was it ever this glamourous?
after traveling quite a bit this last year, it has become abundantly clear that it is time for an upgrade to my well-worn, almost-decade-old luggage. the final straw came when the main handle of my large suitcase broke off recently after a long day in transit. only thing is, shopping for quality luggage ranks about as high on my list of fun to-dos as packing for a move.
these are the necessary criteria for my perfect luggage:
- four-wheeled bottom for easy-gliding mobility. there's nothing more exhausting than dragging a suitcase by the pull-out handle.
- light-weight but still rugged construction. it shouldn't add any unnecessary bulk or weight.
- a built-in zip/lock system for security.
- stylish design - always a requirement in my book!
a friend in Shanghai introduced me recently to the German brand Rimowa. i've fallen in love with their entire thoughtfully designed collection, especially their ultralight line.
my travel dream team:
my boyfriend also got one of the Rimowa suitcases last year – i must say, the polycarbonate shell is super lightweight and almost seems flimsy...but it's incredibly strong and keeps everything safe and sound. pretty amazing stuff.
do you travel often? what kind of luggage do you use?
I don't travel as often as I'd like! I have a carry-on bag by murval for my short trips, and a lightweight four-wheeled shell carry-on luggage by heys for the longer ones. it's expandable which is absolutely perfect if i plan on doing a little bit of shopping!
ReplyDeleteexpandable is soooo nice - it's like a magic lifesaver when you're packing to go home!
DeleteLove Rimowa! I said on Twitter i used to have a checked bag size that got beat up and dented when it went through luggage carriers, etc :( Going forward I'd get carryon size..
ReplyDeleteRight now I use Tumi/GlobeTrotter and my little lesportsac duffle.
those look amazing. i'm a terrible traveler, i tend to go with a duffel bag so i can shove it into the overhead compartment--and a longchamp bag for under the seat.
ReplyDeletei stand by my longchamp bag too - it's the perfect foldable travel tote that packs up into almost nothing. stylish too!
DeleteThose are beautiful suitcases! I use a whale of a Samsonite suitcase, it is probably their largest size - absolutely humongous. If I curl up I can fit inside it. I agree with you, four wheels is a must, I'll never buy a two-wheeler again, at least not in the larger sizes. I also have a couple of carry-on suitcases, and for the truly slouchiest of trips - a big duffle that I got for free at work that can also be worn as a backpack. Gotta love freebies ;)
ReplyDeleteugh, i've been wanting a rimowa for years now!!! they seem so durable and light, and the four wheels is a plus. i have a couple really old tumi and pathfinder suitcases that have served me really well. i like how flexible cordura/ballistic nylon suitcases are, but they do get heavy.
ReplyDeletep.s. sorry to hear about your travel snafu. i'm so glad you finally made it back home!
thanks jennifer! :) feels good to re-settle in. my current suitcases are ballistic nylon, but they weigh so much empty that i'm determined to invest in some quality ultralight rimowas soon...
DeleteCoveting this line, have been for a while:). My old Hartmann just keeps on keeping on. Ugly as sin by now, still functional.
ReplyDeleterimowa for me, in the brown. we have the large for check-in, and two carry-on sizes - one is slightly larger and can go as carry on in most cases, the other is their true cabin-sized bag. for carry on soft-sided, i prefer the LV waxed canvas in damier. they are incredibly durable, even when checked. and so easy to roll, i've had them slip away from me if not careful. would definitely recommend, good luck in your search!
ReplyDeletei've seen the LV damier carry-ons - they look quite chic! one of my missions is to find a smaller carry-on bag that i can easily lift to the overhead bins even when packed full...because i can't seem to rely on decent customer service from flight attendants these days to help out at all.
DeleteI loved this post and it definitely got me thinking about what kind of luggage I use. I realized that I'm actually a little bit of a luggage junkie! I have my luggage set that I use as a means of storage the majority of the time. The only exception is the biggest piece which has dragged around Europe during my university days. I typically use my Delsey carry-on duffle and Longchamp purse for shorter trips.
