Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?: a woman with a Briggs and Riley luggage
Credit: briggs-riley.com

It’s something many want to know, “Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?”

Perhaps you are a newcomer to the brand who has heard some good things about their luggage.

But then again, you may also have seen some things that have raised some questions in your mind.   

So, you are somewhat uncertain about trying their suitcases.

Well, allow me to walk you through the key things you need to know about Briggs and Riley.

Briggs and Riley is a good brand that backs their luggage with an unconditional lifetime guarantee to demonstrate their lasting quality. The company is also innovative, as it was the first in the industry to create the CX compression-expansion system, which provides extra space without changing the shape of the bag. Experts have reviewed their products favorably, noting that they are durable and offer unrivaled quality compared to other luggage brands.

Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?: Briggs and Riley luggage
Credit: briggs-riley.com

Briggs and Riley are a premier manufacturer of luxury travel bags. They create high-quality suitcases, carry-on bags, and duffel bags using cutting-edge technology. Also known for their luxurious, upscale designs, this brand is perfect for anyone who is looking for a high-quality, long-lasting experience.

Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?: Briggs and Riley lifetime warranty
Credit: briggs-riley.com

This is one characteristic Briggs and Riley has over other luggage brands as it offers a “no matter what” lifetime guarantee. Their lifetime warranty covers any type of damage. Including the ones caused by airlines at no extra charge.

This means no matter what happens to your Briggs and Riley bag, they will gladly repair it for you without any conditions- no proof of purchase required, no questions asked.

All you have to do is ship your bag to the nearest repair center. And once the repair is done, they cover the cost of shipping your bag to you.

This is what the warranty covers:

  • The repair of all functioning parts of your bag. Caused either by an airline or as a result of wear and tear; and
  • In the case of discontinuation of any color or replacement parts, Briggs and Riley will replace or repair the damaged part of your bag using the closest matching part or color available.

What the warranty doesn’t cover:

  • Damage of contents in your bag;
  • Cosmetics damage and cleaning; and
  • Replacements of any lost or stolen bag

From the above illustration, we can see that Briggs and Riley ticks all the boxes when it comes to product warranty. Their warranty is even transferable- this is unbelievable!

This truly shows Briggs and Riley stand by their bag and customer no matter what!

Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?: a woman rolling a Briggs and Riley suitcase
Credit: briggs-riley.com

Briggs and Riley’s luggage is designed for the modern traveler. They are known for their innovations using cutting-edge technology.

The brand is constantly introducing new features and designs that make traveling easier and more efficient.

The brand’s line of carry-on luggage features a unique compression system that saves space and prevents your clothes from getting wrinkled.

For example, the Briggs and Riley Transcend Spinner Suitcase has a built-in garment folder that keeps clothes wrinkle-free. You can have up to two suits gently folded in that section and they won’t get wrinkled.

3. Briggs and Riley has a patented CX Compression-expansion technology

They are the first luggage brand to create this feature in their bags.

The CX Compression-Expansion Technology is truly revolutionary. It allows you to jam-pack your bag with everything you need for a trip. It can be expanded up to 34% capacity of the bag and then compressed to fit in as a carry-on.

Here’s how it works:

Using the Briggs and Riley Baseline spinner as an example, easily expand the size of the bag by pulling up a clip by the sides of the bag.

Then overstuff your luggage with your belongings till the bag is full. Then activate the compression system on each side of the bag. This makes the bag return to its original size and can be used as a carry-on on planes.

This type of technology distinguishes Briggs and Riley from other luggage brands as this technology is exclusive to them only which is why it’s patented.

4. Briggs and Riley makes extremely durable bags

Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?: Briggs and Riley luggage
Credit: briggs-riley.com

The reason why their bags could last for several years is that they are made with high-quality materials and are engineered to last.

Briggs and Riley bags are extremely durable and can handle a lot of wear and tear

They use high-quality materials such as polycarbonate for the hard shell suitcases and ballistic nylon for their bags and soft shell suitcases.

The Sympatico for example is made with 3-layer Makrolon polycarbonate material which is high-strength, lightweight, impact-resistant and provides elasticity and resilience.

The ballistic nylon used for the soft shell cases is incredibly strong. It resists wearing providing exceptional durability that endures the test of time.

And an aircraft-grade aluminum telescopic handle system with two adjustable heights for smooth handling and convenience.

But that’s not all, all the parts of Briggs and Riley bags are built to be durable.

Some of them are:

  • YKK RC zippers for smooth zipper action with lockable double zipper pulls;
  • Solid 360-degree wheels system for smooth rolling even on rough surfaces. The components are made from impact-resistant material to increase protection which ensures durability for countless miles; and
  • Ergonomic outsider handle grip which keeps the bag’s structure intact when it’s fully loaded.

5. They have excellent customer care and repair services

Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?: Briggs and Riley repair options
Credit: briggs-riley.com

To ensure excellent customer service, they offer three fast and easy repair options.

