Travel isn’t just about the destination; it’s also about the journey. And for many discerning travelers, the luggage they carry is as much a part of the experience as the places they visit. Luxury luggage brands have transformed the mundane task of packing into an art form, offering pieces that boast exceptional craftsmanship, durability, and style. Whether you’re heading to a business meeting or embarking on a transcontinental adventure, these luxury luggage brands will ensure that you travel in style.
1. Rimowa – The Innovator of Grooved Hardshells
Rimowa is a brand that has become synonymous with high-end travel gear. Founded in Cologne, Germany, in 1898, Rimowa has a storied history of innovation in luggage design. The brand’s signature is its grooved hardshell suitcases, made of premium materials such as aluminum and polycarbonate, which offer an unmatched combination of strength and lightness.
Notable Products:
- Rimowa Original Cabin: It’s the quintessential Rimowa, with the iconic aluminum shell, TSA-approved locks, and high-end maneuverability.
- Rimowa Essential Lite: This is one of the lightest luxury hardshell suitcases available, perfect for the traveler who wants to keep things lean and chic.
Rimowa’s unique selling point is its blend of heritage craftsmanship with modern technology. Its Multiwheel system ensures smooth and effortless transit, while the Flex-Divider system in the interior helps organize your belongings efficiently.
2. Briggs & Riley – The Warranty Pioneers
With their “Simple as that” lifetime repair guarantee, which even covers damage caused by airlines, Briggs & Riley sets the bar high for customer service. This family-owned brand originated in 1993 in Hauppage, New York, and has since established a reputation for innovative, high-quality luggage that caters to both business and leisure travelers.
Notable Products:
- Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner: Known for its patented CX technology that allows the bag to expand up to 25% more packing space, then compress back down to original size.
- Briggs & Riley Sympatico Medium Spinner: This hardshell bag is designed to flex under pressure, protecting your contents, yet return to its original shape after.
Durability is at the core of the brand’s philosophy, which is evident in the sturdy construction of their products. The use of ballistic nylon fabric ensures the luggage can withstand the rigors of travel.
3. Tumi – The Business Travel Expert
Often the luggage of choice for business professionals, Tumi was founded in 1975 and has carved out a niche for itself with its focus on functional superiority and technical innovation. With a variety of designs that include advanced features such as the TUMI Tracer® and the Add-a-Bag system, the brand caters to the efficiency and style that business travelers demand.
Notable Products:
- Tumi Alpha 3 International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-On: Offers an expandable main compartment and a suiter component, ideal for business attire.
- Tumi Latitude Short Trip Packing Case: A lightweight and supremely durable bag that can resist tough conditions with its self-reinforced polypropylene construction.
While Tumi stands firmly in the premium sector, it’s their attention to detail and ergonomics that truly sets them apart from the competition.
4. Louis Vuitton – The Statement Maker
No list of luxury luggage can be complete without mentioning Louis Vuitton, the French fashion house that started crafting bespoke trunks in 1854. These trunks soon evolved into the steamer bags, suitcases, and carry-ons that are lusted after by high-end travelers around the globe.
Notable Products:
- Louis Vuitton Horizon 55: Designed by Marc Newson, it’s a rolling cabin bag that exudes style with its unmistakable LV monogram and innovative external trolley system.
- Louis Vuitton Alzer 70 Suitcase: A classic hard trunk that embodies traditional luxury travel.
With Louis Vuitton, you’re not just buying luggage; you’re buying into a legacy of luxury. Their pieces are instantly recognizable and often customizable, offering a personal touch to your travel pieces.
5. Goyard – The Epitome of Exclusivity
Lesser-known than Louis Vuitton but equally prestigious, Goyard has been handcrafting luggage since 1853. With a similar history in trunk making, Goyard’s products are lauded for their exclusivity and the discretion they offer their clientele, often refusing to advertise or engage online.
Notable Products:
- Goyard Boeing 55 Suitcase: The handcrafted detail on this suitcase stands out, along with its lightness and practicality.
- Goyard Malle Armoire Wardrobe Trunk: For travelers who want to recreate the golden era of travel, this wardrobe trunk is a spectacular piece of luggage art.
Goyard’s pieces are customizable and often made-to-order, ensuring that each piece is as unique as its owner.
6. Bric’s – The Italian Fashion Forward
Bric’s has been in the luxury luggage game for over 60 years, operating out of Como, Italy. They appeal to stylish globetrotters with a range of products that combine functionality with elegant Italian design.
Notable Products:
- Bric’s Bellagio Spinner Trunk: A vintage look with a modern twist, this trunk features a durable hardshell with luxurious leather trims.
- Bric’s Life Collection Suitcase: This range offers a classic look but uses durable and easy to clean synthetic material with a suede-like feel.
Bric’s products often feature rich colors, textures, and sleek silhouettes, bridging the gap between classic and contemporary.
7. Globetrotter – The Choice of Adventurers and Royals
The British brand Globetrotter has furnished luggage to some of the world’s most recognized figures, including Sir Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth II. Established in 1897, their suitcases are handcrafted using Victorian machinery, offering a nod to the bygone era of grand tour travel.
Notable Products:
- Globetrotter Centenary 20″ Trolley Case: This is an iconic piece, featuring handmade leather trims and a durable vulcanized fiberboard body.
- Globetrotter Safari Collection: A collection that pays homage to the golden age of safari travel with its classic design and robust materials.
Globetrotter’s appeal lies in their heritage and exceptionally made classic luggage which is designed to last for generations.
8. Hartmann – The American Heritage Brand
Hartmann has been creating fine luggage and leather goods since 1877. Originating in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Hartmann’s innovation in luxury travel goods has earned it a place among America’s historic brands.
Notable Products:
- Hartmann 7R Global Carry-On Spinner: This carry-on combines exceptional lightness with a tough metalized Curv material construction.
- Hartmann Heritage Double Compartment Business Case: A luxurious leather bag that embodies the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship.
While Hartmann underwent a period of dormancy, its recent resurgence has brought back its classic appeal with modern functionality.
9. Samsonite Black Label – The Modern Travel Solution
Samsonite is a household name in travel luggage, known for its durability and innovative design. The Black Label line is its luxury iteration, combining the reliability of Samsonite with premium materials and sophisticated designs.
Notable Products:
- Samsonite Black Label Cosmolite 3.0 Spinner: Revolutionary Curv technology makes this range incredibly light and strong.
- Samsonite Black Label Firelite Spinner: The sleek, modern design and resilient shell make this a choice for the traveler who values form and function.
Samsonite Black Label is the ideal marriage of luxury and practicality, embodying the evolution of travel gear for the modern traveler.
Travel in Style
Luxury luggage isn’t just about what you pack—it’s an extension of your personality and a statement you make every time you set out on a journey. These brands showcase the best in luxury travel, blending heritage, quality, innovation, and style. Remember, investing in a high-end suitcase or travel accessory can elevate your entire travel experience, turning heads at every airport terminal and ensuring that your journeys are as seamless as the memories are unforgettable.
So, the next time you’re planning a trip, consider entrusting your wardrobe to one of these esteemed brands; after all, the best travels are those accompanied by a reliable, stylish companion that holds your life in transit with as much care as you do with your experiences on the road.