Long-Term RIMOWA LUGGAGE Review (Watch BEFORE You BUY!!)

Long-Term RIMOWA LUGGAGE Review (Watch BEFORE You BUY!!)

In this video you will see a long-term Rimowa luggage review of my Rimowa Cabin. I purchased my Rimowa suitcase 5 years and have used it extensively. I will show the wear and tear of the Rimowa after 5 years of use and travel. I will also provide my thoughts on what I like and dislike. Since purchasing my Rimowa cabin for $1050, the price has increased substantially to $1400.

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I originally wanted to Rimowa Original in the silver color but when in store, I found the color to be too shiny. The black color of the Rimowa worried me a bit with when thinking about the paint scratching off but it has held up pretty well. I have not checked the bag often but the few times that I have resulted in a couple of dents in the corners. Overall, the only items I am not happy with the Rimowa Cabin are on the inside. The inside separators and fabric liner are not on par in quality with what I would have thought for a suitcase of this cost. I am still very happy with Rimowa luggage and would have still purchased, but at the new price of $1400 I would really need to consider others prior to making a purchase.

When comparing Rimowa vs Away, you are really able to see the difference of a quality suitcase. The Rimowa Cabin is much more expensive than the Away suitcase so it is expected to of better quality, but I think there are much better offerings for the price from other luggage brands like Samsonite. When looking at Rimowa vs Samsonite, there is no comparison in quality but the price is right and I found the quality much better Away.

I was in the market for a larger checked bag, and I wanted to purchase the Rimowa Check-In but I could not get past the thought of spending $1600 on a piece of luggage that would be thrown around and quickly damaged. I purchased a larger suitcase from Samsonite and am very happy with the purchase at under $300. If you are considering Away, I would consider other traditional luggage brands like Samsonite. When looking at Away vs Samsonite, I find the Samsonite to be of better quality and price.

Rimowa vs Away
Rimowa vs Samsonite

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[JameyKocan]

What do you think about Rimowa luggage? Is it worth the high cost?

[dr.d]

I purchased 3 pieces of Rimowa "Salsa" (not Salsa Lite) luggage 13 years ago - the wheeled attache case, the Rimowa Cabin and the Rimowa Check In Medium. Today it would be similar to the "Essential". I travel about 50-60% of the time. Of that, about half the time I am flying, the other half driving. All three pieces have been around the world 5 times. My Cabin has over two million miles on it. Would I buy them again? Absolutely! This has been one of the best investments I have made. They have been worth every cent that I paid for them. I traveled with several people who would buy a new suitcase every year because they were so cheap. If you cost that out, they have spent more money for their luggage that I have for mine.

[chewie]

If you travel a lot (1-3x per year), then Rimowa cabin plus can not be beat. I love putting my bag on top of it. My friend puts his heavy backpack on top of it. Also, the more you use the suitcase, the more you fall in love it. The true value of the suitcase becomes realized. If you barely travel, then you probably do not need it. You can still buy it, but make sure you are ok with it getting scratches here and there (like all luggage). Some people go all crazy because of a few scratches.

[trlarosa]

After nearly 10 years wanting one I finally got an original cabin twist (red handles) about a year ago. $1400+tax as you mention. Totally insane, really. I felt like I was about to have a panic attack. But to use it is a truly enjoyable experience. Just looking at it makes me smile. And as you mention, I can pull off a two-week trip with the cabin plus a small duffle bag. Would I do it again? Maybe for the cabin. But I wouldn’t buy the checked bag. I wouldn’t be able to handle the damage for the price tag. I’d rather check cheap cases until they break, which honestly can take a long time. Thanks for the review!

[rudiausbuddeln]

people should consider that their aluminium cabin was 600€ here in germany just 3 years ago and is doubled now in price. not that its just not worth 1200€ but if its this expensive you need to consider that its such a big target for thefts + is steadily a huge placative status symbol sadly which can create an unwell feeling

[robcousins]

Nice to see Greg from Succession doing reviews. Way to go Greg! Get out of Tom's shadow and forge your own path!

