Years after purchasing and using expensive Rimowa luggage, I am having buyer’s remorse and changing my mind on luxury luggage.
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Love At First Sight
When I first bought all three of our Rimowa Classic silver ribbed cases, I couldn’t have been happier with the purchase. Rimowa was the best of the best. It was distinct, it was classic, and it was durable, and it was a status symbol among other travelers. We owned (and still do) the Rimowa checked bag (82L), the Rimowa Original cabin bag, and the smaller European sized carry-on.
The famed aluminum suitcases have everything we could have wanted. It came with TSA Approved locks, flex dividers (one of which had a zipper compartment on the outside, a “multiwheel system”, a reputation for quality and an incredible warranty.
Walking through the terminal, the gliding Rimowa handle in tow, felt like a tailored suit.
Issues, Problems, and Damage
Each of our three bags has suffered a number of quality issues. It’s worth noting that we are not blameless – those Rimowa suitcases have been trodded down brick roads in Europe, overstuffed to the point we had to sit on them to close them, through puddles, and heat, and snow.
But that was the point of buying them in the first place. Rimowa talks about a patina that all of their cases develop. These are scars from the wonderful trips and trials you go through as you travel around the world. They are intended to be dinged and dented, but that’s not where my concern lies.
Two of the three cases have issues closing properly. The rubber seal on Rimowa bags depend on the hinges on the opposite side continuing to line up properly. The smallest bag had the metal ripped near one of the wheels which I could never remember until it had already joined us on a long trip. The flex dividers which help to compress your clothes can only be effective if the pin that holds the strap remains in place.
We’ve had riverts go missing, wheels lose their easy omnidirectional glide, and perhaps the first thing to go was the telescopic handles which never quite stay where they are supposed to.
Airlines have also been reluctant to cover damages they caused because of the high cost to repair them.
Warranty Is Only As Good As It Lasts
A five-year warranty sounds great, but in reality, how many trips a year do you check a large carry-on for? We travel more than most and found that we still only used it about ten times in the five years of the warranty while the Rimowa Essential carry-on was with me every other week for a year on work trips.
One of the key benefits Rimowa offers is the ability to get a quick and complete included repair in major cities around the world for which they have a retail presence. We have utilized this in Hong Kong and in Rome and it’s a nice feature. But once the warranty expires – or if you are not located in one of those cities, the service is expensive or useless.
Is Rimowa Worth It (Or Any Premium Brand)?
There are amazing cases available in the $200-400 range that hold up really well over time. One of our favorite pieces that has only tragically been retired this year lasted a decade even though the company that built it went under almost immediately after we acquired it.
The value proposition is that a more expensive case will last you longer. Our experience has been anything but. If the normal $300 case lasts highly frequent travelers three years, you’d have to use the same case 15 years or more for a Rimowa or similar case to come out ahead. Ours didn’t make it all five years of the warranty which only repaired, not replaced them.
The other issue is that I don’t want to have to arrange packaging and finding a service center to be able to use the product as intended. I’d rather concede that every three years we will find a new case and move on than trudge through repairs or damage we choose not to repair due to additional cost and inconvenience.
Is it worth it? For us, it wasn’t.
Conclusion
I love the aluminum, classic look of the Rimowa still to this day. But others have made great products that deliver a similar look for less money. Life is easier when I accept the replacement life cycle of products and factor that in from the start, but based on our expeirence, Rimowa didn’t stand the test of time so we won’t be buying replacements. For that matter we won’t seek out any premium luggage.
What do you think? Do you own premium luggage? Has it been worth it for you?
I enjoy fancy luggage for road trips, especially soft bags that fit in the trunks of my convertibles.
For anything the airlines handle I go for cheap and durable stuff from Target. I’ve had great service from Swissgear.
Patagonia black hole duffel
A “normal” carry-on is $70, not $300 (and last 3+ years at 3-5 trips per year just fine).
“ it was a status symbol among other travelers”
Ugh, just ugh. How to say you are an asshole without saying you are an asshole.
By the way, I don’t think you are one in most cases but that line a horrible justification for buying something.
Quite the contrary, social signaling and perceived status are the number one reason people buy way over priced luggage, hand bags, perfume, booze, hand creme, watches, clothes and on and on for all the overprice crap in the market. It is also an “in-group” status seeking, because the other 99% of people just laugh at this type of behavior.
