Whether you’re a frequent flyer, an aspiring traveler, or just someone who wants to ensure you buy a suitcase that will likely never need replacing, Tumi and RIMOWA luggage sets are some of the best to consider.
These companies are known for their innovative luggage designs and high-quality goods, including hard aluminum suitcases, polycarbonate shell suitcases, and more.
What you’ll notice is that these luggage brands tend to cost way more than other brands such as Away, Paravel or Monos Travel, where suitcase costs start at $250 USD. Why is that exactly? Is it just a name brand thing, or is their luggage actually superior? This post will be dedicated to helping you understand and compare RIMOWA vs. Tumi luggage.
The end goal? To help you figure out which one to stick with!
You may already know what you’re looking for and may be leaning towards one brand over the other, but it’s best to have all the information in front of you if you are trying to decide on just one luggage brand to buy from.
Though these two brands have similar products, you may find that one brand does not sell something while the other does. We discuss everything below to help you determine which brand and luggage set will work best for your needs!
This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!
Table of Contents
RIMOWA vs. Tumi: Overview Of The Brands
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details of these two luggage brands, let’s start by getting to know the brands a bit better and learning about their history.
RIMOWA
RIMOWA, the older of the two brands, first started in 1898 by manufacturing wooden luggage cases as a small family-run business. In 1937, the first aluminum trunk was made by the son of the founder and the business’s namesake, Richard Morszeck; this is the type of luggage that launched RIMOWA into fame.
Inspired by the world’s first all-metal aircraft made in Germany in 1950, RIMOWA adopted their signature groove design, another well-known aspect of RIMOWA luggage.
RIMOWA has also been a pioneer in the use of polycarbonate in the manufacturing of their suitcase, a game-changing material that makes suitcases more lightweight, durable, and flexible than traditional suitcases.
The brand also offers a wide range of products, including carry-on and check-in-size suitcases, as well as backpacks, duffel bags, and other useful travel accessories including iPhone accessories, watch cases, wine cases, eyewear, and even suit holders.
RIMOWA’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship extends beyond its products. The brand also offers a comprehensive in-store repair and restoration service, which allows customers to have their RIMOWA suitcases repaired or restored, even years after they were first purchased. Participating luxury hotels even offer RIMOWA repair services too!
And best of all, they have one of the best warranties out there – a lifetime warranty on all suitcases.
Tumi
Though not as longstanding as RIMOWA, Tumi is another world-renowned luggage brand with humble beginnings, starting as an American leather bag importer selling South American bags. They are probably best known for their innovative introduction of soft, ultra-functional, black-on-black ballistic nylon travel bags.
Founded in 1975, TUMI takes its name from a Peruvian icon known to its founder from his Peace Corps days in South America. Not too long after its founding, Tumi became a leading name in luggage design by introducing one of its signature bags made with patented ballistic nylon material.
In the 1980s, Tumi introduced its take on a “soft briefcase”, which drastically changed the future of the suitcase industry. In 1992, the brand also expanded its fame by adding new products like leather wallets and other goods, followed by carry-ons and checked luggage suitcases.
Since 1993, Tumi has been releasing one hit product after another and has expanded to become a global influence on the luggage market! You can expect to find a wide range of luggage materials, including aluminum, Tegris (looks like carbon fiber), and ballistic nylon options.
Though their main focus is still luggage, Tumi also sells a variety of other products ranging from backpacks to electronics.
RIMOWA vs. Tumi: Design And Style
Despite both of them being luggage brands, the two brands offer vastly different designs and styles.
RIMOWA
RIWOWA is well-known for its hard-shell luggage that’s meant to keep your belongings safe even when flying and when your luggage gets mishandled.
The company uses two primary materials for its designs — aluminum and polycarbonate — allowing most luggage pieces to carry the same signature groove designs they’re known and loved for. You’ll find more color choices for their polycarbonate choices over aluminum ones.
Some other design elements that RIMOWA suitcases are known for are their rounded corners with corner caps, strictly vertical grooves inspired by aircraft design, and a more sleek and minimalist style.
Though RIMOWA does more than just luggage, their luggage sets also have three main size categories:
- Cabin – 21.7 x 15.8 x 9.1 Inches
- Check-in – 30.8 x 20.5 x 10.7 Inches
- Trunk – 31.5 x 14.8 x 17 Inches
Tumi
Like RIMOWA, Tumi offers hard-shell options for luggage, though they also have soft-shell suitcases that feature their patented ballistic nylon.
In terms of design and styling, Tumi leans towards a darker color scheme, though there is often the choice of opting for different color accents.
