I honestly don't understand how this is even a debate or why soft cases are MUCH more popular. I use a hard case and wouldn't risk my skis to a soft case. I have seen a limited amount of how roughly the airline people handle the skis, but just from what I have seen, they literally throw the cases around. I have a SportTube Series 2 and it comfortably fits a pair of Nordica Enforcer 100 and a pair of Rossi Tempation 88. The downside, is as Phil said, the hard case is heavy and between the case and the 2 pairs of skis it weighs just around 50lbs which is usually the stipulated weight limit. I have never been charged extra though.