Hard-Shell Luggage Sets to Make Travel Safe and Chic

When soft-shell luggage on two wheels came around, our aching backs were thankful. Then, when styles with multi-directional spinner wheels popped onto the scene, it was hard to believe that we’d ever lived with the hard-to-maneuver dual-wheeled models. Now hard-shell four-wheelers dominate—seriously, look around next time you’re at the airport and try to find a softie—giving us the most lightweight, durable, easy-to-pull options we’ve ever seen. Let’s roll!

Consider what you’ll be toting and therefore what sort of functionality you might need. For example, do you travel with valuables? You’ll want side-mounted, theft-deterring TSA locks. Do you tend to come home with more than you left with? Make sure to buy an expandable style that’ll fit whatever goodies you purchase.

One nice perk of a hard-shell case is that you get two uniform compartments, one on each side. Most styles come with an interior divider (so things stay in place during turbulence or any other movement), organizational pockets and sometimes even a laundry bag.

Get to know your dimensions. Hard-shell cases typically come in 20-, 24- and 28-inch dimensions, with the smallest being carry-on-compliant for air travel. Investing in a three-piece set means you’ll never worry about running out of room, and conversely, you can stop yourself from overpacking if you want to!