Some people swear by softside luggage. Others refuse to use anything but hardside suitcases. Truth is, it comes down to every traveler’s individual preferences. If you find yourself more drawn to hardshell options, then you probably appreciate the extra support and added protection their rigid frames and harder materials provide. Luggage tends to go through some rough handling, after all, and hardside luggage can absorb more of that compared to their softer counterparts.
The best hardside luggage puts a premium on durability. That’s the main reason for getting one, after all, regardless of whether they’re made from aluminum, polycarbonate, or some other material. You want a luggage that can absorb any pressure or impact it’s likely to encounter, saving its contents from crushing or breaking at any point along the way.
While durability is the main reason you’ll want one, it doesn’t hurt that the best hardside luggage also achieves a sleeker and more modern aesthetic. There’s a reason why Rimowa’s grooved aluminum suitcases have been a jetsetter staple for many decades, while softside luggage have been largely associated with business travelers flying to a conference or retreat.
Most of the best hardside luggage take on a traditional clamshell form factor, splitting the main compartment into two equal (or nearly equal sides). This makes it tougher to grab a jacket from your suitcase while casually walking in the airport, since you’ll have to open the whole thing and lay it on its back. However, some newer hardside designs have added exterior pockets that you can use to stash items you might want to access on the go (such as a laptop or a travel gadget), which is a good enough compromise.
These are the best hardside luggage options for your next trip.
Samsonite Freeform Spinner
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight
- Smooth ride
Cons
- Scratches easily
- Trolley handles feel flimsy
- No water resistance
Weight: 6.5 pounds
Materials: Polypropylene
Capacity: 34 liters
The most affordable option in the list, this hardside luggage is nearly two hundred dollars cheaper than the next option we recommend, all while coming with a tough polypropylene shell, a smooth ride, and an overall appealing aesthetic. While it doesn’t have the premium construction of more expensive luggage, it has a decent and reliable build. Sure, it’s not something we’ll recommend to frequent flyers who will take a hardshell on flights multiple times a month, but it’s a solid pick for more infrequent travelers who will use the suitcase a few times per year. We’re actually surprised at how tough the exterior is, since it felt lighter and softer than other hardshells we’ve tried, but it handled drops and impacts just as well as others. The quartet of 360-degree spinner wheels are particularly good, allowing for a really smooth and quiet ride while you tow it both at airports and on the road, although the trolley handles feels a bit flimsy and will likely be the first part to give out at some point. Make sure not to expose it to water, by the way, since the zippers aren’t waterproof whatsoever (it will let all that water in through the closure).
Aer Carry-On Max
Pros
- Unique wheel brake system
- Smooth ride and comfy handle
- Durable shell
Cons
- Might be too tall for some airlines
Weight: 8.4 pounds
Materials: Makrolon polycarbonate
Capacity: 48 liters
Our favorite part of this hardside luggage is the Hinomoto wheel brake system that prevents it from rolling away when you leave it standing by itself. It successfully applies the brakes even when you’re standing on inclines or riding on a moving train, eliminating the need to constantly mind your suitcase the entire time. We also love the smooth ride, the four height settings for the trolley handle, and the multiple interior pockets, which really help with organizing your stash. It’s quite spacious for a carry-on, making this a great choice for those who pack a whole load of gear, complete with a really good compression strap that does a terrific job of holding stuff down to make everything fit. The shell itself feels very durable, so you can travel safe knowing your stuff is adequately protected, although it does scratch a bit when put through some serious beating (not as much as the Samsonite above, though). The most important thing to note is that this may be too tall for some airlines, so make sure to check before taking it to your next flight.
Away The Carry-On Flex
Pros
- Excellent compression system
- Expandable by nearly five liters
- Doesn’t scratch easily
- Lots of color choices
Cons
- Might not fit some overhead bins when expanded
Weight: 7.9 pounds
Materials: Polycarbonate
Capacity: 39.8 to 44.6 liters (expandable)
An expandable hardside luggage, it can go from 40 liters to 44.6 liters by simply undoing the wraparound zipper, instantly giving you extra packing space as soon as you need it. Very convenient. The polycarbonate shell is durable enough to hold up to heavy roughhousing, making it ideal for frequent flyers who need a reliable hardside suitcase, while still being very lightweight.
We love all the interior mesh pockets that help keep small items organized, as well as the excellent compression system that held things securely in place. Seriously, thing thing packs everything so well, there’s no struggle closing the zippers even with the compartments packed to the brim. We also appreciate the smooth-rolling 360-degree spinner wheels, the quick-release trolley handle, and the wide selection of colors.
