Rimowa Original Cabin
$1,550The aluminium case for long ownership and walk in repairs.
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An LHC field report · 25 brands bought · 100,000 plus miles
The best luxury luggage of 2026, ranked after 200 flights
Updated 15 October 2026
Ten premium suitcases flown, checked, dropped and repaired, with the weights, sizes and warranties that actually matter.
By Jack Williamson, the LHC house pen name · How we workPrices checked 15 October 2026
9.8LHC score / 10
Rimowa Original Cabin
Rimowa Original Cabin
25Brands bought
10Cases reviewed in full
$600Best value pick
Samsonite Proxis Large Spinner
$600The best checked allowance per dollar.
Check pricePrice verified 19 September, we may earn a commission.
Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 Spinner
$500, often $350The lightest case for strict cabin allowances.
Check pricePrice verified 19 September, we may earn a commission.
Quick picks
Our Picks at a Glance
Best overall
Rimowa Original Cabin
One case for decades, with walk in repairs.
Best value
Samsonite Proxis Large Spinner
The most packing per dollar.
Lightest
Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 Spinner
1.7 kg / 3.7 lb, leaving room for your clothes.
Best warranty
Briggs & Riley Sympatico Global Carry On Expandable Spinner
Lifetime repairs, including airline damage.
Under $300
Monos Carry On Pro
A polished carry on for $295.
Heirloom
Globe Trotter Centenary XL Trunk
Factory repair and a case to hand down.
Full comparison
Compare Every Case
Prices are US list prices, with common sale pricing noted. Weight and capacity are the manufacturer figures for the exact size named.
Sort
| Case | Type | Price | Weight (kg / lb) | Size (cm / in) | Litres | Shell | Warranty | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carry on | $1,550 | 4.3 kg / 9.5 lb | 55 x 40 x 23 cm / 21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 in | 35 L | Anodised aluminium | Lifetime guarantee on functional damage, transport damage excluded | A case you buy once and keep for twenty years | Check price | |
| Carry on | $500, often $350 | 1.7 kg / 3.7 lb | 55 x 40 x 20 cm / 21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 in | 36 L | Curv (woven polypropylene) | Limited lifetime | Squeezing the most clothing out of a strict weight allowance | Check price | |
| Carry on | $695 | 3.9 kg / 8.6 lb | 53 x 38 x 23 cm / 20.9 x 15.0 x 9.1 in | 41 L | Polycarbonate with alloy frame | Lifetime, including airline damage | People who fly weekly and cannot afford a case to be out of service | Check price | |
| Carry on | $295 | 3.54 kg / 7.8 lb | 56 x 36 x 23 cm / 22.0 x 14.2 x 9.1 in | 36 L | German Makrolon polycarbonate | Limited lifetime | The best finish per dollar on this page | Check price | |
| Carry on | $645 | 4.85 kg / 10.7 lb | 58 x 37 x 24 cm / 22.8 x 14.6 x 9.4 in | 38 L | Aluminium | LifetimeCare, five years free repairs including airline mishandling, then repair support for life | Aluminium looks without Rimowa money | Check price | |
| Checked | $1,250 | 4.8 kg / 10.6 lb | 77 x 50 x 26.5 cm / 30.3 x 19.7 x 10.4 in | 85 L | High gloss polycarbonate | Lifetime guarantee on functional damage, transport damage excluded | Two week trips where the case still has to look immaculate on arrival | Check price | |
| Checked | $1,595 | 7.3 kg / 16.1 lb | 77.5 x 52 x 28 cm / 30.5 x 20.5 x 11.0 in | 84 L | Aluminium | 5 years | Long trips where the case is part of the outfit | Check price | |
| Checked | $600 | 3.4 kg / 7.5 lb | 78 x 55 x 29 cm / 30.7 x 21.7 x 11.4 in | 88 L | Roxkin | 10 year limited warranty | The most allowance efficient large case you can buy | Check price | |
| Checked | $475 | 5.4 kg / 11.9 lb | 76 x 51 x 30 cm / 29.9 x 20.1 x 11.8 in | 77 L | Recycled polycarbonate, vegan trim | Limited lifetime | Buyers who want the sustainability credentials to be real | Check price | |
| Checked | $3,795 | 6.2 kg / 13.7 lb | 76 x 51 x 38 cm / 29.9 x 20.1 x 15.0 in | 100 L | Vulcanised fibreboard, leather trim | Repairable indefinitely at the Hertfordshire factory | Slow travel, long stays and cases handed down rather than replaced | Check price |
$1,550
- Type
- Carry on
- Weight (kg / lb)
- 4.3 kg / 9.5 lb
- Size (cm / in)
- 55 x 40 x 23 cm / 21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 in
- Litres
- 35 L
- Shell
- Anodised aluminium
- Warranty
- Lifetime guarantee on functional damage, transport damage excluded
- Best for
- A case you buy once and keep for twenty years
- Check price
- Check price
$500, often $350
Check pricePrice verified 19 September, we may earn a commission.
