Hard Side Luggage vs Soft Side..Any Opinions?

I vote for the hard sided as it will protect the contents better if you have something that will break (olive oil, wine, etc.) If you use the soft sided version, then pack a Tupperware container inside, filled with whatever, and achieve the same results. I have the Samsonite hard body and am well pleased with it. Also, the hard sided will have wheels (four in my case) which cam name for easier movement in most places.

For carry-on travel I use a soft-sided bag. Its easier to pack odd shaped things, easier to squish into overhead compartments and more comfortable to lean on when you're waiting for your flight or train.

Soft sided. Reason: it weighs less. Less is good. In the last 13 years, I've made 9 trips, over 120 days, to Europe with a soft sided bag. I use a convertible bag; getting on and off trains is no problem. "it will protect the contents better if you have something that will break (olive oil, wine, etc.) " Ah, every heard of TSA? Protecting contents should not be a problem if you handle the bag yourself, which you can do if you keep the weight down.

""it will protect the contents better if you have something that will break (olive oil, wine, etc.) " Ah, every heard of TSA?" Nothing wrong with packing olive oil, wine, etc., in checked luggage. And TSA has nothing to say about it, anyway, particularly coming back from Europe.

Lighter is better then heavier, even if you check bag for your international flight you will be lifting it on and off trains, carrying it up stairs, and storing it on trains, often requiring it to be lifted ( yet again) or hauled up stairs if on double decker trains.. PS IF planning on buying wine or olive oil etc to take home found best things ever in Hawaii. They are bubble wrap packages that you shove your bottle in, and then they seal, water tight!! I think I paid 5 bucks for a package of two. Well worth it I thought to be sure my clothes don't get soaked!

I bought a soft side carry on sized backpack. It looks like a small suitcase but it has straps. It is from Ebags called the motherload. I was so glad that I did. I could put it on my shoulders and I didn't have to wheel it behind me. It was light weight. Also being soft side it squished better into the overhead bin. For 11 days it was perfect.

Welcome to the land of Motherloders. Stick a jacket through the compression straps and the sucker will take you for a month in winter. The only problem is that you don't get to shop for something new every few years - - they're inundestructable.

The advantage of soft-sided is making it fit when it might not otherwise (as when your bag is measured to ensure it qualifies as a carry on). Of course this can turn into a disadvantage if you use the flexibility to stuff it beyond it's normal dimensions. The advantage of a hard sided is your contents are less likely to be broken. This isn't normally an issue if you always carry the bag with you. If, however, you are forced to gate check, or otherwise have it handled by someone else, fragile items could easily end up broken in a soft-sided bag. I use a soft-sided Campmoor Essential Carryon bag. For a very low price, it's well made and never seems to wear: http://www.campmor.com/essential-carry.shtml I also have a Weekender bag from Ebags that's nearly the same (but weighs a little more). I used this for at least five years worth of trips and it still looks new: http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/weekender-etech-20-convertible/242274?productid=10211616&sourceid=ADWPRODUCT&couponid=55583734&CAWELAID=1725950891&gclid=CJX2_oSI2rcCFYWi4AodtRQARg&kwid=productads-plaid^32913388458-sku^10211616-adType^PLA-device^c-adid^22368615498 My wife uses a metallic silver hard-sided roll on bag (the lightest roll on I could find). The sides tend to scratch when you let someone else handle it; it doesn't hurt the bag but detracts from it's otherwise sleek look: http://www.amazon.com/Heys-D200-Xcase-Exotic-Carry-On/dp/B002FU6CNM/ref=pd_sim_sbs_a_1

Thanks all. And thanks for the links.
Happy, safe travels!

Cindi, I would vote for soft sided, and not a set, but one piece of luggage. Look at this page for Rick Steves own line designed especially for the type of traveling you will be doing: http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog&parent_id=167 Convertible Carry On or Back Door Bag get my vote. You do not need the extra weight that wheels put on the bag. A good carry on is hard to beat for knocking around Europe. Packing light is a good idea if you are going to be getting off and on trains and carrying your own luggage. You may also find yourself lugging your own bags up a narrow staircase in a B&B several floors. If you have a carry on and no checked luggage, you don't have to wait at airports to pick up your luggage from the carousel. While everyone else is standing around waiting for that, you can zoom through to the taxi stand or train. Also the airline can't lose your luggage if you have it with you. :) Have a great trip!