There are a number of luggage materials available in the market. Knowing the pros and cons of each material helps in finding the most appropriate luggage having premium quality. Mainly there are two categories of luggage available, hard-side luggage and soft-sided luggage. Both of these categories have specific advantages and disadvantages. A piece of hard-side luggage is durable, strong, and water-proof while soft-sided luggage is flexible, adjustable in small spaces, and has many inner and outer compartments.
Hard-sided suitcases are also available in different materials like ABS, propylene, Polycarbonate, and Aluminum. Most people get confused about choosing polypropylene and polycarbonate luggage and they want to know “Which is better polypropylene or polycarbonate luggage?”. In this article, I’ll tell you everything about both of these luggage materials so that you can choose your travel companion easily.
Which is better polypropylene or polycarbonate Luggage
Polycarbonate is the most demanded luggage material after aluminum because aluminum is a very expensive and heavy-weight luggage material. Polycarbonate is a strong, durable, and affordable luggage material and polycarbonate suitcases are really very beneficial to use and travelers have a great experience with polycarbonate suitcases.
Polypropylene is actually a polymer and has a vast number of applications. One of the good things about this material is that it is heat and chemical-resistant. Except for suitcases, this plastic is also used to make many other objects like toys, bottles, housewares, etc. However, polypropylene is less durable than polycarbonate.
Both polycarbonate and polypropylene are appropriate luggage materials. Polycarbonate luggage is more durable than polypropylene luggage while polypropylene luggage is lightweight and more affordable than polycarbonate luggage.
Comparison b/t polycarbonate and polypropylene luggage:
To explain in detail I have selected Omni PC hard-side luggage and traveler’s choice pagosa indestructible hard-side luggage made up of polycarbonate and polypropylene material respectively. This table shows a quick comparison b/t these two suitcases.
| Features | Omni PC hard-side luggage | traveler’s choice pagosa indestructible hard-side luggage |
| Material of the luggage | This luggage is made up of polycarbonate material that is more durable than polypropylene luggage. | This luggage is made up of polypropylene material that is lightweight but less durable than the suitcases made up of polycarbonate material. |
| Dimensions of the luggage | 11.75 x 17.75 x 26.5 inches | 28 x 18 x 10 inches |
| Weight of the luggage | 8.34 pounds | 8.24 pounds
(Most polypropylene suitcases are more lightweight than polycarbonate suitcases) |
| Price of the luggage | $119 | $115
(Polypropylene suitcases are usually more affordable than polycarbonate suitcases but there’s only a slight difference in their costs) |
Let’s compare and discuss them in detail.
Durability:
The durability of the luggage is the first thing to consider before buying any luggage. Durable luggage lasts for many years and is termed a luggage companion. The durability of the luggage directly depends on its material.
A piece of polycarbonate luggage is more strong and safer to use for long trips. Due to its strong material polycarbonate luggage is resistant to scratches and stress. Polypropylene luggage is also heat resistant but it gets cracked after some time of using it. If we compare polycarbonate luggage with polypropylene luggage on the basis of their durability then polycarbonate luggage is more durable than polypropylene luggage.
Weight:
For international traveling the luggage dimensions and weight are also very important to consider. If your luggage is supposed to be oversized or over-weighted then you might have to pay some extra charges so must check your airline’s size and weight limitations so that you can pass through a security check smoothly.
Polycarbonate luggage is made up of heavy material to this luggage is slightly over-weight than polypropylene luggage. However, the weight of polycarbonate luggage is also according to the weight allowed by most of the airlines but if you want to have luggage whose weight is acceptable by every airline and isn’t called over-weight luggage then you must choose polypropylene luggage then polycarbonate luggage.
Price:
Nowadays, suitcases are among the most costly items and they can’t be purchased again and again. Everyone wants to have the most appropriate luggage at an affordable price. It’s true that luggage made up of good quality material is more expensive but the price of the luggage also depends on the brand. Some good brands offer the luggage at a high price but the same luggage is available at an affordable price on any other small brand.
