Updated on October 7th, 2023
Selecting the best trunk luggage for your travels is a decision you should take seriously, as it can impact your overall travel experience.
If you travel a lot, you should invest in high-quality luggage. Briggs & Riley, Tumi, and Rimowa are well-known brands frequently used by airline crews, frequent flyers, and business travelers.
Rimowa, known for its high-quality materials, durability, and innovative designs, is the go-to brand for luxury suitcases with many high-end features that will keep your items intact forever.
Tumi, known for its premium, quality luggage, is a leading International lifestyle and accessories brand that many travelers depend on consistently.
Briggs & Riley is known for their superior craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Are you planning a trip in the coming weeks and can’t decide which trunk luggage brand to invest in? Worry not!
This post explores these brands, providing you with a comprehensive comparison of their features, pros, and cons.
Briggs & Riley, Tumi, and Rimowa Trunk Luggage: Quick facts
Here’s a quick comparison table to give you an overview of the key features and differences between trunk luggage from these three renowned brands:
| Feature | Briggs & Riley Trunk | Tumi Trunk | Rimowa Trunk |
| Price Range | $660 – $829 | $945.27 – $2,744.32 | $1,350 – $2,450 |
| Weight | 4.3 kg – 6 kg (approximately 9.5 lbs – 13.2 lbs) | 4.999 kg – 8.7 kg (approximately 11.0 lbs – 19.2 lbs) | 5.1 kg – 6.8 kg (approximately 11.2 lbs – 15.0 lbs) |
| Size Options | 64.5 cm – 77.5 cm (approximately 25.4 inches – 30.5 inches) | 79 cm – 87 cm (approximately 31.1 inches – 34.3 inches) | 65 cm – 84.5 cm (approximately 25.6 inches – 33.3 inches) |
| Durability | High | High | Extra high |
| Color | Available in three colors | Available in two colors | Multiple colors available |
| Warranty | Lifetime guarantee to cover any defect, including one caused by airlines. | Offers a 5-year warranty. However, you must register online during the first two years; otherwise, the term will be reduced to only two years. | Offers lifetime manufacturer’s guarantee that covers all functional aspects of your suitcase. |
Differences between Briggs & Riley, Tumi, and Rimowa Luggage
Briggs & Riley, Tumi, and Rimowa are leading brands in the luggage-making business. However, there are some key differences between them.
Let’s take a quick review of some of these differences.
Style and aesthetics differences
- Briggs & Riley are known for their classic and understated designs focusing on functionality. However, it has fewer color options compared to Rimowa.
- Tumi is known for its sleek, modern, and fashionable designs, often blending style with functionality. Just like Briggs & Riley, its trunk collection has limited color options.
- Rimowa is distinguished by its iconic aluminum grooves and luxury aesthetic and has a wide range of colors to match your style.
Interior features and organization differences
- Briggs & Riley is known for well-organized interior space, often with CX expansion systems to maximize packing space.
- Tumi features clever organization systems, including multiple pockets and compartments.
- Rimowa, on the other hand, offers minimalistic interiors with a focus on spaciousness and flexibility. It has Flex Dividers within to keep your item intact during transit.
Warranty differences
- Briggs & Riley offers a lifetime guarantee covering damage, even from airline mishandling.
- Tumi provides a limited 5-year warranty.
- Rimowa offers a lifetime guarantee with conditions.
Price range differences
- Briggs & Riley is positioned in the mid-to-high price range.
- Tumi offers a range of prices from mid-range to high-end luxury.
- Rimowa generally falls in the high-end luxury price range.
Variety of Collections
- Briggs & Riley offers limited trunk collections catering to different travel needs.
- Tumi also provides a limited range of trunk collections with unique styles and functionality.
- Rimowa is known for its distinct collections with unique designs, colors, and functionality.
Lightweight options
- Briggs & Riley offers lighter-weight options compared to Tumi and Rimowa but has limited options.
- Tumi trunks are heavier than most in Briggs & Riley or Rimowa’s collection.
- Rimowa offers more lightweight options but is heavier than the collection in Briggs & Riley.
Customization
- Briggs & Riley offers limited customization options, such as monogramming.
