Hardside vs softside luggage? Which is better?

[frostedpink]

We need new luggage and I can't decide if I should get hard side luggage or the soft kind. Which do you like better?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

My Experience with Over 4-Million Miles in the Air:

1) For domestic travel - Softside
. . . most things inside are not of high value
. . . if lost or stolen, easily replaced at local stores
2) For international travel - Hardside
. . . higher value items inside
. . . if lost, harder to find local stores with replacement clothes
3) In either case,
. . . have lots of internal pockets
. . . have flaps for suit jackets or coats
. . . have at least one waterproof pocket for liquids
. . . have lost of straps to keep things form moving around
. . . have sturdy wheels for easy movement
. . . have strong handles for careless bellmen

 

[3boymthr]

Other things I've noted. Check to make sure the entire inside is lined. And whatever you do if it's soft sided DON'T BUY RED!

 

[polkadotrocks]

Now that my husband is traveling a lot more for business and we are taking a few more vacations we are in need of not only new luggage, but LIGHTER luggage. We weigh our 26 inch bag and it already weighs approximately 14 lbs. and that is BEFORE we put any clothes in it. We would rather not spend and arm and a leg, however we don't want to purchase something cheap that is going to fall apart either. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[MDennis28]

Great thread! Wondering how the Disney Heys luggage holds up to being checked baggage and cruising as well as Disney Resorts and the ME? Thanks!

 

[elaine amj]

For me, spinners are a must because they move SO easily. Makes me happy Our last cruise our friends used massive rolling duffel bags. Between their bags and their kids and having no luggage cart anywhere in sight (and no porter available at that time) meant we helped them juggle their luggage as we moved slowly through the 15 min line. I dragged one of their bags and it was dreadful - very awkward to manage. I teased them that I would not travel with them again if they didn't buy new bags! This year, as we head out for another cruise together, they bought beautiful Heys hardsided spinners.

As for me, on that cruise, I only had 1 Heys carryon spinner. My other big bags were regular softsided bags on wheels. Last Christmas, I purchased 2 black Heys hardsided 30 inch spinners (massive bags). Sears in Canada was selling them for a measly $90 apiece!! I was thrilled - and I love my bags. I also bought a cheap, no name spinner for about $60 from a flea market. One thing I noticed when I compared my cheap spinner to the Heys - the Heys is much stronger structurally. We have a luggage scale. To use, you hang the bag of a small hook. When we hang the cheap bag, the frame stretches alarmingly. With they Heys, the frame barely stretches.

One thing to realize with hardsided cases - all my bags are pretty scratched up from flying. One bag is a glossy finish in a houndstooth pattern and the other two are solid black with a textured finish. All are scratched up.

Also, I miss the pockets on my softsided bags. Now to take something out or put something in, I have to lay the bag down and unzip it, then flip it open....it's a lot more difficult to do.

On the other hand, less worries about bedbugs/rain, etc. I can lay my bags down on a hotel room carpet without any worries. I take my carryon camping because I can lay it down and leave it open and not worry about the dampness coming up through the tent.

The spinners are an absolute dream and fantasy in motion.

When it comes to keeping your stuff safe - I travelled with softsided bags for many many years - never had a problem with any of my stuff. So that's not why I switched to hardsided.

 

[ForMyBoys]

We have both. I prefer my hardsided luggage because its lighter and can fit more in the interior. It also hard to over stuff it so I know it will fit in the airplanes overhead compartment.

The only bummer is no outside pockets. W/ the soft sided you tend to have external pockets and can fit more in and have more separation. BUT, you risk overfilling and then you have to check the bag.

I agree with PP who recommended spinner wheels, they are awesome!

Other things I've noted. Check to make sure the entire inside is lined. And whatever you do if it's soft sided DON'T BUY RED!

Out of curiousity why no red luggage? We have a great set of soft sided red luggage that we have used for years with no problems.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I'm only about a 275K airmile traveller, but I'll give you my thoughts. . .

Spinners are nice, but I've had wheels ripped off in the past. Good luck trying to get the airline to reimburse you for that. Also, when your bags on their backs, the wheels can be a hazard.

Back in the 90's, I carried TravelPro on the premise that it would last forever. Well, while the workmanship was really, really sturdy, all sorts of things happened that were outside of the control of the workmanship of the bag and it only lasted a few years.

