bought a Level 8, used it twice, and then I couldn’t get it open-after I had it packed for a trip. The TSA lock flat out wouldn’t open. We finally bought a TSA key. That opened the case, but then we couldn’t get the key out. We threw the case away. 3:14
Find soft lighter and easier to squeeze into an airline size checker if required. When flying hand luggage and budget airline those two things matter as weight and size restrictions keep getting worse.
Hardshell for Carry-On because my Carry-On paired with my backpack are going to have everything of value plus "just in case" items if my Checked back gets lost. Checked Bag though? Soft Sided all the way because the only thing in there is going to be clothes and a few other random items, don't really care how banged around it gets.
HARD ARE BEST GOING THROUGH CUSTOMS - THEY ARE EASY TO CHECK / SWAB. However, l usually take one each, because of equipment l carry when travelling on business
I always use soft sided bags. When I looked into which is better, I read multiple reviews that said hard shell bags are more likely to break them softsided bags.
Should check out the soft shell tactical style ones that are made of higher materials. Most are 1000 denier cordura ballistic fabric YKK double coil zippers.
I own both for different uses and trips. Also, I've never had a problem with wetness for my soft sided as I make sure that I give it multiple layered sprays of waterproofing before I use it on any trip. It lasts even through a 2 week trip very well. Sometimes I'll even bring both, one for my items and one for anything I get during the trip. Then I can decide which one to use for what. Though usually it's the soft sided for my stuff and the hard sided for any items I get while on the trip. The only real thing I don't like about the soft sided which wasn't mentioned in this video is, that when fully packed a soft sided that has the two wheeled design, tends to want to fall over on the non-wheeled side a lot. Even though it has the brace that's supposed to keep it upright.
BUCKET! I have the Delsey Paris Chatelet medium hardside suitcase, the under seat carry-on, and the matching backpack. I had such a hard time fitting everything I needed for a week long business trip in Minnesota in November. I bought the 19" carry-on for a 4-day, 4 night trip to Vegas this summer and I promptly returned that bag. I don't know how anyone can pack for a trip like that with only a hard side carry-on. My soft side suitcase has been my go-to if I'm going the carry-on and personal item route.
I made that video! Here you go >> th-cam.com/video/Jl6fXuWhtcc/w-d-xo.html Check it out and give me your thoughts! Did not include rolling duffels this time but am thinking of possibly a separate rolling duffel video!
I go with the soft as weight is usually an issue. If airlines only cared about the size of luggage, I would likely go hard case, especially for checked bags - sometimes you need that soft case to squeeze the bag in the overhead.
Bucket! I have both and need new for a Europe trip next year. A friend just bought a travelpro platinum elite and loved it. I would love to see a soft side comparison.
Bucket! I’m due for new luggage after years with my soft shell (always had soft shells growing up). I was leaning towards the hard shell but a feature I never knew I had all these years was the “bucket” design! Clamshells take up a lot of space and I’d rather have one full side over two halves. I’ll have to check out your soft shell reviews next! Maybe I’ll just spray a few coats of waterproofing too. Side note, I hope you review the Solgaard next, the closet feature is neat but I’m skeptical about durability and the locking feature. I feel one odd drop and the locks can unlock… gameover!
Hey, Great Video but try to place your teleprompter in a slightly better position. It seems slightly off axis right now and looks weird when you're talking while staring at it.
Just got home from a 3-week trip to the west coast. My brand new TravelPro soft sided bags did, and did not, do well. The undersea bag I had with me on the plane was fine. The larger bag that was checked did well going west but took a beating on the way home. Granted, they are pink (so I can find them amidst the plethora of black bags on the carousel) but the checked bag looks beaten and like it's very old. I think I'm going to buy a Monos carryon (just the basic one to be sure the airlines like Air Canada will let me take it on board). I'd love to get the one with the external pocket but I think it's too big and too heavy (when loaded) for me to lift up into the bin safely.
I appreciate your video, but what I miss are concrete comparisons based on experience. I travel a lot, visit more than 100 different hotels per year. Till now I used old trusty Samsonite, two wheels. Additionally I also have a lot of work with people’s suitacases. What I discovered is that recognized luggage brands tend to last long and are sturdy. I saw how DG, Gucci and other similar brands are complete crap. What you want from your liggage is to be handy, easy to handle and have good wheels and handles. Look after recognized brands that are in the market for a long time. All other fancy brands don’t come even close, having wheels falling off, cases collapsing and handles flying off very soon. I would go with nylon soft as it is durable and light. 2 wheels tend to last longer. Simetrical split open are inconvinient IMO. Be sure to check the balance as I see many suitcases simply falling over once they are full. Remember you gotta haul all that when you travel, so keep it light and practical and dont fall for all the marketing features promoted which you’ll never use.
