Steve madden and Nautica both represent some of the top leading lifestyle brands on the market. Their luggage lines are specifically designed to reflect the unique styles and personalities of the people which use them, but additionally these bags are crafted to allow tons of packing space on all those important journeys and fun-filled vacations. With either of these brands you can easily find a way to express your individuality, however the real question is which brand offers bags that will last the longest, protect all your belongings, and overall deliver the best travel experience?
A Brief Review of Steve Madden Luggage
The Steve Madden brand started as a low investment in the 1990’s, only 1100 dollars, and since it has branched away from its targeted footwear apparel to include all kinds of travel accessories. Their luggage designs have been inspired by rock and roll, New York fashion, and the most recent trends for men and women. Steve Madden luggage is now sold in over 80 countries world-wide with the promise of truly unique luggage every time you shop for your next bag.
A Brief Review of Nautica Luggage
Nautica Luggage has a unique style sense which is reflective of the high seas and especially great for travel which is specifically on the ocean. Founded in 1983, this global lifestyle brand has amazing suitcase designs and styles for men, women, and children. Their promise is water-tight luggage with personalized fashion-options for every one of their customers. Throughout the world this luggage is available in over 65 countries.
How we Organized our Research
In comparing the above-mentioned brands, we separated their massive catalogues into three categories: hardshell luggage, softside luggage, and luggage sets. The following suitcases in these categories are compared side by side so you can easily draw your own conclusions between the materials and designs one brand typically offers verses those of the other brand. It’s our hope that these reviews will make your buying process easier and teach you a little more about what luggage qualifies as ‘the best’.
Best Hardside Luggage
The best hardshell bags offer plenty of packing space – typically with zippered expansion – and highly durable materials, while still trying to remain quite light. The best materials for a hardshell bag include aluminum and polycarbonate, with ABS materials often being the least durable. Additionally, since hardshell bags don’t offer outer pockets, interior pockets or dividers are an excellent bonus for further packing space.
Steve Madden Luggage 28" Spinner Luggage
Suitcase Storage
This suitcase offers 81 liters of packing space with an unpacked weight of only 9.1 pounds. Interiors include tight integrated tie-down straps and a zippered mesh pocket with tons of room for nice wrinkle-free shirts and others.
Materials/Durability
A unique design, this hardshell bag features an ABS shell with PC Film that is coated in an extra layer of highly protective and scratch resistant polycarbonate. Against minor to medium abrasions and hard handling, this bag should be just fine. Additionally, it includes an equally durable aluminum telescopic push-button handle.
Additional Features
This hardshell suitcase includes top and side handles for easy lifting and 8-spinner wheels for optimum maneuverability.
Size Options
For such a unique unisex suitcase which reflects an unforgettable sense of style, this bag impressively can be purchased as part of a set which also includes a 20-inch carry-on item and 24-inch medium bag.
Nautica 28" Hardside Spinner Luggage
Suitcase Storage
This textured ABS bag offers a zippered expansion for an additional 2-inches of packing space with the 80 liters it already offers. Interiors include a zippered divider and tie-down straps, though not any extra organizer pockets.
Materials/Durability
Design specifics feature a 100% ABS design which is scratch-proof but less protective against minor or even major drops. This bag is fairly water tight and includes a thick inner lining, additionally its zipper closures are self-repairing and very difficult to break.
Additional Features
Bag includes a spot-proof design which is easy to clean and very fashionable on every trip you take. The included telescopic handle extends with the push of a button, and the 4 spinner wheels offer great maneuverability.
Size Options
This unique travel bag only comes at the maximum 28-inch size, but it’s available in over 14 different eye-catching style choices.
Best Soft-side Luggage
For the best softside bags you want a lot of packing space, that’s because these bags can more easily include zippered expansions, plenty of pockets, and semi-stretching materials to allow fitting more things. Second in importance is durability, and the most durable softside bags should use nylon (highest durability) or cotton canvas (medium durability). Polyester can be rather on the weak side; however, it also depends on the thickness of the material and whether or not it’s blended with anything else.
Steve Madden 24-inch Expandable Softside with Spinner Wheels
Suitcase Storage
For storage space you couldn’t ask for a better bag than this; it offers 69 liters of packing space and an additional 2-inches of room with a zippered side expander. That’s easily enough room to pack clothing for up to 3 weeks (depending on how you pack). On the interior this suitcase comes with tie-down straps and a deep zippered mesh pocket. The best organizational pockets are on the outside, of which there are 3 separate zippered pockets.
