10 Pieces of Luxury Luggage Actually Worth the Splurge, According to Our Editors

Tumi has long been a reliable brand for luxury travelers, especially when it comes to quality backpacks and durable suitcases. Our latest obsession, though, is with Tumi’s sleek and practically indestructible line of aluminum luggage. “I recently took the 19-Degree Aluminum carry-on on a little staycation, and it proved to be especially durable as I transferred it from car trunks and up many flights of stairs,” says commerce writer Jessica Sulima. “It fit everything I needed for a weekend, plus space for more, and I loved how seamlessly the locks opened and closed with a simple push button.” Outfitted with protective bumpers, two TSA-integrated combination locks, and retractable top and side carry handles, the suitcase is designed to keep up with you—and if it doesn’t, it’s covered by Tumi’s five-year product warranty.

If you’re the kind of traveler who frequently heads out on three- to four-day trips, Rimowa’s Essential Cabin carry-on may be your perfect bag. It has all of the classic features—the telescopic handle, TSA-approved locks, and a leather luggage tag—as well as a unique compression system. “I loved wheeling around this sleek polycarbonate in a moody blue on my recent travels around Colombia, as much for its handsome appearance as for its unexpected roominess,” says associate editor Charlie Hobbs. “The [interior compression system] meant that I didn’t have to leave anything behind to make room for the numerous handwoven bags and other souvenirs I picked up. It all fit—despite the fact that the bag seemed full when I first packed it.”

What really makes Rimowa stand out as a luxury brand, looks aside, is its beyond impressive repair services. Rimowa’s client care team can fix just about any broken wheel, dented side, or cracked shell your suitcase has. Simply fill out an online form, send in your suitcase, and they’ll send it back to you looking brand new. Having the option to repair your beloved suitcase rather than replace it is a more sustainable choice and saves you big money in the long-run, making the initial cost well worth the investment. Bonus: The suitcase also comes in all kinds of fun, bright colors, from magenta and terra-cotta to orange and pink.

Think of Hartmann’s Tweed carry-on as a business traveler must-have. Visually, it’s smart and buttoned-up, thanks to the brand’s signature tweed and natural leather combination. “It’s an incredibly handsome piece of luggage that has gotten me plenty of compliments, whether at the gate or at the airport lounge,” says associate editor Matt Ortile. But you don’t just pay the $775 price tag for looks. You’re also shelling out for the small, but important, details—leather grips on the top and side handles, a removable leather ID tag, and a custom Hartmann luggage cover. “The interior is a pretty simple yet high-quality fabric; I appreciate that the suitcase comes with a packing cube into which I could fold a suit or two, minimizing wrinkles. It also acts as the compression pad, which keeps everything neatly in place,” Ortile says.

Carl Friedrik’s Aluminum carry-on is the type of suitcase that immediately announces that you’re an experienced traveler—both of you have seen the world. “From a purely aesthetic perspective, it feels immediately investment-worthy,” says Charley Ward, a commerce writer for Conde Nast Traveller UK. “Designed to evoke the Golden Age of travel, the ridged shell has a distinct midcentury sensibility and a presence few other cases can match.”

Although its looks may immediately get your attention, it’s the features and functionality of the anodized aluminum suitcase that merit the price. “The wheels are exceptionally smooth, and the solid, leather-wrapped handles make it easy to maneuver in and out of the plane’s overhead compartment with a firm grip,” says Ward. Inside, you’ll find a zipped garment compartment as well as an open compartment with straps and a compression pad.

Read a full review of this suitcase here.

Travelers on the hunt for the best checked luggage may come across Briggs & Riley’s medium expandable spinner and initially question its $800 price tag. The brand isn’t as well-known in the luxury space, after all. However, the polycarbonate suitcase comes with all of the thoughtful touches you’d expect from premium luggage, and then some.

