Rimowa is renowned for its high-quality, classically-designed aluminium suitcases. However, despite the brand’s popularity, you might be wondering, “Are Rimowa suitcases worth it?”
After all, you could be spending around $1,000 or more for some Rimowa suitcases.
Meanwhile, there are plenty of alternative brands – like Tumi, Briggs & Riley and Away – that produce high-quality luggage.
So in this review, we are going to learn more about Rimowa suitcases, and whether you should buy one.
Table of Contents
Yes, Rimowa suitcases are worth the cost. They’re built from top-of-the-line materials with innovative features that make them extremely convenient to use and maneuverable. They have a sleek design that never goes out of style and can be personalized to your liking. Rimowa also takes care of its customers and the environment by providing care and repair services and using recyclable materials.
The German luggage brand was founded in 1898 and has never stopped improving its product offerings as it searches for innovative solutions to make travel easier.
Rimowa suitcases are made of high-quality materials that ensure they are durable and long-lasting.
Many of the suitcases are made from an aluminum-magnesium blend that is dent-resistance and scratch-resistance.
According to Conde Nast Traveler, Rimowa suitcases have even remained intact through events such as airplane crashes.
Other Rimowa suitcases are made with a polycarbonate that is both strong and lightweight. This enables suitcases to be easily carried, while still being durable.
Polycarbonate is more flexible than other materials, making it resistant to cracks.
Also, the lightweight material allows you to worry less about the number of things you pack because you have more weight to spare.
Rimowa suitcases also include a rubber seal that protects your suitcases from water, dirt, and other elements.
Rimowa suitcases feature multiple designs made to enhance the convenience of traveling. Throughout the years, they continue to update their designs so they reflect the most up-to-date attributes.
Rimowa suitcases all have wheels that spin 360 degrees and handles that are telescopic and can be pulled in any direction. This makes the suitcase very easy to maneuver, no matter how heavy it is.
Within the suitcase, dividers split sections so that packing can be organized and easy.
All suitcases also feature TSA-approved locks to keep your belongings safe.
The suitcases are water-resistant due to their rubber seal. This way, you don’t have to worry about your belongings getting wet in the rain.
Rimowa has also made zipperless suitcases, which are some of the best on the market. Instead of zippers, they are closed with latches on the side.
You will never have to worry about a zipper breaking.
3. Rimowa suitcases have a sleek, classic design that will never go out of style
The design of Rimowa suitcases in 1937 was originally inspired by the world’s first metal aircraft.
This was when the first aluminum suitcase was created.
Even though nearly a century has passed since then, the design is still considered a modern classic.
The suitcase is known for its metal, ribbed finish. Many suitcase brands have copied this iconic look, even ones not made of metal.
The stylish design is loved by many. It has not yet gone out of style and is not likely to ever.
Even if you have the same suitcase for the rest of your life, it will always be trendy.
4. Rimowa offers suitcases in many different sizes and colors
Rimowa has classic suitcases colors, including silver, black, and titanium, as well as vibrant and fun colors for travelers that like an extra pop.
The colors available depend on the type of suitcase you want to buy.
You can find Rimowa suitcases that are yellow, navy blue, bright red, white, orange, green, and more. Though bright, the tones of these colors are still sleek and stylish.
Rimowa also has numerous sizes for their suitcases.
The original cabin bag is 22 x 16 x 10 inches and fits all flight carry-on restrictions. They also have multiple hybrid cabin suitcases of varying sizes.
Rimowa’s average check-in suitcases measure about 27 x 18 x 10 inches.
However, they also have smaller and bigger sizes for all needs.
5. Rimowa suitcases benefit the environment due to their long lifespan
Rimowa has a holistic approach to environmental sustainability.
Their efforts are mainly seen through their desire to create a suitcase that is so durable, that it lasts for many years. This way, you won’t have to buy another suitcase for a long time, if ever again.
Other suitcases may only last a year or two, meaning you’ll have to throw away your large plastic or metal suitcase and buy a new one.
Rimowa also promotes sustainability through the materials they use.
Aluminum is forever recyclable.
No matter how long you have an aluminum Rimowa suitcase, it can always be recycled.
Unlike many other brands, Rimowa does not encourage people to keep buying their suitcases. They offer spare parts that allow for multiple repairs.
This way, if your suitcase ever breaks, you can repair it instead of buying a new one. The journey with your Rimowa suitcase will likely be a life-long one.
Rimowa’s sustainability mission fuels its desire to provide easy repairs to people’s suitcases.
Every store offers repair services for broken suitcases.
They will even fix the suitcase right on the spot for you, taking no time at all. If the immediate fix is not an option, they will ship your suitcase to client care specialists.
Every part of the Rimowa suitcase is replaceable. This way, any broken pieces will not condemn the entire suitcase.
All suitcases have a five-year warranty, which means they will be repaired free of cost for up to five years after the initial purchase.
Rimowa also employs a hotel repair service at participating 5-star hotels. Your hotel will fix your Rimowa suitcase before you depart.
7. Rimowa is a reliable brand with top-tier customer service
Rimowa customer service is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars on the Trustpilot website.
Though there are always a few bad reviews in the mix, the large majority of Rimowa customers rave about their excellent experiences with customer service.
Rimowa has utilized many services to satisfy their customers, including their easy repair service, the five-year warranty, and hotel repair service.
They put the quality of the product, the customer’s satisfaction, and their environmental sustainability mission above making more money.
