Is hard or soft luggage better?
Whether you pick hard or soft luggage is ultimately down to personal preference, yet both have their pros and cons.
Hard-sided suitcases are generally more durable than soft-shelled luggage but they can also be heavier, which should be considered if your journey involves flying as it’ll eat into your luggage weight allowance. There’s also the risk of hard suitcases cracking in transit.
Nevertheless, this style of luggage will mostly protect your belongings better than its soft counterparts, and many hard-shell cases are capable of withstanding a fair bit of a battering. Remember that all will inevitably become scratched after use, with some faring better than others.
Lightweight and flexible, soft luggage is easier to fit into tight spaces than hard luggage (including the boot of a hire car or a bus luggage rack) and store either at home or away. These stretchable cases often have handy exterior pockets and are typically made from polyester or nylon, making it possible for travellers to squeeze more into them than hard versions – a lifesaver for those needing to fit in extra items. Fabric cases are susceptible to dirt, stains and smells, however.
How do I choose a suitcase?
There are certain considerations to take in account when choosing the perfect suitcase.
Capacity: How big a suitcase you’ll need depends on how long you’ll be away and the kind of trip you’re taking. You may need a smaller case for a hot holiday, for example, with swimsuits taking up less space than ski salopettes. If you’re an avid shopper who tends to return home with more than they left with, an expandable model is a good choice to ensure there’s room for any purchases you make. When buying a carry-on case, be sure of relevant airline size restrictions before parting with your cash.
Weight: Heavy cases can be a pain to haul around. Not only that, but they’ll use up valuable luggage allowance if you’re flying. Lightweight doesn’t necessarily mean flimsy, so it’s understandable why less-heavy models are increasing in popularity.
Durability: Without buying a case and testing it out for yourself, the next best way to establish a suitcase’s durability is to read its reviews – and as many as possible. They’ll give you an idea of what to expect, but recommendations from friends and family members are even better.
Protection: Do electronic and fragile items need protecting? If so, a hard-shell suitcase is your best bet. These models are more water-resistant than soft-shell versions too.
Wheels: There’s no denying that cases with wheels are easier to manage than those without, and those equipped with four swivel wheels are the most manoeuvrable. If you plump for a case without wheels, ensure it’s comfortable to carry. Also bear in mind that you may not be able to find a trolley at the airport, railway station or bus terminal. This is especially pertinent when looking to buy kids’ luggage – little ones are unlikely to want to carry a heavy bag, so go for a wheeled one if you don’t want to end up holding it.
Colour: Choosing a suitcase in a standout colour isn’t just for the aesthetics, it’ll make it easy to spot among countless similar-looking cases on the conveyor belt.
Warranty: Some suitcases come with a warranty, which is often a sure sign of a quality product and at the very least will allow you to buy with confidence.
How much should you pay for a suitcase?
With luggage prices ranging from as low as £20 to as high as a cruising 747, suitcase shopping can be overwhelming. It’s worth working out the rough cost per trip, with a lower-priced option likely to suffice for occasional travellers. Frequent globetrotters would be wise to splash out a bit, however, to increase the likelihood of their luggage lasting. Suitcase sets are an economical buy, costing less than buying several models individually.
What is the best suitcase to buy?
The best suitcase to buy is Samsonite’s Neopulse Spinner Suitcase. Strong, clever, practical and good-looking, it has all the traits of a great travel partner that’s unlikely to let you down – nor leave your credit card maxed out. No dragging is necessary thanks to its four multidirectional wheels and if you opt for one of the brighter colours available it’ll stand out on any luggage carousel. There’s plenty of room, it’s fairly priced and it comes with a five-year global warranty.
How we chose our recommendations
We’ve thoroughly researched the best suitcases and travel luggage you can buy this season including tried-and-tested experiences from a wide range of honest, trusted sources. Here’s how we narrowed it down to our top picks.
Mumsnet community
When it comes to stylish, yet durable, suitcases and travel luggage, Mumsnetters know a trusty carrier when they see (and use) one.
We first assessed all the recommendations from the Mumsnet community, getting feedback on the best suitcases and travel luggage they have personally used, reviewed and rated, including their favourite models, and must-have additional features such as security locks and retractable handles. We also considered the reasons why Mumsnetters would avoid certain suitcases.
Expert opinions
We know that choosing the right suitcase and travel luggage takes a lot of thought and consideration, so we made sure our recommendations were well received within the bags and luggage industry, rated or recommended by travel experts and industry leaders.
Trusted consumer reviews
Finally, we scrutinised honest customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Argos and John Lewis to get wider consumer opinions on the products on our shortlist. Through this research, we were able to weigh up the top suitcases and travel luggage for a variety of needs, from solo business trips to family holidays, and gain a greater understanding of the pros and cons of each.
About the author
Louise Cole is a writer and editor who has worked for several daily newspapers and as editor of a glossy lifestyle magazine. She has written articles on topics from travel to lifestyle, and parenting to pets, her work featuring in national publications including On the Couch and Edition Dog magazines. Wanderlust runs through her veins and she has travelled extensively to dozens of countries and has visited all habitable continents.
Why you should trust us
Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in those years, we’ve seen, tried and reviewed thousands of products in a wide variety of categories.
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is important to us and that's why we're always upfront about the research we do, and where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family and strive to offer impartial advice across the board.