Review: Hard vs Soft Cases for Travelling Photographers

For day-to-day shoots, most photographers will use a backpack. But when you’re on the move, especially when travelling abroad, chances are you’ll want to have all your cameras and lenses at your disposal. Whether you’re flying, going by train or catching a long-distance bus, what’s the best way to carry all your kit and keep it safe? In this guide, let’s take a look at two of the most popular options—the soft roller bag and the classic hard case. 

Hard or soft? It’s a tough choice. But which is the right one for you and your kit? Each option has its benefits and drawbacks, some more obvious than others. Presenting the—uh—case for both types of photography case, this guide aims to help you make an informed choice. Read on to learn more. 

Which model?

Within each category of hard and soft cases, there is a multitude of models made by many different brands. For this guide, we chose two of the best cases—the hard Peli 1535 and the soft ThinkTank Airport International V 2.0. 

The Peli 1535 Air hard case is a lighter—and, in our opinion, more well-rounded—version of the Peli 1510. The ThinkTank Airport International V2.0 has been on countless trips with MPB’s in-house content team. While it’s not the latest version—having since been superseded by the ThinkTank Airport International V 3.0—the V2.0 offers many of the same benefits and represents excellent value for money.

Hard cases: pros and cons

While both cases are pretty rugged, the hard case is always going to be more rugged than the soft case—hands down. The hard Peli 1535 Air is designed to not budge or buckle like a soft case. It’s easy to see how the hard case is built to last and to take all the rough and tumble you could possibly throw at it. 

But what is the main goal of a case that is meant to really be carry-on luggage? After all, no photographer would feel completely at ease with their cameras and lenses in the hold. The Peli 1535 Air matches the size requirements for carry-on luggage on the majority of flights. But you could also use it as your hold luggage to house items that are less susceptible to knocks—like tripods, stands, chargers and memory cards.

In the real world, we all know that the ability to use carry-on luggage isn’t always guaranteed. For housing your cameras and lenses, the hard case provides that peace of mind that even your most fragile items would probably be safe in the hold of the plane. Hard cases are for people who prefer zero risk to their equipment—rain or shine. The Peli 1535 Air is waterproof, protecting your kit from sudden downpours. 

The wheels of the Peli are made of hard rubber and they’re fully replaceable too. While they’re not quite as comfortable in terms of reducing vibrations as the softer wheels of the soft case, the Peli wheels are very hard-wearing. Practicality over comfort. 

Inside, you have a choice of custom-cut foam or TrekPak inserts. Both cases allow you to custom-fit your equipment. The Peli TrekPak system isn’t as adaptable as the soft case, but you can still change the spacing.

And that’s the main downside to hard cases: apart from the main compartments, you’ll generally have no extra storage. While you can use the TrekPak inserts to store your passport, keys and any small personal items, that usually means less space for your kit. To get that rugged durability and total peace of mind, you’ll have to compromise on versatility.

Soft cases: pros and cons

The soft case is more ‘do-it-all’ than the hard case, whose primary function is to keep things as safe as possible, rather than transporting and organising. The ThinkTank soft case is one of the very best, and we’ve never had an issue with it keeping our equipment safe and in one piece. 

Would you trust a soft case in the hold of a plane? Well, you’d probably rest a little easier if you had a hard case. But, as carry-on luggage, the ThinkTank is more than capable of dealing with all that lifting, dropping and pulling along.

Thanks to the padding inside and out, the ThinkTank is pretty robust. And the tough Cordura on the outside will help prevent the case itself from getting tatty. The wheels are amazing, soft but also tough. Should you damage a wheel, all you need to replace it is an Allen/hex key. 

The soft case is great for transporting most of your items, especially when used in combination with a photo backpack for your other stuff—your clothes, toiletries, laptop, etc. Once at your destination, your soft case can stay at your accommodation—transfer whatever you need on the day to your backpack for easy access when moving around. Either way, the soft case can be used in a more versatile way than a hard case. The soft case should have enough space for your laptop, passport and other smaller items. 

Verdict: Your needs come first

If ruggedness and peace of mind are the most important factors for you, then get yourself a hard case. But just be aware that you may need to compromise on versatility and adaptability—having fewer pockets means you’ll be able to carry fewer different things. 

If you feel confident that you will always have your case with you, then the soft case might be a better choice. While they’re not as robust as hard cases, soft cases are usually more comfortable and convenient to carry. 

Photographers and videographers often have to make choices based on their creative requirements and personal preferences. Travel cases are much the same. Which scenarios and challenges are you likely to face the most often? Invest in the option that is best for those. Remember that nothing’s ever set in stone—if your situation changes, it’s always easy to trade in and change your setup. 

Looking for more travel photography content?

This article is part of the MPB Guide to Travel Photography, our comprehensive look at the travel photography genre with advice, recommended camera equipment and interviews with some of the most exciting travel photographers today.