Suitcases

HARDSIDE SUITCASE or SOFTSIDE SUITCASE?

With our current security concerns, and the time demands on baggage handlers causing mis-handling, the suitcase trend is definitely toward the hardside suitcase. Actual cracking of a hard suitcase is relatively rare as long as you invest in a respected suitcase brand, such as Samsonite, Lojel, Delsey, Antler, IT Luggage and American Tourister. However many experienced travellers are returning to the softside suitcase. The softside suitcase is generally much lighter to lift, and opens much easier in small rooms, than the “clam opening” hardside suitcase. The softside suitcase also squashes into the back of a small hire car more easily, and outside pockets are handy, especially on your cabin suitcase!

WHICH SIZE SUITCASE?

Commercially most suitcases are designed with airline restrictions in mind. The SMALL suitcase is 115cm linear or smaller to be your carry-on cabin suitcase. The MEDIUM suitcase when full is designed to weigh less than 20 Kg, for budget flights. While the LARGE suitcase when full is designed to weigh approximately 23KG. Also now both hardside and softside suitcases often have expanders, for the serious shopper! Your desired suitcase size changes from adventure to adventure, so Luggage Direct always offers a financial incentive to buy the whole set!

What's new with Suitcases?

Over the past 2 years there has been 3 major influences on selecting luggage. 

1. Wheels: Traditionally with 2 wheeled luggage the traveller "dropped their shoulder" and pushed through the crowd dragging their suitcase, which was very unsatisfactory for ladies. now with 4 wheel spinner suitcases the traveller is "armed and dangerous". They can push the suitcase ahead of them, knifing through the crowd. Also when in a queue, they can simply "nudge' their suitcase along with ease!

2. Expanding Zip: Traditionally the capacity of a suitcase was set. But with expanding zips, both softside and hardside suitcases can be expanded on demand to accomadate that extra shopping as needed. This is especially so with the IT Luggage hardside suitcases now being able to expand to 150 Litres when needed.

3. Weight: With the imposition of stricter weight limits on airline luggage, the weight of a suitcase becomes a vital consideration. Normally a softside case will be lighter, hence allowing the traveller to pack more luggage and stay under the weight limit. However Samsonite's new Curv material hardsides - Cosmolite, Firelite and LiteCubo are as light as a softside, and more impact resistant than most hardsides.