Yahoo Sport The 10 best hardside luggage picks that will keep your belongings secure when tossed around
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With the winter winding down, folks are gearing up to travel for the first time in a while. For many, that means upgrading their travel bags and suitcases to some of the best hardside luggage options on the market.
There are many reasons why many prefer hardside luggage over softside options. Ranking high on the list is their massive durability, rugged build, expandable form factor and sleeker design.
Most shoppers prefer hardside luggage when checking in bags for flights because, unlike carry-on bags, they need an extra layer of security since it's not on their person. Once handed over to baggage handlers, checked bags are usually frivolously tossed around and aren't handled with care or consideration of what's inside.
This hard outer shell keeps the suitcase's contents secure, safe and intact no matter how aggressively it's tossed around.
To make your shopping experience a bit easier, we've taken the guessing game out of shopping for the best hardside luggage options on today's market. From the best option you can buy to the most affordable pick, we've got you covered.
Best Overall: Monos Check-In Medium
Highest Reviewed: Samsonite Winfield 2 28-Inch Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels
Most Popular: SwissTech Navigation 25-Inch Hard Side Check Luggage
Best For Organization: Royce & Rocket Castle Classic
Most Affordable: Protege 28-Inch Checked Colossus ABS Hardside Luggage
Best Expandable Pick: DELSEY Paris Helium 29-Inch Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels
Most Valuable Set: Rockland Melbourne Hardside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage, 2-Piece Set
Best Sustainable Option: Paravel Aviator Grand Checked Luggage
Most Thoughtful Design: LEVEL8 Voyageur Check-In
Sleekest Pick: The Away Large Suitcase (Aluminum Edition)
Check out each option in more detail below.
1. Best Overall: Monos Check-In Medium, $315 (Orig. $350)
Monos’ best-selling Check-In is arguably the best all-in-one and most secure option you can buy. It comes in both medium and large and features an unbreakable polycarbonate shell, so it will maintain its shape while being tossed around.
It also features an ultra-sturdy telescopic handle, a TSA-approved built-in lock, whisper-quiet spinning wheels, vegan leather details, an anti-microbial laundry bag, two shoe bags and a vegan leather luggage tag.
Also, if you have the Monos Carry-On, it neatly nests inside of the Check-In for easy storage. This one comes in 10 colors and patterns and is currently $35 off for a limited time.
2. Highest Reviewed: Samsonite Winfield 2 28-Inch Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels, $175.99 - $219.99
It's no secret that Samsonite is one of the most respected and trusted luggage brands ever, so it should be no surprise that its Winfield 2 28-Inch Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels has over 14,000 reviews on Amazon.
Made specifically for tough handling and longer trips, this hardside suitcase has everything we love about premium luggage: multi-directional spinner wheels, a retractable pull handle, a TSA-compatible lock and more.
3. Most Popular: SwissTech Navigation 23-Inch Hard Side Check Luggage, $109
This one is for those who want a high-quality option without spending over $100! SwissTech is one of the most trusted and versatile luggage brands in the country, and its Navigation 25-Inch Hard Side checked suitcase is a staple for many. With over 200 reviews on Walmart's website, it's a clear best seller.
Choose from three different sizes (21-inch, 25-inch and 29-inch) to make this the perfect piece to add to your collection.
4. Best For Organization: Royce & Rocket Castle Classic, $595
This hardside suitcase is unlike any other you've seen. It's one of the strongest on the market and will also keep you organized during your stay.
Royce & Rocket's Castle Classic suitcase has a durable polycarbonate shell that protects your items from rough baggage handling. It also has sleek Hinomoto Lisof 360 wheels that slide easily on any surface without skidding.
The most innovative part about this suitcase, though, is its Castle Shelves that pair perfectly with the piece's compression system to keep you organized. These three lightweight and durable shelves are built inside the suitcase to perfectly display and store your clothing while stowing flat to ensure maximum space. This feature's perfect for those who need to temporarily live out of their suitcase.
Royce & Rocket's Castle Classic has a 31-inch design and comes in three colors: black, burgundy and silver.
5. Most Affordable: Protege 28-Inch Checked Colossus ABS Hardside Luggage, $63
One of the biggest misconceptions about hardside luggage is that they're extremely pricey and unattainable for those on a budget. Proving that this couldn't be further from the truth, Walmart's customer-favorite Protege 28-Inch Checked Colossus ABS Hardside Luggage is only $63.
Choose between the 24-Inch or 28-Inch Checked or the 20-Inch Carry-On, which all come in three colors: blue, orange and black.
6. Best Expandable Pick: DELSEY Paris Helium 29-Inch Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels, $172.10 - $199.99
If you're looking for an option that's expandable and also extremely lightweight, the DELSEY Paris Helium 29-Inch Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage is the one to buy. In addition to its gorgeous exterior and build, it features the largest capacity possible for a check-in suitcase. However, you won't be able to tell unless you expand it with the hidden zipper.
The inside is fully lined and features two compartments with multiple pockets for easy access and packing organization. This one also features a TSA-accepted lock and multi-directional spinner wheels.
I've owned the DELSEY Paris Helium 29-Inch Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage for over six years and have used it at least four times. It still looks brand new and barely has a scratch, proving that it's built to last.
7. Most Valuable Set: Rockland Melbourne Hardside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage, 2-Piece Set, $135.60
For those looking for the best bang for their buck, the Rockland Melbourne Hardside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage 2-Piece Set is the best bet. This “Amazon’s Choice” option has over 20,000 Amazon reviews and comes in over 30 colors. Currently, it’s 68% off for a limited time.
8. Best Sustainable Option: Paravel Aviator Grand Checked Luggage, $425
This one-of-a-kind suitcase is a "world's first." Paravel offset all of the carbon emissions generated from creating and shipping this checked luggage piece. In addition to being one of the smoothest gliding large suitcases on the market, the Paravel Aviator Grand is made using sustainable materials.
It has a durable recycled polycarbonate exterior, recycled zippers, a lining made from 21 upcycled plastic water bottles, vegan leather details and more. Also, in terms of storage, it packs eight to 10 days' worth of clothes and four pairs of shoes.
9. Most Thoughtful Design: LEVEL8 Voyageur Check-In, $299.99
LEVEL8 is one of the most innovative and modern luggage brands on the market, with its Pro Carry-On with a built-in USB port being one of the most thoughtful designs of any suitcase.
The brand continues to prioritize thoughtfulness with its Voyageur Check-In luggage line with one main design change made in response to shoppers' previous complaints. To ensure that you're able to fit more items in the suitcase, LEVEL8's made a wider handle design that offers a maximized base for increased packing space.
Like most other high-end suitcases, it also comes with a TSA-approved combination lock, a durable, scratch-resistant hard-shell exterior, an interior compression system to keep your things organized and ultra-quiet 360-degree spinner wheels.
10. Sleekest Pick: The Away Large Suitcase (Aluminum Edition), $745
Away features some of the most beautifully crafted hardside luggage available, and its Large Aluminum suitcase is one of its most stunning designs to date.
The largest option in the brand’s entire line, this suitcase features a striking aluminum hard shell that’s tough enough to handle just about anything thrown at it — literally. It also includes Away’s signature interior compression system and a hidden laundry bag for effortless packing. If you’re a frequent traveler, this one is definitely worth the investment.
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