Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley: Are These Luxury Brands Worth the Price?

You’re not alone if you’re looking to upgrade to luxury luggage for your next trip, be it a business event or an international escape. Two brands you’ll come across are Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley, and it’s easy to see why they’re commonly compared.

Rimowa has been crafting stunning, high-quality luggage since 1898. From premium leather suitcases to hard-shell varieties made from polycarbonate/aluminum, this luggage makes a statement. Carry-ons start around $700.

Briggs and Riley is a bit newer, but still has 30 years of experience in making stunning suitcases that can withstand the rigors of modern travel. The brand is best known for its intuitive CX compression tech, helping you fit more in less space. Carry-ons start around $600.

Both brands are really expensive, and it’s important to ask yourself if it’s actually worth it. Or, are you better off with a more affordable type of luxury, like our hard shell luggage at Nobl Travel?

We design carry-on luggage and checked luggage not just with the goal of impressing others in the terminal, but to streamline every trip you take. You get the same durable materials and way more thoughtful features at a fraction of the price you’d pay for the other guys.

Learn more about Briggs and Riley vs Rimowa below, and how Nobl Travel stacks up!

“Best luggage we have ever had! Literally replaced our expensive Rimowa luggage with this. And Isabella in customer service was fantastic!” - Heather

“My husband & I own Rimowa luggage, which we still love & adore, but the no zipper feature of Nobl is a game changer. The colors are pretty cute too. Will definitely recommend these luggage to my friends and family.” - Rachelle

“I am very happy with my purchase so far. I can charge my phone or iPad before flights, and it even has a place to hold my beverage of choice while I zip around the airport for my work trips. This luxury carry-on is truly the CADILLAC of suitcases 🧳 for those who travel a lot.” - Matt

Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley (Comparison Chart With Nobl Travel)

What matters	Rimowa	Briggs & Riley	Nobl Travel
Primary materials	Aluminum Iconic; polycarbonate (Essential, Hybrid)	Ballistic nylon; some hardside options	Reinforced polycarbonate + aerospace aluminum
Closure & security	Latches (aluminum); zippers (polycarbonate)	Zippers with CX™ compression-expansion system	Zipperless latches with dual TSA locks across hard-shell lineup
Signature feature	Iconic grooved shell; Rimowa UNIQUE customization	CX™ compression-expansion integrated system	USB/USB-C, phone stand, collapsible options, hidden cup holder, built-in seats, expansion, and more
Interior layout	Cross dividers and zip mesh panels; partitioned interiors	Multi compartments, garment panels, compression pockets	Compression panels, waterproof toiletry pocket, clear divider layouts
Warranty / support	Lifetime Guarantee on functional damage + global repair network	“Simple as that” lifetime guarantee, repairs all damage	Lifetime warranty + in-house repair and support
Typical pricing	$700-$1,500+	$550-$1,000+	$245–$595

How Nobl Travel Delivers the Best Value For Your Money

Most travelers know the frustration of luggage that looks good on day one but falls apart after a handful of trips. But you’re also probably familiar with that feeling that something is missing from your suitcase - but you’re not quite sure what it is. We built our brand on fixing that gap.

Our goal is to make the last luggage you’ll ever need to buy. Along with durable materials, you get innovative features to make stressful travel days smooth and enjoyable. Take a look below.

Features We Build Into Every Suitcase

Every Nobl suitcase starts with a reinforced hard shell, either aerospace-grade aluminum or ultra-strong polycarbonate, attached to a fully aluminum frame. We pair this with smooth-gliding spinner wheels and a telescoping handle built to feel solid in your hand.

Inside, you’ll find compression panels and dedicated compartments keep clothing, toiletries, and tech sorted without needing extra packing cubes. There are also practical add-ons like waterproof toiletry pockets, front laptop access, and USB/USB-C passthroughs (in our all-in-one carry-on luggage.

Even our collapsible line keeps durability intact, giving apartment dwellers and small-space travelers a way to store luggage without compromise. These suitcases break down from 10 inches to just 4 inches when not in use.

We also just released a suitcase with a built-in seat for travelers with kids, making a chaotic experience a bit more seamless. Across our lineup, you’ll notice that Nobl Travel is redefining what luggage can do.

Why Travelers Choose Nobl Over Long-Established Luxury Labels

We know you came here because you wanted to compare Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley, and we get it. These brands have strong reputations in the luxury luggage space. But you’re paying a premium for branding. 

You’re not really getting anything extra from a feature and performance standpoint that you wouldn’t get in a Nobl Travel suitcase. You can pay substantially less and actually get more functionality in our luggage.

We back every suitcase with a lifetime warranty and responsive support so you can place your order with peace of mind. Our 4.1/5 star rating on Trustpilot is a testament to how seriously we take what we do.

So if you’re interested in finding the perfect Briggs and Riley or Rimowa dupe suitcase, look no further than our lineup. In the meantime, we’ll take a closer look at Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley below.

A Look at the Rimowa Luggage Lineup

Few luggage brands carry the same level of prestige as Rimowa. The brand is known for its grooved aluminum cases and German engineering. But beyond the brand name, Rimowa’s lineup shows clear strengths - and a few weaknesses - worth weighing before investing.