- Tumi provides some customization features, such as monogramming, just like Briggs & Riley.
- Rimowa offers the most customization options for personalization, including monogramming and unique color choices.
You may also like: How Using a Quality Suitcase (Rimowa) is the First Step to Responsible Travel.
About Briggs & Riley
Briggs & Riley is an American luggage brand founded in 1993 by Richard Costa. The company is recognized for making high-end travel products, especially popular among frequent flyers, airline crews, and business travelers.
Although their primary sales come from suitcases, they also have a selection of backpacks, totes, duffel bags, garment bags, and other travel accessories.
True to the brand tagline “Engineered for Reality,” their travel products are known to be highly durable and include their signature “Simple as that” lifetime guarantee, which even covers damage caused by airlines, making it one of the best warranties of all luggage manufacturers.
Features of Briggs & Riley Trunk luggage
Briggs & Riley, known for its commitment to durability, functionality, and style, has the following features:
CX expansion system
Briggs & Riley Trunk luggage comes with the patented CX expansion system, which replaces regular expandable zippers.
With a single touch, this technology allows you to add more depth to the trunk when packing and then compress it back to its original size to meet airline size restrictions without wrinkling the contents.
This system is an improvement from the regular expandable zipper because it’s better at compression, easier to use, and results in fewer wrinkles.
Spinner wheels
The 360º shock-absorbing four-spinner wheels on Briggs & Riley trunks allow you to navigate quietly, efficiently, and smoothly as you roll through busy airports, crowded streets, and tight hallways.
Self-repairing zippers
Briggs & Riley Trunk luggage comes with self-repairing zippers manufactured by industry leader YKK zippers.
TSA-approved combination locks
The trunk features a TSA-approved lock that allows TSA agents to open your trunk without damaging it.
Other features include:
- A personalized leather monogram nameplate for stylish refinement and instant identification.
- The innovative Outsider handle design on the suitcase exterior ensures a smooth, flat packing surface, reducing wrinkling and keeping clothes crisp.
Note: The features present in the specific Briggs & Riley trunk you end up purchasing may vary.
Trunk luggage within the Briggs & Riley collection
The Briggs & Riley collection has three trunk luggage options designed to cater to travel needs and preferences. Two are of the Briggs & Riley Torq collection, and the other is simply a Briggs & Riley trunk.
They are listed below:
Medium Hardside Trunk Spinner (Torq)
Extra Large Trunk Spinner (Briggs & Riley)
Pros of Briggs & Riley Trunk luggage
- The trunks are durable and can withstand the rigors of travel.
- Features an adjustable multi-height aluminum telescoping handle and smooth rolling wheels for easy maneuverability in airports and other travel environments.
- Offers an option to add a monogram to the Torq collection.
- Features a CX compression-expansion technology in the extra-large trunk spinner that allows you to maximize packing space.
- The product is made of Makrolon polycarbonate, known for its durability, lightweightness, and flexibility.
- The scratch-resistant textured case minimizes unwanted marks for a sleek, polished look.
- Covered by the “Simple as That Lifetime Guarantee.”
- The interior has many compartments and pockets that make it easy to store, organize, and access your belongings during travels.
Cons of Briggs & Riley Trunk luggage
- Only available in 3 colors
- Easy to overpack
- Slightly less durable
Read also: Rimowa vs Briggs & Riley (Expert Analysis).
About Tumi
Tumi is a leading lifestyle and accessory brand manufacturer named after a Peruvian tumi ceremonial knife used for sacrifices. The company, founded in 1975 by Charlie Clifford, makes high-end suitcases and bags aimed at people in the airline industry and frequent travelers.
They also make belts, backpacks, pens, and electronic equipment.
Having said that, Tumi did not begin as a high-end brand. Initially, they were more concerned with the durability of their products and gave an unconditional lifetime warranty.
In 2004, they changed ownership, and again in 2016, when Samsonite bought them.
After that, their lifetime warranty was canceled. However, this does not mean that their product isn’t durable, as their luggage is still among the most durable on the market.
Features of Tumi Trunk Luggage
Tumi, known for its innovative designs and incorporation of cutting-edge materials to create pieces of luggage that are both stylish and functional, has the following features:
Tumi Tracer
All Tumi trunks come with a 20-digit tracer number associated with each one of their customers.
