Wondering whether to go with a hard-shell or soft-shell suitcase? Here’s the humble take of someone who practically travels full-time.
I truly don’t remember when I stopped traveling with a soft-shell suitcase. It’s not necessarily because I stopped liking them. It’s just that, at some point, they stopped being the cool luggage to have.
Today, the thought of traveling with a soft-shell bag makes me feel nostalgic. It reminds me of traveling back and forth to Brazil with my grandmother — she had a bright red one that I always found so chic. I also think of my dad, because he still probably travels with the same navy blue soft-shell that every father has in their closet.
As someone who pretty much travels full-time for a living, I take my luggage choice very seriously. And after one too many incidents of having to sit on top of my bag for it to close, I started thinking: Have we all been choosing hard-shell suitcases over soft-shell luggage because it’s actually better, or simply because it looks better?
I prioritize luggage with really good wheels, the kind that roll smoothly through airports, and bags that are roomy enough to make packing relatively easy. A lot of times I choose to travel with just a carry-on, and lately that’s been the LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On.
So, which is actually better? I looked into the differences between both hard-shell and soft-shell bags and found that each has its advantages. Here’s how the two compare, and which one I’d recommend based on how you travel.
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Hard-shell vs. soft-shell luggage: The quick answer
The short answer? Neither hard-shell nor soft-shell luggage is universally better.
Hard-shell luggage generally offers a more structured packing experience, a rigid exterior, and a sleek design. Soft-shell luggage, on the other hand, tends to be more flexible, with exterior pockets and a deeper main compartment that can make packing bulky items easier.
But there’s another factor that we often overlook: how much of a suitcase’s interior space you can actually use. A well-designed hard-shell carry-on can offer a surprising amount of room, even without the extra flexibility of the fabric.
Take my LEVEL8 bag, for example.
The Voyageur series comes with a wide-handle design that moves the handle rails to the outer edges of the suitcase, leaving a flatter interior with fewer awkward bumps to pack around. I get more usable space for packing cubes, shoes, and clothing — plus the built-in compression system saves me every time I overpack.
It’s a good example of how the actual design of a bag can directly impact the ease of packing.
Read my full review of the LEVEL8 Voyageur carry-on bag here.
Ask yourself: How do you travel?
Different bags suit different travelers. So, first ask yourself this: How do you travel? Below, I’ve come up with a few travel archetypes and which kind of bag I would recommend for each.
Lots of international trips: LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On
Its interior compartments make packing and unpacking so easy — it’s my go-to for international travel.
Packing bulky winter clothing: Soft-shell
A deep main compartment and flexible fabric help accommodate bulky items.
Traveling with fragile souvenirs: Hard-shell
A rigid exterior offers some protection against pressure.
Strict airline weight limits: Compare individual models
Neither type is inherently lighter. I recently flew ITA Airways to Rome with my Voyageur and had no weight issues.
Staying in small hotel rooms: Soft-shell
Most open from the top, requiring less floor space.
Beach and outdoor vacations: LEVEL8 Voyageur series
Its polycarbonate exterior is easy to wipe clean, and the wet/dry pocket comes in handy for damp swimwear.
Prefer separated compartments: LEVEL8 Voyageur series
Its two-sided layout and flatter interior make organizing packing cubes, shoes and clothing easier.
Chronic overpacker: LEVEL8 Voyageur series
Just trust me on this one. The built-in compression system helps compact bulky clothes and more. A lifesaver when I’ve packed too many shoes or pairs of pants.
Business trips: Hard-shell, especially the Voyageur carry-on
I love its sleek, minimalist design, which feels right at home on a work trip.
What’s the difference between hard-shell and soft-shell luggage?
The biggest difference between hard-shell and soft-shell luggage is exactly what it sounds like: the exterior.
- Hard-shell luggage has a rigid outer shell, usually made from polycarbonate, ABS plastic, polypropylene or aluminum. Most models open into two compartments, allowing you to separate your clothes, shoes, and accessories between the two halves.
- Soft-shell luggage is made from flexible fabrics, typically nylon or polyester. These suitcases usually have one deep main compartment, a zippered lid and exterior pockets for items you might need during your journey.
Both types come in carry-on and checked sizes, and both can feature spinner wheels, expandable compartments, and interior organizers. The real differences become apparent when you start packing.