So now I just go for cheap and reasonably made. Luggage gets lost, luggage gets grease on it while en route. Luggage has piece parts ripped off of it. Luggage gets vomited on by sick 3 year olds. Luggage gets a tear in material en route. Luggage has the frame twisted en route etc. I've had all sorts of disasters befall my luggage over the years; I want bags that it doesn't pain me to replace. (I've also learned the value of duck tape on suitcases! Duck tape will fix a suitcase well enough to get you home, even if you've got several travel legs to go.)

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Duck tape will fix a suitcase well enough to get you home . . .

1) Ah, yes.
2) Duck Tape is like THE FORCE.
. . . it has a light side
. . . it has a dark side
. . . it binds the universe together

NOTE: I also wonder why no "RED" luggage, as long as it is lined.

 

[elaine amj]

One more note abt spinners....your kids can EASILY push/pull the bag! I never thought I would spring for spinners as I'm cheap...but my Heys are my splurge and one I am happy with and will never regret.

That said, my old softsided bags were fine and held up for many years.all were cheap knockoffs. But spinners save our Arms especially since we rarely have access to luggage carts and prefer not to use porters. One trip we arrived at Pop after midnight and got a little lost heading to our room after midnight. My DH was extremely annoyed with every wrong turn as he strained his arm slightly lugging our old heavy softsided case.

I really like the light weight of the hardside. That said, if the new hybrids had been affordable I would have bought them. My $90 hardside 30 inch was a super sweet deal I couldn't pass up

 

[natfrac]

Hard side for carry on--better protects electronics, meds, etc.

Soft side for checked bags--the airlines beat up luggage and hard side as a PP mentioned will show the scratches.

 

[3boymthr]

You know how you don't wash red clothes with other colors well...I had red soft sided luggage that got wet - and my clothes got very very RED. And ruined the color didn't come out of any of my clothes. Never had a problem with the blue or black or green luggage even when it got wet.

ETA - the recommendation for lining is for a different reason. I've had the mechanisms and or clothes get ruined from getting clothes, etc. stuck in the mechanisms of the pulls, etc. when then there was no lining.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Go to TJ Maxx, Marshalls or Ross and get some cheap yet good luggage. I don't like hardsided luggage, seem like it always gets cracked, even the great set of Heys I got at Ross got cracked. YMMV.

 

[elaine amj]

Go to TJ Maxx, Marshalls or Ross and get some cheap yet good luggage. I don't like hardsided luggage, seem like it always gets cracked, even the great set of Heys I got at Ross got cracked. YMMV.

I got my beautiful Heys carry on from TJ maxx for $60. A cheap no name was about $40. Worth the upgrade to me. That said, I have seen the carry on Heys at Costco WITH a beauty case for $60 ( after I bought my bag of course!). My friend bought her Heys as a 3 pc set from Costco ...can't remember hoe much but it was reasonable. I was tempted but didn't really want the mid size bag.

 

[teedisney]

There's a Heys set on groupon or living social today.

 

[jrw118]

I picked up 2 Heys hard side black spinners carryon size for $24.99 a few weeks ago at TJMAXX. What a deal. They were not even on clearance. Hopefully with 4 carryons. We will not need to check any luggage.

 

[aubriee]

Go to TJ Maxx, Marshalls or Ross and get some cheap yet good luggage. I don't like hardsided luggage, seem like it always gets cracked, even the great set of Heys I got at Ross got cracked. YMMV.

I got my hard sided Heys plaid carry on and the middle size bag at Ross several years ago (probably about five years ago actually). I love them and other than a few surface scratches, they look great. I think I paid like $69.00 for the carry on and $79.00 for the middle size bag. They also had the large bag, but I thought it was too big for a checked bag, so didn't get it. As an AP holder I go to WDW 4-6 times a year and pretty much always take at least the Heys carry on. They have also been on a cruise and survived intact. Here are the exact bags I'm talking about:

http://www.overstock.com/Luggage-Ba...side-Spinner-Luggage-Set/3444035/product.html

 

[elaine amj]

I picked up 2 Heys hard side black spinners carryon size for $24.99 a few weeks ago at TJMAXX. What a deal. They were not even on clearance. Hopefully with 4 carryons. We will not need to check any luggage.

What an amazing deal! I need to keep an eye on that place. I would love another Heys carry on.