I cannot believe that this is the last week of August and I will be on my way to join our autumn trips ๐
I am sad to see summer come to an end soon but excited for all the fall trips.
This week's newsletter is all about soft sided vs. hardshell cases, and why I don't buy hard ones, even when it comes to larger sizes.
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Why I don't buy hard cases
I typically travel carry-on and only check in a bag when strictly necessary and, even in those cases, I check in my carry-on, which can be expanded and easily fit 15kg / 33 pounds.
Earlier this year, I had to go on a 7 week trip that ranged from Caribbean islands to Antarctica, so it was not possible to pack it all within the 15kg capacity, so I had to travel with a larger suitcases that could fit 20kg / 44 pounds.
I had recently got a hardshell Samsonite as a gift from American Express, so I took that one on my trip.
The suitcase was completely new but, after the 17 flights I had to take, having to check in the bag every time, the suitcase arrived in Barcelona, at the end of my last flight, cracked enough that I could not risk using it again without my belongings ending spread around the airport floor.
Thankfully, that was the last flight, so I made it home with all my belongings intact and without a suitcase.
That reminded me why I don't use hardshell cases anymore, and why I only buy Tumi bags made with their ballistic nylon, because they truly are indestructible.
You may have also noticed that most airline staff use soft sided suitcases or, if they use hard shell ones, they are the older-looking models that are made of thicker plastic than the fancier, shinier, newer models.
Here are a few reasons why I don't use hardshell cases:
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Easier to break
As mentioned in my personal story above, hard cases break much more often than soft sided cases and when they do, they can't be repaired like a soft sided suitcase can.
Baggage handlers and handling equipment at airports will toss and turn your suitcase plenty during every trip. A soft sided bag is much better at withstanding this handling than a hard case that can crack on impact or dent, no matter how well done or expensive it is, and is not possible to repair.
Besides breaking, hard cases are also more easily scratched. Besides my ballistic nylon carry-on suitcase, I also have a carry-on hard Tumi for short trips, because it is lighter than the ballistic nylon one. This suitcase, like all other hard cases made of plastic, got scratched on my first trip.
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Harder to store
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Some types of soft sided bags can be more easily fit into storage spaces, cars, trunks, etc.
For example, on our safari trips, we recommend guests bring a soft sided suitcase because they are more easily stacked in the safari vehicles. Hard cases can't change shape, while a soft sided suitcase can be adapted to the storage space. This also applies to your home.
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Inflexible
A soft sided suitcase makes it much easier to pack and store because it is much more flexible than a rigid hard shell suitcase.
We have all had to sit on a suitcase to close it and this is much easier to do with a soft sided suitcase that can stretch and cope with a protruding shoe...we've all been there!
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If you need to get a hardshell case...
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In all of the above, I was referring to hardshell cases made of the thinner plastic, but there are many other types of hard suitcases out there that don't have these issues because they are made of materials other than plastic or of plastic that is much tougher.
For example, Rimowa's aluminium suitcases can scratch and dent but rarely break and come with lifetime warranty.
โPelican's suitcases, made to transport specialty equipment like guns and ammunition, wine, cameras, and other fragile items, are made of a strong proprietary polypropylene blend that will not break when handled. The suitcases are also dust and water proof and come with lifetime warranty. My friend has the one above.
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Do you use hard shell or soft sided suitcases? Why?
2026 / 2027 Calendar of tours
We visit Tossa de mar during our Barcelona & Beyond tour
Our 2026 complete calendar of tours is live and only missing Argentina and Armenia ๐ฅณ
๐ Tuscany: 13 to 20 Jun || 5 to 12 Sep >> Book hereโ
๐งโโ๏ธ Bali: 20 to 28 Jun || 29 Aug to 6 Sep || 3 to 11 Oct >> Book here
๐ Xmas markets: 21 to 29 Nov || 5 to 13 Dec >> Book here
โ๏ธ Swedish Arctic 28 Mar to 3 Apr [2 SPOTS LEFT] >> Book hereโ
๐ฆ Australia: 11 to 22 Oct >> Book here [Meg will host this trip]
๐ฅ Barcelona & Beyond: 6 to 14 Jun || 20 to 28 Jun >> Book hereโ
๐๏ธ Kilimanjaro climb on Intl Women's Day: 1 to 10 Mar or 1 to 15 Mar with safari extension >> Book here.
โต Greek islands sailing trip: 29 May to 5 Jun >> Book here [I will host this trip]โ
๐ Cuba: 14 to 22 Feb || 14 to 22 Mar || 12 to 20 Dec || New Year's Eve >> Book hereโ
๐ช๐ฌ Egypt: 3 to 12 Apr [2 SPOTS LEFT] || 30 Oct to 8 Nov >> Book here
๐ช Morocco: 2 to 12 Oct || 6 to 16 Nov >> Book hereโ
๐ฆ Tanzania Value safari + Zanzibar: 28 Aug to 7 Sep (Great Migration) || 11 to 21 Sep (Great Migration) || 23 Dec to 2 Jan, 2027 (Xmas + NYE) >> Book hereโ
๐น๐ฟ Tanzania Luxe safari + Zanzibar: 25 Sep to 5 Oct, 2026 (Great Migration) || 1 to 10 Nov, 2026 >> Book hereโ
๐ฆ๐ถ Antarctica: 13 to 27 Dec >> Book here [I will host this trip]โ
๐ฌ Ecuador & The Galapagos: 5 to 17 May [I will host this trip, Sold out] >> Join the waitlistโ
๐ด Caribbean island hopping: 13 to 20 Feb, 2027 >> Book here[Both Meg and I will host this trip]
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