1. Durability: Which lasts longer?
You’d think a suitcase with a hard exterior would automatically be more durable than one made of fabric. But that’s not necessarily the case.
Hard-shell suitcases are designed to withstand the bumps and knocks that come with traveling, but they’re not indestructible. Depending on the material, they can scratch, dent or even crack under enough pressure.
Soft-shell suitcases don’t have a rigid exterior that can crack, but their fabric can tear, fray or stain over time.
The real difference comes down to the materials.
Most hard-shell suitcases are made from polycarbonate, ABS plastic, or a combination of the two. Polycarbonate is generally more flexible and impact-resistant, allowing the shell to bend under pressure rather than immediately crack. ABS tends to be more affordable, but it’s also typically less resilient.
The LEVEL8 Voyageur, for example, uses German-made Makrolon polycarbonate, a material that combines flexibility with impact resistance. Its shell is designed to withstand the usual bumps of travel.
Soft-shell luggage has its own range of materials, with higher-quality models often using durable fabrics such as ballistic nylon.
So, which lasts longer?
I’d pay more attention to the quality of the materials, zippers, wheels, and handles than whether the suitcase has a hard or soft exterior. After all, even the toughest shell won’t do you much good if a wheel breaks halfway through your trip.
2. Weight: Which is lighter?
Soft-shell luggage isn’t necessarily lighter than hard-shell luggage, which surprised me at first.
You’d think fabric would weigh less than a rigid plastic shell, but soft-sided suitcases often need an internal frame to maintain their shape and that ends up adding some weight. Meanwhile, modern polycarbonate suitcases can be surprisingly lightweight.
Of course, there are exceptions in both categories.
My advice? Don’t assume one type is lighter than the other. Compare the actual weight of each model you’re considering, ideally in the same size category. And remember that weight isn’t everything. A slightly heavier suitcase may still be worth considering if its interior design, organization, and wheels better suit your needs.
3. Packing space: Which holds more?
If you’re a chronic overpacker, soft-sided luggage might actually be a better fit — at least according to Condé Nast Traveler, which highlights the flexibility, expandable designs, and extra pockets that make these types of suitcases appealing.
And I get it. There’s something comforting about a suitcase that gives you a little extra wiggle room when you’re trying to squeeze in your travel purchases.
But I’ve found that how a suitcase uses its interior space matters just as much as how much it can hold. That’s one of the biggest reasons I love LEVEL8’s carry-on bags.
The wide-handle design moves the handle rails toward the outer edges, creating a flatter interior with fewer awkward bumps to pack around. Instead of trying to squeeze a packing cube between two raised bars, I can lay it flat against the bottom of the suitcase. Works wonderfully for my shoes, too.
And when I’ve inevitably packed a little more than I planned, the built-in compression system helps compact my clothes and keep everything secure.
Soft-shell luggage may offer more flexibility, but the Voyageur makes such good use of its available space that I rarely find myself missing it.
4. Organization: Which is more convenient?
One of the biggest advantages of soft-shell luggage is its exterior pockets.
Truthfully, I’m a big fan of pockets. Think about all the things you might need to grab while moving through an airport or train station (a book, a phone charger, your passport, or even a snack).
But when it comes down to packing, I still prefer my hard-shell’s flatter interior. It makes arranging packing cubes easier, while the built-in compression system keeps everything in place. There’s even a separate wet/dry pocket for toiletries or a damp swimsuit.
For someone who’s constantly packing and unpacking, the kind of organization always wins me over. And when it comes to keeping things handy on the plane, I just use a backpack with tons of exterior pockets as my personal item.
5. Protection: Which keeps your belongings safer?
There’s something reassuring about packing your belongings inside a rigid suitcase, especially when you’re checking a bag.
The LEVEL8 Voyageur’s polycarbonate shell is designed to flex under pressure and withstand the usual bumps of travel. Both my carry-on and check-in bags have survived multiple trips (as well as several flights of stairs in a NYC walk-up apartment) and they’ve both come out unscathed.
Soft-shell luggage can also absorb impacts, but its fabric is more vulnerable to tears and abrasions.
6. Appearance and maintenance
I’m not going to pretend that aesthetics don’t matter to me. Part of the reason I gravitated toward hard-shell luggage was simply that I liked how it looked. And the LEVEL8 Voyageur is especially my number: sleek, minimalist and understated, with a distinctive wide-handle design that has everyone asking me about it.