Couldn’t agree more. When I started traveling weekly for work I bought a TravelPro pilot/crew bag for ~$175. It was with me weekly for over five years and almost a million miles. I’ve lost one zipper pull and it has some scuffs. But otherwise it looks good as new and works great. In that same timeframe a coworker is one his second Tumi bag with a price tag of almost $1000…each.
Just to be clear, since 2 years ago all Rimowas come with lifetime warranty. “RIMOWA provides a lifetime guarantee for new suitcases purchased from July 25, 2022.” https://www.rimowa.com/ww/en/repair/repair-services.html
Also, I only have the carry on since I am the one taking care of it and not expecting bag handlers on airport to take care of them. Bought mine at AMS airport VAT free and it was cheaper than a Tumi one.
My Briggs and Riley carry on has lifetime warranty. It’s been all around the world with me for the last 10 years no issues. Didn’t know rimowa only had 5 years at one. With that kind of warranty it’s no better than a Costco special
Rimowa has lifetime warranty since 2022 as I shared on my post above. Also, nobody should bebuying Rimowa as checked bags . It is the same as buying an expensive sports car to have a driver driving it. Why would you give an expensive Rimowa bag to a stupid baggage handler?
Excellent. I’ve had my Briggs and Riley Baseline wheelie for 24+ years. Sent in 3 times for repair but still working. Love it has so many memories of my travels Around the World 🙂
Sadly I have a small room of luggage. The really expensive LV pieces were gifts and only occasionally go in the car. For years I’ve used Tumi in ballistic nylon airlines cannot destroy. However the fabric texture holds dirt and eventually that adds weight, so I’ don’t care what happens to it. My favorite is Hartman in a light print fabric with leather straps & padded handles. It is elegant, sturdy and receives compliments without being flashy. That is a good value to me.
I need a maximum-sized checked bag for two international trips a year. I have come to the conclusion that the cheapest strategy is to buy the least expensive bag that doesn’t appear poorly constructed and replace it every 3-4 years. The more expensive ones with great warranties aren’t worth it, as most cannot be repaired where I live or travel, so I’d need to ship it off (like I kept the box).
Have you considered a pelican case? I have the pelican air 1627. It fits within the checked bag dimensions for 99% of carriers and has lasted me dozens of international trips over the past decade (including lots of island hopping the pacific).
Thanks
I travel a lot and have for quite some years now. My experience is that the price tag rarely – if ever – reflects the quality of a bag. I have had severe quality issues on many American Tourister bags, so I try to avoid that brand, but the best bag I’ve ever purchased was a non-branded, super sturdy one from Target in 2020 (for about $100), followed by a similar bag from another unknown brand from Walmart (at roughly $100-130). Nowadays, I just try to find a bag that seems sturdy, has an integrated TSA lock and is easy to locate on a bagage belt for the lowest price. It doesn’t really matter if they’re damaged within a couple of years, or if the warranty sucks, since the airline always covers it (according to my experience).
My most recent travel bag is a TravelPro MaxLite 5 spinner, which I purchased with the $165 purchase credit I received in February 2024 after Austrian Airlines destroyed my $55 Costco American Tourister I used for past 5 years. I purchased a 15 EUR duffel bag at Primark in Amsterdam for flights back home to California.
The Costco purchase of American Tourister soft-side replaced my Tumi soft-side bag I used for about 12 years, which I purchased at Ross for $214 with $200 in airline money after United Airlines destroyed my Samsonite hard-side.
Most of my airline bags over past 25 years were replacement bags purchased with airline compensation after my checked bag was damaged.
I have never spent more than $100 of my own money on a piece of travel luggage.
I was curious how you were doing since loyaltytraveler.com seemed very inactive and you had not been posting on Flyertalk in a while.
Glad to see you around and needing luggage still.
Your experience is why I’ve largely shied away from expensive luggage. Even with the warranty on something like a Rimowa or Briggs & Riley, I simply don’t have the time or desire to find a place to get it repaired, or more likely, deal with shipping it back. I had the best luck with a carry-on I bought on sale at Big Lots prior to a cruise in 2012. It lasted nearly 10 years before the handle finally gave way. That being said, I did finally give in and impulse buy a Brics carry-on that was on sale in the check-in hall at MXP last year. I like it so far, but we’ll see how it holds up over time.