Tumi’s hard-shell luggage also features a completely different design for their bags, choosing to use a more organic, flowy, and wavy pattern for some of their aluminum and polycarbonate options. At the same time, other pieces make use of recycled materials that give off a carbon fiber-like design details.
When looking at hardshell suitcases, you’ll find that Tumi suitcases tend to have a glossy resin finish and often use two-toned elements for their luggage pieces.
Again, Tumi sells more than just luggage, but in terms of luggage alone, they have two different categories with ranging sizes:
- Carry-On – Ranges from 15 to 22 x 14 x 9 inches
- Carry-on variations: Compact, International, Continental
- Checked – Ranges from 26 to 31+ x 22 x 12.5 inches
- Checked bag variations: Short, Extended, Worldwide
RIMOWA vs. Tumi: Durability And Quality
When you’re looking to buy a new luggage piece, one of the first things you’ll likely consider is the quality and durability of the case you buy.
RIMOWA
As mentioned before, the two primary materials used by RIMOWA are aluminum and polycarbonate for the exteriors — and both are great for longevity and protecting the belongings of your suitcase. Their suitcases also have an interior that mainly uses polyester, which is also very durable.
Tumi
With a broader range of bags, including soft-shell suitcases and soft briefcases, Tumi has made even their “delicate” bags extra durable.
They also use high-quality aluminum for some of their hard suitcases, while others are made from polycarbonate or carbon fiber. All three of these materials are meant to be ultra-durable over the years.
Let’s touch on Tumi’s soft cases. “Soft” doesn’t mean compromising! These softshell products are made with their patented ballistic nylon, making them water-resistant and durable. It’s quite easily one of the best materials to use for soft suitcases.
In addition, Tumi also uses an anti-microbial lining on some components to prevent the growth of any bacteria.
RIMOWA vs. Tumi: Cost
In a nutshell, what you’ll find is that the higher the quality of the material, the more expensive the luggage is. For example, a large check-in suitcase made with aluminum is going to cost way more than a carry-on made with polycarbonate.
RIMOWA
To simplify matters, let’s first look at the sizes of the luggage options and the price range each one’s set at.
RIMOWA’s carry-on suitcases have a starting point at $625 for the Essential Light – Cabin U (RIMOWA’s lightest suitcase yet). The price is kept on the lower end using polyester for the interior and polycarbonate for the exterior, with other components made of mostly plastic.
RIMOWA offers a few other carry-on models, all of which increase in price with the increase in quality of the materials used. At the higher end, carry-on luggage pieces can cost as much as $1550 for the Original – Cabin Plus, $1650 for the Cabin Twist (these have a pop of color to them), or $1950 for the limited edition collab suitcases.
RIMOWA’s check-in suitcases see a similar price increase, with the lowest price suitcase starting at $900 for the Essential Lite – Check-in L and the highest price set at $2075 for the Original – Check-in L Twist.
Again, this fluctuation is basically due to better materials used, such as aluminum (compared to polycarbonate) and leather instead of plastic.
The last luggage size option is the trunk — the largest luggage piece RIMOWA offers. Prices for the trunks start at $1325 (for the polycarbonate Essential Trunk) and can go up to $2450 (for the aluminum Original Trunk XL).
Are there ways to get discounts on RIMOWA suitcases?
At the moment, it’s pretty rare to find discounts or sales on RIMOWA suitcases. You should be prepared to pay retail price at full cost for their products!
Alternatively, you can consider the secondhand market — consider buying pre-owned Rimowa luggage from reputable sources like consignment shops or online marketplaces if you’re open to gently used items.
Tumi
Tumi’s luggage products comes in two types — Carry-On and Checked — with three sizes for each category. For each of the sizes offered, they also have five possible materials and options between hard-sided or soft-sided, meaning the price can range quite dramatically!
Tumi’s Carry-On Compact line starts at $650 for a ballistic nylon wheeled briefcase, as is the polycarbonate version. However, the price increases to $850 for the version that comes with a laptop sleeve.
The Carry-On International line starts at $695 for a ballistic nylon case. Prices will range depending on if you want aluminum, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, etc. You can even opt for a gorgeous titanium version, but it’ll cost you $3500 (the most expensive of this line).
Likewise, the Carry-On Continental line (the largest carry-on size), starts at $750 and can go up to $1795.
As you can see, Tumi has a similar trend — prices increase with quality.
Here’s a quick peek at how luggage prices range for their checked luggage options:
- Checked – Short Trip: $895 to $1195
- Checked – Extended Trip: $950 to $2195
- Checked – Worldwide Trip: $995 to $1495 (no aluminum option in this size category)
Are there ways to get discounts on Tumi suitcases?