- Type
- Carry on
- Weight (kg / lb)
- 1.7 kg / 3.7 lb
- Size (cm / in)
- 55 x 40 x 20 cm / 21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 in
- Litres
- 36 L
- Shell
- Curv (woven polypropylene)
- Warranty
- Limited lifetime
- Best for
- Squeezing the most clothing out of a strict weight allowance
- Check price
- Check price
- Type
- Carry on
- Weight (kg / lb)
- 3.9 kg / 8.6 lb
- Size (cm / in)
- 53 x 38 x 23 cm / 20.9 x 15.0 x 9.1 in
- Litres
- 41 L
- Shell
- Polycarbonate with alloy frame
- Warranty
- Lifetime, including airline damage
- Best for
- People who fly weekly and cannot afford a case to be out of service
- Check price
- Check price
- Type
- Carry on
- Weight (kg / lb)
- 3.54 kg / 7.8 lb
- Size (cm / in)
- 56 x 36 x 23 cm / 22.0 x 14.2 x 9.1 in
- Litres
- 36 L
- Shell
- German Makrolon polycarbonate
- Warranty
- Limited lifetime
- Best for
- The best finish per dollar on this page
- Check price
- Check price
- Type
- Carry on
- Weight (kg / lb)
- 4.85 kg / 10.7 lb
- Size (cm / in)
- 58 x 37 x 24 cm / 22.8 x 14.6 x 9.4 in
- Litres
- 38 L
- Shell
- Aluminium
- Warranty
- LifetimeCare, five years free repairs including airline mishandling, then repair support for life
- Best for
- Aluminium looks without Rimowa money
- Check price
- Check price
- Type
- Checked
- Weight (kg / lb)
- 4.8 kg / 10.6 lb
- Size (cm / in)
- 77 x 50 x 26.5 cm / 30.3 x 19.7 x 10.4 in
- Litres
- 85 L
- Shell
- High gloss polycarbonate
- Warranty
- Lifetime guarantee on functional damage, transport damage excluded
- Best for
- Two week trips where the case still has to look immaculate on arrival
- Check price
- Check price
- Type
- Checked
- Weight (kg / lb)
- 7.3 kg / 16.1 lb
- Size (cm / in)
- 77.5 x 52 x 28 cm / 30.5 x 20.5 x 11.0 in
- Litres
- 84 L
- Shell
- Aluminium
- Warranty
- 5 years
- Best for
- Long trips where the case is part of the outfit
- Check price
- Check price
$600
Check pricePrice verified 19 September, we may earn a commission.
