As the old adages go, girls have diamonds, men have dogs. But a frequent flyer’s best friend is something far more essential: trustworthy and sturdy luggage.
It needn’t call attention to itself, but a good piece of luggage will accompany you around the globe, joining you for city breaks in Milan as well as excursions in Bhutan. And so, your suitcases, trunks, and carry-ons need to be robust, practical, and lightweight. Choose poorly, and your supposed travel companion can quickly become a liability.
For that reason, picking the right brand is important – especially when there’s plenty of new labels promising high quality products that, in reality, don’t hit the mark. We’ve listed our favorite luxury luggage brands so that you can spend more time thinking about your next getaway.
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Rimowa
You’ll likely see a sticker-clad Rimowa suitcase alongside the best-dressed people in the airport, as the German travel brand has been adopted as the en vogue suitcase by the style set for some time. With over 100 years of experience making suitcases, it was the first brand to build suitcases out of aviation-inspired aluminium, revolutionizing the industry by making them noticeably lighter than the wooden chests that were used at the time. And if something were to happen to it mid transit, the brand’s lifetime guarantee will come into play.
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Aviteur
It seems the Gucci family aren’t just good at making horsebit-embellished leather goods. Patricia Gucci, the daughter of former chairman Aldo Gucci, has used the high-quality craftsmanship associated with her family’s name for own venture, luxury travel brand Aviteur. In-keeping with the business that she knows, each of the aviation-grade polycarbonate shell suitcases are encased in leather, with a rattan-esque design stamped around its exterior. They’re made in Italy from locally sourced materials by artisans that have had a long-term relationship with the family. Chic, as well as durable.
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Louis Vuitton
With its headline-grabbing fashion shows and celebrity-studded campaigns, it’s easy to forget that Louis Vuitton once started as a luggage brand. Despite the expansion of its product offering, the Paris-based fashion house still knows how to make an excellent suitcase.
These days, there’s collaborations with zeitgeist defining creatives – think: Japanese artist Takashi Murakami – to take your pick from, or, if you want something more personalized, there’s the option to monogram over the famed LV moniker on the classic styles.
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Globe Trotter
As its name would suggest, Globe Trotter started with the ambition of being the suitcase accompaniment for those traveling around the world, and it still is to this day. Since its inception in 1897, the star-embossed luggage has been used by the late Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and famed explorer Edmund Hillary, as well as contemporary celebrities such as Daniel Craig, David Beckham, and Kate Moss.
Everything is still made in the same facilities in England with much of the same machinery from the Victorian era. Many of its designs hark to those first models, proving that sometimes, things are best left unchanged.
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Carl Friedrik
Founded in London in 2013 by entrepreneurial Swedish brothers Niklas and Mattis Oppermann, Carl Friedrick was initially focused on small leather goods but more recently expanded into the world of luggage. Its commitment to reliable, durable, and stylish pieces remains steadfast, though.
The range spans smaller carry-on bags through to the Large Check-in, which has a substantial 20L capacity. Each piece has a German-engineered polycarbonate shell, recycled polyester lining, and aluminum lock frames.
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Serapian
A firm ‘if you know, you know’ luggage maker, Milanese brand Serapian has been crafting leather goods since 1928. Its travel range uses premium, hard-wearing leather and canvas, in Serapian’s proprietary Stepan design.
Gun metal hardware adds to the look, and TSA-approved locks give added security when traveling. To take your luggage collection to the next level, make the most of Serapian’s bespoke division.
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Porsche Design
Although Porsche is best known for its cars, the brand’s lifestyle wing acts as a mark of excellence for design buffs. Intended to complement Porsche’s motor vehicles in quality and aesthetic, the brand’s luggage is slick and tasteful.
Colorways are muted bar a pop of brilliant red and emphasis is put on security, with in-built locks. For the real motor buff, consider the Roadster Aluminum Trolley S, which references the aerodynamic shape of the 911 and has Carrera Classic-inspired wheels.
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Tumi
While many luxury luggage lines favor hard-shell cases, US-based brand Tumi flies the flag for softer materials, and uses a patented, ultra durable nylon. Its range is versatile and intuitive: larger bags are expandable and have thoughtful pockets and compartments, while smaller backpacks are neatly designed to attach to roller cases.
The brand’s latest collaboration with longtime ambassador Lando Norris relaunches the classic Alpha line, which debuted in 1983. The range still features that proprietary Ballistic Nylon, but comes refreshed with new vivid blue accents (and a Formula 1 driver seal of approval).
