Luggage question for frequent travellers. To Tumi or not Tumi?

[VWEvo]

Been travelling a lot lately and that probably won't change anytime in the near future. I usually buy luggage from Costco and its so so but usually craps out after a few years. I checked out the Tumi luggage at Chinook and it looks amazing. Seems super thought out with good build quality. I have splurged 10 years ago on Samsonite Black Label and that is still going strong. What are thoughts and experiences with Tumi luggage? Is it worth the big $$$$ ?

[flipstah]

Tumi is awesome, and the ones I own have lasted (computer bags and messenger bags). Their Alpha 2 is their signature line, I believe. They also have the Tera line, which is the same weave they use in football gear.

Heys luggage dent like a mofo and already showing massive wear and tear after two trips.

EDIT: Rimowa is also tough-as-nails luggage, but haven't own one.

[sneek]

Tumi stuff is excellent. Is it worth the price, probably not...For less money you could probably get a TravelPro or Briggs and Riley. I believe both of those brands have a superior warranty.

[CLiVE]

Originally posted by sneek
Tumi stuff is excellent. Is it worth the price, probably not...For less money you could probably get a TravelPro or Briggs and Riley. I believe both of those brands have a superior warranty.

Briggs & Riley. Good quality, lifetime warranty.

[SkiBum5.0]

If you go Tumi, wait for the sales. I bought a briefcase/carry-on combo at the Minneapolis airport for 60% off.

[bjstare]

+1 for Tumi. They go on Hautelook/Nordstrom Rack for deep discount a few times a year, helps out if you have an american address to ship to, but it's worth looking.

It appears they have a few items right now:

https://www.nordstromrack.com/brands/Tumi?query=Tumi

[locust]

I have both and find the Briggs and Riley warranty a lot easier to deal with but it's substantially heavier then the tumi alpha's.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by cjblair
+1 for Tumi. They go on Hautelook/Nordstrom Rack for deep discount a few times a year, helps out if you have an american address to ship to, but it's worth looking.

It appears they have a few items right now:

https://www.nordstromrack.com/brands/Tumi?query=Tumi

Some decent deals, but I've seen it go cheaper (50% off).

I think TUMI getting bought out by Samsonite had affected sale pricing. TUMI is the 'luxury' brand.

[The_Rural_Juror]

I own B&R Baseline and Tumi Tegra-Lite. The B&R are almost indestructible and still look quite new after many trips. Given my experience and observations, I would buy B&R over Tumi. Their warranty is hassle-free.

I did own two Travelpros for a day before returning it.

[20incheyes]

Look into Rimowa. Excellent quality and quite a few of their pieces are made in Ontario as well.

I've been using Burton suitcases/bags and some have lasted close to 20 years now and probably close to 250000 miles of travel on a plane. I like the variety Burton offers as well.

From what I recall Tumi was recently purchased by Samsonite or some other huge company.

[flipstah]

How is Rimowa? Their Topas line dents because aluminium, but how's their polycarbonate?

Also, correct on Tumi being part of Samsonite.

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by flipstah
Also, correct on Tumi being part of Samsonite.

hmm

Samsonite took Hartmann a couple of years ago and ruined them. The classic belting leather products that were made in the USA have been all but dropped from their line and what remains is a bunch of Chinese-sourced pseudo-luxury garbage. Hard to expect any different for Tumi. Stock up now while you can.

So stock up on Tumi before they go to complete shit?

[Minimalist]

Tumi just tells others to steal the bag and/or the contents. You want to travel low-key, blend into the woodwork. Since 1999 I've had the same Eagle Creek carry-on, rubber wheels, extended handle, knapsack straps tuck away and never used, etc. Not a whisper of an issue and I've taken at least fifty trips in North America, Asia, India, Nepal, Europe, South America. So good I bought a goalie sized one as well for the longer trips. Used it only three times as I like to pack light.

I had two brand new $350 Samsonite hard-shelled suitcases in 1998, one trip to Japan and two wheels bent as well as a handle broke. Is the quality any better today? YMMV. Fixed on warranty and sold in Japan in a classified advert for $200 each. Can't have crappy luggage on the road.

[flipstah]

Recent Tumi gear are already made in China. Rimowa has a factory in Canada, as already stated in this thread

Just don't get Heys.

[Mys73ri0]

Originally posted by CLiVE


Briggs & Riley. Good quality, lifetime warranty.

Originally posted by locust
I have both and find the Briggs and Riley warranty a lot easier to deal with but it's substantially heavier then the tumi alpha's.

just a note.. teh B&R U122CX does not fit in the sizer at AC or Westjet but fits in 99% of the overhead bins...

[Pacman]

Never owned tumi. I do own multiple Briggs and Riley for 10 years and going strong. My wife's was taking 2 flights per week with checked luggage for 2 years and her Briggs baseline is still her goto bag.

I would also look at eagle creek for functional good quality as I have friends that have used them.

Never had to use the b and r warranty so can't comment on how it works.

[saiyajin]

Originally posted by Minimalist
Tumi just tells others to steal the bag and/or the contents. You want to travel low-key, blend into the woodwork. Since 1999 I've had the same Eagle Creek carry-on, rubber wheels, extended handle, knapsack straps tuck away and never used, etc. Not a whisper of an issue and I've taken at least fifty trips in North America, Asia, India, Nepal, Europe, South America. So good I bought a goalie sized one as well for the longer trips. Used it only three times as I like to pack light.

I had two brand new $350 Samsonite hard-shelled suitcases in 1998, one trip to Japan and two wheels bent as well as a handle broke. Is the quality any better today? YMMV. Fixed on warranty and sold in Japan in a classified advert for $200 each. Can't have crappy luggage on the road.

Eagle Creek guy myself love what they offer been using their stuff for the last 10+ years

[KrisYYC]

As somebody who works in the industry I always tell people who travel regularly to buy high quality luggage. Yes it's expensive but you can find deals on boxing day etc. Well worth it. Cheap luggage just gets mashed.

Tumi is among the best that I've seen handle the wear and tear.

[RX_EVOLV]

I've been using my Tumi Tegra-lite for almost 4 years now for mid to long trips; at least 15+ trips including a few major ones (>2 weeks/4 cities), as well as ~7 cruises, and so far so good. Everything is still working like day 1. In the same period of time my gf already gone through 3+ Samsonite/Heys so I'm very happy with my Tumi. I've also been using my Tumi Arrive Briefcase for work everyday and on >30 business trips and it's holding up equally well too, so based on personal experience. I highly recommend Tumi.

I do want to get myself a Rimowa though. They look niceeee.

[locust]

Originally posted by Mys73ri0
just a note.. teh B&R U122CX does not fit in the sizer at AC or Westjet but fits in 99% of the overhead bins...

They've never been a stickler yet about it not fitting the sizer however
AC has been getting sticky on the carry on weight.

On the last few flights I took they started weighing my carry on luggage and I was just slightly over. Most B&R / Tumi carry on are about 40% of the carry on weight limit with AC.