Popular Rimowa Collections: Essential, Classic, and Original

There are three flagship collections at the core of the Rimowa lineup.

• The Essential: Rimowa’s polycarbonate line, known for its lightweight build and wide color options. It’s positioned as the entry point into the brand, with carry-ons starting at around $760. 
• The Classic: Takes inspiration from Rimowa’s heritage, built from anodized aluminum with leather handles and the brand’s signature grooves. Prices here jump into the $1,500-$2,000 range for checked sizes. 
• The Original: Blends durability with modern design, also in aluminum, with features like multiwheel systems, flex dividers, and TSA-approved locks. These models often cost even more, especially for larger formats.

You can also filter your search for Rimowa luggage based on materials. The brand lets you choose between aluminum, polycarbonate, and leather. Each has its unique protective properties and aesthetic - and of course, price. ALL suitcases, though, are backed by a lifetime guarantee. You’d expect nothing less when paying four figures for luggage, after all.

Where Rimowa Shines (and Where It Falls Short for Travelers)

Rimowa has become known as one of the top choices in the luxury luggage space for a reason. A lot of it comes down to brand heritage. There’s a sense of pride that comes with owning Rimowa luggage. 

But, Rimowa also has earned a reputation for its craftsmanship. The aluminum models, in particular, feel nearly indestructible. The smooth-rolling wheels and stageless telescopic handles are built with precision, and the fit and finish are hard to match.

The drawbacks are impossible to ignore, though. The biggest reason most people end up going with an alternative to Rimowa is price. You’re paying at least $700 for a carry-on, and checked suitcases can easily exceed $1,500. 

Imagine how frustrating it’ll be when you notice scuffs and scratches after the first trip. Trust us, airport bagger handlers don’t give your suitcase any extra care just because it’s Rimowa!

You’re not really getting anything all that remarkable for this price, either. Yes, the materials and attention to detail are excellent. We won’t deny that. But the lack of thoughtful features has to be mentioned. This luggage doesn’t elevate your trip in any way other than getting you style points.

You can learn more about Rimowa vs Tumi or Away vs Rimowa in our blog if you’re interested. For now, though, let’s pivot to the other half of our Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley comparison. 

Unpacking Briggs and Riley Luggage

Briggs & Riley may not be quite as well-known as Rimowa, but this brand exists in the same space. It’s popular with business travelers who want understated designs and a guarantee that protects their investment. Let’s take a closer look at popular suitcases below.  

Flagship Models and Their Standout Features

Briggs and Riley is best known for business-ready styling and its CX Expandable Spinner and Essential Carry-On Spinner. 

The CX line is especially popular because of its patented compression-expansion system, which lets you pack more and then compress the suitcase back to airline carry-on size. 

Their larger spinners, like the Large Expandable Spinner, bring the same feature to checked bags, combining a sleek look with practical packing capacity. 

Materials range from ballistic nylon in softside models to polycarbonate in newer hard-side spinners. Ergonomic handles, smooth spinner wheels, and understated exteriors are included across the entire lineup. 

What Customers Love (and Things They Complain About)

The single biggest selling point for Briggs and Riley is its lifetime guarantee, which covers even airline damage - something just about no other brand matches. 

Customers also really appreciate the expandability system, which gives them more flexibility on longer trips without having to move up a size. There’s also the style side of things. These suitcases are sleek and modern.

But Briggs and Riley suitcases tend to weigh more than the competition, all else equal. Pricing is also firmly in the premium range, with many carry-ons starting near $600 and checked models often running well above $800.

That’s fine if you know you’re getting a suitcase that’s guaranteed for life, no matter what. The problem is, a 2.1/5 star rating on Trustpilot reveals that the brand may not be as willing to stand behind that guarantee as you’d hope. A lot of negative reviews point to delays and hassles in getting replacement parts delivered when an issue pops up.

So, this begs the question - is Briggs and Riley worth the price? Are you better off paying even more for Rimowa? Or, should you stick with the practical, affordable luxury waiting for you at Nobl Travel? 

We’ll compare Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley vs Nobl Travel below to help you decide.

Briggs and Riley vs Rimowa vs Nobl Travel: Side-by-Side Comparison of Three Great Luggage Brands

Travelers shopping at the high end of the luggage market often end up weighing Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley, but it’s important to dig deeper than the luxury name and look at what you’re really paying $600-$2,000 for. 

So, we’ll examine materials, features, post-purchase support, and other important differences between Briggs and Riley vs Rimowa below.

Build Quality and Material Choices

All three brands in this comparison use top-tier materials to make suitcases that can withstand harsh travel conditions. 

Rimowa has built its reputation on aluminum, and its grooved cases have become iconic. The brand has since expanded into polycarbonate and leather lines if you’re looking for something lighter or with a different vibe. Across the board, quality is as good as it gets.

Briggs and Riley uses ballistic nylon in its soft-shell lineup, and lightweight polycarbonate in its hard-shell suitcases. It also makes shock-absorbing spinners, which is a unique touch. Again, this is very durable luggage.

