I’m a baggage handler and there is a bag you should NEVER use for check in – but not everyone agrees
KNOWING which bag to take with you on holiday can be difficult, with so many different options available.
Some people swear by the lighter soft-sided cases, while others insist it is better to take hardshell cases to offer better protection to your stuff.
A group of people who know a thing or two about which bags are the best to take away on holiday are baggage handlers, who deal with people’s luggage every single day.
One has shared their advice on which cases are the best for passengers preparing for a flight.
In a thread on Reddit they wrote: “I work in baggage for an airline, I recommend hard sided.
“Bags get wet in the rain, soft sided bags will soak through.
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“Although the hard side bags are more likely to crack, you will be able to get the airline to give you a new bag with an unfixable crack, versus a soft sided bag with a rip we will try to send it to be repaired (policy) and you wait 5-6 weeks for repair.
“I would never personally have a soft sided bag.”
Despite the baggage handler’s expertise in the area, not everyone agreed with their opinion.
One frequent traveller said the convenience of having a lighter suitcase was more important to them.
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They wrote: “Sorry, as a mega traveler, I disagree. Soft sides are much lighter and more forgiving. I detest the new clamshell hard ones.
“To open in a hotel is a pain. Soft sides can unzip on the top only and be easily accessible.
“Just put a luggage strap around them and they will be fine. When hard shells break, it’s catastrophic.”
Another user recommended a compromise on both opinions, saying a leather bag was hardwearing, but also still difficult to rip or tear.
They said: “I don’t use the hard side, based on what I have seen happen to it.
“Once it cracks, it is done. Better a leather NOT a vinyl bag, or a heavy duty fabric bag. Make sure the zippers are sturdy and sewn in, not glued in.”
Others said hard cases were also better for avoiding bed bugs, as fabric bags can carry them more.
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Brits have praised a bag that means you may never have to pay for check-in again.
Baggage handlers have explained which bags are more likely to get damaged.