Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the best materials for suitcases & trolleys ! If you are looking for a new suitcase, it is important to choose the right material to meet your needs and requirements. In our material guide, we give you an overview of the different suitcase materials, explain their advantages and disadvantages, and recommendations for certain types of travel.

Each material has its advantages and characteristics. In addition to personal taste, weight and frequency of travel also play an important role. On the one hand, classic materials such as leather or aluminum are still indispensable in suitcase and bag manufacturing today, and they develop their own look and character over time. At the same time, modern materials such as Curv or polycarbonate are particularly impressive due to their lightness and high durability.

We have listed the most important and common types of materials for you here. Whether you choose a natural product such as leather or cotton or a high-end material such as Curv - you will enjoy your trolley or bag for a long time.
Please be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for all care instructions.

Types of materials for trolleys

Hard luggage trolleys:

Hard shell suitcases are made from durable materials such as polycarbonate, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or polypropylene. These suitcases offer excellent shock resistance and protection for your luggage. Polycarbonate is lightweight yet strong, while ABS suitcases 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 treatment at the airport.

Soft luggage:

Soft-shell suitcases are usually made of durable nylon, polyester or Cordura fabric. These suitcases are flexible and offer good expandability to accommodate additional luggage. They are lighter than hard-shell suitcases and are easier to pack into tight luggage racks. Soft-shell suitcases are ideal for car or train travel where flexibility and ease of handling are required.

Aluminum trolleys:

Aluminum suitcases are sturdy, 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 will protect your luggage from rain or other external influences. However, they are usually more expensive than other materials and can make scratches and dents more visible.

Hybrid trolleys:

Hybrid suitcases combine the advantages of hard-shell and soft-shell suitcases. 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 advantages of both materials in one suitcase.

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

ABS

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is the full name for this thermoplastic. In addition to its use in vehicle construction 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. ABS still has a low weight.

aluminum

Aluminum luggage is almost indestructible. This material is characterized by high stability, corrosion resistance and durability. Aluminum is often found in vehicle construction or in the packaging industry, but is also a classic material for luggage. The interior of these suitcases is well protected. However, aluminum trolleys are heavier than other materials.

Ballistic Nylon

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

Canvas

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

Curv

Trolleys made of Curv perfectly combine lightness and durability. Curv material is characterized by its special impact resistance, temperature resistance and low weight. Even at temperatures as low as -40°C, Curv still has a very high impact resistance. In addition to being used in luggage, Curv can also be found in protective equipment, vehicle panels and sports equipment. In a special process, several layers of polypropylene fabric are bonded together to create the Curv material.

hemp

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

synthetic leather

In most cases, artificial leather has a textile back and a plastic-coated front. The appearance and grain are almost indistinguishable from real leather. Unlike real leather, the surface is consistent. If you don't want to use animal leather, this is a good alternative.

leather

Leather is a natural product with many properties and is indispensable in everyday life. Durable, flexible and insulating are just some of the properties that make leather indispensable, whether as furniture, clothing or even luggage and bags. Hides from cattle, veal, goat or lamb are made usable and durable through chemical (e.g. chrome tanning) or vegetable (vegetable) tanning. In vegetable tanning, the tanning agent is obtained from oak, spruce or chestnut, for example. Rhubarb root can also be used for tanning. Golden Head uses rhubarb leather for the Florenz wallet collection. Different grains and properties of the hides and further processing create a unique and individual product. No matter which leather you choose - it is always a high-quality and elegant natural product that you will enjoy for a long time.

If the bag becomes dirty, you should follow 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. If the bag gets wet, wipe it off and leave it to dry at room temperature. Direct sunlight should also be avoided, as this will make the material brittle.

Linen

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

neoprene

Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that was developed in the 1930s. Neoprene is particularly characterized by its stretchability and its water-repellent and insulating properties. Neoprene is also resistant to environmental influences. Neoprene has become an indispensable part of water sports in particular.

nylon

Nylon was the first fully synthetic material and is a polyamide. Nylon is characterized by high tear resistance, stretchability and durability. The low weight and a shiny and soft surface are typical for nylon. The thread thickness is indicated with the unit of measurement Dernier (eg 600D).

polyamide

Polyamide is a versatile material that can be found in bags and luggage, as well as in medicine or in outdoor and functional clothing. Polyamide is often mixed with other materials such as cotton or polyester. The elastic and stretchy synthetic fiber is tear and abrasion resistant, as well as waterproof and quick-drying. The best known examples are certainly nylon, Perlon or 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

Polyester is a synthetic microfiber and has a high abrasion resistance and tear resistance. Polyester is a light material, hardly absorbs moisture, repels dirt and keeps its shape. The thread thickness is indicated in the unit of measurement Dernier (e.g. 600D). Small stains can be removed with a damp cloth. Polyester should only be cleaned with warm water up to 30 degrees and a mild detergent.

polycarbonate

Polycarbonate, or 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 truly lightweight. Even under heavy use, polycarbonate does not tear, but only bulges and springs back into its original shape. Polycarbonate is also dimensionally stable at high temperatures. This makes polycarbonate a perfect material for luggage. In its raw state, polycarbonate is transparent and colorless and can be easily colored.

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

polypropylene

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 light. 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 used in banknotes in wetter countries such as Australia.

polyurethane

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

tweed

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