Bucket. Love your take on travel! Thanks for the great videos. Though, I’m still on the fence about hard sided versus soft sided… I concur with some of the other comments re: expansion - expansion is for souvenirs and checking on the way home :) And I was resistant to 4 wheels, but they make it soooo much easier to go down the aisle of the plane. So, would really love your comments on soft sided options.
I’d like a video of the best hard sided and soft sided check in bags, please. It’s getting so hard to obtain space in overhead bins for wheeled carryon luggage. I rely more than ever on checked bags for trips longer than a few days.
Hey Nik, great info as usual - thanks!! In another video, you mentioned an Osprey backpack that you travel with…it collapses and is water resistant. Do you have a link to that one? I can’t find it :) thanks again!
I plan to do more travel after having recently spent 2 weeks abroad and congratulating myself for converting to the carry-on lifestyle :-) I decided on both. A Travelpro will be my soft-sider, and I also intend to get a Level8 Road Warrior or Luminous- with the caveat that the hard case will be primarily for car travel. And I can't help it- I know in my brain that soft-side is more practical for my typical use case, but the hard cases are just so much more s*xy and I just plain want one. Sometimes we must suffer for fashion.
For your carry-on luggage, spend the best you can afford. 90% of the time you will be handling it. For checked luggage, durability and economy. You'll be replacing those after 20 flight legs anyway.
Considering the strict policy for carry on and the extra cost of hold luggage. We just carry on regulation sized shoulder bags. When there is a limit of 7kg, why waste over 2kg on a wheelie framed thing. The shoulder bag weighs next to nothing so you can maximise your stuff and avoid using hold luggage altogether in most cases. Grab a free airport trolley and just breeze straight past the carrousel on your way to the front of the line at border control. Easy.
Which one do you use? P.S. Get 10% off any piece of luggage from LEVEL8 Cases when you use the code "awaytogether".
As a retired road warrior, I've owned just about every kind of bag imaginable. My preference is soft sided, for a completely different reason. Most hardsided bags are clamshell design. When they're completely open they need twice the horizontal space to access both sides, sitting awkwardly on a luggage rack. Most soft side bags position the zipper for a lid design. The lid leans back against the wall using half the horizontal (floor) space. My favorite brand is Briggs & Riley, with Travelpro coming in second with price as a consideration.
I Totally agree! After spending 3 months touring with a different hotel every night, You don't want to continually unpack and repack everyday . The offset lid of the soft side bag allows you to open the bag and flip back the lid and leave it still packed [only taking out what you need]
Exactly, but best made with hard shell material.
many hard shell luggage has lid opening lately
@@egaskrad they may have lid opening but it opens right in the center and not off set is what we are talking about.
@@SanSan-lb9iv not in the center. at one side, or the top if you lay it down. I was trying to buy one only a month ago and I checked out some shops. the first surprise, hard case baggage opening like a cookie box.
I like that you always put yourself out there with your personal preference. Not all reviewers do that.
Bucket! After traveling for 6 years with hard sided luggage, I switched a year ago to good quality soft sided luggage (Travelpro Platinum Elite) and I'm much happier with the additional flexibility, the extra pockets, and even the occasional use of the expansion zipper when I'm coming back with a few more things than I left with. The extra flexibility allowed me to make several trips with only my backpack and carry-on, something I greatly appreciated. Also, the bucket style is so much nicer to use in the hotel room. When I had the hard sided luggage, the clam shell design often meant I had to put it on the floor because it took up so much more horizontal space when opened up. I would love to see a comprehensive comparison of soft sided luggage.
My opinion about luggage is that I carry-on soft, check hard. Soft usually has the pockets which is great while you are at the airport. I don’t consider security or it’s contents a concern as it is with you all the time.
The hard sides are excellent for durability, especially vs rough baggage handlers.
BUCKET!!! (Carry-ons with wheels) Soft-shell suitcases work better on a hotel luggage rack with the "lid on a bucket" design. The main body of the case fits on the luggage rack, and then you just lift up the "lid" and rest it against the wall, to access the contents. The hard-shells with the 50/50 clamshell design don't work well on luggage racks nor even lying on the room's desk. You have to open those spread out on the bed because it doesn't fit on a luggage rack completely open. If you put half of it on the luggage rack, and the other half resting against the wall like a soft-shell, the contents fall out of the vertical half! Why don't they make hard-shell luggage that has just a "lid" on one side over a deeper "bucket" on the other side like the soft-shell? Until they do, I'm sticking with my Swiss Gear soft-shell. I also prefer the outside pockets.
excellent point! I was thinking about going with a hardshell because I like the look. Now that you mentioned the functionality at a hotel I need to rethink it. Thanks!
100 % agree with this comment and it is the main reason I prefer soft-shell. Like most travelers I don't unpack at everyplace and I take the items I need directly from the suitcase. This is the deciding factor for me.