The thing is, though, we here at Nobl Travel use the same types of materials but deliver them at a far lower price point. Our suitcases start with aluminum frames and are completed with polycarbonate shells. Or, you can get something even stronger in our aluminum luggage.

Zippers vs Latches

This is where the brands differ most. How the suitcases open and close might seem like an afterthought, but it’s an important distinction between Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley.

Rimowa’s aluminum cases rely on latch systems, which are super secure and align with the brand’s premium positioning. Its polycarbonate Essential series, however, still uses zippers. This is one of the most common points of failure in a suitcase.

On the other hand, Briggs and Riley uses zippers across its lineup. They call them “self-repairing zippers,” but this is still a vulnerability you need to know about. Luggage theft is one of the biggest causes of travel anxiety, after all, and zippers are easy to penetrate.

That’s why we’ve ditched zippers altogether across our luggage here at Nobl Travel. Every suitcase, whether aluminum or polycarbonate, uses a zipper-free frame-and-latch closure. You get dual or triple TSA-approved locks, depending on the suitcase, for peace of mind. 

Interior Layouts and Organization Options

Rimowa’s interiors are sleek but minimal. Adjustable flex dividers help compress clothing, but storage is fairly open. Most customers rely on packing cubes for more organization.

This is where Briggs and Riley has an edge. Many of the brand’s spinner suitcases come equipped with a garment folder, compression panels, and clever expansion systems, which help you pack more in less space.

The real benefit of Briggs and Riley, though, is its CX compression-expansion technology. This helps you tailor your suitcase to the exact packing needs your trip calls for. The brand also keeps its handles on the exterior, so you won’t have to worry about wrinkles in your clothes!

Nobl Travel balances both approaches. Interiors come with compression systems, zippered compartments, and designated areas for quick-access items. Unlike Rimowa’s one-size-fits-all layout, our cases are designed with frequent flyers in mind - from a laptop-friendly carry-on to check-ins that keep shoes, laundry, and clothes separated.

Other Thoughtful Features

We think luggage should be able to make your travel day less stressful, and this is why we want to point out some features you don’t get with Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley that we’ve included in our suitcases at Nobl Travel.

First, we want to give credit where it’s due. Rimowa offers excellent handling thanks to its multiwheel system. Briggs and Riley adds small but useful touches like outside pockets on some carry-ons and expansion zippers that don’t throw off balance.

That said, we go way above what any other luggage brand has done. Our suitcases have built-in phone stands, bag clips, USB charging ports, cup holders, and collapsible shells to save you space at home. We also have a suitcase with a built-in seat for your kids!

Our brand is less about heritage design and more about removing the small frictions that make travel harder than it needs to be. These are the types of features you didn’t realize you needed until you experience them!

Warranty and Service

Each brand in our Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley vs Nobl Travel comparison offers a strong warranty. But what’s surprising is the fact that the most expensive brand actually has the shortest warranty - Rimowa only backs your purchase for five years, assuming you register it.

Briggs and Riley is known for its famous “Simple as That” lifetime warranty, covering functional damage no matter the cause. This is something you won’t see other luggage brands offering. 

For what it’s worth, though, the company’s Trustpilot account (2.1/5 stars) makes it clear that you’ll potentially need to jump through hoops to get your warranty handled - if you’re able to get it handled at all, it can take weeks or months.

Here at Nobl Travel we actually stand behind our lifetime guarantee with responsive support. Just take a look at our 4.1/5 star rating on Trustpilot and see for yourself! Customers rave about how quick we are to send replacement parts, or replace suitcases altogether. 

We mean it when we say this is the last luggage you’ll ever buy. 

What You Actually Get for Your Money

Both Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley are luxury luggage brands, but they sit in slightly different tiers from a pricing perspective. 

Rimowa starts around $700, and carry-ons easily cost more than $1,000. The company’s checked suitcases, especially its aluminum luggage, runs well over $1,500. By contrast, Briggs and Riley starts around $550 for cheap soft-shell carry-ons, and its most expensive luggage will run you around $1,000. 

Like we said from the start, though, what are you really paying for? To some extent, brand heritage. These companies use really high-quality materials, too. Other than that, though, it’s fair to wonder if it’s really worth it.

Here at Nobl Travel you get suitcases made from the same (if not better) materials, loaded with practical features you actually use, at a fraction of the cost. Our carry-ons start at $245 and even our most expensive aluminum checked luggage is only $595.

So why pay more for less? Get the best of both worlds, luxury luggage that doesn’t break the bank, and Nobl Travel today. 

Wrapping Up Our Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley Comparison

It’s easy to want to invest in Rimowa vs Briggs and Riley luggage if you have the money. You want to make a statement when you travel. But when you weigh materials, features, and long-term value, Nobl Travel is the smart upgrade at less than half the cost.

We’ve taken the best of both worlds - modern design and real-world practicality - while cutting out the inflated price tags. Your luggage should work as hard as you do, without compromise. So, take a look at our lineup and see what catches your eye!