- Type
- Checked
- Weight (kg / lb)
- 3.4 kg / 7.5 lb
- Size (cm / in)
- 78 x 55 x 29 cm / 30.7 x 21.7 x 11.4 in
- Litres
- 88 L
- Shell
- Roxkin
- Warranty
- 10 year limited warranty
- Best for
- The most allowance efficient large case you can buy
- Check price
- Check price
- Type
- Checked
- Weight (kg / lb)
- 5.4 kg / 11.9 lb
- Size (cm / in)
- 76 x 51 x 30 cm / 29.9 x 20.1 x 11.8 in
- Litres
- 77 L
- Shell
- Recycled polycarbonate, vegan trim
- Warranty
- Limited lifetime
- Best for
- Buyers who want the sustainability credentials to be real
- Check price
- Check price
- Type
- Checked
- Weight (kg / lb)
- 6.2 kg / 13.7 lb
- Size (cm / in)
- 76 x 51 x 38 cm / 29.9 x 20.1 x 15.0 in
- Litres
- 100 L
- Shell
- Vulcanised fibreboard, leather trim
- Warranty
- Repairable indefinitely at the Hertfordshire factory
- Best for
- Slow travel, long stays and cases handed down rather than replaced
- Check price
- Check price
Empty weight matters. Choosing the 1.7 kg (3.7 lb) Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 instead of the 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) Rimowa leaves 5.3 kg (11.7 lb) rather than 2.7 kg (6.0 lb) for clothes on a 7 kg (15.4 lb) allowance.
Empty weight
Empty Weight Compared
Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 Spinner1.7 kg / 3.7 lb
Samsonite Proxis Large Spinner3.4 kg / 7.5 lb
Monos Carry On Pro3.54 kg / 7.8 lb
Briggs & Riley Sympatico Global Carry On Expandable Spinner3.9 kg / 8.6 lb
Rimowa Original Cabin4.3 kg / 9.5 lb
Rimowa Essential Check In L4.8 kg / 10.6 lb
Away Bigger Carry On, Aluminum Edition4.85 kg / 10.7 lb
Paravel Aviator Grand5.4 kg / 11.9 lb
Globe Trotter Centenary XL Trunk6.2 kg / 13.7 lb
Tumi 19 Degree Aluminum Extended Trip7.3 kg / 16.1 lb
Carry on picks
Best Luxury Carry On Luggage
These five choices cover low weight, long ownership, warranty protection, finish and aluminium value. For a focused five case test, read the Rimowa, Tumi and Away carry on comparison.
01Rimowa
Rimowa Original Cabin
$1,550
This is the case I have owned longest and the one I would replace first if it disappeared. The grooved aluminium shell is the most recognisable object in any baggage hall, and the reason it holds value is not the badge but the repair network behind it: I have walked into boutiques in Paris and Singapore and walked out with new wheels the same day.
What it is good at
- Aluminium takes dents and scratches as patina rather than damage
- Same day or next day repairs at boutiques in most major cities
- Resale value holds better than any other case on this list
- Flex divider keeps shirts flat across a week of connections
The honest drawback
- 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) empty eats a third of a 10 kg (22.0 lb) budget cabin allowance
- Aluminium marks from the first flight, which some owners hate
- No expansion, so overpacking is simply not an option
- Costs roughly five times a technically comparable polycarbonate case
- Price
- $1,550
- Material
- Anodised aluminium
- Weight
- 4.3 kg / 9.5 lb
- Capacity
- 35 L
- Dimensions
- 55 x 40 x 23 cm / 21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 in
- Wheels
- 4 x 60 mm multiwheel
- Lock
- TSA integrated
- Expandable
- No
- Warranty
- Lifetime guarantee on functional damage, transport damage excluded
- Best for
- A case you buy once and keep for twenty years
- Skip if
- Anyone flying budget carriers with a 10 kg (22.0 lb) total cabin allowance
My verdict
Buy it if you fly full service carriers often enough that the repair network is worth paying for. If you mostly fly Ryanair or Wizz, the weight alone rules it out.
Prices checked 15 October 2026$500, often $350
Check pricePrice verified 19 September, we may earn a commission.
At 1.7 kg (3.7 lb) this weighs less than most laptop bags, and on a 7 kg (15.4 lb) cabin allowance that difference is roughly four extra shirts and a pair of shoes. Curv is woven polypropylene: it flexes on impact and springs back rather than cracking, which is why it survives baggage handlers better than cheap polycarbonate.
