Sometimes, traveling light can be challenging, especially if you have to stay for a few days, whether for leisure or business. Unfortunately, a carry-on suitcase has minimal packing capacity, so it could limit what you can pack for the trip. So, is it time to find the best soft sided checked luggage to accommodate all your essentials for your next vacation or business trip?
Of course, choosing the best checked luggage means that it meets all your needs. In addition, the right suitcase is durable and can endure being tossed multiple times during the flight. But do you prefer to have a hard-sided bag? While it’s not a wrong choice, we will explain why a soft-sided case is better.
Quick Overview Of The Best Soft Sided Checked Luggage (Updated List)
| Rating | Preview | Product | More Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.7 |   | Samsonite Silhouette 17 Large Spinner Best Soft Sided Checked Luggage | More Details |
| 4.6 |  | Briggs And RileyBaseline LARGE EXPANDABLE SPINNER Best Soft Sided Checked Luggage | More Details |
| 4.7 |  | Tumi Medium Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Best Soft Sided Checked Luggage | More Details |
Why Do You Need the Best Soft Sided Checked Luggage
As I said, a soft-sided checked suitcase has features far better than its hard-sided counterpart. Aside from excellent construction quality, manufacturers of the best soft sided checked luggage focus on making the bag versatile, functional, and elegantly stylish.
The best soft sided checked luggage stands out from the hard-sided suitcase because of design elements such as expandability, multiple exterior and interior compartments for organization, compression buttons or straps, a removable packing system, a garment sleeve, and a hanger bracket. You don’t see these features in hard-sided bags.
A soft-sided suitcase is ideal for packing irregularly shaped items because of the softer and more flexible materials used in its construction. Smooth side case exterior and durable interior materials are fabrics crafted from recycled PET bottles and ballistic nylon. These materials provide maximum protection against tears and scuffs.
Best Soft Sided Checked Luggage Product Reviews
Without further delay, here are the reviews of the best soft sided checked luggage.
Silhouette 17 Large Spinner
Best Soft Sided Checked Luggage
The Samsonite Silhouette 17 luggage is the latest update to the brand’s collection of large-size checked baggage for global executives. The Silhouette 17 suitcase features the rugged Recyclex® exterior that opens to a well-organized interior with integrated pockets. It also has a FlexPack and a suiter system to organize your stuff.
You can expand the bag’s packing capacity by unzipping it for extra space. The ergonomic handle adjusts to your ideal height, and the bag’s premium wheels provide a smooth and responsive ride.
The Samsonite Silhouette 17 luggage offers a considerable storage capacity with numerous compartments. It is ideal for use by multiple persons. Because its size exceeds the 62 linear inch limit, it’s always a good idea to check with the airline. While most airlines apply the 62 linear inch size limit for checked baggage, some might be considerate enough to accept a larger size.
Benefits
- The fully adjustable RightHeight™ Handle System offers multiple height adjustments in 1-inch increments. In addition, the padded grip provides extra carrying comfort.
- The custom-engineered dual durometer Tru-Trac™ GT REV wheels are anti-shock.
- The Fuzion™ Zippers by YKK® are five times more abrasion resistant.
- Includes a Zipper Repair Kit
- The exterior and interior polyester fabric lining is from the patented Recyclex® Material Technology – a fabric created using 100% recycled PET bottles, crafted to meet durability and quality standards.
- A removable FlexPack system includes a packing cube, a compression panel, and a suiter.
- SmartFix Buckles fasten securely over your belongings.
- An integrated TSA lock provides added security when checking your bag.
- Expandable by 1.25 inches
- Features Samsonite Antimicrobial Handle (AMH) Technology
- It has a removable 3-1-1 WetPak™.
- With multi-point grab handles and a retractable ID tag
- Features a quick change compartment
- Size: 31.4 x 21.5 x 13.5 inches (66.4 linear inches)
- Limited ten-year global warranty
Drawbacks
- It exceeds the 62 linear inches rule set by TSA by four linear inches, but most airlines will exceed the limit.
