India, July 12 -- Picking a suitcase seems simple until you're staring at rows of hard luggage and soft luggage in every colour. Should you get a hard case suitcase for solid protection, or trust a soft case suitcase for flexibility? The reality is, no one option suits every traveler. It depends on how you pack, where you're going, and what matters most to you. This guide cuts through the fluff and helps you figure out what suits your travel style.

Nature of travel

If you pack a laptop or glassware, hard luggage makes sense. For bumpy trips or lots of checked baggage, consider a tough shell or thick fabric. Carrying your suitcase on board? Soft case suitcases fit more easily into overhead bins, though size rules vary. On budget flights,...