So, if the dreaded situation of misplacing your checked suitcase should happen, anyone can call Tumi and tell them the 20-digit number, and Tumi will contact you.
Double-spinner wheels
The superior quality dual wheels give it a smooth and quiet ride through busy airports, crowded streets, and tight hallways.
However, compared to Briggs & Riley, they’re a slight downgrade as the spinner wheels on Tumi are typically made from polycarbonate and don’t have a rubberized finish.
TSA-approved locks
Tumi trunks have built-in TSA-integrated combination locks that allow airline agents to open checked bags without damaging them.
Omega closure system
Tumi uses high-quality zippers that are designed to attach/detach very quickly, reducing the risk of zipper malfunctions during travel.
The idea behind this easy attach-and-detach design is that zipper heads are frequently lost when they become stuck on conveyor belts, and by losing only the zipper head, the entire zipper is not ruined.
Frame system opening
The trunk features a frame system opening with interior shelving that can be folded out to keep every item in its place or collapsed to offer more space.
Other features include:
- Retractable top and side carry handles
- 3-stage telescoping handle
- Zipper expansion
- Luggage tag
- Zip divider
- Offers monogramming on the polycarbonate and aluminum collection
- Compression straps
- Two zip pockets
- Collapsible shelves
- Protective bumpers
- Center latch with clasp.
- PROTX2 anti-microbial coated lining (The anti-microbial solutions do not protect you or others against bacteria, viruses, germs, or other disease organisms)
Note: There may be variations on the feature present, depending on the Tumi trunk you purchase.
Trunk luggage within the Tumi collection
Within the Tumi Trunk luggage collection, you’ll find three ranges of trunk options catering to different travel needs and preferences.
Here’s a view of some of the trunk luggage you can find in the Tumi collection:
Aero Expandable Rolling Trunk (Tumi Mclaren)
Expandable Rolling Trunk (19 degree)
Pros of Tumi Trunk luggage
- Tumi uses premium materials, such as polycarbonate, aluminum, and polyester, to create high-quality and durable trunk luggage.
- Tumi trunk luggage is sleek and stylish in appearance.
- Tumi luggage is designed for modern travelers, offering multiple pockets, expandable compartments, and easy-to-access exterior pockets that make it easy to stay organized while on the go.
- Free monogramming on the polycarbonate and aluminum collection.
- Free shipping and return on the polycarbonate and aluminum collection.
Cons of Tumi trunk luggage
- Limited design and color options. Only two colors are available (Black and silver) for its trunk collection.
- Expensive
- Tumi trunks are heavy compared to the other luggage brands on this list, making maneuvering in airports and different travel environments difficult.
Read also: Tumi vs Rimowa – The Battle of the Luggage Brands.
About Rimowa
Rimowa, a luxury luggage brand, has been a household name in the market since it was established in 1898. The German brand began by manufacturing lightweight, durable wooden cases.
But it evolved when Richard Morszeck, the founder’s son, developed the first aluminum trunk in 1937. In 1950, the company added parallel grooves to its aluminum cases.
Today, Rimowa is widely known for its hard cases with distinctive parallel grooves.
In its bid to provide expert travelers with expert travel solutions, Rimowa has always emphasized lightweight construction and superior stability.
Thus, the brand has become synonymous with quality suitcases that are super-durable and easy to use.
In 2016, ownership changed hands when LVMH purchased an 80% stake in Rimowa, becoming the group’s first German company.
Some well-known figures who use the brand include LeBron James, Roger Federer, and Rihanna.
Features of Rimowa Trunk Luggage
Rimowa is renowned for its distinctive design and exceptional durability in the world of trunk luggage.
Here are some of the key features commonly found in Rimowa trunk luggage:
TSA-approved locks
Rimowa trunk collections come with built-in TSA-approved locks to secure your belongings and facilitate hassle-free security checks at airports.
Flex divider
The interior compartment is equipped with two height-adjustable Flex Dividers that secure your item in perfect order during transit.
Multiwheel system
Rimowa trunk collections feature multi-wheel systems that provide effortless maneuverability and stability, even with heavier loads.