They do make one- saw it here on TH-cam. But I can’t remember the name of it
Away just came out with 70/30 trunk size
I was ten years on business travelling with both types of luggage. Soft and hard version, but both in 50/50 design and zipper or locks at the half of the hight. You are right, the space for the luggage on the racks or beside the cabinets is very limited. But my experience with the hard shell luggage was far better than with the soft shell. Open the soft shell half upright in a 90° position ends always in a unstable wrecked half which also slack the straps to fix the content and it falls out. With the hard shell luggage, the opened half hold the position and every thing stays at his place. And finally in most cases when the storage box was too small I place the luggage on the floor beside the desk or wherever a space was available. During the travel with the hard shell I got also the better experience. For sample to have a seat or a place to locate the business trolly on top during transport (the luggage was a mid-size Rimowa, expensive, but with the best rollers and movability, I got at the end)
As a baggage handler at the airport, please do yourself a favor and get hard sided, 4-wheeled rollers. The soft sided ones often have multiple pockets that jut out and get caught on other luggage. The pockets tend to open up if not locked. Also, hard sided stack neater and glide/slide easier over bags as they are loaded and unloaded into/out of the cargo pits & bag carts.
We're talking about carry on luggage.
@@kerplunk38880 Yes, but sometimes when they run out of space on the overheard they will take your carry on and put it under the plane. Happened to me 2 years ago flying to the US from Europe.
The best type are hard plastic ones with snap buckles no zipper because of security problems . These are used by camera people and techs to carry equipment. Pelican brand for example very strong and they do make a carry on version with wheels
Thanks for the information. This is super helpful to know.
@@davidcook7223 its actually useless information since we’re discussing carry on luggage
One thing to add: Soft shell luggage absorbs moisture so your bag will “weigh more” if you are coming back from a country that is humid. And who needs that after you have bought souvenirs!
I really love my hybrid Ebags Motherlode. I've been using it for nearly 5 years, averaging more than 100 flights a year and it's still in great shape. I love that one side is hard to protect items, while I can pack all my clothes on the soft side for maximum flexibility. Best of both worlds.
I like softsided luggages: 1) light weight 2) expandable 3) it offers the traditional 2-wheel version with wheels better protected. They are not as versatile nor spin freely as the 4 wheel version but the wheels can last a long long time.
Ageed. My 24" soft sided luggage lasts almost 2 decades and I travel around 3-5 times a year on average, I got it very cheap (like USD2x) on the street in Shamshuipo in Hong Kong.
The wheels are huge and built in the suitcase and super duper durable. I am planning to retire it cuz the zippers on the external pockets fell off and the stitches on the handle also show sign of RIP too.
Thanks for your comment. I’m looking for a smaller, lighter suitcase and tempted to get a spinner but I keep wondering about the long-term durability of the wheels.
Also, it does not get as many scratches as hard shell.
@@Oasis221 I assume it is not a branded luggage? I am always afraid about buying non branded luggage because I think they may be unreliable?
After much research, I purchased the soft-sided TravelPro's Crew VersaPack Global Carry On Expandable Spinner. I love it. It rolls easily through the airport and down the aisle of the plane. With a convenient handle on the right side of the carry on as well as the main handle, it easily lifts into the overhead bin. No worry about fit because it is the global size. The wheels are well recessed and protected. I expect to enjoy this luggage for years to come. I personally don't care for the hard shell luggage because of scuffs, scratches, and dents and the fact that most of them take up too much space when opened.
Good presentation! I got a Level 8 Road Runner in Aug 2021 and have used it on over 100 flights. I love it, and my wife bought one a year ago. We have no regrets! And would not consider any others. What you need matters most but if this looks good, I think you’ll love it too.
Softshell bucket!! Moved from the old and heavy Delsey Axiom 2 wheel hard-shell in the 90s to the soft American Tourister spinners with 4-double wheels.
Here's a tip he didn't mention. If you check your luggage or travel to places that might steal from your bags, get a hard shell bag WITHOUT a zipper. Get one with locks. Zippers are easily broken into. I haven't seen a soft sided bag with locks instead of zippers. If theft isn't a concern where you travel or where you are checking your bags to, then no worries. A friend just had his expensive luggage destroyed and looted here in Colombia.
U should not lock your bags in case they need to inspect them at security, or they will break your luggage
@@bambinaforever1402 They are talking about latch style hardside luggages. They have TSA locks on them so there would be no need for them to break the luggage
Best is to wrap your bags after TSA checks. That way you worry less about theft.