ReplyDeleteI just bought my dad a piece of luggage because he kept wanting to borrow mine and it's similar to Rimowa pieces shown. I find the spinner hard cases to be surprisingly lightweight.
Um, at the moment I only have a teensy 25 liter REI backpack in horrifying burnt orange and grey (don't judge, I inherited it from my brother) and a big nylon duffel bag that zips into a little pouch. Frankly, I really need a decent larger backpack.
ReplyDeletePersonally I would never want a piece of luggage that I can't easily strap to my back or carry on my shoulder. I might just be way too used to cobblestone streets, camping trips, festivals, and places that lack elevators and escalators. But I wouldn't want to trust to wheeled luggage. At the airport you can always get one of those baggage carts to push around your backpack if you're tired of carrying it on your back!
One advantage of my totally crappy luggage situation is that I have learned how to pack very minimalistically. When visiting my boyfriend I usually take my silk shirts and dress, and just plan on hand-washing them a couple of times during the week. No room in my teensy backpack for a ton of different outfits... One time I even accidentally loaned out both my backpack and my duffel bag to friends, and ended up having to pack for the weekend in a blue IKEA bag.
Obviously I am pure class.
wow, kudos on your super minimalistic approach! although living in SH for the past year meant that i had to pack for more or less a year, and as much as i wished i could bring a small suitcase, even my two large suitcases and my carry-on just barely had enough space...
Deleteat least for me, wheeled luggage is a must - especially for international travel which means long stints in airports, and needing to bring along items that one can't find easily or at all abroad. :)
Oh yeah, when I moved to Europe I had a giant duffel-bag-on-wheels contraption! Packing for a year is difficult, especially if you know you are going to have to haul everything BACK at the end of your stay.
DeleteLOVE the Rimowa. Have been a Briggs & Rielly user for a dozen years. After checking ALL the bags this spring -- including rimowa -- went with the Briggs & Rielly transcend 22" and the matching rolling brief case (which I use every day). Two pounds heavier than the rimowa (more if you get 4 wheels), but traveled for 3 weeks in a 22 inch suitcase (casual, business casual, business -- and an evening outfit) -- plus had room for the delightful things I purchased in Europe. Easiest suitcase to pack and unpack that I've ever had. Unzipped the garment bag section and just hung up my clothing. Also the only one with a flat bottom for packing -- And B & R is the only company with a lifetime warranty -- even against airline damage. I travel internationally A LOT. Wouldn't go with anything else! Good luck with your choice!
ReplyDeleteI've been carrying Tumi for ages (really lightweight, hard-sided, four wheels), and I'd love to replace it with Rimowa! But the Tumi refuses to wear out, and I won't toss it until it's completely destroyed.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any what I think of as "grown-up" luggage, hahaha. I started travelling as backpacker and that habit as held - I still use backpacks even when I'm not doing the backpacking thing in a hostel or camping. They're so much easier to handle if I'm on trains or metros because of stairs. I use a 50-litre one from Vaude for long trips and a smaller 30-litre one from North Face for short weekend trips. NOT chic at all, but whatever. They have great padding so it doesn't hurt my back at all. The 30-litre ones are so great because they always meet carry-on rules and you can also stuff them under a seat.
ReplyDeleteFor occasions where a suitcase is suitable, I use a canvas soft-sided wheelie that my dad didn't want anymore - it's Samsonite and incredibly tough: he's been using it since 1992 and we've never had to fix it once, whether it's the zippers or wheels or lining. don't think they make them like this anymore.
I also borrow my sister's Mandarina Duck case - she's been using it for about 4 years now and it looks brand new - nicely designed and lightweight but sturdy with the all-important 4 wheels.
I think the Rimowas are lovely but I'll wait for the day I can't lift a backpack.
I do own very similar ones... a light grey carry-on and a burgundy medium suitcase. When I go back to France, I also carry a large tote.
ReplyDelete