India, Sept. 13 -- I have a suitcase problem. I keep testing them. At this point, I have used more than 25 suitcases, across price points, brands and sizes, and I have become annoyingly particular about what I want from one. I like hard cases. I like the structure, the protection and the fact that I can pack everything properly without the suitcase slowly changing shape as I fill it. But I miss one thing. The extra bit of space you get with a soft suitcase.

You know that feeling when you come back from a trip and suddenly have an extra pair of shoes, some coffee, gifts for the kids, and that one completely unnecessary thing you bought because it looked nice? With a soft suitcase, you can usually make it fit. There is a little give. There...