Aluminium and plastic suitcases look alike from a distance, but they behave very differently. Aluminium is rigid and can dent under a hard knock, polycarbonate flexes and springs back, and soft fabric cases give up some protection in exchange for pockets and a little give. The right choice depends on how you travel, how often, and how long you want a suitcase to last.
The three materials at a glance
Most suitcases fall into one of three families. Hard-shell cases are made of aluminium or plastic, usually polycarbonate or the lighter, more rigid ABS. Soft cases are made of woven fabric such as nylon or polyester, stretched over a frame. Each has honest strengths and honest limits.
- Aluminium: a rigid metal shell, often a frame closure instead of a zip, and a surface that gathers dents and scratches over time.
- Polycarbonate and ABS: a moulded plastic shell, usually lighter, available in many colours and mostly closed with a zip.
- Soft fabric: light and slightly expandable, with outer pockets, but with less protection for what is inside.
Aluminium vs polycarbonate
Strength and how each material reacts to impact
The real difference lies in how the shell absorbs a blow. Aluminium is stiff. It holds its shape under pressure and protects the contents well, but a hard impact on a baggage belt can leave a dent. That dent is cosmetic and the case keeps working. Polycarbonate does the opposite: it flexes under impact and springs back, which hides most knocks. Good polycarbonate is resilient, but repeated stress can eventually lead to cracks or a shell that no longer closes neatly, and lower-grade ABS is more brittle still.
Weight
Plastic is lighter. That is simply true, and if every gram counts on a strict airline allowance, polycarbonate has the edge. The gap is smaller than many people expect, though. The Amice Original Carry-on weighs 4.2 kg, the Original Carry-on Front Pocket 4.8 kg and the Original Check-in 5.5 kg. The Florence Carry-on weighs 4.1 kg. On silent 360° spinner wheels, you rarely feel the difference once you are moving.
Closure and security
Most plastic and fabric cases close with a zip. A zip is practical, but it is also the weakest point of a suitcase. The Amice Original uses a frame closure with no zips on the shell, locked with a TSA-approved combination lock that you set with your own code. That makes the case harder to open unnoticed and keeps it firmly closed when it is full.
How each material ages
Polycarbonate comes in many colours and finishes and looks crisp when new. Over the years, scuffs on plastic tend to read as wear. Aluminium ages differently. It gathers small dents and scratches that settle into a patina, a quiet record of the journeys behind it. Every dent tells the story of where you have been. Some travellers love this, others prefer a surface that stays pristine. It is worth knowing which kind of traveller you are before you buy.
Lifespan and repair
A well-made aluminium suitcase is built to be used for many years, and parts such as wheels can be serviced rather than replacing the whole case. The Amice Original collection comes with a lifetime guarantee against material and manufacturing defects, such as closures, locks and construction faults. Scratches, dents and normal wear are not covered, because they are part of the character of aluminium. You can read exactly what is covered on our guarantee page, and more about care and repair in our guide to repairing a suitcase.
Hard-shell vs soft suitcase
The question of hard or soft comes before the question of metal or plastic. Both have their place.
When a soft suitcase makes sense
Soft cases are light and a little forgiving. You can squeeze in one more jumper, and outer pockets keep a book, a charger or your travel documents within reach. They suit road trips, short stays and travellers who rarely check a bag. The trade-offs are less protection against knocks and pressure, fabric that absorbs moisture and dirt, and zips and seams that wear with heavy use.
When a hard-shell suitcase makes sense
Hard shells protect better against impact, pressure and rain, stand upright on their own and are easy to wipe clean. They are the natural choice for flying, especially when you check your bag or carry fragile or valuable items. The trade-off is a fixed volume: a hard case does not expand, so packing well matters more. A fully lined interior with a strap on one side and a zipped divider on the other, as in the Original, helps keep everything in place.
If you like the outer pocket of a soft bag but want the protection of metal, the Original Carry-on Front Pocket adds a front compartment for a laptop or documents to an aluminium shell.
Which one suits you?
- Choose aluminium if you fly often, check your bag, want a frame closure without zips and prefer to buy one suitcase for the long term, dents and all.
- Choose polycarbonate if the lowest possible weight and a wide choice of colours matter most, and you are comfortable with a zip closure.
- Choose a soft case if you mostly travel by car or train, value outer pockets and a little extra give, and rarely check luggage.
For a closer look at why so many frequent travellers end up choosing metal, read why choose an aluminium suitcase.
If aluminium feels right, take your time with the full Amice collection, in Silver and Black, as carry-on and check-in.
FAQ
Is aluminium stronger than polycarbonate?
They are strong in different ways. Aluminium is more rigid, so it holds its shape and protects the contents well, but it can dent under a hard impact. Polycarbonate flexes and springs back, which hides knocks, though it can crack under repeated stress.
Are aluminium suitcases much heavier than plastic ones?
They are somewhat heavier. Amice carry-ons weigh 4.1 to 4.8 kg and the Original Check-in weighs 5.5 kg. With smooth spinner wheels, most travellers notice the difference mainly when lifting the case into an overhead locker.
Do dents affect how an aluminium suitcase works?
Usually not. Dents and scratches are cosmetic and part of how aluminium ages. They are not covered by the guarantee, but in normal use they do not affect the closure, the lock or the wheels.
Is a hard or a soft suitcase better for flying?
For checked luggage, a hard shell generally protects better against impact, pressure and rain. For the cabin, either works, as long as it fits the size and weight limits of your airline.
Is an aluminium suitcase waterproof?
An aluminium shell and a frame closure keep rain out well, better than most zips. Still, no suitcase should be considered fully waterproof: it will keep your belongings dry in a downpour, not under water.
