Head to any airport these days and you’ll likely see hard shell suitcases everywhere you turn. Today, these suitcases are one of the most popular types of luggage available. But are they worth it? Here, our Newark Airport parking company breaks down the pros and cons of hard shell luggage:
Pros
If one of your travel goals is to protect your belongings, hardshell luggage may be a good investment. Because these suitcases are made from plastic, polycarbonate, or aluminum, they’ll form a protective barrier around things that are fragile. With a hard shell suitcase, you won’t have to worry about it being thrown around during transport or knocking it around while you make your way to your destination.
Because of the hard material, these suitcases are also resistant to precipitation and moisture, which means it’s not a big deal if they get wet. Today’s hard shell materials are also lightweight, making these suitcases lighter than they used to be.
Cons
Hard shell suitcases are sturdy, but that means they don’t offer much room for flexibility. This means you can’t stuff those last-minute things you forgot to pack into them. In addition, unless you get one of the smallest sizes, you won’t be able to maneuver your suitcase to fit it into the overhead bin on the plane.
Even though hard shell suitcases are made from durable materials, if they get damaged, it’s usually in the form of a crack from weight or pressure. This can be problematic, as cracks are difficult to fix.
When it comes to storage, hard shell suitcases can’t collapse like soft shell, which makes them more difficult to store easily. They also don’t have several different compartments – often times, you’ll just have the two main compartments inside the suitcase.
Conclusion
In the end, whether you want to invest in hard shell suitcases or not is really up to you. Some travelers prefer the rigidity and durability of them while others prefer the flexibility and maneuverability of soft shell. Before you buy, weigh all of your options and determine which advantages matter most to you.