slo’s MONDAY 2/24 poll - Soft vs Hard Side Luggage

[jimmymc]

I have all soft-sided. I feel like it absorbs bumps better than hard-sided does. I can deal with small rips and dirt, but a cracked shell isn't something that you can keep using or get repaired.

 

[BrianL]

I only like soft-sided.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I have both as well as one that sort of feels like a combo...it's technically hard side, but it's a more flexible material than most hard side cases. It's actually my go-to as it's the best of both worlds. I've had multiple hard sides get cracked from rough handling during air and cruise travel. This is never an issue with my soft cases. Of course, the soft cases can get wet which is an issue if you travel on a rainy day. My hard side with the more flexible material take a beating better than traditional hard side but doesn't get wet like soft side.

 

[NAB]

Soft sided for us.

Like other we like the outside pockets. Our puffer coats go in there or light rain coats that are easy to get to when we land back home.

A big plus is you can use the luggage stands or bench to open and close them. Clam shell ones you have to open it all the way and need more room to open.

Another plus is you can really stuff them and expand them.

I once say a hard shell suit case fall of the luggage thing going to the airplane, they are slippery. All I thought was that would be my case…lol a cart a bit behind him picked it up.

 

[kylenne]

Hard sided only, guess I'm in the minority. I used to be a staunch soft sided user but Away bags converted me--I find them superior because of the internal organization and compression sleeve mainly. There's a lot of little thoughtful features that make them a genuine pleasure to use. I have both sizes of carry ons and they hold a metric ton of stuff without being super heavy, but I don't struggle to get them into overhead bins even when filled to the brim. I've actually come to detest expandable bags for that reason because many of them when fully expanded get too heavy and awkward, like my old Travelpro Maxlite. As a chronic overpacker I like that it keeps me honest lol. The high quality polycarbonate material takes a beating and they are actually very easy to clean tbh, just a bit of elbow grease and a magic eraser has kept mine looking good. I still have my original pink bigger carry on and it's in fantastic shape even after 5 years and having to check it a few times. I don't miss all the front pockets etc because a decent personal item bag takes care of my needs there (I swap between the original Everywhere bag and the newer large Featherweight backpack depending).

 

[Wood Nymph]

We have both hard sided and soft sided but I only use the soft sided. I hate the clamshell type of suitcase because you have to lay it flat to use. That is just plain awkward if you need to get something out of it when traveling. It takes up too much room in a hotel when it is open. And I don't trust the zippers to keep a large clamshell closed.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I used to have all soft sided but after replacing my luggage 3 times in a year in a half I moved to mostly hard sided. All of my suitcases were getting torn and the front zipper pockets kept getting ripped off. My new hard sided suitcases have a big scratch but have survived 5 years of travel. I do have a soft sided carryon. It’s lighter and easier to get in the overhead bin and since I don’t check it I’m not worried about it being torn.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I only like the soft sided luggage because I can slim it or expand it, the case gives way to lopsided packing and is lighter.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I only use soft sided luggage. I got tired of my hard sided suitcases getting cracked. Plus I find that I can fit more in a soft sided suitcase.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I have both.
I prefer the soft sided.
I feel much more organized that way because it fits what I pack better.

 

[slo]

Soft side here.

Have fun getting ready for the trip, Sandy. Is tthis one for the two of you or all three?

Thanks Dan!
Kevin is coming with this trip. He’s never been to The Flower & Garden Festival, and he’s always wanted to go, so he’s really looking forward to g forward to it

 

[disneychrista]

I have both but generally use the small hard side vs the larger soft side. I am going to Las Vegas in 4 weeks and will be flying, so I am trying to figure out how to get everything in the one suitcase and my backpack. I am used to driving and being able to take extra bags.

 

[kylenne]

I have both but generally use the small hard side vs the larger soft side. I am going to Las Vegas in 4 weeks and will be flying, so I am trying to figure out how to get everything in the one suitcase and my backpack. I am used to driving and being able to take extra bags.

Compression packing cubes are a godsend for this. I have a set of Eagle Creek ones that pretty much only get used the very rare times I'm doing carry on only and I've managed to get bulky winter clothes in them for weekend trips to Toronto with just my smaller Away carry on.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Kevin is coming with this trip. He’s never been to The Flower & Garden Festival, and he’s always wanted to go, so he’s really looking forward to g forward to it

Oh, that's great!!! A family affair! He'll love the F&GF. It was always one of my most enjoyable times of the year there 00and park to visit. Great memories. Enjoy.

 

[evilmommie]

I have both and use both. Although even on shorter trips, I tend to use hard side carry on. There is little respect given to the softer luggage in the overhead bins and I don’t like my stuff getting banged around unless it’s in a solid case.

Cheers to everyone that has a vacation coming up and planning your luggage setup! That’s part of the planning fun!

 

[disneychrista]

Compression packing cubes are a godsend for this. I have a set of Eagle Creek ones that pretty much only get used the very rare times I'm doing carry on only and I've managed to get bulky winter clothes in them for weekend trips to Toronto with just my smaller Away carry on.

I bought a set of these after seeing them on a couple travel YouTube videos.

 

[mrsstats79]

We use 2 duffel bags with wheels as checked luggage and 1 hard sided. We are going to replace the duffel bags since we are in our mid 70s and they are getting harder to handle. Reading on here I think I will look into soft sided luggage to replace them.

 

[slo]

Oh, that's great!!! A family affair! He'll love the F&GF. It was always one of my most enjoyable times of the year there 00and park to visit. Great memories. Enjoy.

Thank you Dan!!

I have both and use both. Although even on shorter trips, I tend to use hard side carry on. There is little respect given to the softer luggage in the overhead bins and I don’t like my stuff getting banged around unless it’s in a solid case.

Cheers to everyone that has a vacation coming up and planning your luggage setup! That’s part of the planning fun!

Thank you very much!!!
The planning is always so much fun!!

 

[soccerdad72]

We have both and use either, depending on the trip.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Soft sided luggage lover for life apparently. Been traveling that way for decades. Sometimes, I need a suit bag and that’s the end of my luggage requirements.