Monos Expandable Carry-On Pro
Pros
- Large exterior pocket
- Easy to use compression system
- Solid hardshell exterior
Cons
- Large front pocket might be a weak point
Weight: 8.6 pounds
Materials: Polycarbonate
Capacity: 35.5 to 41.5 liters (expandable)
Monos makes a lot of hardside luggage that probably deserves a spot in the list. We went with this one for the extra features it packs in. For instance, it’s expandable, allowing to go from 35.5 to 41.5 liters, giving you a good lot more room to pack extra gear. It’s also got a handy front pocket sized to fit a 16-inch laptop, among other gear, which will undoubtedly find of plenty of use. We also love the compression straps and pads in the clamshell compartments, all of which were really easy to use while being very effective at keeping our gear in place, while the polycarbonate shell handled roughhousing very well, incurring only minor scratches after some serious drop tests. Suffice to say, we think this thing will hold up really well. Monos includes a pair of antimicrobial shoe bags and one laundry bag with the suitcase, which we find to be very nice additions. They also threw in a protective cover for the entire suitcase, which we personally aren’t into, although your own mileage may vary.
Carl Friedrik The Carry-On X
Pros
- Very hardwearing build
- Modular compression system
- Dedicated front pocket for laptops and more
Cons
- Sparse internal organization
Weight: 9.5 pounds
Materials: Makrolon polycarbonate
Capacity: 43 liters
While it’s made from the same Makrolon polycarbonate as the Aer suitcase above, this hardsided luggage just feels more substantial. It showed that in our tests, too, with this thing barely taking a scratch, much less any real damage, after being rolled down multiple flights of stairs. Suffice to say, it feels thicker and, thus, more hardwearing, ensuring you can use this on a frequent basis without any worries. Plus, the reinforcing aluminum frame probably doesn’t hurt, either. While it uses the same clamshell form factor common in the category, this one has a dedicated front pocket that you can use to hold a laptop and other items you want to have within easy reach. And yes, you’ll find plenty of uses for it, considering how hard it is to retrieve things from inside the suitcase. We also love the robust compression system, the silent spinner wheels, and the trolley handle that can lock at any height, making it very convenient to deploy on the go.
Tumi 19-Degree Aluminum International Carry-On
Pros
- Beautiful patterned surface
- Premium construction
- Very smooth ride
Cons
- Heavy for its size
- Prone to scratches and dents
Weight: 11 pounds
Materials: Aluminum
Capacity: 31 liters
Want the closest thing to a Rimowa, but at a slightly lower price? Pick up this hardshell luggage from Tumi and that’s exactly what you get. While the angular pattern on the hardshell isn’t quite as iconic as Rimowa’s groove aluminum, it’s still quite a looker, giving the suitcase an undeniable premium feel that you don’t quite get with more inexpensive options. Plus, it has a solid aluminum build, leather-wrapped handles, and protective bumpers, all of which are a testament to its premium construction. It rides smoothly, with the wheels spinning to turn with you at a whim, while the push-button trolley handle allows for very easy use. While the aluminum is the whole reason you will want to get this suitcase, it’s also the biggest downside, since it leaves the luggage heavy for its size, while being prone to denting and scratching over heavy use. Having owned one of these in the past, it still looks pretty after all that beating, though, while giving the suitcase a genuine character all its own.
Rimowa Original Cabin
Pros
- Iconic looks
- Solid build with lifetime guarantee
- Lighter than other aluminum luggage
Cons
- Expensive
- Prone to scratches
Weight: 9.5 pounds
Materials: Aluminum
Capacity: 34.8 liters
There’s no piece of hardside luggage more iconic than this classic suitcase from Rimowa, which has been prominently featured in movies and photos from back in the olden days. It continues to maintain its relevance to this day, both because of its memorable looks and its undeniable function. From the outside, you’ll appreciate the grooved aluminum shell and the reinforced corners, while inside, we loved the spacious compartments and the height-adjustable elastic dividers. We love its stage-free trolley handle, smooth-gliding spinner wheels, and the impressively light build for an aluminum suitcase (it’s much lighter than the smaller-capacity Tumi), along with its seemingly impeccable construction. However, we were disappointed by the plastic handles, which we only realized when we grabbed them. At this price, we definitely feel like they could have thrown in something more premium.
