Suitcase Guide Material

Hard-shell suitcases are made from durable materials such as polycarbonate, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), or polypropylene. These suitcases offer excellent impact resistance and protection for your luggage. Polycarbonate is lightweight yet robust, while ABS cases offer a good balance between durability and price. Polypropylene is particularly resistant to scratches and abrasion. Hard-shell suitcases are ideal for air travel as they can protect your luggage from rough handling at the airport.

Soft-sided suitcases are usually made of durable nylon, polyester, or Cordura fabric. These cases are flexible and offer good expandability to accommodate additional luggage. They are lighter than hard-sided suitcases and are easier to store in tight luggage compartments. Soft-sided suitcases are ideal for car trips or train journeys where flexibility and ease of handling are important.

Aluminum suitcases are robust, lightweight, and offer high resistance to impacts and scratches. They are ideal for travelers who transport delicate or valuable luggage. Aluminum suitcases are also waterproof and protect your luggage from rain or other external influences. However, they are generally more expensive than other materials and can show scratches and dents more easily.

Hybrid suitcases combine the advantages of hardside and softside luggage. They consist of a hard frame structure with a soft outer layer. These suitcases offer a good balance between protection and flexibility. Hybrid suitcases are ideal for travelers who want to combine the benefits of both materials in one piece of luggage.

When choosing a suitcase, it's important to consider your individual needs and travel preferences!

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is the full name for this thermoplastic. In addition to its use in, for example, automotive manufacturing and the electrical industry, ABS is a popular material for making suitcase shells. Its properties include high impact resistance, stability, and a scratch-resistant surface, all while still having a low intrinsic weight.

Aluminum luggage is virtually indestructible. High stability, corrosion resistance, and durability characterize this material. Aluminum is frequently found in vehicle manufacturing or the packaging industry but is also a classic material for luggage. The interior of these suitcases is optimally protected. However, aluminum trolleys are heavier compared to other materials.

Ballistic nylon was originally developed for the military in the 1940s to produce protective vests. This very thick nylon fabric is extremely durable and resilient, making ballistic nylon perfect for bags and luggage. Today, the fabric is also used for clothing and as a cover for kayaks, among other things.

This tightly woven yarn is also known as sailcloth and is made from linen, hemp, or cotton. Nowadays, synthetic fibers like polyester are also woven in. Depending on the application, the fabric is woven and can be coated and impregnated. In addition to its use for boat sails and canvases, canvas is also a popular material for bags and luggage. Canvas is durable and tear-resistant and can be water-repellent when impregnated. Stains can usually be removed with a brush or a damp sponge and mild soap.

Thanks to its many positive properties, hemp is becoming increasingly popular. For one, hemp is an extremely robust and fast-growing plant that consumes few resources. Hemp cultivation requires little water and no pesticides or fertilizers. In addition to its antibacterial effect, hemp is temperature-regulating and absorbs moisture. The fibers are extremely tear-resistant and durable and are used in textile production for clothing and bags.

In most cases, imitation leather has a textile backing and a plastic-coated front. Its appearance and grain are almost indistinguishable from real leather. Unlike real leather, the surface here is consistent. For those who wish to forgo animal leather, this is a good alternative.

Leather is a natural product with many characteristics and an indispensable part of everyday life. Durable, flexible, and insulating are just some of the qualities that make leather essential, whether for furniture, clothing, luggage, or bags. Hides from cattle, calves, goats, or lambs are made usable and durable through chemical (e.g., chrome tanning) or vegetable (vegetable) tanning. In vegetable tanning, the tanning agent is extracted from sources such as oak, spruce, or even chestnut. The rhubarb root can also be used for tanning. For its Florenz wallet collection, Golden Head relies on rhubarb leather. Different grain patterns and characteristics of the hides and further processing create a unique and individual product. No matter which leather you choose, it will always be a high-quality and noble natural product that you will enjoy for a long time.

In case of soiling, you should observe the manufacturer's care instructions. Depending on the type of leather, a suitable waterproofing spray or leather grease will keep the bag supple and protect the material from moisture. Should the bag get wet, dry it off and let it air dry at room temperature. Direct sunlight should also be avoided, as it can make the material brittle.

Linen is a centuries-old natural product, mainly used for clothing. The typical wrinkled look gives linen its characteristic appearance. Linen, extracted from flax, is tear-resistant, robust, and thanks to its cooling effect, very popular in warmer countries. Additionally, linen is antibacterial and antistatic. Linen should be washed gently and only at low temperatures.

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber developed in the 1930s. Neoprene is particularly characterized by its elasticity and its water-repellent and insulating properties. In addition, neoprene is also resistant to environmental influences. Neoprene has become indispensable, especially in water sports.

Nylon was the first fully synthetic fabric and belongs to the polyamides. Nylon is characterized by high tear resistance, elasticity, and durability. Its light weight, shiny, and soft surface are typical of nylon. The denier unit (e.g., 600D) indicates the thread thickness.

Polyamide is a versatile material that can be found in medical applications, outdoor and functional clothing, as well as bags and luggage. Polyamide is often blended with other materials such as cotton or polyester. The elastic and stretchable synthetic fiber is tear and abrasion resistant, as well as waterproof and quick-drying. The most well-known examples are certainly nylon, Perlon, and Kevlar. However, polyamide is not very heat-resistant and should not be ironed or tumble-dried. Stains can be removed with lukewarm water and a mild detergent.

Polyester is a synthetic microfiber with high abrasion resistance and tear strength. Polyester is a lightweight material, absorbs very little moisture, repels dirt, and is dimensionally stable. The unit of measurement denier (e.g., 600D) indicates the thread thickness. Minor dirt can be removed with a damp cloth. Polyester should only be cleaned with warm water up to 30 degrees and a mild detergent.

Polycarbonate, also known as PC, is a thermoplastic material. The properties of polycarbonate include high impact and scratch resistance, low weight, and weather resistance. Trolleys made of polycarbonate are true lightweight champions. Even under heavy stress, polycarbonate does not tear, but only dents and springs back into its original shape. Polycarbonate also maintains its shape at high temperatures. This makes polycarbonate a perfect material for luggage. In its raw state, polycarbonate is transparent and colorless and can be easily dyed.

Cleaning should only be done with water and a soft cloth. Do not use aggressive cleaning agents such as acetone or benzene. Smaller scratches can be removed with the help of special polishing pastes.

Polypropylene – or PP – is an impact- and break-resistant material that does not fatigue quickly and is also kind to the skin. Thanks to its low density, polypropylene is also very lightweight. This makes polypropylene a popular material for luggage. In addition to hard-shell trolleys, polypropylene can also be found in medicine, textile processing, and electrical engineering. Due to its robustness and water-repellent properties, polypropylene is also incorporated into banknotes in wetter countries like Australia.

Polyurethane (PU) is a plastic that has water-repellent properties and is also flexible and robust. Polyurethane is frequently used as a coating. With the help of a PU coating, textiles can be made water-repellent, more hard-wearing, and more durable. Contaminants can usually be wiped off with a damp cloth.

Tweed is a coarsely woven, dirt-resistant wool fabric. The checkered fabrics are particularly known as weather-resistant clothing. Thanks to its processing, tweed is very robust, flexible, and pleasantly soft. In addition to various types of wool, synthetic fibers are also processed nowadays. Tweed is best cleaned gently by hand with cold water.