The definitive luxury hard-shell. Rimowa's parallel groove design is one of the most recognised signatures in travel. Aerospace-grade aluminium, TSA locks, flex-divider system. Rimowa operates boutiques in every major city with same-day repair, adding genuine long-term value competitors cannot match.
— Why we love it
Aerospace-grade aluminium develops a patina with use, not damage
Global boutique network handles repairs in days not weeks
TSA-approved combination locks integrated into the shell
Flex-divider packing system holds clothes flat across cabin transit
My Rimowa Original is 7 years old, 45 countries, and still looks extraordinary. The scratches are a map of everywhere it has been. Wheels replaced once under warranty at the Paris boutique.
A masterclass in weight engineering. At just 1.7kg for cabin size, it weighs less than most laptop bags. Samsonite's proprietary Curv material (woven polypropylene) is lighter and more impact-resistant than standard polycarbonate.
— Why we love it
1.7kg cabin shell — lighter than most laptop bags
Curv material flexes under impact, returns to shape
Premium feel without the premium price
10-year manufacturer warranty across the line
Switched from Rimowa to Samsonite Lite-Shock for my last 6 months. I miss the prestige but my shoulders do not miss the extra 2.5kg.
The best warranty in the luggage industry. Briggs & Riley will repair or replace any case for life, regardless of cause, including airline damage. The CX compression expansion system adds 34% more packing space when needed.
— Why we love it
Repair-for-life warranty covers airline damage with no receipt
CX compression expansion adds 34% packing volume on demand
Outsider frame keeps the interior fully flat for clothes
American business-traveller heritage — built for use, not show
Briggs & Riley actually repaired my case after an airline destroyed the wheels AND cracked the shell. No questions, no charge, no receipt. That warranty is genuinely real.
Away brought premium-looking luggage to a wider audience. Their aluminium collection is genuinely competitive. Built-in ejectable battery for long travel days. Interior compression is well designed. Not quite Rimowa craftsmanship, but for the price, this is outstanding.
— Why we love it
Aluminium build at a third of Rimowa's price
Ejectable USB battery for charging through the terminal
Compression panel keeps a long weekend's clothes flat
Lifetime warranty backed by direct-to-consumer service
Bought Away aluminium as a more affordable Rimowa alternative. After 2 years and 80 flights, it has held up remarkably well.
David · Verified review
— 03 / Materials
Aluminium · Polycarbonate · Curv.
Aluminium
Curv
Polycarbonate
Ballistic Nylon
Weight
4 to 5 kg
1.7 kg
2 to 3.5 kg
3 to 4 kg
Impact resistance
Excellent
Excellent
Good (flexes)
Very good
Visual durability
Patinas
Hides marks
Scratches show
Hides wear
Price floor
£245
£250
£150
£525
Warranty
Lifetime
10 years
Limited lifetime
Repair for life
Repair availability
Global boutiques
Limited
Limited
Manufacturer
— 04 / Size guide
What size do you actually need?
Cabin (20")
36 L
55 x 40 x 20 cm Weekend to 7 day trips 1.7 to 4.5 kg
Medium (25")
68 L
66 x 46 x 27 cm 1 to 2 week holidays 3.0 to 5.5 kg
Large (28")
95 L
75 x 52 x 30 cm 2+ week trips, families 4.0 to 6.5 kg
Trunk
95 L
80 x 41 x 37 cm Extended travel, relocations 5.0 to 7.0 kg
— 05 / Methodology
How we tested 25 brands across 100,000 miles.
01
Real travel
Every case spent at least 50 flight legs through Heathrow, Changi, JFK and dozens of regional airports. No press junkets.
02
Stress points
We checked the same five failure modes on every case: zip teeth, wheel housing, handle telescope, latch hardware, and shell impact zones.
03
Warranty claims
When a case failed, we filed the warranty claim. Speed and resolution quality fed into the final ranking.
04
Independence
Every case was paid for personally. No press samples, no sponsored coverage, no editorial placements.
— 06 / Owner voices
What travellers actually think.
My Rimowa Original is 7 years old, 45 countries, and still looks extraordinary. The scratches are a map of everywhere it has been. Wheels replaced once under warranty at the Paris boutique.
Isabelle · r/onebag · Rimowa, 7 years
Briggs & Riley actually repaired my case after an airline destroyed the wheels AND cracked the shell. No questions, no charge, no receipt. That warranty is genuinely real.
Tom · 285K followers · 12 years on the road
Switched from Rimowa to Samsonite Lite-Shock for my last 6 months. I miss the prestige but my shoulders do not miss the extra 2.5kg.
Clara · Travel Photographer
Bought Away aluminium as a more affordable Rimowa alternative. After 2 years and 80 flights, it has held up remarkably well.
David S. · Trustpilot · Verified review
— 07 / Frequently asked
Everything you need to know.
It depends on priorities. Rimowa aluminium (from £770) lasts decades with global boutique repair. Samsonite premium lines (from £250) offer comparable durability at a fraction of the price. Rimowa wins on longevity and prestige. Samsonite wins on weight, value, and practicality.
Aluminium (4 to 5kg) is extraordinarily durable, repairable, and develops character. Polycarbonate (2 to 3kg) is lighter, flexible under impact, and cheaper. Choose aluminium for a lifetime piece. Choose polycarbonate if weight and budget matter more.
International standard: 55 x 40 x 20cm (36 to 40L). Most airlines worldwide accept this. Budget carriers may enforce stricter limits. A 20-inch cabin from any major brand fits virtually all full-service overheads.
Briggs & Riley. They repair or replace for life regardless of cause, including airline damage. No receipt needed. Rimowa and Tumi cover manufacturing defects. Away offers lifetime limited. Samsonite varies by line (3 to 10 years).
Samsonite Lite-Shock at 1.7kg cabin size using Curv material. For reference, Rimowa Original Cabin weighs 4.3kg. If weight is the priority, Samsonite Lite-Shock and Proxis (2.2kg) are the leaders.
Invest in better luggage once.
Twenty-five brands tested. Four make the cut. Built to last decades, not seasons.
