One major advantage of soft-sided bags over hard-shells—they can take the pressure. “You can really squeeze this suitcase into tight spaces,” she says. “Plus the impact of the normal wear and tear is less due to shock absorption of the softer body.”
Meanwhile, Travelpro, which has been in the soft-side business for 35 years, debuted its latest collection, VersaPack+, in August; the line-up most notably include removable packing cubes, along with a compression system, laundry and shoe bags, and built-in wet and dry compartments.
The top-loading advantage
Besides the actual material, soft and hard luggage tend to have one other major point of differentiation—and it affects how you pack. Traditional hard-shells usually have a clamshell design, opening down the middle with a 50/50 split of compartment space on each side, while soft-side bags tend to be top-loading, offering one large, open compartment.
“Soft-sided luggage usually makes it easier to pack bulky clothing and oddly-shaped items,” packing expert Anne McAlpin of Pack It Up says, adding that these types of bags may be more strategic in small boutique hotels, particularly in Europe, where there may only be a small luggage rack. “In this case, the top-opening bag might be best since most hard-sided bags usually need to lie flat to have access to the inside, taking up twice as much room.“
Another hack from McAlpin that works particularly well for top-loading soft-sides: “Use it as an extra ‘drawer’ in a hotel room or cruise ship by sliding it under a bed to store items you don’t need daily and leave the top open for easy access.”
Here’s where the genius of Dagne Dover’s luggage comes in—it offers both access points. “Our design allows people to open from the top if you like to top-load, are packing in a rush, or just need something quickly like a laptop that’s tucked away in the front, or easily grab a sweater for the plane without having to fully open the suitcase,” Dover says. “The bags also have a classic clamshell opening for those who are methodical packers, or want to organize by compartment.”
More perks to consider
The advantages of soft-side bags have always been there, as travel blogger and Helene Sula, author of Two O’Clock on a Tuesday at Trevi Fountain, says, having long been loyal to the softer luggage option. “I think soft-side allows more freedom when packing,” she says, explaining it’s just as secure when packed loosely for a three-day trip as it is filled up for a two-week trip, whereas with the stiffness of a hardshell, objects might jiggle around or be overstuffed.
As a bonus, she says these bags can also come in handy on crowded flights. “You know when you’re heading onto the plane and the gate attendant says, ‘We’re going to have to check that?’ With a soft bag, that happens much less often,” Sula says. Among her squishable favorites are the Osprey Sojourn 45L, which converts from a wheeled bag to a backpack, and SwissGear’s rolling carry-ons, which she calls a “good value.”
Another perk, according to longtime soft-side enthusiast Margot Delville: easier maintenance. “You don’t get scuffs on the shell that you have to clean,” the MMGY publicist says, noting her top styles are from the TravelPro Platinum series.
When it comes down to it, soft versus hard luggage is one of those perennial debates where it’s all about finding your personal preference. “Like whether you prefer a window or aisle seat, or a city versus a beach destination—luggage choice is no different,” Brody says. “Some people are just inherently soft-side people.”
More soft-sided bags we love
This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler’s second annual Luggage Week, for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors.
