May 31, 2023

Best hard luggage case

I researched various sources, including Reddit discussions and articles from reputable websites such as Travel + Leisure, Good Housekeeping, and Yahoo News. The consensus on the best hard luggage cases varies, but some brands and models were mentioned more than once, such as Samsonite, Away, and Rimowa. These sources were directly related to the original query but were posted at different times, ranging from over a year ago to more recent articles, so some information may be outdated.

Words

358

Time

3m 19s

Contributors

19

Words read

11.1k


Jump to research

Composed by

Profile picture

N. '.

Views

268

Version history

N. '., 330d ago

Have an opinion? Send us proposed edits/additions and we may incorporate them into this article with credit.

Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner
Away Luggage
Rimowa Luggage

Rimowa Luggage

Rimowa is suggested as a high-end choice for hard-shell luggage in one Reddit discussion. The brand is described as solid, but the user recommends going for a more affordable option if the user's travel habits change often.
Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner

Jump to top

Research

"https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/travel-products/luggage-reviews/g39955373/best-hard-side-case-luggage/"

  1. Away The Large
  • Made of polycarbonate material which is lightweight yet durable.
  • Consists of wheels for easy maneuvering and compressive panels that help keep belongings in place.
  • 100-day return policy.
  • Listed dimensions are 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches and weight is 11.6 lbs.
  1. Amazon Basics 30-Inch Hardside Spinner
  • Made of ABS plastic which is not as durable as other hard materials, but light and affordable.
  • Spacious according to Lab tests and received perfect scores for easy packing.
  • Comes in three sizes with the option to purchase bags as a set.
  • Listed dimensions for the 30-Inch bag are 12.7 x 21 x 30.7 inches and weight is 12.21 lbs.
  1. Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable
  • Samsonite is a high-quality luggage brand that performs well in terms of durability and ease of use.
  • Based on Lab tests, it is effortless to open and close, and has smooth rolling wheels.
  • The Freeform suitcase is perfect for frequent travelers who need to pack their things quickly and are always on the go.
  • Listed dimensions are 27.95 x 19.6 x 13.4 inches and weight is 8.48 lbs.
  1. Open Story Hardside Carry On Spinner Suitcase
  • Best overall carry-on luggage and offers extra features such as a laundry bag and built-in USB port.
  • Received perfect scores for easy packing and performed well in durability test.
  • Listed dimensions are 21.5 x 14 x 9.75 inches and weight is 7.9 lbs.
  1. Calpak Ambeur 3-Piece Luggage Set
  • Made of polycarbonate and ABS composite material which is lightweight, affordable, and durable.
  • Consumer testers loved Calpak’s Ambeur luggage and thought the telescoping handle was the smoothest out of all luggage tested.
  • The set is an amazing value and includes bags of three different sizes.
  • Listed dimensions for the large bag are 29.5 x 19 x 12.5 inches and weight is 10.3 lbs.
  1. Travelpro Maxlite Air Medium Check-in Expandable Hardside Spinner
  • Designed for frequent travelers and has a roomy luggage compartment.
  • Features a 2-inch expandable panel to lend extra room for travel gear.
  • According to Lab tests, Travelpro bags are

"https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/travel-bags/best-hardside-luggage"

  • Travel + Leisure evaluated and tested 70 pieces of hardside luggage.
  • Provides a list of the 12 best-recommended hardside luggage.
  • Reviews each of the suitcase models on capacity, design, maneuverability, durability, and value.
  • Includes pricing for each model of luggage.
  • Provides a high level of detail for each of the recommended suitcases, such as whether it’s expandable, weight, number of wheels, and dimensions.
  • Offers insights about the design of each luggage case, in particular colors available.
  • Samsonite Freeform Carry-on Spinner is listed as the best hardside suitcase and the standout amongst checked bags and carry-ons.
  • The Travelpro Platinum Elite Hardside Spinner, which has a polycarbonate shell designed to flex on impact, was close competition for the Samsonite Freeform.
  • Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner is an affordable option and exceeded expectations. It has an extra-thick thermoplastic shell that promises to protect your belongings and resist scratches.
  • The Bigger Carry-on Flex from Away was also a hit in the lab. It has a light yet durable exterior that’s easy to wipe clean.
  • Samsonite Winfield 2 is the best bet for checked luggage. The polycarbonate shell took all the tests with ease, including being pushed off a table and hit with a bat.
  • Samsonite Omni PC is lightweight with an expandable capacity, dual compartments, and pockets.
  • The July Checked Suitcase is a sturdy mid-sized luggage option that’s crush-proof.
  • Paravel’s hardside luggage is eco-friendly and made of high-quality sustainable materials. It features recycled polycarbonate for the shell and recycled zippers and linings.
  • Most of the recommended hard luggage cases have four spinner wheels.
  • The review mentions that the luggage cases tested did not have a laundry bag or other smart features, with the exception of the Travelpro Platinum Elite Hardside Spinner.
  • The review noted the maneuverability of each piece of luggage and tested it on hard floors, carpets, and gravel.
  • Each piece of luggage also got whacked with a baseball bat to determine its durability.

