The Pros and Cons of Aluminum Luggage: the Best Choice for Travel

Likewise, Tumi's signature wheel design and telescoping handle provide smooth manoeuvrability, even in crowded spaces. July's wheel design protrudes slightly but pays off in stability and ease of movement. It glides smoothly over all terrains, including brick-paved driveways. Browse luggage aluminum

That said, I’ve never been forced to gate check it, and it’s fit in every overhead bin on the 15 some-odd flights I’ve taken it on in the past year within the United States on airlines like Delta and JetBlue. Rimowa Original aluminum suitcases come in a variety of colors and sizes. After multiple spins around the globe with Rimowa suitcases, two travel editors give their honest reviews of the form, function—and value—of the brand’s Original luggage collection. The suitcases described above truly live up to their exceptional qualities, making them stand out among the competition. Extensive research has been conducted to ensure that these products meet the highest standards of quality and durability.
One of the most iconic luggage designs of all time, the RIMOWA Original suitcase is made for the most discerning travellers. It’s also one of the most affordable suitcases featured in this review, which is certainly a pro in my book. However, it’s currently not available in a carry-on size so keep that in mind.

Airlines are concerned with weight and dimension of your luggage, rather than its physical appearance. A hard shell  suitcase is typically less flexible and slightly heavier than a soft shell suitcase, so may be more likely to breach the airline’s specifications. Both types of luggage are commonly used as both check in and carry on, and airlines are well equipped to handle both.
The front and back plates are cut from aerospace-grade polycarbonate, which Monos says proves just as indestructible. Everything’s tonal here, too, meaning all aluminum-colored everything. Our tester found the hidden pockets and included laundry bag helpful, and the bag comes case comes with a complimentary leather name tag, too. Plus, these wheels are some of the best of the bunch, but not quite as sturdy as Sterling Pacific’s. If you’re interested in traveling with an aluminum suitcase on your next adventure, here are the carry-on options we’ve tested, researched, and recommend to suit various budgets and use cases. If you’re having trouble deciding on just one of these awesome aluminum suitcases, I’m here to help.

Thule travel luggage is designed with features such as expandable compartments, internal organizers, and lightweight construction, helping you pack more efficiently and travel more comfortably. The epitome of practicality and style for those looking for versatile carry-on friendly luggage. Ideal for short getaways or business trips, its spacious front pocket provides effortless access to travel essentials, including dedicated compartments for tablets and laptops.
Starting as a small family-run business in Germany, it’s gone on to become known for its thoughtfully crafted, carefully engineered suitcases. Sleek in design, they have nifty features like  flex dividers, multiple wheels, telescopic handles and TSA locks. Recently, Rimowa has introduced new colour ways of petal and cedar — seasonal hues inspired by the secluded island of Yakushima. We tested this aluminum version of Away’s The Bigger Carry-on in our New York City lab, so we can really attest to the quality first-hand.

These TSA-approved padlocks have a universal master key; the TSA has a copy, meaning American airline security personnel can open your suitcase and examine its contents without damaging it. For longer getaways, there are a few key boxes the best suitcases have to tick. They must be spacious enough for all your holiday essentials, durable enough to survive baggage handling and light enough when empty to pack everything you need without exceeding your airline's weight limit. Most airlines allow a common maximum luggage size of 158cm, calculated by additionning the total dimensions including wheels and handles. Luggage that exceeds standard sizing may incur additional fees from select airlines.
It is resistant to corrosion and fading from exposure to sunlight and rain. In addition, it seems more polished than, say, a set of plastic or cloth suitcases. You should also read our article about the best luggage sets you can buy in 2023. Rimowa was the company that initiated the trend of using aluminum for suitcases, which began in the 1950s and is still going strong today. If you are carrying fragile or precious goods, you should consider using a high-end aluminum suitcase since it will protect your belongings more. If travelers luxury travels with bags made of aluminum, it will be considerably more difficult for criminals to enter the bag without first shattering it.
You might be spending a lot to bring this suitcase home, but Sterling Pacific does offer a lifetime warranty and free repairs should anything happen to this pricey piece. Away also offers a warranty that covers damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers and other functional elements of the suitcases. This provides added peace of mind when splurging on pricier suitcases.

The shell proved less durable though, sustaining some damage during our drop tests. But we do test based on worst case scenarios, and if it’s quiet luxury you’re after, note that this range was spotted in an episode of Succession. Rooted in heritage, each RIMOWA Classic features a high-end anodised aluminium alloy, riveted high-gloss aluminium corners, and hand-made leather handles. The suitcases in Rimowa’s Original Collection are great luggage meant for life.
The classic style features a ridged metallic exterior with Italian leather, silver interior buckles, and a design that is more trunk than rollaboard. Most hard cases have four wheels, soft-sided luggage usually has two. Those four wheels are typically 360-degree spinners which makes it a breeze to manoeuvre even heavy cases through crowded airport terminals, railway stations and anywhere else they’re on a smooth surface.

But it must fit into the overhead storage compartments of an aeroplane. This feature will allow you to attach the carry-on to a 4-wheel spinner piggyback style, allowing for smooth movement. The carry handles can come in handy when the telescoping handle is retracted. Even though the case is compact, the main compartment is large and can accommodate multiple items. The best carry-on luggage is one that is durably built, easy to pack, rolls smoothly, and can easily fit into the overhead cabin of an aeroplane. Also, the carry-on should have all the features that you may need when travelling.