We've used max carry-on size (14x9x22 inch) Eagle Creek backpacks for years for travel. We've traveled all over Europe using those and they're great for travel by train (which we love). The bags are nearly indestructible. Lately we've been cruising, and after a recent cruise I ordered TravelPro soft-sided for each of us, because we're now over 70 and the backpack is tough for my wife to wear. Love the TravelPro bags - we'll continue using those for cruising, but we'll revert back to the Eagle Creek backpacks for European travel. Driving trips in the US - either will do. So no hard-sided bags for us.
I have both hard side and soft side with spinner wheels lugguages. I always use a luggage strap with checked suitcase to ensure it doesn't pop open during transit.
Yes, please do a soft sided comparisons video! Much prefer soft sided!
TIP: do like we backpackers and line your suitcase with trash compactor or contractor grade bags to prevent moisture! You can pack inside them or just use them as a liner so they overlap at the zipper. A bonus is using them as your dirty laundry bag as well. And I prefer hard sided since I like discipline of not over packing - again, backpacker. 😂 My rule is that if I can’t pick it up and carry it myself without wheels, it’s too heavy. Period.
exactly. And these ones have less chance to be forced to check in, they weigh empty a lot less and have all the chances to go into even RyainAir carryon luggage pattern at the boarding gate. As a bonus advice, just look at the majority of airlines having 9" thickness when the vast majorit of "cabin aproved" luggage is at least 10", and the hight limit of just half an inch below the 22" luggage; just enough to need to be checked in at the gate.
Yeah, but if you get a scratch or a scarf that won’t come off a hard shell, just get some travel sticker or a bumper sticker and slap that sucker on there and it looks cool like you did it on purpose and it helps you recognize it if it ever gets checked
If you travel a lot and internationally, I think the soft side is your best bet. Both don't last better one to another. I had used both, and I chose good brands like samsonite and Swiss gear. They don't last more than 3 years for travelling, but they were good for 10 years of use in daily office trip. As they both make no much difference in price and same length of time I use, I prefer soft case for a lot of extra pockets and the convenience to reaching stuffs I need during my trip on plane.
My daughter has a Tumi for work and travel. The difference is that Tumi still scratchy but keeps a good nice shape after 2 years. It's hard side carry-on. Will see how long it will last.
👍 Your video+subscribed
You make a good point. I’m just thinking now, if one uses a typical hard shell for carryon, what do you do if during the flight you need to get something out? If you’re staying in economy, opening the luggage clamshell style is very inconvenient to impossible.
We bought a set of softsided luggage for our honeymoon two decades ago. It's black, still looks great and the carry on bag is light, wheeled and has external pockets. What I like best about this luggage is, it is nesting. We only have to have space to store the largest suitcase because the other three nest inside it. The only reason I want a BUCKET list is, I miss placed the keys and I would like to have bags I can secure, if necessary.
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Nik: This is a beautifully done video. You are concise, comprehensive, and offer LOADS of information. The fact that you are a beautiful human being makes this easy to watch!
Soft sided Travel Pro Platinum Elite that you show in this video. They are awesome. I think soft sided bags can often be heavier.
I have a Ricaro polycarbonate carry on bag that has been my solo travel bag, including one trip to Europe for a month with everything I took in that one bag. I occasionally lubricate the wheels so they roll VERY easy and recommend all your folks do thye same. But the best feature is the almost impossible to damage material. Last summer, we were at a train station with no elevator to take down to the transfer corridor. I just put the handle back into the bag, put it on it's flat side and shoved it down the stairs (on the flat side). It slid down the stairs to the bottom, and was fine, all contents safe. You can't do that with soft side luggage. I can also throw it off the train if it's too hard to carry down steps, etc. It's six years old, still looks and works like new. Also, it's red, makes it a LOT easier to spot in a pile or conveyor belt of luggage.
We like the expansion feature because we wear heavy warm clothes while we travel from a snowy climate to warmer areas. When we arrive, we expand our cases and tuck away our warm hoodies and long pants.
What a science! Hard sided for carry on and soft sided for the check in.
Thanks great info. I've used both and I prefer the hardside. I almost never open my carry on inflight, it remains in the overhead. If I have to check it, I'm more confident it will hold up better than softside. I don't mind scuffs, I actually welcome them to give my bag a well-travelled patina. When I think back to softsides I've owned, it's like dumping everything into a deep canvas bag. What you are looking for is always at the bottom. Hardside had the two sides so if you are rummaging through it to find your nail clippers you don't have to empty the entire case find them.
Nooo! Hard shell you're always looking on the wrong side! Whatever you need, guarantee it's on the other side, which you usually have to flip to get to.. It's like losing the coin toss! Same reason I hate a purse with a divider! Lol!
Bucket. Love your videos. I also prefer hard sided luggage but occasionally use soft-sided for certain trips. Your reviews and comparison videos are amazing. Clear, concise and fun to watch.
