12 Different Types Of Luggage 

Wondering just how many types of luggage exist and what they are? Then you’ve come to the right place because this guide to the different types of luggage explains them all!

What’s the difference between a softshell and a hardshell, what’s a rolling spinner, and what goes in a garment bag are just some of the questions answered in this detailed guide. We tried to cover all the most common types of luggage, what they’re best for, and who they’re best for, so you can easily see which luggage is best suited for you and your travel needs!

Hardside Luggage

Hardside luggage is luggage with a hard outer shell. These are mostly suitcases, but there are other kinds of bags that can be made with hard components – backpacks, carry-on, duffels, etc.

Most hard side luggage is made from hard plastic, while some luxury options are manufactured from lightweight metals like aluminum and titanium. When it comes to plastic luggage, the most common materials used in the manufacturing of hard side luggage are ABS plastic, polycarbonate, and polypropylene.

Out of all these materials, polycarbonate is generally considered the best (and most expensive) option because it is very lightweight but extremely durable. ABS plastic is the cheapest material with decent durability, but it lacks the impact resistance of PC. Polypropylene is somewhere in the middle, both in terms of performance and pricing.

Hardside luggage is available in many shapes and sizes, from compact carry-ons to huge checked luggage. Even most cases designed to transport instruments or similar items can be categorized as hard side luggage.

Standard hard side suitcases usually have two packing compartments. They’re not always the best choice in terms of organizational features, but they are known for excellent durability. That’s why they’re the best option for checked luggage on airplanes, especially for frequent travelers.

Softside Luggage

Softside luggage is luggage with a soft shell, usually manufactured from a fabric like nylon or polyester. These are by far the most common suitcases, and any basic suitcase that’s made from fabric is a piece of softside luggage.

This type of luggage is generally the most affordable option out there, especially the low-quality bags that are manufactured from cheap materials. This is most likely the no-name luggage you see on sale at local supermarkets – you know it’s not excellent quality, but it does the job for very little money.

However, not all softshell luggage is of low quality. There are plenty of premium brands that manufacture excellent softside luggage and that’s evident in their prices.

One of the main advantages softside luggage has over hardside luggage is the number of organizational features. These suitcases usually have one packing compartment with multiple i