Materials/Durability
This suitcase is made from 100% polyester fabric with a medium denier rating that should hold up against minor drops, all scratches, and semi-hard handling. What’s most durable about this suitcase, however, are its aluminum telescopic handle and integrated spinner wheels.
Additional Features
Bag includes 4 spinner wheels for optimum mobility, a fully lined water-tight interior, and an ergonomic telescopic handle.
Size Options
This Steve Madden original comes in a 20-inch carry-on size, the 24-inch reviewed medium, or a 28-inch large size. 3 different style options are available.
Suitcase Storage
Not expanded, this suitcase allows for 65 liters of packing space, and with the added 2-inch zippered expander can fit up to a total of 70 liters (2-3 weeks of packed clothing). Additionally, this bag includes a single deep zippered exterior pocket and a mesh interior pocket with clip-in waterproof kit.
Materials/Durability
Like the Steve Madden example, this luggage option is also comprised of 100% polyester fabrics which rank around a medium-low durability which is quite scratch resistant but less protective against hard drops and hard handling. However, true to the Nautica design this bag is very water tight with extra thick lining; it will keep all your belongings dry no matter what.
Additional Features
This suitcase runs on a 4-wheel spinner system with easy maneuverability and a strong aluminum telescopic push/pull handle.
Size Options
Best for the high seas and cruise adventures or airfare to the seaside, this bag offers a 21-inch carry-on size and 28-inch large. What’s most unique about this option are its over 12 different unique and stylish color options.
Best Luggage Sets
The best sets offer you several bags and you should be able to use all of those bags without any one of them seeming non-essential, additionally these options should allow for plenty of packing for long trips. Finally, durability is of second importance but still should play a role in your decision as you want to keep your belongings well protected.
Steve Madden 4 piece Luggage With Spinner Wheels
Suitcase Storage
Unlike a limited set of 3, this choice also includes a deep tote bag which can be used as your carry-on item or used as a personal item along with the carry-on suitcase. Together, all of these bags provide over 200 liters of packing space for extended stays up to a month or longer. The suitcases include two outer pockets and a mesh inner pocket.
Materials/Durability
These bags are rather on the heavy side for softshell suitcases, however they’re made from nylon which is extremely durable and will protect all your belongings wherever you go.
Additional Features
Each bag includes self-repairing zippers, the suitcases roll on 360-degree spinner wheels, offer telescopic handles, and integrated side haul handles. Finally, this set comes with a fantastic 5-year warranty.
Size Options
Included in this set are a 21-inch carry-on suitcase, 24-inch medium suitcase, and 28-inch large; included tote offers 18-inches for extra outfits/etcetera. This rather feminine set comes in purple or global black.
Nautica Open Seas 5 Piece Luggage-Set, Navy/yellow
Suitcase Storage
All suitcases in this set expand an additional 2-inches for added packing space, making this the most space-available set compared to most Steve Madden sets. Not expanded, however, these bags offer 200+ liters of packing space for already up to a month (or more) of packed travel. Interiors offer a deep zippered mesh pocket and tie-down straps, while exteriors include two zippered organizational pockets. Along with the suitcases are a rather large carry-on duffel option (though this will probably not qualify as a personal item alongside the carry-on suitcase).
Materials/Durability
Materials of this set are 100% easy-care polyester which is rather on the weak side but entirely water tight with included inner lining that’s great for the high seas.
Additional Features
The overnight duffel has great webbing handles and an additional hanging and foldable toiletry bag. Each suitcase offers integrated side haul handles alongside a strong telescopic push-button handle which operates easy motion with dual in-line skate wheels.
Size Options
This set includes a 28-inch full sized bag, 24-inch medium bag, and 20-inch carry-on bag; additionally, you can use the carry-on duffel in place of the carry-on suitcase. Three different style options are available.
Steve Madden Luggage vs. Nautica Luggage – Which is the best pick?
So, does any brand beat out the other? Well, Steve Madden luggage is a clear winner with its hardshell bags and sets – these bags are highly durable and very protective, additionally they offer plenty of space with their inner dimensions and added pockets. On the other hand, Nautica offers some of the best single softside options with great expandability and highly durable materials overall. Additionally, Nautica has better waterproofed materials, although its style and size options are rather limited compared to the Steve Madden brand.
Summary
Lifestyle suitcases are those which are stylish and allow for plenty of packing for long trips and vacations. Two of the strongest lifestyle brands are Steve Madden and Nautica luggage, one which produces bags more fit for air-travel and the other which specifies in watertight suitcases for cruises, etcetera. However, where it counts, for durability and packing space, which of these brands is the best overall and can be used both on the high seas and everywhere else?
