Which suitcase is better: plastic or fabric?

The most popular and used suitcases are plastic and fabric. Choosing the best and most suitable is a guarantee of the safety of your luggage while traveling or on a business trip. Comfort also depends on this.

But there is still no consensus among users about which products are the best. Everyone follows their own needs and habits.

So what should you look for to find the perfect item for you? You need to know the features, advantages and disadvantages of each type. And taking these parameters into account, make a purchase.

Plastic suitcase

Traditionally, suitcases are made from modern plastics: polypropylene, polycarbonate.

Advantages

• Due to the rigidity of the material, items in such luggage are not deformed and will be delivered to the destination in the same form in which they were packed. In the case of long trips with many transfers, when crowding and careless handling of things in the luggage compartment cannot be avoided, this will be to your advantage.
• Plastic surface easy to clean. It is enough to wipe it with a sponge with detergent or rub it with a brush in case of severe contamination.
• Plastic may be not only absolutely any color and shade, but also allows the use of various patterns.

Important! In addition to style and originality, this gives an additional advantage in the form of saving time in searching for your suitcase after unloading the luggage compartment.

• Many people paste up their luggage with stickers and stickers with the sights of the cities where they have been. They are easier to remove from plastic if desired.
• Due to the design features, during transportation the weight is concentrated on the body, not on the arm holding it. This is especially true during long walks.
• Such products are strong and durable. And if necessary, their surface cushions, protecting valuables inside.
• Plastic suitcases are made for both adults and children. Therefore, it is very easy to choose the one that is suitable in terms of volume, color, and other parameters.

Flaws

• Price. Plastic suitcases are noticeable more expensive than fabric ones.
• Weight. Plastic options weigh more than fabric. This can be a problem during weight control at the airport and will create discomfort when moving.
• Plastic scratches easilyI, and it’s impossible to avoid scratches while traveling. Therefore, such a bag will no longer look like new after just a couple of trips.
• Strong impacts may cause the plastic case to break..
• The volume of the plastic model cannot be changed in any way. If it is completely clogged, then by no miracle will you be able to squeeze even an extra T-shirt inside.
• The shape of such models remains traditionally rectangular. No company offers other options, and it is impossible to change this on your own.

Fabric suitcase

Manufacturers suggest choosing a travel bag that has a variety of surfaces. Fabric products are made from tarpaulin, polyester, and eco-leather is also used.

Advantages

• Low cost. It may only be half the cost of a similar plastic model of the same size.
• Least weight relative to the plastic version, all other parameters being equal.
• Waterproof. Special fabrics and impregnations prevent the contents of the suitcase from getting wet even in the heaviest rain.
• Thanks to the soft body, Capacity can be increased slightly such a suitcase, stretching the walls a little.
• Most fabric models have additional external pockets. They are convenient for storing documents, water bottles, a camera and other small things that are best kept on hand.
• The models of fabric suitcases are varied. There are different formats: from large bags to regular rectangles on wheels. At the same time, products of various shapes are produced.

Flaws

• It's quite difficult to get rid of stains on such a thing.. You will either have to spend a lot of time and effort, or solve the problem with dry cleaning. Even brushing off road dust upon returning home will not be so easy.
• Soft walls cannot protect fragile things inside if the case is subject to impacts or falls.. This is worth considering when packing your luggage.
• Another problem arises from the softness of the walls. You can't sit on such a suitcase, if there is something fragile inside. In the case of long queues and long waits, this can create significant inconvenience.
• Vulnerability to theft. Thieves can easily and silently cut the fabric and take out something valuable or simply ruin the bag while traveling.

Additional selection options

Size plays a role depending on whether its owner plans to use the luggage compartment.

If not, and a minimum amount of necessary things is required, then it is better to buy a compact model. Larger options are suitable for family travel.

For those who care weight, definitely suitable fabric models. Because even an empty plastic suitcase weighs a lot.

Fabric models benefit from details like zippers and pockets. After all, only one is equipped with such useful little things.

IMPORTANT! Combination locks are more often harmful than useful. Thieves primarily pay attention to such suitcases, and finding out the code for them is not difficult.

If the owner forgets the password, there will be many problems opening it.

Wheels and handles. It is better to have more of both. A four-wheeled suitcase is much easier to carry than a two-wheeled one. Handles in different places allow you to intercept and carry the load in a way that is convenient for a particular situation.

What to give preference

So which suitcase is better to choose? It depends on the needs and budget of its owner.
If you pay attention to the owners of suitcases, you will notice statistics on preferences. And also pay attention to reviews.

• Firstly, plastic models take more often businessmen or other people who frequently travel on business. Textile is usually preferred by tourists.
• Secondly, fabric suitcases are loved by women who find it more difficult to cope with heavy loads. And the number of their things when traveling usually exceeds the male minimum.
• When traveling with family It is women who most often give children something to drink, sunscreen and other small items that can be conveniently stored in an external pocket.
• Men are less likely to be embarrassed by the heavy weight of a suitcase, so they more often purchase plastic models. Ease of cleaning also plays a role here.

However, the choice of a plastic or fabric suitcase does not depend on the type of person’s activity. And especially not from his gender, but from his needs and habits.

Reliability is important to some, while lightness and bottomlessness are important to others. Some people keep their things clean, but don’t have the extra time to thoroughly clean their suitcases. Others are indifferent to this point.

Thus, the ratio of advantages and disadvantages of both types is approximately equal. But different people pay attention only to the points that are relevant to themselves. It is also important to remember that the functionality of a suitcase is always more important than its appearance, so color should not play a major role when choosing.