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Hardside vs softside carry-on: weight, locks and warranty
Updated
On the listings here, softside wins on weight and gives a little when a sizer is tight. Hardside gives a built-in lock more often. The bigger difference may be the warranty: Samsonite's page excludes airline damage, and Travelpro's covers it if you register the bag.
Weight
| Pick | Shell | Empty weight | Lock | Warranty on listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsonite Omni 2 Smaller By Design | Hardside polycarbonate | 7.5 lb | Listing conflicts (see card) | 10 year limited |
| Travelpro Maxlite 5 21-Inch Spinner | Softside polyester | 5.4 lb | None listed | Limited lifetime |
| Wrangler 22-Inch Hardside Spinner | Hardside ABS | 6.4 lb | Combination lock | Not stated on listing |
| LEVEL8 20-Inch Hard Shell Carry-On | Hardside polycarbonate | 7.7 lb | TSA combination lock | Not stated on listing |
| Samsonite Winfield 2 20-Inch Spinner | Hardside polycarbonate | 6.7 lb | Side-mounted TSA locks | 10 year limited |
| Amazon Basics 21-Inch Hardside Spinner | Hardside ABS | 7.72 lb | No lock | Not stated on listing |
| Travelpro Maxlite 5 Underseat | Softside polyester | 5.5 lb | None listed | Limited lifetime |
The lightest full-size bag is the softside Travelpro Maxlite 5 at 5.4 lb. The hard cases run from 6.4 to 7.72 lb.
Fit in a sizer
A hard shell is the size it is. A soft case can be pressed in a little if an outside pocket bulges. That helps at the margin, not with a bag that is an inch too tall. The expansion zipper on either type adds depth. See expandable carry-ons.
Locks
TSA says its officers may need to open a bag, and that TSA recognized locks can be opened with universal keys so they may not have to be cut. The packaging says whether a lock is TSA recognized. TSA also says that for soft-sided bags, cutting a lock does not damage the zippers or zipper pulls. A carry-on stays with you anyway, so a lock matters most if it gets gate-checked.
Warranty and airline damage
Samsonite's warranty page gives a limited 10 year warranty for manufacturing defects. It says it does not cover damage from misuse, accidents, normal wear and tear or transport damage, with airlines named as an example.
Travelpro's warranty page covers defects in wheels, zippers, and extension and carry handles. Its Trusted Companion Promise covers repair for damage caused by an airline or other carrier. That promise starts only if you register the bag within 120 days of purchase, and its length varies by collection.
Which I'd pick
- 7 or 8 kg cabin limits: softside, for the weight. The Maxlite 5.
- US airlines that measure 22 x 14 x 9: the hard Samsonite Omni 2, because its size fits.
- Want a lock without thinking about it: the LEVEL8 or Winfield 2, both with TSA locks per their listings.
Check your own bag against your airlines with the carry-on size checker, or compare all seven picks on the roundup page.