Less than half the price of Rimowa! Is MVST any good?

0:00 Are you Looking for an Aluminum Luggage?
0:30 Rimowa Users
2:10 Other Popular Luggage
2:36 MVST Select Review
3:00 Features
3:39 Comparison to Rimowa
5:42 Is it Better than Rimowa?
6:03 Conclusion

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Rimowa GmbH (German pronunciation: [ʁɪˈmoːva]), often stylized as RIMOWA, is a high-quality luggage manufacturer. The company was founded in 1898, in Cologne, Germany.

RIMOWA suitcases are widely known for their parallel aluminium grooves, which have become characteristic of the brand.[1] The company's headquarters and production have been located in Cologne for 120 years.

In October 2016, RIMOWA joined LVMH,[2] becoming the group's first German company.[3] From 2017 to 2021, the company was managed by Alexandre Arnault.[4] Hugues Bonnet-Masimbert took over as CEO in 2021.[5]

[aldenleonard-cuzs]

I decided to try a MVST suitcase and have had a poor experience, unfortunately. The suitcase got badly damaged in first check-in (with a “fragile” sticker on it!). It’s not just dents - the suitcase now wobbles and wheels don’t move properly. MVST says they won’t refund it even though it’s clearly a major quality issue, and they can’t replace it for 2 months, so I don’t have a usable suitcase and I’m down ~$500. I would advise caution people to stay away.

[russianwolfhound]

The majority of luggage at this price point (and even lower) will tend to survive the first few trips without incident. But no matter the price range, if luggage isn't well engineered, or uses inferior parts, all bets are off when it comes to longevity. 

For example, Rimowa wheels have bearings, and will roll smoothly and last longer than MVST, who use cheaper wheels to keep costs down. Rimowa owners can also purchase replacement wheels from the company, if there is ever a wheel related problem post-warranty. In contrast, some other companies have wheels that can't be replaced -either by design or availability. In fairness to MVST, their 5 year warranty includes wheel replacement.

Other key components, such as latches are another area where quality can vary greatly between Rimowa and the cheaper copy-cat companies. Again, it's a matter of quality taking a back seat to cost savings for the manufacturer.

The true measure of good luggage is in its longevity. All luggage will take a battering during repeated travel. Even Rimowa. Whether handled by bitter rampies or processed via demolition derby inspired conveyor belts, no luggage escapes the wrath of the baggage handling process.

While this review by Family Day Off certainly provides a lot of useful information, it would be interesting and very useful to provide an update after a year or 2 of use, and see how the MVST cases have fared.

[kelvinclin]

It's a good option but aluminum in general weighs more than you would think over the plastics and it's not as forgiving for stuffing your luggage. With that said, I made the switch to MVST and don't regret it. I feel my belongings are better protected and their stuff is a quality build. Nice video.

[travelingwithteddyg]

Just purchased my MVST and the first trip out the hinges broke. Lucky it was still locked. I am going to try luggex. I am glad you had a better experience. Safe travels!!

[chewie]

Samsonite (also made in Germany like Rimowa) makes great luggage and is an underdog who always outperforms and worth the money (about 70% less expensive than Rimowa and Tumi).

[Amgev]

My MVST 22” is smaller than my Monos 22” and larger than my Samsonite 20”. So it’s really a 21”. For me when I travel with only one bag that size differential matters. The wheels as you mentioned are inferior to the Monos and Samsonite. They just don’t roll as smoothly. I’ve tested them in airport concourses side by side. I recommend looking at other “true” 22” carry on aluminum cases. There are plenty in this price range.

[andgainingspeed]

If I paid a premium price for luggage I could never let airline staff abuse it, thus it would have to be carry on. Check bags might as well be trash, because they will treated as such by the guys loading bags.

[dr.d]

Thanks for the video! Yes, I am a confirmed Rimowa owner. I have had my two Rimowa suitcases for 14 years! Yes, 14 years. And I travel by air 20-30K per year plus international travel, and have both carry-on and checked my cases. So that is a lot of miles on these suitcases. Aside from a few scratches and one "ding" they are in great shape and will last me the rest of my life. Before I purchased my Rimowas, I was going through a suitcase every year or two. So for me, the Rimowas have more than paid for themselves!

[bballerforever]

I trust your honesty!
You bought it, wasn’t a freebie.

“Real deal, Holyfield”
I haven’t heard that one since when I had two good ears.

[chewie]

RIMOWA IS TOP OF THE LINE, but heavy. The plastic versions of Rimova are better if you don't want to pay the extra luggage fees when it weighs too much. TUMI is almost as good or equal to Rimowa. Samsonite is also made in GERMANY like Rimowa but people in the United States don't know about it much. Samsonite is very well made and I would go with Samsonite any day if my TUMI or RIMOWA is not available or I need extra luggage.

[Esheron]

just thought about getting a rimova to protect my stuff from being stolen but then realized a 1000$ suitcase gonna get stolen whole bruh 😢

[dtuliao]

Great review! I was about to buy the Level 8 Aluminum until I saw this review and you convinced me. Just bought the TREK Carry-On and Medium in Army Green. Can't wait to get them! Thanks

[jeffchan]

Its like saying $100 handbag vs $3000 handbag having the same function. Its a neverending agree and disagree discussion… 😅

[markbolatete]

Thanks for this review kabayan, I was looking for a Rimowa alternative and bumped into this video. Appreciate this review and wish you and your family all the best. :)

[rav]

I have just had my MVST suitcase and the suitcase got badly damaged when it arrived and MVST Did not want to know, or to help (it was like "we have your money", Now we don't care). On first flight the original damage got worse so will have to put it down to patina look. Rimowa does look after it's customers and thats what you are paying for, as part of the high price.

[rorok]

All my suitcases are now hard-side clam-shell rollers. Anyone serious about traveling uses these. There is no compromise. Zippered suitcases are out.

[frknbne]

actually Rimowa is french-driven it is part of Louis Vuitton LVMH group ..

[stigmata]

Nice video but remember that price is actually a feature, in luxury items. A Seiko cannot be a substitute for a Rolex for a number of reasons including the price. At a certain level you do choose an expensive item over a cheaper one because you can afford it and others cannot, and you want those others (those who have ad adeguate taste, of course) to know that. Price is a feature.

[johntocho]

Bought one for every member of my family, 4 in all. 2 of the 4 have a problem with the telescoping handle...the handle does NOT stay in place, collapses with any modest pressure. So 50% product failure is NOT good. This is a major impact in functionality since you use the telescoping handle when rolling throughout the airport. So take your chances with MVST. Maybe it will work or NOT. Big time disappointed.

[gyang]

Went with the Tumi. It looks like Tumi is the only one that makes an aluminum suitcase that is expandable.