Of course, hard-shell suitcases can show scratches and scuffs after a long travel day. And while soft-shell luggage may hide those marks better, the fabric can still stain and is generally harder to wipe clean.
I’ve accepted that a few scratches are part of traveling, and I do my best to maintain their exteriors by wiping them down after every trip.
LEVEL8 Voyageur vs. Travelpro Maxlite 5: Hard-Shell and Soft-Shell Compared
Let’s compare two actual suitcases: my LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On and the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Spinner.
| Feature | LEVEL8 Voyageur | Travelpro Maxlite 5 |
| Type | Hard-shell | Soft-shell |
| Material | Polycarbonate | Polyester |
| Weight | 8.1 lbs | 5.3 lbs |
| Capacity | 43 L | 39 L |
| Dimensions | 21.3 × 15.1 × 9.8 in. | 21.75 × 15.75 × 7.75 in. |
| Organization | Two compartments, compression system, wet/dry pocket | Deep main compartment, exterior pockets |
| Expandable | No | Yes |
| Standout feature | Wide-handle design for flatter packing space | Lightweight, flexible design |
The verdict:
Both suitcases have their strengths. The Travelpro is lighter and offers exterior pockets, while the LEVEL8 Voyageur provides more listed packing capacity and a thoughtfully organized interior.
Personally, I’d choose the LEVEL8 Voyageur. Its wide-handle design makes better use of the space inside, and the built-in compression system helps me pack more efficiently without sacrificing organization.
For frequent travelers like me who want to make the most of their carry-on, I think the Voyageur is the better investment.
Why I keep reaching for my LEVEL8 Voyageur carry-on
After years of traveling, I’ve realized that my luggage preferences have changed. I used to care mostly about how much I could squeeze into a suitcase. Now, I care just as much about how easily I can organize everything.
That’s one reason I’ve become such a fan of the Voyageur Carry-On.
A few years ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice about the placement of a suitcase handle. But now that I can lay my packing cubes flat, tuck my shoes alongside them, and actually use the corners of my suitcase without working around bulky rails, I’d find it hard to go back.
And when I’m packing up after a trip, I can secure everything with the compression system instead of rearranging my clothes just to get the suitcase closed.
It’s these small, practical details that make the Voyageur such a good fit for the way I travel.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is hard-shell or soft-shell luggage better for flying?
I personally prefer hard-shell luggage, especially for longer trips. The LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On is one of my favorites because its organized compartments make packing and unpacking easier, and its spinner wheels make navigating busy airports a breeze.
Which type of luggage is more durable?
Both can be durable, but I prefer the protection of a quality hard-shell suitcase. The LEVEL8 Voyageur is made with German Makrolon polycarbonate, a flexible, impact-resistant material designed to handle the bumps and knocks of frequent travel.
Does hard-shell luggage crack easily?
Not if it’s well made and handled under normal conditions. The Voyageur’s polycarbonate shell is designed to flex under pressure rather than crack easily.
Is hard-shell luggage heavier than soft-shell luggage?
Not necessarily. Modern polycarbonate suitcases can be surprisingly lightweight. The LEVEL8 Voyageur weighs 8.1 pounds, within the typical range for hard-shell carry-ons, and in return you get a roomy 43-liter interior and built-in compression system.
Which type of luggage is better for checked baggage?
I prefer hard-shell luggage for checked baggage because its rigid exterior provides a barrier against bumps and pressure. LEVEL8’s polycarbonate luggage is a good option for travelers who prioritize durable construction and organized packing.
Is hard-shell luggage waterproof?
Most hard-shell suitcases are water-resistant rather than waterproof. The LEVEL8 Voyageur’s polycarbonate exterior doesn’t absorb water like fabric can and is easy to wipe clean, although moisture can still enter through zippers and seams.
What should I look for in a carry-on suitcase to maximize packing space?
Don’t just look at capacity. Pay attention to how the interior is designed. The LEVEL8 Voyageur’s wide-handle construction creates a flatter packing surface, making it easier to arrange packing cubes, shoes, and clothing without wasting space around bulky handle rails.
Is the LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On worth it?
As someone who travels frequently, I’d say yes. What makes the Voyageur stand out to me isn’t just its sleek appearance, but how practical it is to pack. Between the spacious interior, built-in compression system, and thoughtful organization, it’s a carry-on I’d recommend to anyone looking to make packing easier.
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