Is Rimowa’s Aluminum Luggage Truly Worth Its Cost?

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Rimowa, renowned for introducing the aluminum suitcase in 1937, sets the benchmark for luxury luggage brands. Its iconic parallel-grooved cases—often adorned with quirky stickers—have become a status symbol at airports globally, admired for their distinctive design and timeless elegance.

In the past year, we rigorously tested two of Rimowa’s top-selling suitcases—the Original Check-In Large and the Original Cabin Carry-On—through dozens of flights, road trips, ferry rides, and more. Here’s our insight into how well this luggage merges practicality with style—and whether the $1,000+ price tag is justified.

Rimowa Original Check-In Large Suitcase

As Dinogo’s points and loyalty specialist, I’m always eager to showcase my elite perks (hello: complimentary checked bags). Being a habitual overpacker, I opted for a large, checked hard-shell suitcase from Rimowa’s Original Collection. Initially, I was drawn to the German brand’s Classic Collection, known for its retro-luxe design featuring sharper corners and briefcase-style locks. However, loyal fans advised that the Classic cases are more fragile and best suited for private flights. The robust, rounded corners of the Original cases are ideal for commercial travel. Plus, the Rimowa Original aluminum suitcase is the legendary luggage that defines the brand’s 125-year legacy.

The Original Check-In suitcase is available in both Medium and Large sizes, but I chose the larger option to maximize its generous 86 liters of capacity for trips lasting up to two weeks.

Staying true to tradition, I selected the classic silver color, though the suitcase is also offered in “Arctic Blue,” “Titanium,” and black. My pristine silver case quickly became adorned with stickers—a rite of passage for Rimowa owners, a fun way to break in new luggage, and a means to embrace its inevitable imperfections. While aluminum is quite sturdy, it can dent and scratch at the surface, giving it a charmingly worn aesthetic (imagine a rock star in his 50s) that I came to love over time. The initial dents on my $1,800 bag were tough to accept, but eventually, I began to view them as cool tattoos and scars rather than flaws.

Like all Rimowa suitcases, the Check-In Large is equipped with a unique Multiwheel System for seamless steering and rolling, a robust telescopic handle that easily adjusts for various heights, and Flex Dividers (with Velcro straps) inside to compress luggage on both sides. Along with TSA-approved locks, this clamshell design enhances security with its zipperless feature, making it nearly impossible for thieves to breach. It's beautifully simple, but this simplicity is expertly crafted.

Even if luxury items aren't usually your thing, you might find a thrill in how effortlessly this case glides through airports on its smooth wheels, complemented by a stylish design that enhances any travel outfit. Consider it a statement piece that attracts admiring looks from those in the know.

This suitcase has also compelled me to become a more organized packer, as the Flex Dividers don’t confine belongings like zipped dividers do. Overstuffing the bag misaligns the edges, preventing it from closing properly. As a result, I now fold items neatly and use packing cubes, ensuring the interior matches the sleek exterior. —Paul Rubio, points and loyalty special correspondent

Rimowa Original Cabin Carry-On

The Rimowa Original Cabin is essentially a scaled-down version of the Original Check-In, featuring the same wheels, handles, and attributes—designed for carry-on use.

As a light packer residing on the fourth floor of a Brooklyn walk-up, I typically travel with only carry-on luggage. As Dinogo’s gear editor, I possess over half a dozen wheeled suitcases. While my other bags have served me well at a fraction of the cost, the Rimowa has always been my dream suitcase. For years, I curated Pinterest boards filled with Rimowa bags covered in stickers, yearning for those sleek silver grooves. When I finally acquired the Rimowa Original Cabin in 2022, I was delighted to find it balanced form and function. After a year of use, I wholeheartedly believe it’s worth the investment.

Initially, I was drawn to a Rimowa for its looks, but the price truly reflects the quality of its features. The sturdy handle easily slides up and down and adjusts perfectly to my height. However, it’s the wheels that truly impress me. Rimowa’s unique Multiwheel system features ball-bearing mounted wheels with cushioned axles. To the average traveler, this means they provide the smoothest roll of any suitcase I’ve encountered—not just on airport floors, but also over bumpy pavements and rough carpets.

