Polycarbonate luggage is strong and durable, protecting fragile items, but inflexible and prone to scratching. It is heavier than fabric luggage and more expensive, but may save on replacement costs.
Polycarbonate luggage is any luggage made from a type of thermoplastic material known as polycarbonate; this material creates a hard shell around the content, protecting it from shocks. Many travelers prefer this type of luggage because it is strong and sturdy, as well as being light in weight. Others avoid it because the polycarbonate shell is inflexible and won’t allow a traveler to store extra items inside; inflexibility can also prevent a person from squeezing luggage into an overhead bin on an airplane.
People who frequently travel with electronic devices or other fragile items might consider polycarbonate luggage for its strength and durability. The hard plastic shell will prevent your luggage from compressing and potentially damaging the fragile items inside. It’s important for travelers to remember, however, that unlike fabric luggage, polycarbonate doesn’t flex to allow that last pair of pants or that memento of a trip to fit into the already filled bag. Also, the bag won’t fold inward, which is both a plus and a minus: It will protect the items inside, but won’t fit into tighter spaces, like an airplane overhead bin.
Polycarbonate luggage is also susceptible to scratching and, in some cases, cracking. Scratches usually won’t affect the structural integrity of the luggage, but they will affect the appearance, especially after many scratches have penetrated the polycarbonate after many trips through an airline’s baggage system. If aesthetics are not important to the buyer, this is not a particularly important disadvantage. Polycarbonate can break if struck with a large enough force, although this is unlikely during train or airplane travel. The luggage is usually quite durable and resistant to shattering.
The weight is usually heavier than cloth luggage, although not by much. Any difference in weight can be worth the extra effort to carry, especially if your suitcase has locks, waterproof seams, heavy-duty wheels and handles, or other features that can make it more functional. The price difference between polycarbonate and fabric luggage can vary, although a shopper is likely to pay more for products made from polycarbonate. However, the material is usually stronger and more durable than fabrics, so the buyer may end up saving on replacement costs down the road.
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