"Best hardside luggage that is durable and lightweight?"

  • A user posted in r/travel a question about purchasing durable, lightweight hard luggage.
  • The user’s previous Samsonite set, which was not a hard case, held up for five years with 2-3 cross country flights per year but eventually fell victim to airport handling.
  • The user would like a set for international air travel with a good balance of weight, handling, and durability and is willing to spend a bit for a good set.
  • Various recommendations were made by different Reddit users in the comments to the post, including Pelican, Travelpro, Briggs and Riley, Away, Tumi, and Rimowa.
  • Additionally, some users discussed the durability of hard vs. soft luggage for frequent travel, with some suggesting that quality soft luggage is almost indestructible and others stating that hard luggage may be more durable against rough handling.
  • One user specifically recommended the Pelican Air travel case, which is very sturdy, has good wheels and a handle, and no zipper to break.
  • Another user recommended Away luggage and Travelpro luggage, both of which are hard-sided, while one user mentioned using a soft Samsonite luggage set that has held up for over a decade.
  • Multiple users suggested that hard luggage is prone to issues from rough handling and cracking.
  • Several users recommended high-end brands such as Tumi and Rimowa.
  • Opinions on hard vs. soft luggage durability and suitability for travel seemed to be mixed among commenters.
  • The initial question was posted over a year and four months ago, so some of the information may be outdated.

"Best hardshell carry-on luggage for international/domestic travel? (US)"

  • Thread on Reddit discussing the best hardshell carry-on luggage for international/domestic travel.
  • Original post made 1 year, 10 months ago and has 8 upvotes.
  • The user is considering three options: a lower-end one, a mid-range one, and a high-end one.
  • They prefer something that is carry-on standard size, durable, and relatively low profile/inconspicuous for travel.
  • The Samsonite Lite-Box is suggested as a lower-end option costing $330 but there is no explanation for what people like about it besides it functioning. Monos is also mentioned as a good-looking bag in the same category.
  • The mid-range option suggested is the Briggs & Riley CX carry-on for $569. The user is intrigued by its built-in compression/expansion technology and wants to know how much more can be fit into the bag versus packing cubes/vacuum packing or whatever.
  • The high-end option suggested is the FPM Milano Bank S 53 carry-on which costs $995. The bag is described as a stunning, lightweight metal bag but there are no consumer reviews of the product. The user wonders if it is a BIFL (Buy It For Life) item that can stand the test of time and the elements.
  • A user suggests Rimowa as their personal high-end choice for hard shells. They say the brand is solid, but they recommend going cheaper if the user’s travel habits change often.
  • The original user responds by thanking everyone for their input and comments that they will try to test out the options in-store before purchasing.

"https://news.yahoo.com/best-hard-shell-carry-luggage-110859768.html"

Relevant: true Importance: 8/10 Notes:

  • Consumer Reports tested 12 hard-shell carry-on luggage bags to determine the best hard-shell carry-on luggage.
  • The two criteria that Consumer Reports considered in their test were test performance and the ease of use.
  • The tests included filling each bag with fabric until its total weight was almost 18 pounds and wheeling it along an obstacle-studded conveyor belt, lifting them by handles 5,000 times, dropping them more than 3 feet onto hard flooring after storing at summer and winter temperatures, leaving bags, zipped, in a sprinkler-induced downpour, inflating a large air bladder inside to check how seams held up, and loading almost 225 pounds on top and to the side to gauge each bag’s resilience at the bottom of a cargo pile.
  • They also checked the bag’s ergonomics to determine its convenience level in opening, packing, and closing; how well various pockets, flaps, closures, and locks worked; how easy it was for men and women of different sizes to grab handles and straps, and to carry and pull; and how stable each bag was when rolled or pulled up steps and over sidewalks, curbs, cobblestones, and dirt roads.
  • They evaluated manufacturing quality, volume claims and safety.
  • Among the 12 hard-shell carry-on luggage bags, the one that won was the Made By Design hard-shell carry-on spinner bag which is the cheapest model tested, at $80.
  • The bag that got the highest rating is the Samsonite for $170.
  • The article notes that some high-end bags didn’t do quite as well, with the Tumi hard-shell carry-on, $800, excelling in construction quality and in impact tests, but earning only a Good score for usability; among other things, its zipper is hard to pull around corners and its locks are very hard to engage.
  • High-tech plastic is the typical material used in making hard-shell luggage, which is popular because it protects items in the luggage.
  • Hard-shell luggage accommodated in overhead bins can withstand rough handling as a group, such as picking luggage up and down on curbs and stairs.
  • The article also highlights that not all bags fit within the 22x14x9 inches (height by width by depth) carry-on dimension requirements of the strictest U.S. domestic carriers.
  • Four bags were within the size limit after accounting for protrusions such as feet, handles, locks,

