Start with how you travel
Before comparing materials, think about your typical trip. Do you mostly fly for long weekends with hand luggage, or take one or two longer holidays a year with a checked bag? Do you walk over cobbles from the station to your apartment, or go straight from taxi to hotel lobby? The answers will point you to the right size and style far more reliably than any advertisement.
The case for hard shells
Hard-shell cases, usually made from polycarbonate or similar plastics, protect fragile contents well and shrug off rain. They tend to open in two halves, which suits people who like to pack neatly on each side. Good polycarbonate flexes under impact rather than cracking; cheaper, more brittle plastics can split.
Their main weakness is that they cannot be overfilled. If you like to squeeze in souvenirs on the way home, a hard case gives you no extra room. Scratches are also inevitable, so a textured or darker finish will age more gracefully than glossy white.
The case for soft shells
Soft cases made from durable woven nylon or polyester are often lighter for their size and usually have outside pockets, handy for a jacket or travel documents. Many have an expansion zip that adds a few centimetres of depth. They are easier to squeeze into a tight car boot or overhead locker.
They offer less protection for breakables, and fabric can absorb water in heavy rain. Look for a dense weave and water-resistant zips if you go this way.
Details that matter
Four spinner wheels are easy to steer on smooth airport floors, while two larger inline wheels cope better with kerbs and cobblestones. Check that the telescopic handle does not wobble, and that the zips are chunky and run smoothly. Weigh the empty case: every kilo of suitcase is a kilo less for your belongings under a weight allowance.
For cabin bags, measure carefully against your airline's limits, including wheels and handles. With AeroVista, a Classic or Flex fare includes an 8 kg cabin bag, while a Lite fare covers a personal item of up to 40 by 30 by 20 cm. Checked bags on Classic fares can weigh up to 23 kg.
Good to know
- Weigh any suitcase empty before buying; lighter shells leave more allowance for clothes.
- Choose inline wheels if your trips usually involve cobbled old towns.
- A bright strap or distinctive colour makes your bag easy to spot on the carousel.