Above all, Rimowa is a luxury and high-quality brand that is reliable both in its products and its services.
Rimowa Cons
Even with so many amazing qualities, Rimowa suitcases still have a few drawbacks:
1. Rimowa suitcases are very expensive
Rimowa has some very steep prices for their suitcases. Many go for $1,000 and up.
Some people do not feel the quality of the suitcase is worth the cost.
Many have claimed that the outer shell of their suitcase scuffs and scratches easily, which to them is not worth the hefty price tag of the Rimowa brand.
There are also quite a few high-quality suitcases available that are not nearly as expensive as Rimowa suitcases. Some of these are also made with high-quality materials that are durable and scratch-resistant.
2. Rimowa’s aluminum suitcases can be quite heavy
Rimowa’s aluminum metal suitcases are a lot heavier than the average suitcase.
In fact, most weigh about 9 to 12 pounds.
This can make packing a bit harder, as many airlines have weight limits for your luggage.
It may also make it a bit more difficult for you to lift your cabin suitcase and place it in the overhead bin. If you have trouble lifting a normal suitcase, it might be too heavy for you.
However, Rimowa’s other polycarbonate suitcases are very light- approximately one-quarter the weight of an aluminum suitcase.
While you sacrifice the strength and durability of aluminum, you will get a more flexible and lightweight suitcase.
The choice depends on your personal preferences.
3. There are some complaints about Rimowa’s scratchability and wheel problems
There have been a few complaints about Rimowa’s suitcases being easily scratchable.
Some people even claim that their suitcase got thoroughly scratched on its first use.
Unfortunately, scratches are irreversible.
Though Rimowa offers repair solutions on suitcase parts, you cannot repair the outer shell. Once it is scratched, it is there forever.
There are also reports of people having wheel problems. Luckily, wheels can be easily replaced by Rimowa’s repair service team.
4. The inside design makes it easy for things to fall out
There are cross dividers on both inside compartments of the Rimowa suitcase.
They do not zip but latch and compress.
To maintain organized packing, you will have to use packing cubes or other bags. If you throw smaller items in by themselves, it is easy for them to fall out past the compartment walls.
The compartments also make it difficult to squeeze in more things.
The aluminum suitcase walls and strong compartment walls do not allow you to expand the inside space.
You may find that you fit fewer items than you can in other suitcases.
Final Thoughts
So, Is Rimowa Worth It?
All the research I have done says to me that Rimowa suitcases are worth their premium price tag. The suitcases are beautiful, sturdy, and they are easy to manoeuvre. They are everything you could want in a suitcase, with the only real downfall being the price and weight. However, these are offset by Rimowa’s innovative design and high-quality functionality.
7 thoughts on “Are Rimowa Suitcases Worth It? Everything You Need to Know”
Hi Femi – This review on Rimowa suitcases was excellent! I haven’t purchased new luggage in many years and it’s beyond time that I upgrade what I currently have. This is exactly what I was looking for. While the price tag for a Rimowa suitcase definitely makes me pause, I can appreciate how well they are constructed and their longevity. Just like anything that’s high quality its a bit of an investment up front but in the long run it will usually be worth it. Thank you for sharing your expertise and for offering a couple other suitcase options to consider, this has been really helpful!
I like that these pieces are hard cover and can withstand some rough treatment.
Even though it may be on the pricier side, I think its worth it due to how long it lasts.
Thanks for the detailed review!!
My cousin has a Rimowa suitcase and loves it! I actually used it the last time I picked her up from the airport. I was really impressed with the quality of it.
However, I do have a question. Do you happen to know how to spot a fake Rimowa suitcase?
Since it’s an expensive brand I’m sure there are people making cheap replicas of it.
Thanks for your question, Garen!
To avoid buying a fake, I strongly advise purchasing Rimowa luggage only from an authorized retailer like Amazon, or directly from the Rimowa website.
If you have any doubts, please feel free to contact Rimowa customer service team for assistance. They would be happy to help you verify the authenticity of your purchase.
I hope this helps,
Cheers,
Femi.
I love that some of these Rimowa suitcases have the zipperless feature. I’ve been using the American Tourister and Kenneth Cole suitcases for some time now, but want to make the upgrade to a more durable suitcase. Even though the prices of these Rimowa suitcases are higher, it is expected. But I know that this will be a long-term investment that will be beneficial for many future trips for me and my family.
Thanks for the other recommendations as well.
Hi Femi,
I don’t travel often, so I have not been exposed to many suitcases. The Rimowa sounds like a suitcase you buy once and have for a lifetime. To be honest my suitcases are really just soft fabric overnight zipper bags, that have been fine for my infrequent travels. After learning about this durable luggage. I will be sure to tell others about the Rimowa suitcases. Thank you!
Having been in the luggage business for 44 years we certainly agree that Rimowa is a top quality brand but there are others that you neglected to mention in your article. Our experience is not just in selling premium luggage but we also repair and service all the brands we offer, giving us considerable knowledge and experience on how luggage performs over time. Your article omits brands such as Globe-Trotter (1897) from England, along with FPM Milano since 1946 makers of premium aluminum luggage and lastly Brics (Italy) founded in 1952. The best advice I have for those looking to purchase luggage is deal with a reputable retailer (that makes their living selling luggage, rather than a department store). Make sure they have a selection of similar priced brands to choose from and that they provide after-sales service so when your luggage requires repair, they’ll be happy to get it fixed.