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One advantage of hard-sided luggage is that it is more secured and don't have pockets which allow people to drop drugs or bullets into it. In many developing world countries, there are such scams going on where unwitting tourists become drug mules for drug gangs as they dropped drugs into side pockets of luggages and then pick them up later. In some countries, having illegal drugs in your possession, whether knowingly or not, incurs an automatic death sentence penalty. In some countries, the customs and baggage handlers will place drugs or bullets in your luggage and the officers will 'suddenly' discover them, and you will be 'persuaded' to bribe them.
I think soft sided is probably a little better. If your hardcase is just slightly too large then it is more difficult to compress to the overhead bin. I have also found that hard cases tend to fail at the zipper stitch in the corners where the bag repeatedly gets bumped.
I bought Travelpro soft side for our recent trip to London because the hotel rooms there are small. Loved my new luggage.
I'm headed to London and my concern is rain. Did your soft sided do ok in rain? Maybe there won't be any rain when I go! please oh please don't rain!
@@jackie3175 I would like to know this as well
I use soft sided luggage. I like having the extra compartments it is quite nice. I was in a Don Quijote in Tokyo and bought a soft luggage for all of the souvenirs I bought. It was cheaper than the hard body and had more features.
Great review of the differences. Some other considerations. Expansion bags are good contingency bags. You obviously don’t overpack on the way out, you consciously decide to check your carry on as a checked bag. But if you have extra items on the way home, you can expand and check your carry on or buy a new bag on your trip. I’ve never used a hard sided bags before of the inefficiencies of packing, but now they have a few hard side “bucket” style bags, so that might be the best of both worlds. You might seek a few out and do a review. One thing that IMO is the most important consideration in a bag is the quality the wheels. But, I guess that’s not a hard to soft consideration, just a which one consideration.
Yes! Is there a bucket style hard shell?
Really nice job 👍
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Definitely Hard Shell for me. But those can be further divided into those with both halves connected somehow wobbly with a zipper and those with an aluminum frame, a real hinge and traditional suitcase locks. I think those with a zipper can be seen more often and their advantage is that they are lighter. Anyway, I don't really trust those zippers and the overall stability. Not sure if this really justified, but I prefer those poly-carbonate hard shells with an aluminum frame. Probably those lighter zipper suitcases are good enough as carry-on, but sometimes it is necessary to check your luggage in, which requires better durability.
Bucket for me!! And as light as possible. I do agree that the hard sides are better looking.
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After getting a soft side checked luggage back with every single thing in it saturated with rain water I switched to hard sided only.
Great work on the detailed analysis. Based on my experience, it matters more to checked luggage considering hard or soft cases. My opinion, hard shell suitcases are much more preferred for checked in luggage if you can afford.
Bucket. Please! I have a two wheeled soft sided that we have used a lot. Maybe they have improved the four wheel spinners, but I didn’t think they worked very well on cobblestones. Thanks for your channel, very helpful.
I made that video! Here you go >> th-cam.com/video/Jl6fXuWhtcc/w-d-xo.html Check it out and give me your thoughts! I've had great success w/ 4 wheeled bags on cobblestones when the wheels are high quality! Worst case, it can be rolled as a 2 wheeler too!
Bucket!! I too have had both hard sided and soft sided luggage. I’d love to hear your impressions when comparing. The hard sided vlog was great!
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I used to be hard shell suitcases ONLY and after getting a soft sided one, I am a officially switching teams. The way it opens is much better and I find I can store so much more than the clamshell opening of hard shelled suitcases. And the amount of space it takes up in a hotel is minimal which is important when space is lacking!
I bought A hard shell one and after one trip I gave it to my daughter and bought a soft shell. If you travel and are not really planing on unpacking the soft sided is more convenient.
Bucket! I have trouble closing those clam-shell hard sided suitcases, especially on check in sized bags.
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kay, I’ve always scratched my head about the obsession around the kislux book totes and their practicality, but this one is adorable!! Congratulations
Bucket.
I am currently in the process of choosing a new carry on 20" bag, the hard sided review was awesome!
Monos, away are nice , wheels move well
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I don't fly very often, at least not yet, but EVERY TIME I've flown I've had to stuff my soft sided carry on into the over head bin. Had I had a hard shell it wouldn't have fit. So soft sided for me.
I use hard sided, with an expansion zipper - it is a carry on sized bag, but normally check. I have used this traveling throughout Europe 3 weeks+ and is definitely easier to maneuver when on cobblestone streets. I bought a set in orange (samsonite) and have never used the larger bag. Also, this bag is incredibly durable, it is a bit scratched up, but I’m fine with that. A note on the color - I recommend brightly colored bags when checking or lots of colorful stickers on a darker bag.
Does it have a specific name?
Does it have a specific name?
Does it have a specific name?
Does it have a specific name?
Does it have a specific name?
