Luggage - hard shell, what am I missing?

Raymond Lin · 12 Nov 2016 at 12:15

Can someone tell me what are the advantages of a hard shell luggage over a fabric one? especially one that goes into the hold.

They look quite nice but I have the fear that

1 - they will crack and split from whatever impact they get.
2 - they open down the centre meaning most items you can pack is half the depth unless you pack in a way with a void on the opposite side. Not always easy and always awkward
3 - there is no give in terms of squeezing more into it, it is what it is.
4 - there are seldom external pockets and slots.
5 - often more expensive.

Are these concerns valid and what are the positives of a hard shell luggage?

Lopéz · 12 Nov 2016 at 12:36

I have exactly the same thoughts as you Ray - I've never seen the attraction.

My Dutch colleague travels with one every week. It looks like it's been thrown off a cliff, plastered in duct tape to hold it together.

Raymond Lin · 12 Nov 2016 at 13:00

Lopéz said:
I have exactly the same thoughts as you Ray - I've never seen the attraction.

My Dutch colleague travels with one every week. It looks like it's been thrown off a cliff, plastered in duct tape to hold it together.

I have a hard shell carry on which I actually like because

1 - the size is the limit and for carryon, there is a set size limit so I know i am always within the restriction
2 - mine has 4 wheels too so easy to manoeuvre
3 - because i carry it, no worry about being in the hold
4 - mine has external compartment actually

For the large ones though...why do people buy them?

Jez · 12 Nov 2016 at 15:49

Genuinely confused as to how you cannot see that your contents being protected by a hard exterior isnt a good thing?

inogen · 12 Nov 2016 at 16:05

I've had a large hard Samsonite case for years. It's ace. It has none of the problems listed in the OP. It's also bright yellow so I can see dead easy on the carousel.

Raymond Lin · 12 Nov 2016 at 16:21

Jez said:
Genuinely confused as to how you cannot see that your contents being protected by a hard exterior isnt a good thing?

It's clothes, socks, shoes and things I consider "replaceable"

I've had pint glass, mugs, beer transported through in a fabric one so I know it will survive because I am not careless enough to put them on the edge of the case. Because the case is full depth, i can put them in the centre, with protection from clothing on all sides.

With the hard case, and half depth, i am unable to put much padding on the edges.

Raymond Lin · 12 Nov 2016 at 16:22

inogen said:
I've had a large hard Samsonite case for years. It's ace. It has none of the problems listed in the OP. It's also bright yellow so I can see dead easy on the carousel.

Yours don't open down the middle? It has an external compartment?

Link please!

Jez · 12 Nov 2016 at 16:36

Raymond Lin said:
It's clothes, socks, shoes and things I consider "replaceable"

OK, thats what you pack. You are not everyone. :confused:

Raymond Lin · 12 Nov 2016 at 17:59

Jez said:
OK, thats what you pack. You are not everyone.

i started this thread because I wanted to find out...you asked me a question, I didn't answer for everyone, I answers for me.

pepp77 · 12 Nov 2016 at 18:02

The opening in the middle isn't an issue because both sides have elastic straps that you secure each side in with before closing it.

Raymond Lin · 12 Nov 2016 at 18:06

pepp77 said:
The opening in the middle isn't an issue because both sides have elastic straps that you secure each side in with before closing it.

The issue is that depth is the limiting factor to the size of the item that goes in it. If said item is double the depth, you have to allow for space on the opposite side for it to slot into. When lifting a packed case, the heavy side is not often easy as it can be 10kg. Hence...not always easy, but always awkward.

pepp77 · 12 Nov 2016 at 18:08

But clothes, socks, shoes etc are not that deep

theone8181 · 12 Nov 2016 at 18:12

Raymond Lin said:
The issue is that depth is the limiting factor to the size of the item that goes in it. If said item is double the depth, you have to allow for space on the opposite side for it to slot into. When lifting a packed case, the heavy side is not often easy as it can be 10kg. Hence...not always easy, but always awkward.

What are you backing that's large and 10kgs?

Raymond Lin · 12 Nov 2016 at 18:12

pepp77 said:
But clothes, socks, shoes etc are not that deep

When I come back from holiday, I buy gifts, surely that's not just me?

Raymond Lin · 12 Nov 2016 at 18:14

theone8181 said:
What are you backing that's large and 10kgs?

23kg luggage limit.

Half it, each side is 11.5kg.

I'm guessing the case will be around 3kg ish.

So now we have 10kg of items each side...or we could break it down that one side may have 8kg, the other side may have 10kg?

Schizo · 12 Nov 2016 at 18:16

I am also the same as you ray,i will be getting a large and 2 small carry on case from here https://douchebags.com/ next year when i go on holiday.

Don't see the need for hard case's.

memyselfandi · 12 Nov 2016 at 18:47

I switched from a soft bag to a hard case my last trip after I did have some items in the case become damaged in a previous trip.

I think Raymond is making to much of the whole difficulty of packing ~10kg into each side of the case and then closing it. My case doesn't have straps to hold things into the top side, instead it has a complete "fabric" sheet which clips in which hold things into that side. This has enough give in it that you don't need to split things 50/50 and you can opt not to use it at all (I probably split mine 75:25 last time).

For me the extra protection of a hard shell case and it having 4 wheels made it easier to manage when I also had carry-on with two wheels.

Raymond Lin · 12 Nov 2016 at 18:56

memyselfandi said:
I switched from a soft bag to a hard case my last trip after I did have some items in the case become damaged in a previous trip.

I think Raymond is making to much of the whole difficulty of packing ~10kg into each side of the case and then closing it. My case doesn't have straps to hold things into the top side, instead it has a complete "fabric" sheet which clips in which hold things into that side. This has enough give in it that you don't need to split things 50/50 and you can opt not to use it at all (I probably split mine 75:25 last time).

For me the extra protection of a hard shell case and it having 4 wheels made it easier to manage when I also had carry-on with two wheels.

My current soft case has 4 wheels too.

My carry on is a hard case and has fabric cover on one side meaning the depth of the maximum item is now halved unless I don't use the fabirc cover?

I may be over thinking it too much but are these concerns not true at all or is there a work around?

Say I have an item the size of the depth of the whole case. What do you do?

Hedge · 12 Nov 2016 at 19:03

I've used hard cases in the past but to be honest I dont like them.
I actually fear my stuff bounces around in them more than it would in a tightly packed soft bag.

Myself and my girlfriend now use Dakine Split Rollers.

I've found them to be brilliant.

bsoltan · 12 Nov 2016 at 19:05

I agree with you Ray, and you missed point 6 - they are often heavier too.

However I can understand people may consider them more secure. Less prone to someone stabbing it with a knife to get in, or as more protection. As far as I can tell these are the only positives to a case like that.

Its just good that both varieties are available to suit those that might.

Other than that syle I suppose is the only reason. I do think the hard-case ones look nicer.

The one hard case I bought (an Antler) at over £100 - it was fine on my trip but my parents borrowed it to go to Italy and it came back with a large crack in the corner.