Travelpro, baby! Durable, nice looking, and has the inline wheels option. As a former baggage handler, I would never buy spinner wheeled luggage unless I was absolutely forced to. I don’t care how fancy your luggage is, those wheels will take a beating. Inline wheels are virtually indestructible, especially since they can’t be used as a handle when we stack bags.
Even though Tumi luggage is decidedly ‘mid’, and Tumi backpacks and briefcases are middle-management, I have found their non-fabric ‘Tegra-lite’ to be really durable and also attractive.
I don’t buy them at Tumi. I get them from Nordstrom Rack, usu 30% cheaper, and they are awesome. I travel internationally 8-10x a year and they are holding up well.
Rimowa has a mystique but as a >100k annual flyer, and 70++ night hotel guest, I never feel like my Tumi stuff (even my >10y old classic black fabric roll-on) marks me as a regional assistant VP. Yeah, the dings and markings of a frequent traveller that pass as ‘patina’ might be a draw, but I’m good with my consumer-grade luggage.
Your critique of Rimowa misses the mark entirely. You’ve fundamentally misunderstood the essence of what Rimowa represents. This isn’t mere luggage; it’s a commitment to quality, precision, and longevity – values that are apparently lost on you.
Rimowa isn’t for everyone. It’s for those who appreciate craftsmanship and understand that true quality requires care and respect. You speak of overstuffing your bags, dragging them through puddles, and subjecting them to abuse. Mein Gott! This is not how one treats a finely engineered German product.
The patina of a Rimowa is meant to tell a story of adventure, not neglect. Each scratch should be a memory, not a battle scar from careless handling. You don’t “trod” a Rimowa down brick roads – you guide it with purpose and pride.
Your complaint about the warranty is laughable. Five years? A true Rimowa aficionado sees this as merely the beginning. These cases are built to last decades, not years. If you’re replacing luggage every three years, you’re part of the problem of our throwaway society.
Owning a Rimowa is a responsibility. It should be cared for with the same spirit and precision with which it was manufactured. Clearly, you were not ready for this level of commitment. Perhaps you’d be better suited to disposable luggage that aligns with your disposable mindset.
In conclusion, it’s not Rimowa that has failed; it’s your approach to ownership that’s fundamentally flawed. Next time, stick to something that matches your level of dedication – or lack thereof.
@Andy – “This isn’t mere luggage; it’s a commitment to quality, precision, and longevity – values that are apparently lost on you.” Except in my experience which I have documented here, inside of five years there was no quality, no precision, no longevity. It’s not lost on me, that’s why I bought it, Rimowa didn’t deliver.
Since December 2019 I have had a Rimowa Hybrid Cabin Small. I like that it has locking latches, not zipper. The handle is very strong. I was kind of using it as a cane recently when my knee hurt during travel.
Of 4 wheel spinners, I originally had a Rimowa Salsa Deluxe from Star Megado3. United Express broke it, but took responsibility and sent it to Rynns Luggage. They could not fix it but sent me a new Salsa Deluxe at United’s expense. That one got destroyed too but no free replacement. I seem to be getting around 5 years per bag. I do have 2 Briggs & Riley 2 wheel roller bags that are over 20 years old and work fine, though not suitable for other carriers international dimensions if they check
Loyal Briggs Riley customer here. 100,000’s of of miles across 3 different bags (trifold garment, domestic carry-on spinner, medium checked spinner), ZERO ISSUES. Heavy business travel, and vacation travel with scuba gear, cameras, underwater cameras, etc. You buy a B&R, you literally have a suitacse for life, be it repair or replace. The original lifetime warranty/guarantee luggage company. I’ve never understood the attraction to Rimowa. metal does not equate to protection, unless the contents are surrounded by foam, much like a musicians road case. With that said, I’ve got a couple of Travelpro Max Lite’s that have stood the test of time, as well.
I have tried many brands, and have settled on Titan, though I almost only get it on sale, when it can get pretty competitive with the low to middle US brands. German made, ultra light, polycarbonate spinners. Lasts for years, and I travel a lot. Really superior to what you can get at Target and the like, but for only a little more if on sale.