"https://news.yahoo.com/11-best-luggage-pieces-amazon-143500876.html"

Relevant: True Importance: 8

Notes:

  • The article starts by saying that having the right luggage for travel is critical whether it’s an overnight trip or a two-week family vacation.
  • The article lists 11 luggage pieces available on Amazon broken up into different categories: carry-ons, backpacks, duffel bags, weekenders, under-seat bags, and larger checked bags.
  • In each category, multiple options are described with a review quote, and a picture.
  • The luggage pieces are of different types, including soft-sided, hard-sided, and hybrid.
  • Features like spinner wheels, retractable telescoping handles, in-line skate wheels, USB ports, cup holders, additional exterior pockets, and multiple interior pockets are highlighted.
  • All the pieces are described in detail, including size, capacity, weight, and color options.
  • The article includes a review of the Amazon Basics Hardside Spinner Luggage that has a fully lined interior, 150D-polyester interior organizer with three zippered pockets, and a safe divider with zipper to store smaller items.
  • According to the article, the soft-sided Rockland Softside Upright Luggage Set is “budget-priced,” expandable to fit all your gear, and has in-line skate wheels for easy rolling.
  • The article describes the Wrangler Underseat Carry-On Spinner with USB Port, which fits under most airline seats, has four multi-directional spinner wheels for easy maneuverability, and includes a USB port to charge on-the-go.
  • The Samsonite Multi-Pocket Upright Rolling Duffel Bag is a soft-sided bag with six pockets for organization and convenience, an ergonomic push-button locking handle, and weight in at under 10lbs.
  • The Travelers Club Large Travel Backpack is a highly practical carry-on solution with two padded shoulder straps for lightweight carrying, in addition to a spacious main compartment, a laptop compartment, and multiple pockets for organization.
  • The article features the WONHOX Weekender Bag, made of durable nylon and faux leather, with a padded compartment for a laptop up to 15.6 inches, and a waterproof shoe compartment.
  • The SwissGear Expandable Spinner Luggage is described as an all-purpose essential and includes a fully lined interior, multidirectional spinner wheels, and push-button recessed locking handle system.
  • Traveler’s Club Hardside Expandable Spinner Three-Piece Luggage Set is a budget-friendly option for a complete luggage wardrobe with multidirectional spinner wheels and ergonomic aluminum

"Best hard-sided luggage?"

  • A post on the subreddit r/TravelHacks asking for the best hard-sided luggage in carry-on size (1 year, 4 months ago, 1 point)
  • Multiple comments from users with recommendations and tips for choosing hard-sided luggage
  • One user recommended the Eminent Hard-Shell Luggage 20 Inch Small Lightweight Cabin Size Suitcase, Zipper-Less Carry-On With 4 Spinner Wheels - Light Silver | E8F5-20_LT-SLV (1 year, 4 months ago, 1 point)

  • Another user suggested considering the weight of the luggage, as some airlines have weight restrictions for carry-on luggage (1 year, 4 months ago, 1 point)
  • One user shared a link to an article on the best checked-luggage suitcases for women in 2022 (1 year, 4 months ago, 2 points)
  • The article recommends the Away Expandable Carry-On, the Samsonite Centric Hardside Expandable Luggage, and the Victorinox Lexicon Hardside Frequent Flyer Carry-On as the best hard-sided luggage options for women in 2022
  • The article notes that each of the recommended luggage options has various features that make them ideal for different types of travelers
  • The Away Expandable Carry-On has a hard polycarbonate shell and an interior compression system for packing efficiency, and features a built-in USB charger
  • The Samsonite Centric Hardside Expandable Luggage is made from durable, scratch-resistant polycarbonate and features a TSA-approved lock, telescoping handle, and four spinner wheels
  • The Victorinox Lexicon Hardside Frequent Flyer Carry-On is made from durable polycarbonate and features a puncture-resistant double racquet coil YKK zipper, a comfort grip expansion system, and an integrated USB cable
  • The article concludes by noting that the quality and durability of hard-sided luggage often comes at a higher price point, and suggests considering the specific features that are most important for individual travel needs

💭  Looking into

1 hard luggage case that balances cost and durability

💭  Looking into

3 best hard luggage cases according to experts