In Praise of Soft Side Luggage

Everyone has their personal preference when it comes to luggage – for me, I’m a die-hard soft side luggage fan. Beyond the fact that it’s generally lighter than hard shell luggage, as a committed over-packer and occasional souvenir shopper, I like the fact that you’re less constrained by a rigid shell and you can absolutely STUFF stuff in – while testing your zippers and straps to the max. Previously, a TSA padlock was the last port of resistance to prevent your soft side luggage opening under strain, but now I’m happy to report that soft side luggage has more options, which make it a realistic alternative to the often more aesthetic and solid hard shell pieces.  

What are the best materials for soft side luggage?  

Ballistic nylon – Originally developed for military use, this is one of the most durable options available. It’s highly resistant to tears, abrasions, and punctures. 

Cordura nylon – Another military-grade fabric that’s exceptionally tough and abrasion-resistant. It’s lighter than ballistic nylon but still extremely durable. 

Polyester (high-denier) - When woven at high thread counts (1200D or higher), polyester jacquard becomes very durable and resistant to wear. It’s also more affordable than nylon options while still offering good protection. 

Ripstop nylon - Features a reinforced weave pattern that prevents tears from spreading, making it particularly good at resisting rips and punctures. 

Polycarbonate-coated fabrics - Some manufacturers add protective coatings to enhance water resistance and durability. 

The “denier” rating (indicated by a number followed by “D”) tells you the fabric’s thickness and weight – higher numbers generally mean more durable material. Look for at least 600D for decent durability, with 1200D or higher being ideal for frequently travelled luggage. 

Is soft sided luggage a better choice than hard-shell luggage?  

It really depends on your priorities and how you travel! For some, the highest possible protection is a must, in which case a hard shell would be the better choice. But for others, a lighter bag that can be easily compressed and stored is a priority, whether that’s at home or in an overhead locker. Soft sided luggage often comes with more external pockets, which can be useful for stowing things you need quick access to on your travels.  

Is soft sided luggage durable?  

If you choose a high-quality soft sided suitcase, they’re usually highly durable – it would take quite a lot of bashing or abrasion to cause any substantial damage to the bag itself or the contents. When shopping for one, the key things to look for are hardwearing fabric, strong zips, and quality wheels that can withstand the rigors of airport handling and various terrain. Another important feature to consider is TSA locks to keep your valuables safe on your travels and allow for damage-free inspection by airport security.  

What are my locking options for soft sided luggage?  

Glad you asked – I’ve already mentioned TSA padlocks as an option, but increasingly, we’re seeing integrated TSA locks on soft sided cases and even backpacks, showing that people value this feature (and it’s easier to not forget to lock when the lock is part of the luggage). Given that backpacks often contain expensive items like laptops, cameras, chargers and medication, it’s a no brainer to lock to deter opportunist thieves.   

Early 2026 soft side standouts

Here are some soft side standouts we spotted recently and what we particularly like: 

Samsonite Splendix  

Elegant leather trimmed details, lots of pockets to keep you organised, lockable front pocket for your laptop and travel documents, a wet pocket and check out the dual lock, a TSA008 – the latest development in lock tech from Travel Sentry.   

Lipault Lost in Berlin  

We appreciate the tasteful colourways with contrasting interior fabrics padded handles, water resistant fabric, foldable interior shelves and an integrated TSA lock with security cabling to lock off zippers making for a case that’s both stylish AND safe.

Kingsons backpacks  

We always admire these integrated TSA lock backpacks when we see them exhibited at the Canton Fair; they are super robust and thoughtfully designed for people who want to protect their tech on the go. It’s a nice surprise to see them available on Amazon, accessibly priced, with numerous features including glasses holders, RFID pockets, anti-theft pockets situated between the dorsal section of the backpack and the wearer’s back. They’re also spacious, extremely lightweight and with waterproof fabric to protect the contents.  

In conclusion, you can benefit from the positives of soft side luggage without having to make security sacrifices! These are just a few of the great soft side products out there which feature integrated TSA locks and we are confident that this subcategory will continue to grow, particularly as airlines get more stringent about reinforcing weight limits. 

Words by Clara Wooller, CMO at Travel Sentry 

How to Keep Your Luggage Safe while Travelling

Feeling safe and the safety of your luggage is part of Travel Sentry’s DNA. Every solution we offer is designed to enhance your travel experience and luggage security.

We want to share with you how you can prevent theft and loss of items when travelling. Whether that’s in the airport, at airport security or when you finally make it to your hotel. This is important because you travel with some of the most valuable items in your carry-on, checked luggage, and on your person. 

Here are some steps to stay vigilant and keep your belongings safe.

