Fabric suitcase or hard shell?

[Smeghead90]

I’m going in holiday in September and I’m wondering what case to buy. I’m thinking hard shell but are they easier to break if they get threw about?

I was debating between the two. In the end I’ve gone for hard..won’t stain/rip etc. Glass bottles etc will be more protected

We use soft ones. Easier to fit in the boot as they aren't so rigid. They are lighter too

I prefer hard shell, they are more protected and waterproof, but they are heavier so if you have a small luggage weight allowance that might be something to consider.

The soft cases are more malleable in that if you have too much it expands easier. I really don’t like the hard shell cases, but I suppose it’s personal taste. We’ve had more shell cases break on us quickly too.

We've always bought cheap soft shell for checked luggage. Nothings ever broken in them and we don't care if they get manhandled.

Hard shell can split and are often heavier.

Hard ones are heavier and hold less but they are safer and keep the things inside more protected I think.

I feel that way though I think only because Iv known two separate friends at different places in the world in different years have their suitcases slit open with a I assume a stanly blade. One unluckily just happened to have some electronics right where they'd slit it open but the other friend only lost I think a tshirt.

Soft because you often have 1 or 2 outside pockets for extra stuff plus you can put more in as they are easier to push down

Hard shell ones rarely have the extra outside pockets
Debenhams normally have a really good choice of suitcases and often in the sale

Fabric cases are more durable I think - it's not fabric as in canvas: they are really quite tough. They can withstand a lot, as proved by the time we got one of ours back with tyre tracks on from the fuckers at Manchester airport, still structurally intact and nothing damaged

Definitely soft. I've travelled long haul many times and never had any problems. Plus the weight difference is a big factor.

Personally I go for soft. As for being ripped open by a knife, surely the hard case could be ripped open at the zip if someone really wanted to get in that way. The weight allowance thing is a big thing for me

I'm confused now. We need new suitcases and I was planning on getting a hard shell case.

We have always had soft fabric ones, but have needed to replace them every 2 years and they keep getting damaged (despite using them once a year).

We have always had soft fabric ones, but have needed to replace them every 2 years and they keep getting damaged (despite using them once a year)

You only get two uses out of a fabric suitcase? Wtf are you doing to them?!

We aren't doing anything to them. We have handed them over to the airline in good condition and they have been returned to us with broken wheels and holes in the fabric.

Our soft worlds lightest ones have lasted for years. Did replace 1 this year but the other 3 we fine

I had two very expensive hard shell ones.. nice and secure but weighed a ton even pre-packed. When dh and I first went on hol together... he used a fabric one.. it looked tiny next to mine but we were able to fit soooo much more in the fabric one.. and it weighed much less! We've since bought another set of fabric ones and I wouldn't go back

Thank you everyone think I’m going to go for the IT case the very lightweight ones!