Baseline LARGE EXPANDABLE SPINNER
Best Soft Sided Checked Luggage
Versatile and reliable, the Briggs & Riley Large Expandable Spinner has many features that make it highly functional compared to other brands. Exterior luggage features include retractable Outsider® handles, bottom fabric handles, telescoping handles made of aircraft-grade aluminum with multiple height adjustments, and low-profile side carry handles.
This large, expandable luggage from Briggs and Riley has Monogram leather details for added elegance and personalization. The unique spinner wheels allow for 360-degree maneuverability and noiseless, smooth navigation. It also features a large SpeedThru™ front pocket to access stowed items at security checkpoints conveniently.
A unique feature is the one-touch CX™ expansion design that increases packing capacity when needed. Press the CX™ button to pull up on the sides to expand. After packing, press down on the sides to compress. Also included is a tri-fold clothing binder with a foam roll bar to keep one or two suits neat and wrinkle-free. A fully lined interior protects your delicate belongings.
While on the high price spectrum, splurging on a soft-sided suitcase is a decision you will not regret.
Benefits
- Exterior ballistic nylon fabric is wear-resistant and durable.
- Iconic classic design
- Use of superior and durable materials – ballistic nylon fabric
- One-Touch CX™ expansion design to expand the suitcase for extra packing capacity when needed.
- The built-in-tri-fold garment folder has a foam roll bar to hold neatly one to two suits or dresses to avoid creases on the garments.
- The soft interior lining treats belongings gently.
- Large garment panels hold your clothing with minimal wrinkling. Pulling the straps down compresses the compartment to reduce shifting during the flight.
- Two zippered mesh pockets for optimal storage
- The monogram leather detailing personalizes the luggage and highlights elegance.
- The Outsider®handle provides a flat packing interior surface to minimize the creasing of clothes.
- The aircraft-grade aluminum telescopic handle has multiple height adjustments.
- The anti-shock, 360-degree spinner wheels rotate fully for smooth maneuverability and effortless navigation.
- Corner-guard protection helps protect your luggage from dents, damage, and breakage, ensuring durability.
- The SmartLink™ strap allows you to attach a second suitcase for convenience.
- It also has a cushioned top-carry handle grip for comfort and smooth luggage handling.
- A hide-away leather ID tag helps conceal your private information during travel.
- A SpeedThru™ pocket provides easy access to stored items at security checkpoints.
- It has A large front pocket to store extra items.
- It features an additional grab point through the bottom fabric handle.
- A retractable, low-profile side carry handle for easy grabbing of luggage.
- With TSA cable combination lock.
- Size: 29 x 20 x 12 inches (61 linear inches, which is within the airline’s size limit)
- Lifetime warranty
Drawbacks
- It weighs 13.6 pounds and is heavier than other luggage its size.
Alpha Medium Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled
Best Soft Sided Checked Luggage
The Tumi Alpha 4 Wheel Expandable Hold Luggage is part of the Tumi Alpha 3 Luggage Collection. The materials used – proprietary, abrasion-resistant, extremely durable FXT® Ballistic Nylon fabric, combines a proprietary weave with a special coating to provide superior performance and durability.
The innovative, patented X-Brace 45™ handle system protects the telescoping handle of the case, making it lightweight and robust. In addition, the aircraft-grade aluminum handle forms an impact-resistant structure around the handle tube inside the case, minimizing damage to the handle while reducing the overall weight of the case.
The luggage has external bumpers to protect the suitcase from substantial impacts during travel. In addition, it has soft, retractable side and top carry handles and split-zip access to the main compartment.
Expandable Tumi luggage features four recessed spinner wheels for easy maneuverability. Other features include an integrated TSA combination lock and Tumi Tracer®, a dedicated program for reuniting passengers with lost or stolen items.