What it is good at
- 1.7 kg (3.7 lb) empty, the lightest hard shell I have travelled with
- Curv shell flexes under impact and returns to shape
- Limited lifetime warranty on manufacturing defects
- Under half the price of the aluminium cases here
The honest drawback
- Shell feels hollow when you knock it, which reads as cheap
- Repairs go through third party service centres, not boutiques
- Interior organisation is basic compared with Briggs & Riley
- Colour range is limited and the finish scuffs visibly
- Price
- $500, often $350
- Material
- Curv (woven polypropylene)
- Weight
- 1.7 kg / 3.7 lb
- Capacity
- 36 L
- Dimensions
- 55 x 40 x 20 cm / 21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 in
- Wheels
- 4 x double spinner
- Lock
- TSA integrated
- Expandable
- No
- Warranty
- Limited lifetime
- Best for
- Squeezing the most clothing out of a strict weight allowance
- Skip if
- Anyone who wants a case that looks expensive
My verdict
The rational choice. If your decision is purely about how much you can carry for how little, nothing else on this page beats it.
Check pricePrice verified 19 September, we may earn a commission.
Prices checked 15 October 2026
03Briggs & Riley
Briggs & Riley Sympatico Global Carry On Expandable Spinner
$695
The warranty is the product. Briggs & Riley repair or replace for life regardless of what caused the damage, including the belt loader that cracked mine, and they do not ask for a receipt. The CX system also works in the direction you actually need: it expands to pack, then compresses back to legal cabin depth.
What it is good at
- Repair for life covers airline damage with no proof of purchase
- CX compression adds 34 percent volume then shrinks back to legal size
- Outboard handle system leaves the interior completely flat
- Sealed wheel bearings are the quietest I have used
The honest drawback
- 3.9 kg (8.6 lb) is heavier than the Curv and Monos alternatives
- Styling is deliberately corporate rather than beautiful
- Repairs can mean sending the case away rather than fixing it in a boutique
- $695 for polycarbonate is a warranty premium, not a materials one
- Price
- $695
- Material
- Polycarbonate with alloy frame
- Weight
- 3.9 kg / 8.6 lb
- Capacity
- 41 L
- Dimensions
- 53 x 38 x 23 cm / 20.9 x 15.0 x 9.1 in
- Wheels
- 4 x sealed spinner
- Lock
- TSA integrated
- Expandable
- Yes, CX compression, 34 percent
- Warranty
- Lifetime, including airline damage
- Best for
- People who fly weekly and cannot afford a case to be out of service
- Skip if
- Travellers who want a design object rather than a tool
My verdict
If your case is a work tool that must never be out of action, this is the one. You are paying for the claims process, and the claims process is genuinely excellent.
Prices checked 15 October 202604Monos
Monos Carry On Pro
$295
Monos is the case friends notice and then ask the price of, and are surprised by. The matte Makrolon shell resists fingerprints, the Hinomoto wheels are the same units luxury Japanese brands specify, and the front compartment means the laptop comes out at security without opening the main shell.
What it is good at
- Front laptop pocket saves unpacking the main case at security
- Hinomoto wheels roll better than cases at twice the price
- Matte shell hides fingerprints and light scuffing well
- Includes a compression pad and a vegan leather luggage tag
The honest drawback
- Polycarbonate cracks rather than dents if it takes a hard corner hit
- Lifetime warranty is limited and excludes airline damage
- Service is ship it back only, with no European boutiques
- Front pocket costs a little interior capacity
- Price
- $295
- Material
- German Makrolon polycarbonate
- Weight
- 3.54 kg / 7.8 lb
- Capacity
- 36 L
- Dimensions
- 56 x 36 x 23 cm / 22.0 x 14.2 x 9.1 in
- Wheels
- 4 x Hinomoto spinner
- Lock
- TSA integrated
- Expandable
- No
- Warranty
- Limited lifetime
- Best for
- The best finish per dollar on this page
- Skip if
- Anyone who needs walk in repair in Europe
My verdict
The value pick for people who care how a case looks. Accept the service model based on shipping and it is very hard to beat at $295.