  • Extensive global repair network: They have recognized centers worldwide where you can call and have your bag repaired. You can find any authorized repair center locally wherever you are. It is advised you call the local repair center before you have your bag shipped there so you’ll be certain.
  • Do-it-yourself: If you need a quick fix on your Briggs and Riley bag, you can take advantage of free self-repair kits. From their handles replacement kits to their wheel replacements- including all bolts and nuts needed to fix them.
  • Have your bag sent: You can have your bag sent directly to one of Briggs and Riley’s official repair centers. To do so, you need to create a repair authorization number (RA) here. You will be required to fill out a form and fill in your shipping address. The RA number will be given immediately upon registration. Also, note that this service is available to US residents only.
Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?: Briggs and Riley lifetime warranty
Credit: briggs-riley.com

Briggs and Riley is a brand that promotes sustainability of the environment by adopting a couple of methods which are “reduce, reuse and recycle”.

First is the lifetime guarantee they offer.

What this means to the environment is reducing the number of bags that end up in landfills.

They also believe in giving back to society.

They give out thousands of their bags to people in need in the North American region which keeps them in use and out of landfills.

Not only that, Briggs and Riley’s corporate headquarters make use of low energy consumption led lights which reduce energy consumption by 70-80%. They also make use of solar panels to reduce strain on the electric grid.

Not only that, their warehouse reuses corrugated boxes and recycles boxes that have reached their end life. These steps show they are mindful of the environment. You can find more information about their sustainability efforts here.

The drawbacks of Briggs and Riley

Briggs and Riley is a great luggage brand, but it’s not perfect. Here are some of the cons to consider before purchasing. 

1. They are expensive

Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?

Briggs and Riley bags are quite expensive. Their price ranges from $300 to $1049 which makes them one of the most expensive luggage brands on the market.

The reason why their bags are priced so high is because of the quality. The materials used to make all their bags don’t come cheap.

Even at that, I feel they’re not overpriced looking at the value you get when you purchase any of their bags.

For instance, their suitcases could last you up to 10-20 years and on top of that, you get a lifetime warranty.

You save more by buying a Briggs and Riley bag because, in the long run, the investment is worth it cos you get to use the bag for a lifetime.

2. Limited colors and designs

Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?: Briggs and Riley suitcases
Briggs and Riley

Briggs and Riley offer a limited range of colors, which may not be suitable for everyone. Their bags come in minimalistic designs and they look quite simple.

However, the Briggs and Riley Sympatico is sleek and stylish and comes in beautiful colors like red, onyx, matte navy and bronze.

Briggs and Riley is rated low in terms of color and design if we were to compare it to other brands in the same category like Rimowa or Tumi which have vibrant colors and more sleek and stylish designs.

According to clever journey in one of their articles, they rated Briggs and Riley 11/15 in terms of color and design

Nevertheless, we’d still like to see some more color and selection. Compared to Tumi or Rimowa, Briggs & Riley could do better design-wise, which is why we’ve only given them 11 points out of 15”.

Overall, Briggs and Riley is a great luggage brand with some minor downsides. If you’re looking for a durable, high-quality luggage brand that will last you for years, Briggs and Riley is a great option.

Other top luggage brands alternative to Briggs and Riley

There are other luxury luggage brands out there that can be compared to Briggs and Riley in terms of innovation, design, durability, and other features.

Let’s take a look at these three;

Travelpro

Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?: Travelpro luggage
Credit: travelpro.com

This brand has been around long before Briggs and Riley came on board. It was founded over thirty years ago by a professional pilot who created the first upright rolling luggage for himself and his cabin crew.

This innovation revolutionized the luggage industry.

In terms of price, Travelpro is still very much affordable. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 retails as low as $150 at the time of publishing this post.

Travelpro bags however are much lighter in weight compared to Briggs and Riley. They also make use of Polycarbonate for their hard shell, but not as durable as Briggs and Riley.

They offer up to 10 years warranty on a few of their products with conditions. Still, no brand is to be compared to Briggs and Riley in terms of the warranty.

Travelpro also has less sophisticated designs and fewer color options-mainly within cool tones.

Samsonite

Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?: Samsonite luggage
shop.samsonite.com

Samsonite and Briggs and Riley are both luxury luggage brands. A major difference between Samsonite and Briggs and Riley is their rich heritage.

Samsonite is well over 100 years old in the luggage industry.

Their price point is not priced as high as Briggs and Riley, and in terms of stylish designs, samsonite is the clear winner. Their hard shells come in lots of vibrant colors.

Samsonite’s most pricey hard shell- the Black label lite-shock is still lower than Briggs and Riley.

It is made from woven polypropylene which is incredibly lightweight but not as durable as the Makrolon polycarbonate used in Briggs and Riley bags.

Away

Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?: Away luggage
Credit: awaytravel.com

Whilst Briggs and Riley have both hard and soft side luggage, Away on the other hand only makes hard side luggage.