“The expandable bag comes with a game-changing feature that every overpacker will appreciate: one-touch expansion. The simple process of pressing the two expander buttons and pulling up the sides of the suitcase is satisfying and useful,” says commerce writer Jessica Chapel, who has tested the suitcase on both international and domestic travel. “Along with the extra capacity, the bag features adjustable garment compression panels that I’ve found to be effective for preventing the contents from shifting or wrinkling while in transit.” Chapel also says her bag, which was lost for a week while traveling from Florence to New York City, returned with “minimal scuffs and scratches, and no dents or bumps at all.”

You’ll have no trouble spotting Tumi’s 19 Degree Aluminum Rolling Trunk on the baggage carousel; this statement-making suitcase is shiny and spacious (and you can even opt to add on your monogram). Travel bookings editor Jamie Spain likened it to a “lavish ice cube that belongs rolling down the streets of Copenhagen, Aspen, or Zurich.”

Once you open this eye-catching suitcase, though, you’ll find the real star of the show: the built-in shelves. The shelves are attached to both the front and back compartments, providing an ultra-organized, convenient way to pack. While it is quite large—the trunk measures at 34.3″ x 16.0″ x 13.8″—Spain said she had no issues wheeling it around various terrain.

Holding a grand total of 94 liters, the Large Check-In from Carl Friedrik is best suited for overpackers—the ones who always bring a few “just in case” items. The 360-degree Hinomoto silent-spinner wheels keep the suitcase moving, even when it’s packed to the brim; simultaneously, the interior features pull their weight on the organizational front. When you open the polycarbonate shell, you’ll find two matching zippered compartments. “Both sides have entirely zipped compartments (plus pockets on the zip-covers), meaning I don’t have to wrestle with compression straps to secure my packing cubes,” says Ortile, who prefers this version of the check-in suitcase over the brand’s aluminum frame original suitcase.

While Hobbs gave his approval on the carry-on version of Rimowa’s Essential suitcase, senior features editor Rebecca Misner provides a rave review of the medium check-in version. “It can fit so much [and] is super durable. I know it’s pricey, but it’s one of the splurges I’ve made in life that I feel eventually pays for itself,” she says, describing it as a “total classic.” The polycarbonate shell keeps the overall weight down to just nine pounds, and every feature is designed with function in mind. Take, for example, the brand’s patented compression system, which ensures the contents of the suitcase are organized and secure (even when it’s being jostled and tossed around). It’s also available in five colorways—one matte, four gloss.

If you’re envisioning an airport outfit that feels appropriate for a celebrity paparazzi shot from the ’90s—à la the Beckhams—your next investment should be the Louis Vuitton Keepall 55. The largest of the Keepall line, this duffel is roomy without being bulky, and its coated canvas and natural cowhide leather materials hold up relatively well to the elements of travel. Plus, it often fits more easily in the cabin than a regular carry-on suitcase. “In addition to its sleek handle, it also comes with a detachable shoulder strap to make carrying the bag easier; it’s still lightweight to hold, which is surprising given how much you can actually fit inside,” says commerce editor Meaghan Kenny, who brought the duffel on a three-day stay in Montauk. “One other thing that sets the Keepall apart from other weekend bags I’ve used is how easily it can be folded down and placed into the bottom of any suitcase, making it easy to store in your closet when you’re not using it.”

Read a full review of this bag here.

Luxury luggage comes in all shapes and sizes, including personal items. And as any carry-on-only traveler will tell you, a good personal item is just as important as a quality suitcase. You want it to be sturdy, roomy, and versatile enough that you can bring it on any trip. According to Spain, Cuyana’s System Tote does it all. “Aside from lugging it to and from the office each day, I use this tote as a personal item on the plane and brought it with me on a road trip to Acadia National Park, and have found it to be the ultimate travel companion,” she says. “The built-in interior pocket is perfect for storing essentials you need to reach easily, like your passport, earbuds, or some petty cash, and since the bag can be snapped closed, you don’t have to worry about anything flying out.” She also notes there’s a “slight structure” to the bag, giving it a bit of sturdiness, but it can still be folded up when not in use.

Read a full review of this bag here.