Keeping Your Luggage Safe When Travelling

We hope these tips to keep your luggage safe will give you peace of mind and improve your travel experience.

Should You Lock Your Luggage?

It is essential to keep your luggage safe when travelling. Some travellers think that they should not lock their hold luggage, as this was previously the advice. However, this was the advice when all bags were being searched pre-flight. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now suggests you lock your checked baggage with TSA-approved locks. 

So, in answer to the question, should you lock your luggage? Yes, you can lock your luggage.

Look For the Red Diamond

All Travel Sentry locks are recognised and accepted by the TSA. Look for the red diamond Travel Sentry symbol when shopping for these TSA Locks. The TSA screens approximately 1.4 million checked bags for explosives and other dangerous items daily. Many bags are searched by security agents before being loaded onto the plane. A search can be caused by any small issue picked up at screening.

TSA Accepted Locks

Airport security agents have specialist tools to access the TSA-approved locks and luggage. They can do this efficiently without damage, setting your mind at ease and speeding up the boarding process, a win-win! Other locks and luggage may be broken into during the screening process if a potentially prohibited item is detected. This may damage the luggage and make it an easy target for thieves.

Do not leave luggage unattended

You should always keep your luggage locked and with you when you are at the airport. If luggage is left unattended and unlocked, anyone can open your bag and place prohibited items in it without your knowledge. Once your hold luggage has been checked in, it is out of sight, however, if it has a TSA-accepted luggage lock, you can relax as your luggage is safe.

Track Your Luggage

Travel Sentry offers one step further when it comes to tracking your luggage. We offer an option for you to be able to report lost or stolen luggage with TSID. Our TSID is a smart ID tag with free lifetime protection.

How Does TSID Work?

TSID links owners and their property using a unique code for any item that needs to be protected from accidental loss. By not showing your personal details on your property, your identity and privacy are protected. TSID comes with free lifetime protection with no subscription required. 

You can be as safe and secure as possible, but you cannot control your luggage from going missing. But, TSID is the global solution to track your lost luggage and help find your missing items.

Lock carry-on when flying and travelling

Carry-on luggage should also be secure, as your overhead locker might not be directly above you once you’ve boarded the plane, or in fact anywhere near you! Often, if the plane is busy and hand luggage is overcrowded, your luggage will be stowed in the hold, and without a lock, it is unsafe.

Travelling through an airport

Being in an airport can be extremely busy, stressful, and distracting, so you must always be in control of your bags and belongings. If your carry-on is left open or out of sight even for a few seconds, it will make you an easy target for theft.

Safety in hotel rooms and lockers

No hotel room is 100% secure. Use a security lock when you leave unattended luggage in your hotel room to ensure your luggage is safe while enjoying your vacation. We do advise you to lock your luggage and any valuable items away when you are not in your hotel room to avoid anything from being stolen, and to be cautious, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Hotel Lockers

A hotel room is never fully secure, even if there’s a safe to lock your valuables. The safe may have a master key that hotel employees can use to gain access to.

We hope these solutions will help you to keep your luggage safe and allow you to enjoy your travel experience. Along with keeping luggage secure, passengers with Travel Sentry luggage locks or padlocks will have a safe, easy and efficient inspection without damaging baggage. Just look for the red diamond Travel Sentry symbol when shopping for these TSA-accepted products.

Protect your peace of mind on every trip

From busy airports to baggage carousels, a little extra protection goes a long way. Choosing a TSA-accepted lock helps keep your belongings secure while allowing airport security to inspect your bag without damaging it. 

Explore how Travel Sentry locks work, why they’re trusted worldwide, and find the right solution to help you travel smarter and with confidence.

Contact our team today for more information.

Luggage Security FAQs

Do TSA locks stop theft entirely?

TSA-accepted locks are designed to reduce the risk of tampering and damage, but no luggage lock can guarantee complete protection against a determined thief. What TSA locks do offer is a smart balance between security and practicality. They help deter opportunistic interference, keep zips closed during transit, and allow airport security to inspect your luggage using authorised tools, without cutting the lock or damaging your bag. For most travellers, this added layer of protection brings valuable peace of mind throughout the journey.

What happens if I use a non-TSA lock?

If your luggage is selected for inspection, and it’s secured with a non-TSA lock, airport security may need to force the lock open to access your bag. In many cases, this means the lock is cut off and cannot be reused, and your luggage may be left unsecured for the rest of its journey. Using a TSA-accepted lock helps avoid unnecessary damage, ensuring your bag can be opened, checked, and relocked properly before continuing to its destination.

Can TSA locks help prevent accidental opening during transit?

Yes, one often overlooked benefit of TSA-accepted locks is that they help prevent bags from accidentally opening while being handled. Luggage goes through multiple stages