Make a Smart Suitcase Choice for a Stress-Free Trip Abroad

Packing for an overseas trip is often the most headache-inducing part. Do you know how to choose a suitcase that suits you? What’s the difference between soft-shell and hard-shell suitcases? With sizes ranging from large to small, which one best meets your needs? While picking the right travel destination is important, having a suitable suitcase can make your life much easier, helping you pack efficiently. Why not listen to the experts on how to choose a suitcase and organize your belongings, so you can prepare for your trip without any last-minute panic and head abroad feeling relaxed and happy?

Suitcases are actually quite personal. From color to style, it really comes down to individual preference. However, material and capacity should still be chosen based on your needs. Is a soft suitcase better, or is a hard one superior? Should you prioritize being lightweight or having expandability?

Lightweight materials are quite popular among consumers.

The hard suitcases generally referred to are made from PP material, or PC and aluminum alloy. Soft suitcases are made from materials such as nylon denim or polyester fiber. Lin Shujuan, deputy marketing manager of Samsonite, said that hard-shell suitcases are generally divided into four types of materials: 1. Curve, 2. PC, 3. ABS, 4. PP. The latest Curve material introduced is a patented technology from Germany, first applied to suitcases. It is very lightweight and has a wavy pattern on the surface. Because it's extremely lightweight, it has become very popular with consumers. Another type of hard suitcase — the ABS mixed with PC material — is very sturdy yet light, and also a favorite among many.

 

As for soft suitcases, they are made from a mix of nylon or polyester fiber materials, and their biggest advantage is expandability. For many business travelers, the expandable pockets of a suitcase are very convenient, allowing them to store documents or notebooks for easy access.

Speaking of the biggest differences between hard and soft suitcases, aside from material, it’s expandability and capacity. Hard suitcases have less expandability because of their design — there are almost no external pockets. But soft suitcases not only have pockets but can also expand, and they were indeed very popular with consumers in the past. However, hard suitcases come in a wide variety of colors. The most common ones are gray, blue, and silver, along with eye-catching shades like orange, pink, green, and bright red. Especially in recent years, more and more people are using brightly colored suitcases. This may be related to the growing emphasis on fashion and brand trends. The usage ratio between soft and hard suitcases is getting closer, and colors are also moving beyond the traditional black and dark blue tones.

Additionally, the way soft and hard suitcases open and close is slightly different. Hard suitcases open at the middle, while soft ones open from the top. So, for the same volume, a soft suitcase tends to have a larger capacity, but it can be more troublesome when looking for items, depending on your personal needs. However, even though soft suitcases offer high expandability, remember not to overstuff them, because they are made as one piece — if the zipper breaks, it can be difficult to repair.

 

For items like wine bottles that you’re worried about being crushed, you can opt for a PP material suitcase. It's the same material used in car bumpers, is waterproof, and very durable.

 

Choose Suitcase Size Based on Travel Destination

As for suitcase size, you can choose the appropriate dimensions based on the length of your trip. Generally speaking, for a 2–3 day trip, you can go for a 24–35 liter suitcase (under 55cm / 20-inch), for 4–5 days, a 35–70 liter one (61–66cm / 22–24-inch), and for trips longer than a week, it’s recommended to choose a 90-liter or larger suitcase (70–85cm / 26–32-inch). Lin Shujuan also suggests buying a set of suitcases in the same series with varying sizes. If you’re still worried, you can use a modular suitcase setup — for example, taking a medium plus a small, or a large plus a medium. Soft suitcases also offer more flexibility in packing.

 

Two Wheels or Four Wheels?

Your travel destination and style not only affect the choice of suitcase size, but also the decision between four wheels or two. Four-wheel suitcases are effortless to push, while two-wheel ones are better for independent travel. Many people pull four-wheel suitcases diagonally, thinking it’s easier and saves effort, but this can actually damage the wheels. Traditional two-wheel suitcases are designed for diagonal pulling and are suitable for traveling on Europe’s gravel roads. Therefore, if you're going on a self-guided trip, two-wheel suitcases that can be pulled diagonally are better suited for all kinds of surfaces, while four-wheel suitcases that can be pushed are more labor-saving and suitable for smooth surfaces.