Yes, there are actually quite a few ways to find discounted Tumi bags and suitcases! Here’s a list of ways to get a good deal:
- Tumi Outlet Stores: Tumi has outlet stores in various locations where you can find discounted products, including suitcases.
- Seasonal Sales: Tumi often offers sales during holidays, like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as well as clearance sales at the end of each season.
- Department Store Sales: Some department stores may include Tumi luggage in their sales events, offering discounts or promotions.
- Online Retailers: Online retailers like Amazon, eBay, and Zappos may have discounted Tumi suitcases, especially during sales events like Prime Day or holiday promotions.
- Tumi’s Official Website: Occasionally, Tumi’s official website may offer promotions or discounts on their products.
- Membership Programs: Some credit card companies and travel reward programs offer discounts or cashback rewards when you purchase Tumi luggage.
- Subscribe to Tumi’s Newsletter: Signing up for Tumi’s newsletter can sometimes give you access to exclusive deals and promotions.
Apples-to apples price comparison
Let’s compare the price between the two brands by doing an apples-to-apples comparison of a few popular suitcase sizes in both aluminum and polycarbonate. We’re just consider full-price items here:
| Product Type | RIMOWA Cost | TUMI Cost |
| Polycarbonate Carry-On | $900 (this one) | $750 (this one) |
| Aluminum Carry-On | $1430 (this one) | $1195 (this one) |
| Aluminum Check-In L | $1800 (this one) | $1495 (this one) |
RIMOWA vs. Tumi: Weight And Size
RIMOWA
In terms of polycarbonate, RIMOWA suitcases can range in weight from 4.41 lbs to 11.9 lbs depending on suitcase size and material.
There is also a difference in the weight of their aluminum cases, starting at 9.5 lbs for the most compact case to 13.2 lbs for their Classic Trunk.
| Size | Weight (in lbs) | Material |
| Essential Lite Cabin U (20 x 14 x 7.9 inches) | 4.41 | Polycarbonate |
| Essential Trunk Plus (31.5 x 14.6 x 16.1 inches) | 11.9 | Polycarbonate |
| Original Compact (16 x 16.34 x 9.06 inches) | 9.48 | Aluminum |
| Classic Trunk (29.5 x 14.2 x 18.5 inches) | 13.2 | Aluminum |
Tumi
Tumi Compact suitcases can range in weight from 6.6 lbs for a nylon case and up to 8.5 lbs for a ballistic nylon case. The Carry-On International line weighs anywhere from 7.9 lbs for the polycarbonate version to 13 lbs for the aluminum version.
The table below shows more detail, including the size, weight, and material used in the suitcase:
| Average Carry-On Size | Weight (in lbs) | Material |
| Compact (15/16 x 14 x 8 inches) | 6.6 | Nylon |
| 7 | Polycarbonate | |
| 8.5 | Ballistic Nylon | |
| International (21/22 x 14 x 9 inches) | 7.9 | Polycarbonate / Tegris |
| 8.8 – 10.7 | Ballistic Nylon | |
| 11.5 | Titanium | |
| 12.1 | Fabric | |
| 13 | Aluminum | |
| Continental (21/22 x 16 x 9 inches) | 8.2 | Polycarbonate |
| 8.4 | Tegris | |
| 11.1-11.4 | Ballistic Nylon | |
| 11.8 | Aluminum |
The Check-in luggage options also have vastly different weights, between 9.9 lbs for polycarbonate to 18.3 lbs for ballistic nylon.
| Average Size | Weight (in lbs) | Material |
| Short (26-27 x 17.5 x 10 inches) | 9.9 | Polycarbonate |
| 11.9 | Tegris | |
| 14.1 | Aluminum | |
| 15.4 | Ballistic Nylon | |
| Extended (29-31 x 21 x 12 inches) | 12.1 | Polycarbonate |
| 13.2 | Tegris | |
| 13.4 | Ballistic Nylon | |
| 16.1 | Aluminum | |
| Worldwide (31+ x 22 x 12.5 inches) | 13.4 | Polycarbonate |
| 18.3 | Ballistic Nylon |
RIMOWA vs. Tumi: Warranty And Customer Service
With luggage in this price range, you should expect a good warranty plan and unparallelled customer service! Luckily, both Tumi and RIMOWA have great warranties on their products as well as amazing customer service when you actually need help.
RIMOWA
RIMOWA’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship extends beyond its products.
RIMOWA has a lifetime warranty on all their suitcases, giving you peace of mind when buying one. In addition, there is also a repair service if you need it and a dedicated team of people to help you resolve any issues you may have.