You need to look into the Eddie Bauer softsided luggage. They are AMAZING! Super durable, dont.stain easily and NO, they wont get soaked in downpour!
I’m definitely a depends person between the two. For carry-on, I go with soft-sided as they are very flexible and the multiple pockets are good for packing. For checked luggage, I go with hard-side, specifically polycarbonate. I don’t need those extra pockets and the hard shell protects the contents well during the rough handling by both man and machine.
Soft for me due to the lightness! Some models can be 1-2Kg heavier and that’s a lot of extra stuff I can carry! I’ve packed wine bottles and some other fragile items and never had them broken even when checked in so as long as you pack it well it’s gonna be ok most of the time 👍
soft sided is better when using it as a general bag for a family. We put all the computers and electronics, and heavy stuff in it while walking around. The interiror pockets are good for currancy changes, passports etc. Things you may want quickly and without drawing much attention from others. We also pack it with snacks, diapers, change of clothes for the little one. It is easy to open and slide items out at security. It is easy to open on the airplane, either on the seat, aisle or even slipping a hand in while its still in the overhead. Also at least in less expensive bags the soft sided two wheelers have more space as the wheels are partly encased by the bag. Hard shell and are almost always hanging down, that's two inches of space lost. Maybe I should make my own video
Having loaded luggage on commercial aircraft, one thing I will say is hard sided luggage shifts much more easily in the luggage hold due to the slickness. Depending on where it is, it may go flying forward upon landing depending on where it was loaded. The most common damage I saw was to wheels when this king of thing happened. I do think wheels have improved somewhat since then.
Hard cases but no zippers - the ones that have an edge that sits within a rim are my favourite - they usually have 3 locks, top, bottom and side - are weatherproof and so durable.
soft sided THULE carry-on or the soft sided THINK TANK ROLLER DERBY if I'm taking camera gear, I like hardshell but hate the 50 50 split. I have a 70/30 hardshell for my checked bag, its more like a trunk and is fabulous in a hotel room for not taking up too much space.
Soft is best. I've seen so many hardshell luggage on the airport conveyer with their corners dented in. My son had one that actually cracked rather than dented in. You have to flip over one whole filled side of your luggage onto the other to close a hardshell. Our family barely made the weight limit on each of our 5 suitcases before the airline would have increased the charges dramatically - we would not have been under that limit with hardshell. Scratches and scuffs on hardshell make your luggage look ratty real fast. No way we had room in our hotel or cruise ship cabin to open hardshells flat. I just dont roll my luggage outside through rain too much to worry about that.
Bucket! I am in the market for a new carry on and I much prefer soft shell. Waiting with the alarm bell on.
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I use a wheeled duffle-style carryon. It squashes down well with straps, and is easier to fit in an overhead. Especially if other people take too much space.
A hard side convert. I’ve watched luggage on the truck going to the plane from window at the gate with a long trail of luggage falling off the truck onto tarmac. I’m the pouring rain. Easily fixed if they just closed the sides of truck, but they couldn’t be bothered. All those soft side bags no doubt were soaked
Bucket.
I'm on the hunt for a carry on back pack with wheels. We bought the eBags Mother Lode for our trip to Europe in 2019 and while it was a great backpack, I really would like to have one with wheels. We do carry on only now so the weight of the bag itself is important too because if it's too heavy, it limits how much we can pack.
Thanks for all the great videos!
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I like a heavy duty expandable duffle bag I have used for years. I only ever have a small amount of fragile items that I will usually carry with me in a backpack. Only clothing and maybe a pair of shoes in the duffel, so no concerns about rough handling. Sturdy shoulder strap means I can walk anywhere with it.
I have both and variety of material and price tier. To me the basic difference is hard shell opens from the middle, so not as flexible in loading, soft shell can be less protective when it’s not full. So, if I bring only a carry on to travel, I choose soft shell because it’s more forgiving to stuff. If I have check in luggage also, I take hard shell case more to carry my camera gears for better protection and there are more stylish models to choose from.
Bucket! Would love a soft luggage comparison! Also would love a review of the Calpak Luka carry on!
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Bucket, great video, also enjoyed the videos with your Dad in Israel, my wife & I just returned from there & they were a great help! Regards from Sydney Australia
Wow, thanks for watching! Appreciate you sharing that.
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Love both. Bucket for sure, since I do have soft side luggage, I-fly, but I want to try hard shell. Thanks for the tips.
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Thanks for this video. Very informative and well made. I don't have carry on bags with wheels currently but if I'm going to get one, I think it'll be the soft one but I'll also probably get a cover/rain cover for it.
