Rimowa Original Cabin Review

The Rimowa Original Cabin glides like a figure skater, swallows clothing like it's candy, and handles hard knocks like a rodeo cowboy. Its all-metal design catches anyone's eye, and its quality is unsurpassed.

Performance Comparison

Capacity

In terms of overall capacity, the Rimowa checks all the boxes, but its ample space is somewhat limited by a slight weight problem. The Rimowa's all-metal exterior is exceptionally strong but, unfortunately, adds a few pounds to this otherwise luxury carry-on.

Tipping the scales at 9.5 pounds, it ranks among the heaviest bags on our list. That may not seem like a big deal; however, some international flights enforce a 20-pound carry-on bag weight limit, with some international carriers having limits as low as 15 pounds. So a heavier bag equates to less weight you're able to pack into it.

Luckily, U.S. domestic flights are more relaxed about carry on weight limits (with the average being 35 pounds) and instead focus on dimensions. So, while not a dealbreaker, the Rimowa's extra weight could potentially limit what you can pack if you buy a ticket from an airline that tends to be more fussy about carry-on weight limits.

On the positive side, our testing measurements show the Rimowa offers 39.5 liters of volume, so there's plenty of space for packing. Additionally, one of our favorite features is this bag's very effective compression panels, which do an excellent job of tightly pressing layers of clothing together. This maximizes space and reduces wrinkles. Surprisingly, the Away The Carry-On offers similar compression panels for just 1/5 of the price.

Ease of Transport

Four top-grade, 1.75-inch, double-wheeled spinners allow the Rimowa to glide over most terrain. During weeks of testing, we pulled ours on dirt roads, grass, gravel, and more, with little problem. This bag's smooth ride is most noticeable while strolling through an airport terminal or after realizing you have only 10 minutes to get from Gate B2 to B52. In fact, the Rimowa rolled so smoothly that we often found ourselves spinning it just for fun.

A multi-adjustable pull handle scored huge points with our testers in this metric. The Rimowa's handle starts at 33.5 inches and extends all the way to 42 inches, with about a zillion settings in between. This feature offers near-perfect customization and is far superior to the average 2-3 settings offered by the majority of rolling luggage.

Two auto-closing grab handles sit at the top and opening side of the Rimowa. We loved how the handles self-retracted into place after use. However, the handles are very smooth and sit very flush against the body of the bag, so sometimes it can be a small challenge to needle fingers into place when removing it from overhead bins or the back seat of a car. On that note, we feel the Rimowa would benefit from having a small handle or finger grab on the bottom of the case to allow it to be pulled from any direction.

Staircases were somewhat of a mixed bag for our testers. The Rimowa is well-balanced and easy to carry up and down a flight of steps or two. Likewise, we had no trouble transferring onto a train or bus. The catching point for us is the Rimowa's lack of protection when being pulled over a curb or series of steps. Although the all-aluminum body is certainly sturdy enough to handle full contact, we often found ourselves cringing to hear the bare metal bumping directly into the stairs we were climbing — especially when we considered this bag's colossal price tag.

Construction Quality

Given its higher-than-average price tag (by far) and beefy aluminum exterior, we assumed a near-perfect score for construction quality, and that's exactly what the Rimowa earned. In addition to its all-metal case, every corner is reinforced with thick aluminum protective end caps. Additionally, the exterior shell's body is corrugated, which increases the strength of the entire structure. Likewise, its famed beefy latch locks are very strong. The entire thing, including the metal hinges, is held together by rivets — a design homage that honors the aircrafts that carry the Rimowa from place to place.

The Rimowa's metal shell scored superior points for its absolute toughness. We subjected it to a variety of surfaces, particularly concrete, metal escalator steps, airport floors, and staircases. We also pushed it down a flight of stairs and let it free-fall three feet onto hard tile. It handled all of our mishandling just like a solid metal case should: without flinching.

Three words sum up why we held back on giving the Rimowa a perfect score for construction quality: scratches, dents, and water. Although its metal shell scored superior points for its absolute toughness, aluminum is still aluminum. And unlike more pliable fabrics like ballistic nylon and polyester, metal may be more prone to dent and scratch. While this factor is purely cosmetic, it was still considered in our testing plan for this metric. So if you still want a luxury bag but you'd rather opt for synthetic materials, we had much better luck with the Tumi 19 Degree International Expandable or the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Spinner. Finally, during our water tests, we were surprised that the Rimowa's zipperless closure was not completely watertight. After drowning it with spray for nearly five minutes, we found that some of our hose water made its way inside, leaving interior sections slightly damp. In all fairness, this was the case with many of the bags we tested. However, we were surprised to have the same results with the Rimowa.

Design and Functionality

The Rimowa is the epitome of sophistication, function, and style, earning it top-tier scores for design and function. From top to bottom, this carry-on makes complete sense. One of our favorite features is the two sturdy latch locks that secure the clamshell case together. Each TSA-approved latch has its own combination and clicks smoothly into place. In fact, we often found ourselves clicking them open and closed, just for fun (think James Bond).

Another one of our favorite design features is the Rimowa's generous interior and organizational system. Both sides of the bag's interior boast top-notch compression panels that easily cinch and velcro into place. This opens up more space, creates fewer wrinkles, and keeps clothing and other necessities firmly in place. However, the Velcro fasteners are a little weak and could use more grabbyness. We also feel a built-in USB charging port for replenishing a phone or device would be a nice touch.

Should You Buy the Rimowa Original Cabin ?

Yes, we've been crushing on the Rimowa Original Cabin for several weeks of testing, but it's time to get real: if the idea of dropping a boat-load of cash for one piece of carry-on luggage doesn't appeal to you, this bag's not your bag. That said, we can't deny the impeccable quality of the Rimowa, and it's without a doubt our favorite luxury hardshell. So, if you simply like nice things or just want the very best — and money is no object — this is your carry-on.

What Other Carry-On Luggage Should You Consider?

If you like quality but don't have this kind of money to drop on a piece of luggage, the Tumi 19 Degree International Expandable and Away The Carry-On are two other hardshells that ooze quality, style, and great functionality. If you're in the market for a premium soft-sided carry-on, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Essential Spinner is an excellent option. We also love the Travelpro Platinum Elite 21" Expandable Spinner, perfectly in the center of the Venn diagram of organizational features, quality, style, and price. If you'd rather throw anything with wheels or trolley handles to the curb, you may be more interested in the carte blanche packing options that a simple duffel bag offers. If so, we've already done all of the research for you: just click here.