My admiration for those wheels deepened last year in Indonesia on the car-free island of Gili Trawangan, when I foolishly thought I could walk 30 minutes to our hotel from the ferry. The first 10 minutes were on pavement, but soon the sidewalk turned into sand, then mud, and a mixture of sand, mud, and horse manure. Despite dragging my Rimowa through all of it, the wheels performed beautifully after I hosed off the mess. In contrast, my sister’s non-Rimowa suitcase left the island with wheels that were permanently squeaky.

Now, let’s discuss size. The Rimowa Original Cabin is slightly larger than the carry-on luggage size restrictions of most airlines. Measuring 21.7 x 15.8 x 9.1 inches—or 46.6 linear inches—it technically exceeds the limits of most domestic U.S. airlines (typically 22 x 14 x 9 inches or 45 linear inches). Nevertheless, I’ve never been asked to gate check it, and it has fit in every overhead bin on the 15 or so flights I’ve taken within the United States over the past year on airlines like Delta and JetBlue.

Since aluminum is heavier than polycarbonate, I've encountered more challenges with international airlines that enforce weight limits on carry-ons. Weighing in at 9.5 pounds, it’s still manageable to lift into overhead compartments or carry up and down stairs, only about 2 pounds heavier than the polycarbonate bags I own. However, once I loaded it with shoes, toiletries, and clothing, I quickly exceeded the 15-pound carry-on weight limit imposed by Singapore Airlines and Indonesia’s Lion Air during my flights last fall. Thankfully, due to its sturdy aluminum shell, I’ve never been too concerned about checking it. After handing it off to airlines a half dozen times, it has consistently returned in one piece, with just a few minor scratches. (For those keen on minimizing weight, the Rimowa Essential Lite Cabin polycarbonate suitcase matches the Original Cabin in size but weighs only 4.9 pounds—and is $670 cheaper.)

With a spacious interior capacity of 35 liters, the Original Cabin can accommodate about five days' worth of clothes for someone like me who tends to pack lightly. Consequently, I still frequently depend on my Away Bigger Carry-On, which boasts a 47.9-liter capacity for longer trips or vacations that demand bulkier winter attire. (Rimowa also offers a 49-liter Original Cabin Plus model for those needing a bit more space.)

Unlike Paul, I've been using packing cubes for a long time, so I didn't need to adjust to the zipperless design of its Flex Dividers to keep my carry-on organized. However, the absence of exterior zippers makes it slightly more challenging to close, as the edges must align perfectly to secure the bag. When I’ve stuffed it to capacity, I’ve often had to sit on it to flatten the edges. But this minor inconvenience is worth it for the added security of the zipperless closure. —Lyndsey Matthews, senior commerce editor

The Rimowa lifetime guarantee

As of July 25, 2022, all new Rimowa suitcases now come with a lifetime manufacturer’s guarantee—in contrast to competitors’ multi-year warranties—that covers all functional aspects of the suitcase. (This guarantee excludes cosmetic wear and tear, as well as misuse or abuse.) This reflects the brand’s dedication to durability and longevity, ensuring that if any damage occurs, repairs or replacements will be provided.

In an effort to maintain sustainability, Rimowa prioritizes repairing its luggage, only opting for replacements when absolutely necessary. For basic repairs, you can take your suitcase to any Rimowa store, where they can often fix issues like a broken wheel on the spot. Additionally, several luxury hotels, such as the Park Hyatt Vienna and the Middle House Shanghai, provide in-house Rimowa repair services. For more complex problems that can’t be resolved immediately, Rimowa stores will facilitate shipping your suitcase to their client care team for significant repairs and assess whether a replacement is required.

So far, neither of us has needed to utilize this lifetime guarantee in our first year of owning Rimowa suitcases.

Naturally, a lifetime guarantee is only valuable if the brand remains operational. However, given that Rimowa recently celebrated its 125th anniversary—having been founded in 1898 in Cologne, Germany, and acquired by LVMH in 2016—it’s safe to say this storied brand is likely to be around for a while longer.

The bottom line

The suitcases in Rimowa’s Original Collection are designed for a lifetime of travel. Your choice between the Check-In Large or the Cabin Carry-On ultimately depends on the length of your typical trips and your packing style. The initial price tag becomes less daunting when you consider the suitcase's longevity—and the lifetime guarantee that supports it. While these cases may lose their pristine appearance over time, think of them as a living record of your journeys, akin to a passport, just stamped in a different way.