The brand also offers a comprehensive in-store repair and restoration service, which allows customers to have their RIMOWA suitcases repaired or restored, even years after they were first purchased. Participating luxury hotels even offer RIMOWA repair services too!
Tumi
Tumi also offers a warranty on their suitcases, and while it’s NOT a lifetime warranty, it still covers your purchase for up to 5 years (or two years for any wallet or accessory).
For the first year: if your TUMI product is damaged – including damage caused by normal wear and tear, airline handling, or other transit damage – TUMI will cover all repair expenses, including shipping costs to and from the repair facility. If they determine that the product is damaged beyond repair, they will replace it.
Then from years 2 to 5, travel bags, business cases, cross body bags, totes, backpacks and handbags are covered for manufacturing defects and normal wear and tear.
Tumi also has a repair service that you can use via their website, too.
RIMOWA vs. Tumi: Popularity And Brand Recognition
Both RIMOWA and Tumi are well-known brands and industry leaders when it comes to luggage. I’d be shocked if you said you hadn’t ever seen RIMOWA suitcases rolling by or Tumi bags being carried by pilots, flight attendants, and business people!
Let’s touch on a few reasons why people like these brands.
RIMOWA
RIMOWA is arguably the more ‘famous’ of the two, especially in recent years thanks to previous collaborations with Abloh, Tiffany & Co. and Off-White.
These collaborations have helped them with their brand awareness and has really captured the attention of a younger and trendier audience. RIMOWA tends to target a slightly younger, trendier, and more design-conscious demographic. Their luggage often appeals to fashion-forward travelers who prioritize both style and functionality — and those who appreciate modern and minimalist aesthetics.
RIMOWA’s luggage is suitable for both leisure and business travel, but its image leans more toward the leisure side. Having a RIMOWA suitcase is almost like making a fashion statement while exploring the world!
Tumi
Tumi is also a well-known and highly trusted brand.
Tumi caters to a slightly older, professional, and business-oriented demographic. Their suitcases, briefcases, and backpacks are all known for their durability, organization, and functionality, making them a preferred choice for business travelers (like CEOs, executives, pilots, and flight attendants) who value practicality and reliability.
Many professionals appreciate the brand’s organizational features, like multiple compartments and pockets, making it ideal for carrying work-related items alongside personal belongings.
One reason for Tumi’s world-renowned status is the use of their patented ballistic nylon to make soft-shell suitcases that are still very durable, which is one thing RIMOWA does not offer.
RIMOWA vs. Tumi: Which Brand Is Better?
Tumi and RIMOWA are two exceptional luggage brands that put the safety and longevity of your chosen products first. But ultimately, which is better?
That’s a totally subjective question — and the answer will differ depending on who you ask. We think both brands produce top-notch products that anyone would be happy owning.
But if we had to pick just one, we’d choose RIMOWA for our own personal reasons below. (We can only give you our thoughts, but it’ll be up to you in the end!)
Personally, we are team RIMOWA because:
- They offer an unbeatable lifetime warranty on suitcases (Tumi only offers a 5-year warranty at the moment)
- There are just more cute color choices when it comes to certain suitcases (as seen in their polycarbonate suitcases)
- The suitcases are more simple and sleek, perfect for leisure travelers, minimalists, and/or people who have an eye for design
- We don’t mind travel gear with fewer pockets/compartments because we use compressible packing cubes when we travel and organize that way!
With this in mind, there are a few things Tumi does well that RIMOWA doesn’t:
- They offer more overall choices when it comes to luggage materials and luggage functions, which may have a significant impact on your decision. Tumi carries expandable suitcases, cases made with FXT Ballistic Nylon, Tegris, and even titanium suitcases — RIMOWA doesn’t have any of that.
- Tumi’s suitcases feature way more built-in pockets and compartments, making organizing your stuff a breeze — great for business travelers.
- They offer soft-sided suitcases, whereas RIMOWA just has hard-sided suitcases.
- Their bags generally cost less than what RIMOWA sells them for (by at least $150 for the carry-on size). Plus, these bags go on sale a lot more frequently, which means you’ll be able to find them at a better price!
Final thoughts: Both brands have top-notch products that can withstand the test of time. To this day, they produce some of the best suitcases in the world! With either brand, you can honestly rest easy knowing you have a trusty suitcase that’ll do its job in protecting your gear.
For something that’s timeless, durable, and can serve as a little bit of a fashion statement too, RIMOWA may be your best option.
However, if you’re in the market for a suitcase you can take on your next business trip OR you might not want to commit to a hard-sided suitcase, Tumi may be an ever-so-slightly more affordable (yet equally as durable) option.
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