After checking out suitcases for the past few weekends, this is what I’ve learnt. There are primarily three different types of material used in producing most suitcases—nylon, ABS, and polycarbonate.
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Nylon
Nylon is cheap and light. It is commonly used in making soft suitcases. There are special weaves of nylon, which are designed to increase durability and to prevent rips.
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ABS
ABS is a strong and durable plastic. It is commonly used in making hard suitcases. Hard suitcases tend to be heavier than soft suitcases.
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Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is a plastic that’s even stronger and more durable than ABS. It is prone to scratching, but is very hard to break. It is commonly found in high-end hard suitcases. Expect to pay more for these suitcases.
If you’re packing fragile items, then you need a hard suitcase. If you travel often, you will benefit from the durability of polycarbonate. Hard suitcases, unlike soft suitcases, don’t have any give, which means it might have difficulty fitting all those souvenirs you purchased on the trip. Some soft suitcases feature an expandable section for this exact reason.
As for me, my primary requirements are weight and price. I need something light so that I can pack more belongings, and I want something cheap as I don’t expect to use the suitcase that often. I ended up getting the Flylite Microlite II from Strandbags.
One thing to pay particular attention to when choosing a trolley suitcase is the quality of the wheels. The last thing you want on a trip, is a fully loaded luggage that doesn’t wheel properly.