Prices checked 15 October 202605Away
Away Bigger Carry On, Aluminum Edition
$645
Away built its reputation on making premium looking luggage accessible, and the aluminium line is where that promise holds up best. Mine has taken eighty flights. It is not Rimowa in the hand, the latches are stiffer and the edges less refined, but at this price that gap is easy to accept.
What it is good at
- Aluminium construction for about 42 percent of Rimowa's price
- Interior compression panel keeps a week's clothes flat
- Straightforward direct to consumer returns and service
The honest drawback
- At 58 cm it exceeds the 55 cm limit on several European carriers
- 4.85 kg (10.7 lb) empty is the heaviest cabin case here
- Latch and hinge finishing is visibly a tier below Rimowa
- Free repairs last five years, with repair support rather than free cover after that
- Price
- $645
- Material
- Aluminium
- Weight
- 4.85 kg / 10.7 lb
- Capacity
- 38 L
- Dimensions
- 58 x 37 x 24 cm / 22.8 x 14.6 x 9.4 in
- Wheels
- 4 x 360 degree spinner
- Lock
- TSA integrated
- Expandable
- No
- Warranty
- LifetimeCare, five years free repairs including airline mishandling, then repair support for life
- Best for
- Aluminium looks without Rimowa money
- Skip if
- Airlines that measure carry on strictly, since it runs oversize
My verdict
A good first aluminium case, provided you check your airline's cabin dimensions before you buy. On strict carriers it becomes a very smart small checked bag instead.
Prices checked 15 October 20261 of 5
Checked picks
Best Luxury Checked Luggage
For checked luggage, empty case weight and repair access matter more than decorative detail.
06Rimowa
Rimowa Essential Check In L
$1,250
The polycarbonate Essential is the sensible half of the Rimowa range: same grooves, same wheels, same repair network, roughly two thirds of the aluminium weight. For checked luggage that matters, because every kilogram of empty case is a kilogram of allowance you cannot use.
What it is good at
- 85 litres with the same repair network as the aluminium line
- 80 mm wheels handle cobbles and airport carpet without dragging
- 1.4 kg (3.1 lb) lighter than the equivalent aluminium Original Check In L
- Divider and mesh system keeps two people's clothes separate
The honest drawback
- High gloss finish shows every scratch from the first handler
- Fills to over 23 kg (50.7 lb) easily, so weigh before you leave
- No expansion zip on the Essential line
- Still a $1,250 case that will get thrown onto a belt loader
- Price
- $1,250
- Material
- High gloss polycarbonate
- Weight
- 4.8 kg / 10.6 lb
- Capacity
- 85 L
- Dimensions
- 77 x 50 x 26.5 cm / 30.3 x 19.7 x 10.4 in
- Wheels
- 4 x 80 mm multiwheel
- Lock
- TSA integrated
- Expandable
- No
- Warranty
- Lifetime guarantee on functional damage, transport damage excluded
- Best for
- Two week trips where the case still has to look immaculate on arrival
- Skip if
- Anyone whose airline weight allowance is 20 kg (44.1 lb) or less
My verdict
The best all round checked case I have used. Choose the matte finish over gloss if you care about how it looks after year one.
Prices checked 15 October 202607Tumi
Tumi 19 Degree Aluminum Extended Trip
$1,595
The rippled 19 Degree shell is the only aluminium design that does not read as a Rimowa homage, and in person it is the most striking case here. Tumi Tracer, the registration programme that has reunited owners with lost bags for two decades, is a genuinely useful reason to buy beyond the styling.
