Hard or soft case? Any recommended brands?

[Deleted User]

For £50 unless you get an incredible deal, you aren't going to get a Samsonite or other high end case. Just make sure it has four wheels and isn't completely naff - IT seem decent.

Hard cases only offer very slightly more protection for what's inside. Arguably worse for breaking when impacted. I always get hard cases, but then I only travel to countries that don't destroy your suitcase as a matter of course. Places like the US where the lobbers will do their best to wreck it are a different matter.

One point in favour of hard cases is that they are usually easier to repair with duct tape. As long as you don't mind them looking a bit naff...

mutley74

[Deleted User] said:

For £50 unless you get an incredible deal, you aren't going to get a Samsonite or other high end case. Just make sure it has four wheels and isn't completely naff - IT seem decent.

Hard cases only offer very slightly more protection for what's inside. Arguably worse for breaking when impacted. I always get hard cases, but then I only travel to countries that don't destroy your suitcase as a matter of course. Places like the US where the lobbers will do their best to wreck it are a different matter.

One point in favour of hard cases is that they are usually easier to repair with duct tape. As long as you don't mind them looking a bit naff...

Yeah I realise I wont get a brand like Samsonsite or American Tourister. 
Budget around £50-70 so looks like IT is the only brand in this range. 

strawb_shortcake

My daughter got herself a deployment bag from an Army surplus store for her trip to Malaysia. £15 and very durable. It can be a holdall or back pack but seemed a good option. 

basill

I bought an expensive at the time, Samsonite hardshell case getting on for 30 years ago.  It's still going although I had to replace one of the locks in 2011.  It was built tough with a steel band around the edge, strong but so heavy!  I think it's more than 5 KG empty.   

mutley74

basill said:

I bought an expensive at the time, Samsonite hardshell case getting on for 30 years ago.  It's still going although I had to replace one of the locks in 2011.  It was built tough with a steel band around the edge, strong but so heavy!  I think it's more than 5 KG empty.   

I prefer something ligt as possible, as this upcoming holiday i been doing lots of travelling to different locations. 

Grumpy_chap

mutley74 said:

I seen some offers from TRIPP cases - are they any good? Website says UK made but cannot see them before buying.

We have TRIPP cases - they used to be the "own brand" for Debenhams many years ago. Our pair of soft cases were purchased from there around 20 years ago and the cases are both perfectly functional if a little battered around the edges now.  Certainly no concerns with durability.

More modern cases are lighter.  I assume the latest TRIPP cases are also lighter than we have.

photome

Grumpy_chap said:

mutley74 said:

I seen some offers from TRIPP cases - are they any good? Website says UK made but cannot see them before buying.

We have TRIPP cases - they used to be the "own brand" for Debenhams many years ago. Our pair of soft cases were purchased from there around 20 years ago and the cases are both perfectly functional if a little battered around the edges now.  Certainly no concerns with durability.

More modern cases are lighter.  I assume the latest TRIPP cases are also lighter than we have.

I agree re Tripp cases I think they are great value but they have always been a stand alone brand they were a concession in Debenhams

Grumpy_chap

I am just going to add that buying "less premium" travel luggage always seems eminently sensible to me. 
Being cheaper is directly MSE, the item will get knocked about by automated baggage handling equipment, sometimes mistakes happen and cases can end up with the incorrect person.
On that last point, I always feel that a Samsonite case is more likely to end up with the incorrect person than a budget brand.  A Louis Vuitton is, in my mind, more likely to end up with the incorrect person than a Samsonite.
The thing is to find the anonymous case that still offers a good durability level.

jimi_man

Grumpy_chap said:

I am just going to add that buying "less premium" travel luggage always seems eminently sensible to me. 
Being cheaper is directly MSE, the item will get knocked about by automated baggage handling equipment, sometimes mistakes happen and cases can end up with the incorrect person.
On that last point, I always feel that a Samsonite case is more likely to end up with the incorrect person than a budget brand.  A Louis Vuitton is, in my mind, more likely to end up with the incorrect person than a Samsonite.
The thing is to find the anonymous case that still offers a good durability level.

Hmmm, I don’t necessarily agree with that. Sometimes the old adage ‘buy cheap, pay twice’ comes into play. As I posted earlier my wife uses a Samsonite case which she has used for over 100 flights a year for a few years now and it’s still in very good condition. I’d recommend it wholeheartedly. 

Of course it depends how much travelling a person is going to do. If it’s for one annual holiday a year then there isn’t much point, but if it’s going to be used for much more frequent travel then I’d say research it carefully and don’t buy cheap. Buying cheap and it not lasting and so needs replacing every couple of years is quite definitely not MSE, however paying a bit more money and it lasting for many years is very much MSE. 

Grumpy_chap

jimi_man said:

Grumpy_chap said:

I am just going to add that buying "less premium" travel luggage always seems eminently sensible to me. 
Being cheaper is directly MSE, the item will get knocked about by automated baggage handling equipment, sometimes mistakes happen and cases can end up with the incorrect person.
On that last point, I always feel that a Samsonite case is more likely to end up with the incorrect person than a budget brand.  A Louis Vuitton is, in my mind, more likely to end up with the incorrect person than a Samsonite.
The thing is to find the anonymous case that still offers a good durability level.

Hmmm, I don’t necessarily agree with that. Sometimes the old adage ‘buy cheap, pay twice’ comes into play. As I posted earlier my wife uses a Samsonite case which she has used for over 100 flights a year for a few years now and it’s still in very good condition. I’d recommend it wholeheartedly. 

Of course it depends how much travelling a person is going to do. If it’s for one annual holiday a year then there isn’t much point, but if it’s going to be used for much more frequent travel then I’d say research it carefully and don’t buy cheap. Buying cheap and it not lasting and so needs replacing every couple of years is quite definitely not MSE, however paying a bit more money and it lasting for many years is very much MSE. 

It's a balance as always.
Buying the very cheapest from the local bargain £-plus shop and the case will last a handful of trips.
Buying "less premium" as I referenced can be sensible.  Our TRIPP cases have lasted 20-odd years and still functional, if battered.
A Samsonite or Louis Vuitton is not necessarily going to be any more durable and the latter would certainly be more likely to go missing (IMO).