I used to have 3 different mid-size soft shell suitcases that I really liked and mainly used to travel to SEA for winter. And somehow each of them returned from the second trip with a broken side panel (well, one also had a wheel disintegrate). So I switched to hard shell. Four years later, this January, they somehow broke it as well -- a crack on the bottom roughly around the mounting point of one of the wheels. My next one will be a hard shell again, though. I've got until first snow or so to find one that speaks to me.
I prefer softside luggage for clothing and the outside pocket.
Hard shells come wrapped in plastic, which can be left on protect the case from scratches for quite a long time, obviously depending on the user and multiple other variables. I have a hard shell that you can sit on and ride. You should see the looks like it going down the terminal look at the airport, but to be quite honest I'm surprised more people don't have them. Point is when I got my ride on luggage I didn't even know how to plastic wrap on it until a couple years of use when I started to see some wear around one of the corners and I thought it looked odd and then I realized I hadn't even removed the plastic. 😂
Bucket. My family had excellent experiences with the soft sided carry on that used to be available at Costco (“Kirkland” brand). But they stopped making/ carrying them. The wheels on my 1999 Kirkland crumbled a few years ago. I haven’t replaced it (or gotten rid of it) yet because I haven’t found anything as practical. (And haven’t traveled that way/ much since COVID). The Kirkland was perfect 2-wheeler (you get more packing space with less ground clearance) with all the bells and whistles and a TRUE carry-on size unlike so many that actually run over.
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I’d love to see reviews on 2-wheel international sized carry-on.
@@Bluejay_travels Noted! Maybe coming soon! Had to keep it apples to apples so started with 4 but a 2 wheel roundup is very possible
I bought a Level 8, used it twice, and then I couldn’t get it open-after I had it packed for a trip. The TSA lock flat out wouldn’t open. We finally bought a TSA key. That opened the case, but then we couldn’t get the key out. We threw the case away. 3:14
the hidupz would be super cute during the fall with a nude or tan or even tonal outfit! i’m thinking a tan wool coat with that bag!!
I ❤❤❤ soft, you can put more things, rather than half half. when u hav many things, hard to close
Hard shell carry on can be used as a mobile seat while waiting orgive a rest to the tired feet 😀
Find soft lighter and easier to squeeze into an airline size checker if required. When flying hand luggage and budget airline those two things matter as weight and size restrictions keep getting worse.
Hardshell for Carry-On because my Carry-On paired with my backpack are going to have everything of value plus "just in case" items if my Checked back gets lost. Checked Bag though? Soft Sided all the way because the only thing in there is going to be clothes and a few other random items, don't really care how banged around it gets.
HARD ARE BEST GOING THROUGH CUSTOMS - THEY ARE EASY TO CHECK / SWAB. However, l usually take one each, because of equipment l carry when travelling on business
I always use soft sided bags. When I looked into which is better, I read multiple reviews that said hard shell bags are more likely to break them softsided bags.
Should check out the soft shell tactical style ones that are made of higher materials. Most are 1000 denier cordura ballistic fabric YKK double coil zippers.
I own both for different uses and trips. Also, I've never had a problem with wetness for my soft sided as I make sure that I give it multiple layered sprays of waterproofing before I use it on any trip. It lasts even through a 2 week trip very well. Sometimes I'll even bring both, one for my items and one for anything I get during the trip. Then I can decide which one to use for what. Though usually it's the soft sided for my stuff and the hard sided for any items I get while on the trip. The only real thing I don't like about the soft sided which wasn't mentioned in this video is, that when fully packed a soft sided that has the two wheeled design, tends to want to fall over on the non-wheeled side a lot. Even though it has the brace that's supposed to keep it upright.
BUCKET! I have the Delsey Paris Chatelet medium hardside suitcase, the under seat carry-on, and the matching backpack. I had such a hard time fitting everything I needed for a week long business trip in Minnesota in November. I bought the 19" carry-on for a 4-day, 4 night trip to Vegas this summer and I promptly returned that bag. I don't know how anyone can pack for a trip like that with only a hard side carry-on. My soft side suitcase has been my go-to if I'm going the carry-on and personal item route.
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Bucket ...i am currently using InUSA 4pc softshell luggage... purchased for about $120 a few years ago. Used once in 2021 to Colorado...did well
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Bucket! Would love to see a soft sided bag comparison video. Can you include rolling duffels?
I made that video! Here you go >> th-cam.com/video/Jl6fXuWhtcc/w-d-xo.html Check it out and give me your thoughts! Did not include rolling duffels this time but am thinking of possibly a separate rolling duffel video!
I go with the soft as weight is usually an issue. If airlines only cared about the size of luggage, I would likely go hard case, especially for checked bags - sometimes you need that soft case to squeeze the bag in the overhead.
Bucket! I have both and need new for a Europe trip next year. A friend just bought a travelpro platinum elite and loved it. I would love to see a soft side comparison.
