Best Luggage Materials: A Quick Guide for Smart Travelers

Selecting the right luggage material is the key to finding the best suitcase. The material can affect the price, durability, weight, and abrasion-resistance of your case. So, understanding why one is better than the other could save you big money

In this short post, I will take a look at all the best suitcase materials such as polycarbonate, nylon, and aluminum and show you why each one excels or whether it is worth avoiding.

Common Luggage Material Types

Starting from the top, let’s take a look at the most common suitcase materials and their pros and cons.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate (PC) is a popular choice for hard side luggage due to its flexibility and strength. It’s a lightweight material, making it a great choice for suitcases.

One of the main advantages of polycarbonate luggage is its ability to absorb impact and retain its original shape, protecting your belongings inside without damaging anything, including the case.

Of course, such great strengths come at a cost and Polycarbonate is also only found on more expensive luggage.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene is a hard hydrocarbon resin derived from petroleum byproducts. It provides slightly less rigidity than other hard-shell luggage materials but also has some great advantages. Polypropylene luggage tends to be cheaper so suits more budget-friendly luggage. It is also quite lightweight, making it an ideal compromise for many suitcase manufacturers.

If you can’t afford the high price tag of Polycarbonate luggage, Polypropylene is one of the best choices.

ABS

ABS, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is another strong and lightweight plastic often seen in the lower end of the suitcase ranges. ABS luggage is still quite impact-resistant and can last you a very long time. It is also easy to clean and is very durable.

Of course, there are downsides and ABS luggage often does not look as stylish as the more expensive suitcases. But if you are on a budget and want a bullet-proof case to last, this is a great choice for luggage material.

Aluminum

Aluminum luggage offers extra protection, making it a popular choice for travelers looking for the most robust luggage. Being metal, Aluminum cases are typically more expensive than other luggage. But, with top brands like Rimowa, Tumi and Monos making use of it, there is no surprise that Aluminum is the luggage material of choice when money and or weight are of no consequence.

Polyester

Polyester is a luggage material most often seen on soft-sided luggage due to its affordability and durability. While not necessarily as impact-resistant as hard-shell materials, polyester luggage is clearly more flexible. The way to get around the impact limits is to add padding, so you will find soft cases have thicker material to prevent damage during loading and transport on a plane.

Ideally, you would not transport anything very breakable in such luggage, but for clothes and the like, they are great and affordable.

Nylon

Nylon is another luggage material used for soft side luggage. It is known for its strength and resilience and when combined with being both lightweight and water-resistant, it makes for the ideal choice for suitcases and carry-ons. Despite being softer than hardside materials, it can still withstand wear and tear from frequent travel.