For polycarbonate and polypropylene luggage, polypropylene luggage is usually low-cost than polycarbonate luggage. However, polypropylene luggage is not cheap luggage, some brands sell polypropylene at a higher price than polycarbonate luggage. There’s not a one-word answer to this question of whether polycarbonate luggage is more expensive than polypropylene luggage. There’s also not much difference in their prices and both of these are affordable.
Advantages of using polycarbonate luggage:
The following are some advantages of using polycarbonate luggage:
- Polycarbonate luggage is strong, sturdy, and durable.
- Polycarbonate suitcases are easily available in the market because most of the famous brands use them in the manufacturing of their suitcases.
- If these suitcases fall down they provide protection to the items inside the suitcase but they don’t give protection to the fragile items or the items made up of glass so you also need to take care of your luggage and prevent it from falling.
- Polycarbonate suitcases are very affordable but they are a bit expensive than polypropylene luggage.
Disadvantages of using polycarbonate luggage:
Here are some disadvantages of using polycarbonate luggage:
- Polycarbonate is a heavy material so most polycarbonate suitcases are heavy-weight and difficult to handle. However, in comparison to the aluminum suitcases, polycarbonate suitcases are lightweight.
- Polycarbonate suitcases of some brands are really very expensive.
Advantages of using polypropylene luggage:
The following are some advantages of using polypropylene luggage:
- These suitcases are extremely lightweight. You can carry it internationally as its weight and dimensions are worldwide acceptable.
- Polypropylene suitcases are resistant to heat and chemicals.
- These suitcases are also highly affordable.
- Polypropylene suitcases are best for short trips.
Disadvantages of polypropylene luggage:
Along with having mentioned advantages polypropylene suitcases also have these drawbacks:
- These suitcases are less durable than polycarbonate suitcases.
- Polypropylene suitcases can also get cracked earlier than other suitcases.
Some other hard-side materials:
Except for polycarbonate and polypropylene, there are also some commonly used hard-sided luggage materials like Aluminium, ABS, and PET. If we talk about PET then it is not commonly used in suitcases. This material is less durable than all of the other hard-sided materials. Good brands usually don’t use this luggage material and it is just used in cheap suitcases. However, Aluminum and ABS are good materials and are also commonly used by good brands so let’s discuss them in detail.
ABS:
ABS is actually a mixture of three different materials and is best for hard-sided suitcases. This luggage material is durable and affordable. If we compare it with other luggage materials then it is less durable than Aluminum and polycarbonate. ABS is not very durable and gets cracks. However, ABS suitcases are lightweight and affordable.
Aluminum:
Aluminum is the most durable luggage than all the other luggage material. There’s no doubt about the quality of aluminum luggage. However, aluminum luggage is also an expensive one. If you can afford expensive luggage then you should definitely buy aluminum luggage. This is a choice for international travel. The designs and appearance of aluminum luggage are also unique and attractive. The only drawback of aluminum luggage is that it is heavyweight and gets dents very easily.
Also Read: Disadvantages Of Hardside Luggage
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which one is the best material for hard-sided suitcases?
Ans: Firstly, all the luggage materials have their own advantages and disadvantages you have to choose the one that is most appropriate for you. If you have a high budget to buy a suitcase then you should opt for aluminum luggage. If you want good quality luggage at an affordable price then polycarbonate luggage suits you more. If your need is a lightweight and affordable suitcase for short trips then you should buy a polypropylene or ABS luggage. Along with choosing a good luggage material must choose a good brand that offers superior quality products n reasonable prices.
Q2: IS hard-sided luggage is water-proof?
Ans: Yes, hard-sided luggage is also waterproof. If you are going to visit a rainy place then you should definitely choose good quality hard-sided luggage to keep your items safe from being damaged by water and moisture. Some good quality soft-sided luggage also gives protection to your items in light rain.
Q3: Should I buy a polycarbonate material?
Ans: Yes, you should definitely buy polycarbonate luggage. Polycarbonate luggage is very strong and protects your items during falling and harsh handling. Polycarbonate suitcases are also available in very amazing designs so these suitcases are also best to gift your beloved ones.
Conclusion
If you are finding the answer to the frequently asked question “Which is better polypropylene or polycarbonate luggage” then its answer simply depends on your choice. Read my article completely to get complete information regarding all the luggage materials so that you can choose the luggage that is most appropriate for you.
