The material of a suitcase determines its weight, durability, and price. The most common types on the market are PC and ABS+PC, and many people are unclear about the differences. This article gets straight to the point, helping you avoid pitfalls when choosing luggage.
What is PC material?
PC stands for Polycarbonate, and it is currently one of the best quality materials for luggage. The core advantage of PC is its lightweight and high toughness—it's not easily shattered upon impact. Instead, it usually dents and springs back to its original shape, which is completely different from materials like glass that are hard but break easily upon impact.
Another advantage of PC material is its suitability for printed designs. The smooth surface of PC can clearly display color details, which is why most limited-edition collaboration suitcases with printed designs on the market are made of PC material.
What is ABS+PC composite material?
ABS stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. It is hard and scratch-resistant, and it was the mainstream material for luggage in the early days. However, pure ABS lacks toughness and is prone to shattering under heavy impact, which is its biggest drawback.
The current market mainstream is ABS+PC composite material, which combines the hardness of ABS with the toughness of PC. This results in a more balanced overall performance and a more affordable price than pure PC, making it the most cost-effective choice.
- Lightweight, the lightest among the same size
- High toughness, springs back after impact
- Suitable for printed designs, accurate colors
- More delicate and textured feel
- Higher price
- Slightly lower hardness than ABS
- Balances hardness and toughness
- Affordable price, high cost-effectiveness
- Good scratch and wear resistance
- Passes strict quality tests
- Slightly heavier than pure PC
- Printing effect slightly inferior to pure PC
Full comparison of the two materials
| Comparison Item | 100% PC | ABS+PC Composite |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Toughness (Impact Resistance) | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Hardness (Compression Resistance) | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Printing Effect | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Cost-Effectiveness | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Suitable for | Values lightweight & aesthetics | Values durability & cost-effectiveness |
Material name alone is not enough, this is more important
What material do NaSaDen series use?
Material description for each series
Buying Guide
If you have a generous budget and prioritize lightweight and aesthetics (especially if you like printed collaboration models), choose the pure PC Rhine Series or Hohenzollern Series. If you pursue durability and high cost-effectiveness, the ABS+PC composite New Carefree 2.0 Series is perfectly adequate, and its SGS certified quality is guaranteed.
Regardless of the material, it is recommended to prioritize brands that have passed third-party quality certifications, as this is a more valuable reference than simply looking at the material name. An SGS-certified ABS+PC case often outperforms an uncertified "pure PC" case in terms of durability.
NaSaDen Rhine Series, Hohenzollern Series (100% PC), and New Carefree 2.0 Series (ABS+PC) are all available.
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