I made that video! Here you go >> th-cam.com/video/Jl6fXuWhtcc/w-d-xo.html Check it out and give me your thoughts!
Bucket! I’m due for new luggage after years with my soft shell (always had soft shells growing up). I was leaning towards the hard shell but a feature I never knew I had all these years was the “bucket” design! Clamshells take up a lot of space and I’d rather have one full side over two halves. I’ll have to check out your soft shell reviews next! Maybe I’ll just spray a few coats of waterproofing too. Side note, I hope you review the Solgaard next, the closet feature is neat but I’m skeptical about durability and the locking feature. I feel one odd drop and the locks can unlock… gameover!
Hey, Great Video but try to place your teleprompter in a slightly better position. It seems slightly off axis right now and looks weird when you're talking while staring at it.
Just got home from a 3-week trip to the west coast. My brand new TravelPro soft sided bags did, and did not, do well. The undersea bag I had with me on the plane was fine. The larger bag that was checked did well going west but took a beating on the way home. Granted, they are pink (so I can find them amidst the plethora of black bags on the carousel) but the checked bag looks beaten and like it's very old. I think I'm going to buy a Monos carryon (just the basic one to be sure the airlines like Air Canada will let me take it on board). I'd love to get the one with the external pocket but I think it's too big and too heavy (when loaded) for me to lift up into the bin safely.
I appreciate your video, but what I miss are concrete comparisons based on experience. I travel a lot, visit more than 100 different hotels per year. Till now I used old trusty Samsonite, two wheels. Additionally I also have a lot of work with people’s suitacases. What I discovered is that recognized luggage brands tend to last long and are sturdy. I saw how DG, Gucci and other similar brands are complete crap. What you want from your liggage is to be handy, easy to handle and have good wheels and handles. Look after recognized brands that are in the market for a long time. All other fancy brands don’t come even close, having wheels falling off, cases collapsing and handles flying off very soon. I would go with nylon soft as it is durable and light. 2 wheels tend to last longer. Simetrical split open are inconvinient IMO. Be sure to check the balance as I see many suitcases simply falling over once they are full. Remember you gotta haul all that when you travel, so keep it light and practical and dont fall for all the marketing features promoted which you’ll never use.
Bucket. We use soft sided carryon TravelPro.
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Bucket. Love your take on travel! Thanks for the great videos. Though, I’m still on the fence about hard sided versus soft sided… I concur with some of the other comments re: expansion - expansion is for souvenirs and checking on the way home :) And I was resistant to 4 wheels, but they make it soooo much easier to go down the aisle of the plane. So, would really love your comments on soft sided options.
I made that video! Here you go >> th-cam.com/video/Jl6fXuWhtcc/w-d-xo.html Check it out and give me your thoughts!
I’d like a video of the best hard sided and soft sided check in bags, please. It’s getting so hard to obtain space in overhead bins for wheeled carryon luggage. I rely more than ever on checked bags for trips longer than a few days.
Hey Nik, great info as usual - thanks!! In another video, you mentioned an Osprey backpack that you travel with…it collapses and is water resistant. Do you have a link to that one? I can’t find it :) thanks again!
I was looking for the same video. Here it is for the Osprey backpack th-cam.com/video/RoS8MeaeifI/w-d-xo.html
Also, I like knowing which ones can handle bumpy surfaces like ginalyons mentioned.
I plan to do more travel after having recently spent 2 weeks abroad and congratulating myself for converting to the carry-on lifestyle :-) I decided on both. A Travelpro will be my soft-sider, and I also intend to get a Level8 Road Warrior or Luminous- with the caveat that the hard case will be primarily for car travel. And I can't help it- I know in my brain that soft-side is more practical for my typical use case, but the hard cases are just so much more s*xy and I just plain want one. Sometimes we must suffer for fashion.
For your carry-on luggage, spend the best you can afford. 90% of the time you will be handling it. For checked luggage, durability and economy. You'll be replacing those after 20 flight legs anyway.
Try using spinner on the tiled pavements of Lisbon. Ugh.
BUCKET. Would love to see a review like this for softshell luggage.
I made that video! Here you go >> th-cam.com/video/Jl6fXuWhtcc/w-d-xo.html Check it out and give me your thoughts!
Thanks a lot! Finally a really informative video that addresses what is important to look for!
I use a hard shell. On my last trip to London they made everyone with a soft expandable bag check it! They were not happy!
hard for checked, soft for cabin - always!
Considering the strict policy for carry on and the extra cost of hold luggage. We just carry on regulation sized shoulder bags. When there is a limit of 7kg, why waste over 2kg on a wheelie framed thing. The shoulder bag weighs next to nothing so you can maximise your stuff and avoid using hold luggage altogether in most cases. Grab a free airport trolley and just breeze straight past the carrousel on your way to the front of the line at border control. Easy.