I’ve used my large Rimowa ‘Salsa’ roller for 15 years. I had to have the zipper fixed once in Beverly Hills for free (that was about 8 years ago). It’s the light weight carbon case (not that metal) and although it has a few marks, it otherwise still looks incredible. This bag has been all over the world and all over America with no problems (except the zipper noted above which was caused by an airline).
It was well worth the $1,000 or so I paid for it 15 years ago, and I will gladly buy another when that time arrives.
Luggage Works. I don’t need to say more.
Veblen goods. A $1000 suitcase is a fashion accessory and/or status symbol, not a tool for frequent travellers.
Most of my luggage is in the €150-250 range, primarily Delsey frame closure models, though I have recently bought a £65 zipperless hard-shell suitcase to see how it gets on. These things last for years and can withstand a huge amount of abuse. Cheap luggage is a false economy, Rimowa is a lifestyle brand, not a luggage one.
I barely ever use my Rimowa and Tumi luggage. I prefer to use The North Face and Patagonia duffel bag/backpacks because:
1) they have greater storage capacity for the weight limits I face; and
2) they are much better for me to carry around as backpacks and spare me from dragging wheeled luggage through snow, on cobblestones, over grates and up and down stairs.
Yes. I also like a duffel when possible. And what I should have mentioned in my earlier comment is the simple fact that the older the luggage, it picks up odor. Cedar chips, vacuuming etc won’t fully rid years of smells. I’ve got one duffel that goes in a commercial washer. I love that.
My elderly mother loves the Rimowa lite carry on I gave her – it is a lot easier for her to handle. The lock on my large metal one keeps breaking, even after expensive trips to get it fixed. It also should be stated the quality of the service centers varies in different cities.
Get a tumi 19 degree aluminum , they are much more durable than rimowa warranty is also much easier and better. Mine all have over 500k miles on them and going strong although it’s beat up and dented
Rinowa or any other high end brand is a statement or just preference, nowadays it is not simply the quality. This is because the technology has caught up and became available to even random Chinese producers. I usually buy a luggage from tj Maxx, often the best value and an amazing quality. Never had to use the guarantee at all. But what amazed me recently is that I had to buy a (probably) Chinese no name check in bag in latin America because Iberia damaged my bag. So I bought something cheap but it is the same quality I would have from tj Maxx. Probably 60-70% of the price. Of course the shop owner gave me the best quality in his shop but still the price was cheaper than TJ Maxx and I wanted to try it because Iberia would be paying. So far no issues with the quality and I think this is because even small Chinese producers nowadays can make a very good quality of bags because the technology is available to them
My two-wheeled Oakley cabin bag purchased from an outlet store near Ontario airport in California has traveled well over 1.5 million miles over 15 years — and about half of that has been as overstuffed checked-in luggage. Probably the best luggage for the money that I ever spent.
The best checked-in luggage I ever got was a big wheeled drop-bottom duffel bag with in-built/concealable back pack straps. Made by High Sierra and picked up at a Marshalls or TJ Maxx in Long Island about 20 years ago. It had done about 200k-250k miles of checked-in luggage travel plus a bunch of miles for ski trips before I gave up on using it.
The value proposition is no different than cars. A Toyota/Honda are practical, and you might even have good luck with a Kia. A BMW is more expensive and won’t last as long, but it’s more fun.
@Pat – Not a bad analogy and I think this is the right way to look at things. I think part of the struggle is that for a long time, a dependable Hybrid was just a Toyota Prius. If you wanted reliability and a hybrid – you have to drive a Prius and the design, size, and utility don’t fit every driver. Some have mentioned American Tourister, Briggs & Riley, and Delsey. I have tried a few of those but the promise of Rimowa was dependability and sex appeal. Why can’t those brands make an attractive case that also lasts?
There’s a growing number of brands making aluminum luggage at a lower price, but the pr0blem is they mostly have terrible reviews. I don’t think established brands want to risk their reputation by making a cheap-yet-flawed aluminum bag. However, Away does make an aluminum carry-on in the $600-650 range that gets good reviews.
I bought a PIQUADRO in Venice and find it to be a terrific brand: very light, easy to move about and a chic Italian colo pallet that makes my bag very easy to identify on a baggage carousel. Strongly recommend.
If you just carry Gap stuff you don’t need a Rimowa.