They also have minimalist designs just like Briggs and Riley.

And some of their suitcases are also pricey with the Away bigger carry-on flex being $345.

While Briggs and Riley uses only Polycarbonate for its hard side, Away has both polycarbonate and aluminum suitcases just like Rimowa– but less expensive

The major difference between Away and Briggs and Riley is that their construction simply isn’t as tough as what  Briggs & Riley offers.

Not only that, Briggs and Riley has more collections of luggage with more innovative features like the compression-expansion system compared to Away.

Final Thoughts

Is Briggs and Riley a good brand?

So, is Briggs and Riley a good brand?

In my opinion, Briggs and Riley is definitely a top luggage brand. The company has been in business for over 20 years and has a reputation for making durable and long-lasting luggage. In addition, Briggs and Riley offer a lifetime warranty on all of its products, which is a testament to the company’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

That being said, Briggs and Riley isn’t perfect. Their products can be a bit on the expensive side. Overall, Briggs and Riley is a good brand with many satisfied customers. If you’re looking for quality bags that will last for years, Briggs and Riley is a great option.

I hope you’re now well informed about Briggs and Riley with this article. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.

7 thoughts on “Is Briggs and Riley A Good Brand? 6 Things You Need To Know”

  1. Hi Femi,
    Thank you for bringing this wonderful brand Briggs and Riley to my attention. Without your in-depth review I would likely never have known about all the nice features of this luggage. This is the best warranty I have ever heard of. If I can buy a piece of luggage and my choice for a DIY repair kit for free, or leave it as well as ship it to a repair shop, is fantastic. And it is a lifetime guarantee. How can you beat that?

    Plus all the materials used insure that you won’t have to worry about rust or corrosion. Briggs and Riley will be on the top of my list when I get new luggage.

    Reply
    • Thank you for your kind words, Chas!

      I am thrilled to have brought this information your way. Yes, their lifetime warranty is one of the ways they strive to set ourselves apart from the competition and provide customers with the best possible experience.

      I’m glad you appreciate the high-quality materials used in their luggage–they’re built to last!

      Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.
      Cheers,
      Femi.

      Reply
  2. Hi there,
    Excellent piece of article. I really loved the reading. Thank you for sharing it!
    I have had a Samsonite suitcase for many years now, and all I can tell you is that they are very durable. I still use it today, but I need a suitcase for my husband. The Briggs and Riley suitcase seems to be the one I’m looking for. What I like about it most is that it has a lifetime warranty and the looks of it. I do have a question if you don’t mind. You have mentioned the fabric it’s made of. But what I didn’t see was the weight. Can you tell me, please, what is the weight of the Briggs and Riley suitcase? I need to know this because there is a certain weight you can’t exceed when taking a suitcase on the plane.
    Thank you very much!

    Reply
    • Hey Daniella,

      Thank you for your comment!
      To answer your question, the weight of Briggs and Riley carry-on luggage varies depending on the one you go for, but most pieces weigh around 8 lbs.

      Please keep in mind that each airline has their own restrictions on weight, so it’s important to check with your specific carrier before purchasing any luggage.

      I hope this information is helpful, if you have any other question, don’t hesitate to ask.
      Cheers,
      Femi.

      Reply
  3. Hi Femi
    This travel luggage looks like good quality brands to buy. I only use basic travel luggage bags I do not see the point of buying expensive travel luggage bags, to be honest. But thanks for your information and detailed article I am sure people will find this helpful. May be one day you can convince me to buy Briggs and Riley brand:)
    Cheers
    Angee

    Reply
  4. Hey Femi, wow, great review of the ‘Briggs & Riley’ luggage. I must admit I was not aware of the brand as I have not seen it in Canada where I live, or in the Philippines, where my wife is from.
    I can definitely see the quality of this luggage from what you have said. Perhaps even better than Samsonite which has a very good reputation for quality. Yeah, I guess the price point could be a stumbling block for lots of folks, however, as you have stated, with the quality of these bags, the awesome warranty, with repairs, etc covered, definitely worth the investment.
    My wife and I do a lot of travelling and when we are in the market for new luggage I will definitely consider Briggs & Riley !

    Reply
    • Thank you for your comment, William!

      Like you, I am also impressed with both the quality and features of Briggs and Riley backpacks, as well as their awesome warranty.

      I understand that the price point can be a bit daunting for some travelers, but I believe that the investment is worth it in order to get durable and long-lasting luggage.

      Thanks for stopping by.
      Cheers,
      Femi.

      Reply

Leave a Comment

198aff26-85af-4d24-ae33-442732b98a8f

Don't miss out on our periodic giveaways

Join our newsletter and stay up-to-date with the latest blogpost, travel tips and giveaways.

198aff26-85af-4d24-ae33-442732b98a8f

Don't miss out on our periodic giveaway

Join our newsletter and stay up-to-date with the latest blogpost, travel tips and giveaways.