Is hardside or softside carry-on luggage better?

Hardside shells (polycarbonate, ABS, or aluminum) resist crushing and water better and tend to wipe clean, while softside bags flex to fit tight overhead bins and often add exterior pockets. For carry-on hardside specifically, verified-purchase reviewers most often praise the clamshell packing layout and scratch resistance; the tradeoff is that hard shells show scuffs and offer fewer quick-access exterior pockets.