The patented expansion system offers two extension stages up to 2.5 inches via a durable, lightweight spring-loaded lever designed to open and close quickly and safely.
Travelers trust the name Tumi for travel luggage pieces because they are proven to last. And for premium features, the extra bucks are well worth it.
Benefits
- High-quality FXT® ballistic nylon fabric for exterior case
- Shock-proof DuraFold™ construction
- Shock-resistant aircraft-grade aluminum X-Brace™ handle
- Dual coil breakaway zipper design
- Removable garment compartment with fiberglass rod to hold one suit
- Zip pocket and hanger bracket on garment sleeve
- A large mesh zip pocket
- Three interior zip pockets
- Lever Lock™ two-stage expansion system
- Split-case zip entry to the main compartment
- Large front U-zip pocket
- Gusseted front straight-zip pocket
- Zipper expansion of up to 2 inches (5 cm)
- Retractable top and side carry handles
- Four double-spinner wheels
- Shock-resistant side panels
- Anti-shock bumper rails
- Built-in TSA-approved combination lock
- Inclusion in the TUMI Tracer®
- Size: 73.5 x 51 x 33 cm (62 linear inches)
- Customizable monogram for personalization
- 5-Year Warranty, Free Returns
Drawbacks
- It is a bit pricey.
What To Look For When Buying The Best Soft Sided Checked Luggage
Having the best soft sided checked luggage will be a valuable investment. When buying soft-sided luggage, there are three top considerations that you should keep in mind.
Organization Design
Carefully thought-out luggage design characterizes neat organization and packing. The design features of the best soft sided checked luggage include multiple exterior and interior pockets and compartments to neatly pack and organize your belongings. In addition, a travel bag that can hold a suit or delicate dress in a garment sleeve with hanger brackets is excellent for minimizing wrinkles or creases on clothes.
Accessibility to your essentials comes with exterior pockets or compartments. You can open up the selected luggage compartment to access your needs for the trip. An exterior zipped pocket keeps your stuff in the main compartment undisturbed.
Durability And Resilience
You can count on the durability of the best soft sided checked luggage if you pick the luggage made from solid materials with abrasion resistance properties. Materials like ballistic nylon, ripstop nylon, or fabric engineered from 100% recycled PET bottles offer uncompromised strength and durability.
Other luggage components such as heavy-duty zippers, corner guards, reinforced molding on high-wear-and-tear points, and ultra-strong spinner wheels make for a durable and highly-resilient suitcase.
Extra Packing Capacity
You may only pack a little for the trip, but there are times when you are carrying additional items in your suitcase on your return. The best soft sided checked luggage with an expansion capability will address this issue. A flexible bag stretching a few inches makes a much more significant difference than luggage with no room for extra items.
And add to expandability is a feature that compresses the suitcase back to its un-expanded form like you didn’t squeeze in the extra items.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Soft Sided Checked Luggage
Here are some people’s frequently asked questions about the Best Soft Sided Checked Luggage.
Is Softside luggage good?
The material used for soft-sided suitcases offers flexible storage capacity and can easily store unusually-sized items.
Is Hard side luggage heavier than soft side?
The fabric materials used for soft-sided suitcases are lightweight compared to those used for hard-side luggage. This weight advantage allows you to pack more stuff in the bag without exceeding the airline’s weight limit.
What is considered soft-sided luggage?
A soft-sided suitcase uses fabrics that move and yield, such as ballistic, ripstop, or Cordura nylon. These materials are lightweight and durable.
Additional Resources
If you are looking for more tutorials, walkthroughs, and troubleshooting on luggage, here are some additional posts about luggage:
Best Soft Sided Checked Luggage – Conclusion
And one of these three pieces of the best soft sided checked luggage would make an excellent addition to your travel needs. Although some are pretty pricey, the features exceed others on the market, and the quality is exceptional.
Happy travels, my friends.