What it is good at
- Sculpted shell is structurally stiffer than a flat aluminium panel
- Tumi Tracer registration has a real track record of recovering bags
- Dual spinner wheels stay stable when the case is fully loaded
- Service network across department stores and airports worldwide
The honest drawback
- 7.3 kg (16.1 lb) empty is nearly a third of a 23 kg (50.7 lb) allowance
- The Rimowa Essential holds the same space for $345 less
- Sculpting traps grime in the ridges and needs cleaning
- Aluminium corners dent on hard drops, as all aluminium does
- Price
- $1,595
- Material
- Aluminium
- Weight
- 7.3 kg / 16.1 lb
- Capacity
- 84 L
- Dimensions
- 77.5 x 52 x 28 cm / 30.5 x 20.5 x 11.0 in
- Wheels
- 4 x dual spinner
- Lock
- TSA integrated
- Expandable
- No
- Warranty
- 5 years
- Best for
- Long trips where the case is part of the outfit
- Skip if
- Weight conscious travellers, at 7.3 kg (16.1 lb) empty
My verdict
Buy this because you want it, not because the spreadsheet says so. On specification alone the Rimowa Essential is the better checked bag for less money.
Prices checked 15 October 2026$600
Check pricePrice verified 19 September, we may earn a commission.
Roxkin is Samsonite's own recycled multi layer shell and it does something no aluminium case can: it returns to shape after impact. A 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) case holding 88 litres means nearly 20 kg (44.1 lb) of your allowance is actually available for your belongings, which on a two week trip is the difference between packing freely and weighing shoes.
What it is good at
- 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) for 88 litres, the best weight to capacity ratio here
- Roxkin shell reforms after impact instead of denting
- Ten year limited warranty with manufacturer repair support
- Expansion zip adds room for the journey home
The honest drawback
- Looks utilitarian next to the aluminium cases
- Recycled shell finish scuffs and shows marks
- No resale market to speak of
- Expansion makes it easy to blow through your weight allowance
- Price
- $600
- Material
- Roxkin
- Weight
- 3.4 kg / 7.5 lb
- Capacity
- 88 L
- Dimensions
- 78 x 55 x 29 cm / 30.7 x 21.7 x 11.4 in
- Wheels
- 4 x double spinner
- Lock
- TSA integrated
- Expandable
- Yes
- Warranty
- 10 year limited warranty
- Best for
- The most allowance efficient large case you can buy
- Skip if
- Anyone who wants a case with heritage or resale value
My verdict
The one I recommend most often to people who simply want the best checked case for the money. Nothing else comes close on usable allowance.
Check pricePrice verified 19 September, we may earn a commission.
Prices checked 15 October 2026
09Paravel
Paravel Aviator Grand
$475
Paravel is the only brand here whose environmental claims survive a proper read. The shell is recycled polycarbonate, the lining is recycled plastic bottles, and every order is carbon offset by default rather than as a checkout upsell. It also happens to be a good looking case in colours nobody else offers.
What it is good at
- Genuinely recycled shell and lining, not just recycled packaging
- Carbon offsetting applied to every order as standard
- 77 litres with expansion, generous for two week travel
- Colourways that make it easy to spot on a carousel
The honest drawback
- 5.4 kg (11.9 lb) empty is heavy for a polycarbonate case
- Service is United States based, so repairs take time in Europe
- Wheels are competent rather than exceptional
- Limited warranty excludes airline damage
- Price
- $475
- Material
- Recycled polycarbonate, vegan trim
- Weight
- 5.4 kg / 11.9 lb
- Capacity
- 77 L
- Dimensions
- 76 x 51 x 30 cm / 29.9 x 20.1 x 11.8 in
- Wheels
- 4 x 360 degree spinner
- Lock
- TSA integrated
- Expandable
- Yes
- Warranty
- Limited lifetime
- Best for
- Buyers who want the sustainability credentials to be real
- Skip if
- Anyone needing fast in person repair outside the United States
My verdict
The best choice if sustainability is a real factor in the decision. If it is not, the Samsonite Proxis is lighter and holds more.
Prices checked 15 October 202610Globe Trotter
Globe Trotter Centenary XL Trunk
$3,795
Globe Trotter still makes these on Victorian machinery in Hertfordshire from vulcanised fibreboard, a material lighter than leather and stronger than it has any right to be. This is not a practical airport case. It is the one that goes on the train, into the boot, and into the family for forty years.
