Polycarbonate suitcases: reviews, quality, review, repair

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Every traveler understands how important it is to travel with a good quality travel bag. Her choice is especially relevant for those who have to travel or fly very often. In today's article, we will consider such a luggage option as a polycarbonate suitcase. Reviews about this type of suitcases are mixed - some are categorically in favor of them, considering them the height of practicality, convenience and beauty, others absolutely do not like them.

Features of polycarbonate suitcases

Polycarbonate is the newest synthetic material with amazing lightness and strength. A huge number of products for various purposes are made from it, including elements from which various buildings are created (arbors, greenhouses and pavilions). It is also suitable for the manufacture of smaller items, for example, travel suitcases and suitcases. Quality products made from this material are distinguished by a number of undeniable advantages, which are confirmed by real reviews. Polycarbonate suitcase is:

• reliable - it has a strong frame that has excellent resistance to mechanical stress;
• convenient - such a suitcase is stable, even very fragile items can be transported in it;
• practical - it does not require additional care and washing;
• aesthetic - manufacturers make products in all colors, sizes and shapes.

This type of suitcase has all the features of analogs made of fabric or leather - they have textile upholstery inside, additional compartments equipped with a zipper and an elastic band clip, most models also have a combination lock, all of them are equipped with a retractable handle and mobile mechanism on wheels. Polycarbonate suitcase is quite light, its weight depends on the size (small, large or medium). The average product parameters are 40 x 55 x 20 cm, 50 x 70 x 30 cm, 55 x 80 x 35 cm, weight from 2.5-3 kg to 9-10 kg.

Suitcase made of plastic or polycarbonate: the main difference

Often, consumers confuse products made of polycarbonate and plastic, while there is a big difference between them. Plastic suitcases are cheaper, but not only their price is lower, but also their impact resistance. If the loader at the airport, through negligence or negligence, drops the luggage, then it is likely that it will be damaged. A plastic suitcase can crack, after strong impacts, scratches remain on it anddents, sometimes whole fragments of the frame fall off. Some manufacturers are trying to improve the quality of their products by adding various polymers to ordinary plastic. This partly solves the problem of fragility of suitcases, but does not completely eliminate it. Inexpensive polycarbonate suitcases are exactly the same products that are made of mixed material.

Polycarbonate suitcases are better in quality than their more budgetary counterparts. In the same row with them, you can put products made of ADS plastic. These materials are similar in their characteristics, but not the same. They are frost-resistant, non-flammable, especially durable substances that resist chemical and mechanical stress well. It is quite logical that very good suitcases on wheels are made from these materials. With careful use, they will last for years, if not decades.

How to choose a good suitcase?

User reviews help many buyers make the most competent choice. A polycarbonate suitcase, according to most consumers, should not be too heavy. A large weight "steals" the passenger the opportunity to freely take with him all the things he needs on the road. In the range of manufacturers, indeed, there are models that weigh 8 or more kg, and when purchasing such a product, you should think carefully about whether you need to pay air carriers for transporting a suitcase, and not its contents.

The second important point is the structure and placement of the wheels. If they protrude too farframe, there is a high probability that they will come off at the first “break-in”. It is better to choose a suitcase model in which the rollers are slightly recessed inside.

And thirdly, you need to pay attention to how the retractable handle is arranged, holding on to which, in fact, you transport the suitcase. In high-quality models, it is covered with an additional strap, which prevents it from breaking when the suitcase falls.

Popular brands

The most affordable suitcases are made in China. These are products from TM StreetGo, Bonro Smile, Kodor, Travelite, etc. Many of them are produced using European technologies. Note that not all suitcases marked Made in China are cheap pleasure, among them there are also models that will cost 300-400 dollars.

Popular brands of European-made polycarbonate suitcases are Hauptstadtkoffer and Titan (Germany), March (Netherlands), Roncato (Italy), Victorinox (Switzerland). The products of these brands have proven themselves in the market very well. But according to travelers, American Tourister and Samsonite suitcases (USA) are considered the best, at least the best reviews are written about them. Polycarbonate suitcases from this manufacturer are quite expensive, and this is their main disadvantage. However, the price is justified by their high quality.

Helpful tips for proper use

No matter how durable polycarbonate suitcases are, they must be carefullyuse. Most models have a textured surface, so they are quite resistant to scratches. The case of high-quality products almost never breaks, but the lock that closes the suitcase and theoretically protects it from hacking often does not save passengers' belongings from dishonest airport employees. In order to prevent theft and possible damage to the suitcase, it is better to wrap it in foil before putting it in the luggage compartment, including wrapping the locks with polyethylene.

When packing your luggage, you need to try to fold things as compactly as possible. If a rag suitcase can still close under the onslaught of strong hands, because its frame stretches a little, then such a number will not work with a plastic suitcase - the lid simply will not close with the base. But even in a half-empty suitcase, things will “hang out” freely, which increases the risk of their deformation, so the choice of accessory size must be approached wisely.

Polycarbonate suitcase: maintenance and repair

The outer side of the suitcase is washed with a soft cloth dampened with soapy water. This will be enough to put the accessory in order after a trip or flight. Textile elements are sewn from fabrics that are easy to wash at home, but if something spills or crumbles inside the suitcase, it is better to dry-clean it.

Manufacturers and sellers warn consumers that when packing a suitcase, you need to completely fill its interior space. The presence of voids contributes to the fact that the product may be damaged. If ait still has a crack, there are several ways to fix the situation:

• glue the defect with super glue, the composition of which is suitable for repairing plastics;
• make a special "patch" from a small plastic strip, which is glued to the back of the suitcase in the area of the crack;
• so that the crack does not spread further, small holes must be made at its edges with a small diameter drill.

Also, suitcases often fail wheels and retractable handles. You can buy spare parts at retail outlets that sell travel bags. Sometimes the repair of polycarbonate suitcases is included in the list of services they provide to their customers.

Owner Reviews

Consumers who have experience with plastic and polycarbonate suitcases argue that it makes no sense to overpay and buy the most expensive products. No matter how high-quality they are, they still have to be wrapped with a protective film to avoid scratches. Of course, if the traveler travels by private car, then such precautions will be superfluous.

However, in the vast majority of cases, a beautiful and bright suitcase needs to be protected. By the way, “simpler” models attract less attention from unscrupulous movers. But it’s not worth it to waste time buying such a thing. According to customer reviews, cheap plastic suitcases fail very quickly - the wheels break off, the handle bursts, and the case itself cracks ormisses.

We hope you find our tips helpful. Have a good trip and an easy road!