How do you pack a hard suitcase?

Pack bulky items like shoes and personal care items on one side and clothing on the other.

Place your softer, rolled items at the bottom of your suitcase first. Next comes your folded garments: For your middle layer, start with the longest items, like skirts and nice pants.

The main drawback is that hard-shell luggage can't be twisted to fit into a small space. Hard-shell suitcases also require a lot of room to store at home, making them less convenient in this sense.

Hard shell suitcases are more durable, especially for checked bags, but are more difficult to pack and close, and usually weigh more empty than soft-sided bags. For bags (checked or carry-on) subject to weight limits, the heavier the suitcase is when empty, the less you can carry.

As we mentioned earlier, a hard-shelled suitcase will also strictly limit how much you can stuff into your bag — a benefit if you tend to pack too much. And since the new models are made with lightweight polycarbonate, they don't scratch easily and aren't heavy.

How to pack a suitcase in 12 steps

Most hard-shell luggage comes in the classic clamshell design, where a zipper down the middle opens the case in an even, 50/50 split. That way, you can pack both sides evenly to create an equal weight distribution.

The New York Times' 'How to Pack a Suitcase' guide claims you can get through a week away with only "five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat," though the article allows you to adjust the formula to suit your needs by throwing in "a swimsuit and exercise gear or a suit ...

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

If you have unlimited suitcase space and don't want to do any laundry, a two-week trip means packing 14/2 = 7 bras and at least 14 pairs of underwear. That consumes a lot of valuable suitcase space! To reduce the number of pieces that need to be packed, simply commit to doing laundry on the road.

Rolling your clothes in your suitcase will generally save space. This is because it squeezes air from between folds and means the most of available space is used. If done correctly, rolling can also ensure less wrinkles in your clothes.

In general, casual clothes should be rolled to avoid the hard edges that come with folding, and dressier items that would typically hang in your wardrobe should be folded into a garment folder or laid out at the top of your luggage, above your collection of packing cubes.

Rolling is great for T-shirts, pants, casual dresses, swimsuits, and pajamas, but not so good for bulky clothes, like sweaters. They can take up more space when rolled versus folded.

You may want to buy hard-shell luggage if you'll be packing breakable items. It could offer better security than soft-sided baggage because it can't be ripped open as easily and usually has integrated locks.

Soft Versus Hard Shell

Hard shell suitcases can crack, which causes them to fall apart more rapidly than soft luggage. To avoid this concern choose a suitcase made from polycarbonate ABS that stands up to the rigors of travel. The FERGE brand makes a TSA-lockable suitcase on wheels using polycarbonate ABS.

Because softshell luggage has more give, a hard shell suitcase can be better at protecting fragile contents, assuming you cushion it well inside. On the other hand, that rigid exterior makes hardshell bags unable to be compressed to squeeze into tight spaces like softsided bags are more apt to allow.

Consider hard-shell luggage if you want durable, easy-to-maneuver luggage with a robust exterior to protect your valuables. Soft-shell luggage can be for you if you're seeking versatility, ease of packing, and a big interior.

The construction of the bag also impacts the weight of the suitcase: In hard-shell bags, polypropylene, polycarbonate and ABS are the lightest options. By contrast, soft-sided bags made with durable yet lightweight nylon or polyester tend to weigh the least.

A hard shell suitcase is a great option if you want protection for fragile possessions and delicate electronics. A tough exterior keeps moisture from rain, snow and puddles away from your valuables, helping everything get to your destination in the same condition you packed it.

Place the shoes in the main compartment at the bottom of your luggage, where the wheels are. If you are using a hard sided case, distribute the shoes evenly between both compartments.

Layer Your Luggage

Start by placing heavy and bulky items at the bottom of your suitcase, followed by lighter items and fragile belongings on top. This arrangement will help to distribute weight evenly, ensuring that you can fit more into your 23kg luggage without exceeding the limit.

And it's super simple:

Some people use the expansion zipper at the start of their trips, but it's really intended to provide extra space for the trip home. Pack your suitcases with the zipper closed, and open the zipper to accommodate clothing, gifts, and souvenirs picked up during the trip.

It's Incredibly Durable

Our hard shell luggage is made out of 3-layer, 100% virgin Makrolon® polycarbonate material. It's high-strength, lightweight, and provides elasticity and resiliency.