What it is good at
- Built and repairable at the original English factory indefinitely
- 100 litres, the largest capacity on this page
- Ages into something better looking than the day you bought it
- Leather corners and brass hardware can be individually replaced
The honest drawback
- 6.2 kg (13.7 lb) empty before a single shirt goes in
- Brass locks are not TSA approved, so US inspectors may force them
- $3,795 buys four excellent modern cases instead
- Fibreboard dislikes prolonged rain and needs drying properly
- Price
- $3,795
- Material
- Vulcanised fibreboard, leather trim
- Weight
- 6.2 kg / 13.7 lb
- Capacity
- 100 L
- Dimensions
- 76 x 51 x 38 cm / 29.9 x 20.1 x 15.0 in
- Wheels
- 4 x spinner
- Lock
- Brass, non TSA
- Expandable
- No
- Warranty
- Repairable indefinitely at the Hertfordshire factory
- Best for
- Slow travel, long stays and cases handed down rather than replaced
- Skip if
- Anyone counting kilograms, because the trunk starts at 6.2 kg (13.7 lb)
My verdict
An heirloom rather than a tool. Buy it for the train, the road trip and the long stay, and keep a Proxis for the flights.
Prices checked 15 October 20261 of 5
Brand comparison
Rimowa vs Samsonite in 30 Seconds
| What matters | Rimowa Original Cabin | Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,550 | $500, often $350 |
| Weight | 4.3 kg / 9.5 lb | 1.7 kg / 3.7 lb |
| Warranty | Lifetime functional, transport damage excluded | Limited lifetime |
| Best for | Long ownership and walk in repairs | Strict cabin weight limits and value |
I compare shell weight and repair cover in Rimowa vs Samsonite.
Brand comparison
Tumi vs Samsonite
Tumi is the more premium choice, with heavier, more structured cases and a five year warranty. Samsonite is far lighter and cheaper, and the Cosmolite 3.0 weighs less than a third of a Tumi 19 Degree. Choose Tumi for business travel and a polished look. Choose Samsonite if you fly airlines with strict weight limits or want to spend under $600.
| What matters | Tumi 19 Degree Extended Trip | Samsonite Proxis Large |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,595 | $600 |
| Weight | 7.3 kg / 16.1 lb | 3.4 kg / 7.5 lb |
| Litres | 84 L | 88 L |
| Warranty | 5 years | 10 year limited |
Alternatives
The Best Rimowa Alternatives
Away Bigger Carry On, Aluminum Edition
$645The look for less
Check priceTumi 19 Degree Aluminum Extended Trip
$1,595The premium alternative
Check priceSamsonite Cosmolite 3.0 Spinner
$500, often $350The value option
Check priceMonos costs $295 and weighs 3.54 kg (7.8 lb), against Rimowa's $1,550 and 4.3 kg (9.5 lb). Rimowa holds 35 L and Monos 36 L. Globe Trotter is the slower travel heirloom, while Rimowa is the better airport tool.
Repair cover
Luggage Warranties Compared
Rimowa
Lifetime functional guarantee
Airline damage coveredNoSamsonite
Limited lifetime for Cosmolite, 10 years for Proxis
Airline damage coveredNoTumi
5 years
Airline damage coveredNoBriggs & Riley
Lifetime
Airline damage coveredYesAway
LifetimeCare, 5 years free repairs then lifetime support
Airline damage coveredYesMonos
Limited lifetime
Airline damage coveredOnly with paid Lifetime Warranty+Checked 15 October 2026 on each brand's own warranty page.
Cabin allowance
Will It Fit Your Airline?