[NimbleNeedles]

The older rimowa suitcases had a lining that was even looser and it had a zipper. So the theory behind that is that you can actually open it and remove debris. If you've ever been to a place with very fine sand, that becomes a very nice thing to have. So, I guess the lining is not meant to adhere to the full suitcase anyway.
When it comes to the separators...actually i came to love them. I know they are not super tight but the fact that you CAN remove them to store bulky items or keep them is super nice (as opposed to other brands/models that just have this kinda netting). I love it to store things like tablets, computers, kindles or documents. Kinda lovely.
So it's funny that all the things you seem to not like about Rimowa is what I really love about them.

What I came to hate about it is that when you use them as checked luggage there's a 50% chance it ends up broken. For some reason, baggage handlers seem to think it can handle a bit more and just toss it around....and then it ends up being one big dented mess. Sure, there's a warranty and the airline..but I joke you not that I have had my big checked aluminum replaced 6 times in the past 6 years.
It's come to a point where I am not looking for a non-alumnium alternative (how i found this video basically) because I just don't want to deal with it anymore.

[Terrimccandless]

Researching Rimowa and Tumi...your comments clarified some questions. Will consider the lining issue. Appreciated the Away comments. Leaning on Rimowa Cabin. Thank you.

[aidanscheiwe]

The velcro is weaker so that it doesn't catch on delicate clothing so easily, it is an intentional design element. :)

[JeremyGreysmark]

Wow prices have gone up...
I have purchased my Rimowa originally from Germany in 2011 when they were just a normal company and not a fashion luxury brand. (The have been bought by Luis Vuitton, which explains the extreme price hikes over the years).
I needed a functionional suitcase with seals to keep equipment dry, so it was a technical requirement as well. My suitcase is the mid sized check in version, aluminium, before they even offered all those colours, so it is just standard aluminium. It only ever has been checked, and has done really well. It has been fixed a few times, is super dented but I would not give that case up if possible. It also has three latches instead of two, which is crazy, as I bought it for about 550 € new from a dealer in Germany. So less than half the price of those cases now, including a third handle... :D Just my observations.

[BarneyRolls]

In 2016 after LVMH had bought Rimowa Arnault said in an interview that the margin has to be drastically increased, which can be observed in the price increase you have seen. Also they are producing in Eastern Europe now. A friend of mine works in the flagship store in Berlin and minds the qualitiy decrease in combination with the price increase. It's all for the stock holders of LVMH, not the customer.

[alexxela]

You helped me to settle my dilemma between grey and black, picked the grey as scratches will be more forgiving ( visually).

[Cobie]

I absolutely love my Rimowa. My dad wants one now for his upcoming retirement travel plans

[azxtra]

Awesome review that answered a lot of the questions that I had about this luggage!!! Thanks!!!

[IamnotJokic]

You’re looking at it all wrong. The Velcro on the dividers was designed to be gentle so that it won’t snag the fabric of your clothes (like a wool coat or a knit sweater). If the Velcro was stronger it could ruin the fabric.

[nonsubtleflex]

I just bought dark green rimowa cabin essential for $900 after tax. I dont think I will be a fan of the original series due to the weight, dentability (which is crucial for its indestructibility) and slightly higher price. But considering the lesser price, polycarbonite material, sama wheels and handle, and lifetime warranty of the rimowa cabin essential, I would say this is an investment. I’d rather pay 3 luggages upfront rather than buying new luggage for every 3/4 years.

Am not planning to buy any of its check-in luggages tho (at least as of now) given the price tag and handled by someone else recklessly – my heart just cant.

[blackbird]

Hi, thanks for this review! Another review here on Youtube had the same problem with the lining and brought his Rimowa back to the store and had it fixed. I'm sure they'd fix yours too.

[richarddavis]

I believe the lightweight velcro is so it doesn't ruin delicate clothing.

[lampros]

Very nice video !!! Good job !I would like to ask if the cabin plus luggage needs to be checked-in or it fits in the overhead bin of the planes, domestic flights

[TrueImmortality]

I've been looking into aluminum luggage for better longevity. The biggest drawback seems to be the weight. If you had to check it, the weight would be a huge issue on international flights. Have you had any problems with packing for the extra weight of just the suitcase alone? I know Rimowa is slightly lighter than the Tumi aluminum, but Tumi is watertight and has better locking mechanisms so I'd be interested to know how the weight affects your packing process.