Telescopic handles
Features a multi-stage telescopic handle that can be adjusted to various heights, ensuring comfortable handling for travelers of different heights.
Other features include:
- Complimentary leather luggage tag and a sticker.
- Has a unique groove design.
Trunk luggage within the Rimowa collection
Rimowa offers a variety of trunk luggage options within its collection, each designed to cater to different travel needs and preferences.
Here are some of the trunk luggage series you can find within the Rimowa collection:
Pros of Rimowa Trunk
- Offers lifetime guarantee.
- Warranty coverage against manufacturing defects and craft issues.
- Rimowa trunks are available in various sizes, colors, and designs that stand out on a full luggage carousel.
- Substantial resale value due to the brand’s reputation and exclusivity.
- Highly durable and can withstand rough handling and challenging travel circumstances.
- Its multi-wheel system and telescoping handles make it easy to move around in train stations, airports, or other travel locations.
- Oversized, yet still ultra-lightweight.
- Offers customization options that let you design a unique piece of luggage, like personalized monogramming or color selections.
Cons of Rimowa Trunk
- Not expandable to carry additional load.
- Pricey.
- Some trunk collections are more prone to scratches than others and may require extra care to preserve their appearance.
Briggs & Riley, Tumi, or Rimowa, which has the best trunk luggage?
Several factors should be considered when choosing the best trunk luggage among Briggs & Riley, Tumi, and Rimowa. Each brand has its strengths and caters to different traveler preferences.
To help you make an informed decision, let’s break down the key aspects:
Briggs & Riley, Tumi, or Rimowa trunk, which is more durable?
Briggs & Riley, Tumi, and Rimowa are known for their durability. There have been reports of people who have used them for decades without significant issues. Having said that, Rimowa stands out among them.
First, Briggs & Riley’s primary choice of material is polycarbonate for its hard-side luggage and ballistic nylon fabric for its soft-sided suitcase.
Polycarbonate is the most durable plastic used in luggage. Instead of standard polycarbonate, Briggs & Riley’s checked luggage bags are made of a mild composite with three layers for added durability.
Its use of ballistic nylon fabric, which is the most durable fabric for its soft-side luggage, is a testament to its commitment to making high-quality, durable cases.
Nevertheless, even though Tumi doesn’t offer a lifetime guarantee, their trunk luggage seems to be a bit more durable than Briggs & Riley.
Tumi trunks use similar materials to Briggs & Riley, except they include aluminum pieces of luggage, which is more durable than polycarbonate.
Although Tumi wins over Briggs & Riley slightly regarding durability, Rimowa stands out among them.
Rimowa, renowned for its robust construction, especially in models made from aluminum and polycarbonate, is built to endure the rigors of travel.
Its offering of a lifetime guarantee is a testament to the brand’s confidence in the longevity of its products.
Want to know just how durable Rimowa luggage is? Guess what? A Rimowa Luggage once survived a plane crash
Take a quick look at the case that survived the crash below.
A suitcase that survived a plane crash. Photo: Courtesy of Rimowa
Briggs & Riley, Tumi, or Rimowa trunk, which is the lightest?
Among the three brands, Briggs & Riley offers the lightest option, with their trunks weighing between 4.3 kg and 6kg(9.48 lbs-13.23lbs). However, Tumi and Rimowa trunks weigh more due to the premium materials used in their trunk luggage collection.
Material like aluminum and polycarbonate ensures durability. However, the trade-off is the slightly higher weight of both compared to Briggs & Riley.
If you want highly durable luggage, you have to be ready to make some compromises in weight. Note that Rimowa offers lighter trunk options compared to Tumi.
Travelers looking for highly durable lightweight trunk luggage will find suitable choices within the Rimowa collection.
Briggs & Riley, Tumi, or Rimowa, which trunk is better at adhering to airline size restrictions?
Most airlines will let you check one bag and bring one carry-on luggage. There is usually a weight limit of 50 pounds (22.68 kg) per checked luggage and a size limit.
You dont have to worry about paying an additional checked baggage fee due to the weight limit. Each of the three brands’ collection of trunk luggage falls under the 50-pound (22.68 kg) weight limit.