American, Delta, United, Alaska and JetBlue allow carry ons up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles. Many premium cases are built to the European 55 x 40 cm size, so they run slightly wider than 14 inches. Gate checks are rare on full service fares but more likely on basic economy.
| Case | Size in inches | Versus 22 x 14 x 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Rimowa Original Cabin | 21.7 x 15.7 x 9.1 in | About 1.7 in wider |
| Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 Spinner | 21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 in | About 1.7 in wider |
| Monos Carry On Pro | 22.0 x 14.2 x 9.1 in | Within a quarter inch |
| Away Bigger Carry On, Aluminum Edition | 22.8 x 14.6 x 9.4 in | Slightly over on all sides |
| Briggs & Riley Sympatico Global Carry On Expandable Spinner | 20.9 x 15.0 x 9.1 in | About 1 in wider |
Beyond the ranking
Also Considered
Louis Vuitton Horizon 55
The status pick, several thousand dollars
Carl Friedrik Carry On
Minimal aluminium alternative
Béis Carry On Roller
$268, popular expandable carry on
Current offers
Samsonite cases on offer today
These are the cases from this review that are discounted at the moment. Everything else we link sits at full list price.
Prices last checked 19 September 2026.
Cosmolite 3.0 Spinner
$500.00$350.0030 percent off
Freeform Carry On Spinner
$219.99$153.9930 percent off
Materials
Aluminium, polycarbonate, Curv and Roxkin
Shell material determines weight, impact behaviour and repair options. Samsonite uses Curv for low weight and Roxkin for checked capacity.
Aluminium4 to 7 kg (8.8 to 15.4 lb). Dents permanently and can be repaired.
Curv1.7 kg (3.7 lb). Flexes and returns after impact.
Roxkin3.4 kg (7.5 lb) in the Proxis. Reforms after impact.
Polycarbonate3 to 5 kg (6.6 to 11.0 lb). Lighter, but corners can crack.
Size guide
What size do you actually need?
36 LCabin, 55 x 40 x 20 cm / 21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 in. Weekend to seven day trips.
68 LMedium, 66 x 46 x 27 cm / 26.0 x 18.1 x 10.6 in. One to two week holidays.
88 LLarge, 75 x 51 x 31 cm / 29.5 x 20.1 x 12.2 in. Longer trips and families.
100 LTrunk, 76 x 51 x 38 cm / 29.9 x 20.1 x 15.0 in. Extended stays and relocations.
Methodology
How We Test
I compare the same published price, material, weight, capacity, dimensions, warranty and repair information for every case. Affiliate availability does not change the order.
01Exact model specifications
02Current US retail prices
03Warranty and repair access
04A specific drawback for every case
Frequently asked
Suitcase questions, answered
Rimowa is the best all round luxury brand thanks to its aluminium build and walk in repair boutiques. Briggs & Riley wins on warranty, and Samsonite wins on value per kilogram.
Yes, if you fly often and keep cases for years. Repairs and strong resale offset the price, but at 4.3 kg (9.5 lb) the Original Cabin suits full service airlines best.
The Samsonite Cosmolite 3.0 carry on weighs 1.7 kg (3.7 lb). That leaves far more of a strict cabin allowance for your clothes.
Briggs & Riley repairs for life, including airline damage. Away now offers five years of free repairs including airline mishandling, and Rimowa covers functional damage for life.
Aluminium lasts longest and looks better with age, but it is heavier and dents. Polycarbonate and Curv are lighter and flex back after knocks.
Rimowa, Louis Vuitton, Globe Trotter and Tumi are the most common choices. Many frequent flyers also choose Briggs & Riley for the warranty.
The Away Bigger Carry On, Aluminum Edition gives the look for $645. The Tumi 19 Degree is the premium alternative, and Samsonite is the value option.
Tumi is more premium and heavier, with a five year warranty. Samsonite is lighter and far cheaper, so it suits strict weight allowances.
Most US airlines allow 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Many premium cases are built to the European 55 x 40 cm size and run slightly wider, so check your fare rules if you fly basic economy.
Spending $250 to $700 buys an excellent case. Above $1,000 you pay for materials, repair networks and resale value.
Usually, because their wheels, handles and repair support are better. A cheaper case with a strong warranty can still outlast a pricier one.
Our Samsonite links go to the US store and ship within the US. Readers elsewhere should check their local Samsonite site.
Choose the case that fits your allowance
Compare all ten, then buy for repair access, empty weight and capacity rather than the badge alone.
Read the Rimowa verdictMore essentials