Concerning size, the most commonly permitted maximum bag size is 62 linear (total) inches or 157.5 centimeters, which is the sum of the height, width, and depth of your checked bag.
A typical check-in bag is 27” x 21” x 14” (68.58 cm x 53.34 cm x 35.56cm).
Briggs & Riley, Tumi, and Rimowa all make trunks within the most common checked luggage size restriction.
However, Rimowa, with more trunk luggage options, offers more choices of trunks that fall under the maximum bag size of 62 linear inches(157.5 centimeters), adhering to most airline size restrictions.
Briggs & Riley, Tumi, or Rimowa, which trunk has the best reviews?
The “best” trunk luggage can vary based on individual preferences and needs. However, our research discovered that Briggs & Riley has the most reviews, with ratings between 3.8 and 4.2.
Rimowa comes next with many reviews and a higher rating score between 4.2 and 5.0.
Among the three brands, Tumi had the least reviews and rated between 4.4 and 4.6. In summary, Briggs & Riley tops in best reviews, followed by Rimowa.
You would expect Tumi and Rimowa to have the best reviews since they make extremely durable bags. However, we have observed over time that there is a clear correlation between the cost of luggage and customer reviews – the more pricey a brand is, the worse reviews they may receive.
This may be due to the fact that when people buy something expensive, they tend to have much higher expectations, so they’re more likely to find minor flaws and rate them lower.
Although these reviews may help you gauge customer satisfaction and performance for each brand, you shouldn’t take the fact that Briggs & Riley tops in review as a bad sign for Tumi or Rimowa.
Briggs & Riley, Tumi, or Rimowa trunk, which offers the best value for money?
Clearly, from the price list on the brand’s website and as highlighted in the table above, you can determine that Briggs & Riley offers a more budget-friendly option than Tumi or Rimowa.
However, the best value for money should not be centered on affordability alone. Each of these brands is a leading manufacturer of trunk luggage, so you can rest assured that you will surely get your money’s worth.
As mentioned, some customers have used these brands for over a decade with minor issues.
Ultimately, the best value for money is a subjective judgment that should be based on your specific needs, priorities, and budget.
If you’re in the market for luxurious hard-side trunk luggage, finding a brand better than Rimowa will be difficult.
Briggs & Riley is more affordable and has some pretty good features, like the CX compression expansion system and outside handle. However, they need to catch up with Rimowa or Tumi in durability and other quality aspects.
That said, what may be the best value for one traveler may not hold the same value for another, so take the time to carefully assess the features, durability, style, and warranty offered by each brand as described in this post to make an informed decision that aligns most closely with your individual preferences and travel requirements.
Takeaway: Briggs & Riley, Tumi, and Rimowa trunks are all renowned for their high-quality craftsmanship
Choosing the right trunk luggage can save you time, money, and hassle. Imagine effortlessly gliding through airports with durable, lightweight luggage that meets airline size restrictions.
You’ll have peace of mind knowing your belongings are protected, and your investment is well-spent.
Each of the three brands discussed in this piece offers long-lasting, beautiful trunk luggage. However, some details separate one from the other.
What makes Tumi different from Briggs & Riley is that Tumi’s trunks are considered a bit more luxurious, slightly more durable, and cost more.
Additionally, while Briggs & Riley trunks are lighter, Tumi sets its product apart with its durability and easy access. You can quickly get your hands on a Tumi in retail stores.
That said, Rimowa stands out slightly above Briggs& Riley and Tumi.
With respect to durability, Rimowa wins over Briggs & Riley; however, Tumi comes very close to Rimowa in durability since both use similar materials in making their trunks.
Rimowa is also lightweight compared to Tumi but heavier than Briggs & Riley; nevertheless, the three brands’ trunk luggage all fall within the accepted airline weight limit.
Although, concerning size restriction, Rimowa offers many options within its collection that meet airline size restrictions.
Now that we have explicitly highlighted the differences between each brand, we hope that we have been able to make it easy for you to check all the boxes for your decision-making process.
After all, your decision should be based on your individual preferences, travel habits, and priorities.
You may also like: How to Buy a Rimowa (Everything You Need to Know)
Made in Germany - Model 2022
Made in Germany - Model 2022
Made in Germany - Model 2022
