The Best Tumi Luggage Pieces of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

May 14, 2024

Ready to invest in a luxury suitcase you’ll use for years to come? These Tumi bags are the cream of the crop.

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Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Among frequent travelers, Tumi is considered the crème de la crème of luggage. Although the brand’s price points place it squarely in the luxury category, it has a reputation for being high-quality, durable, and stylish. It has a solid celebrity following, too: everyone from Ashley Graham to Kaia Gerber has been seen toting Tumi bags through security.

At Travel + Leisure, we’ve personally tried our share of Tumi luggage, and deemed it splurge-worthy on many occasions. But to truly determine the best of the best, we tested 13 different Tumi bags in our lab and evaluated their capacity, durability, value, and design; our testing is ongoing for six months to see how they hold up in real-world conditions, too. After loading them up, toting or rolling them through our carefully constructed obstacle course, and giving them our best shot with a baseball bat, these are the bags that impressed us most.

Tumi

This bag’s removable suiter and dual-access feature make it an incredibly convenient traveling companion.

Even when empty, this bag is on the heavier side.

The International Dual Access 4 Wheeled Carry-on bag is compact in size but packed with useful features, earning it the top spot in our Tumi rankings. Although the bag is on the smaller side for a carry-on suitcase, it expands an additional two inches if needed; plus, its smaller size makes it easier to maneuver through tight airplane aisles and into overhead bins. What really won us over, though, were the carry-on’s removable suiter and dual-access section. The removable garment bag can hold a suit or a full-length dress — perfect for a trip to a wedding or formal event — and the dual-access feature makes it easy to grab a light jacket or small purse while on the go without having to open up your entire bag.

This suitcase is on the heavy side when empty, which could make it tricky to lift into an overhead bin for some users, but its compact size and narrow width keep it manageable. Its adjustable handle has two height options that click easily into place, and its 360-degree wheels rolled incredibly smoothly during testing, even on uneven surfaces. It held up well during our durability testing as well — even after our baseball bat test, there were no scuffs or damage. We’d recommend this to any traveler who craves organization without sacrificing durability.

Price at time of publish: $975

The Details: 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 10.7 pounds | 35 liters

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Travel + Leisure / Leticia Almeida

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Tumi

This luggage feels lightweight for its size, and has plenty of space for quick trips.

The bag’s zippers didn’t function as smoothly or feel as high-quality as expected.

We were impressed with the all-around quality, lightweight feel, and plentiful space in the Short Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case. Our testers were able to load up all their necessities into this case with room to spare; it could easily accommodate a week or more of items. The suitcase expands without the use of zippers, but even without expanding, the main storage has plenty of packing space — plus a convenient removable garment bag. The bag rolled along effortlessly in any direction during testing, and its adjustable handle extended to three different heights with no issues.

Although this bag has a high-quality, luxury feel overall, the nylon zippers didn’t always function smoothly during testing when fully packed. The bag held up well during our durability tests; it didn’t show any scuffs after our drop tests, and all items were intact and in place. This model is slightly too big to carry on, but is a manageable option for checked luggage on a shorter trip.

Price at time of publish: $1,195

The Details: 26 x 19 x 13 inches | 16.2 pounds | 83 liters

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Travel + Leisure / Leticia Almeida

Tumi

This suitcase has an incredible amount of space and unmatched durability.

The steep price on this bag may put off some buyers.

With a capacity of 126 liters, the Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case is one of the larger bags Tumi makes, and it’s our recommendation for longer trips. It’s a highly organized bag — crucial for luggage of this size — featuring plenty of large pockets inside and out. This bag has the same expandable functionality as many of the brand’s other suitcases: interior clips can either secure the bag in its more compact position, or can be released to allow for expansion. Although we like this innovative design, one of the clips did malfunction and pop open during testing. Still, even without this expansion feature, this suitcase can easily hold several weeks worth of necessities for a longer trip, or the bulk of a wardrobe for a move.

Despite its size, this bag rolls easily over uneven surfaces and curbs. It’s incredibly durable as well: our testers rode and jumped on top of the bag without causing any damage. This luxury case has a steep price tag to match, but if you can swing it, this is a great choice for staying organized during long trips.

Price at time of publish: $1,395

The Details: 31 x 22 x 13 inches | 17.9 pounds | 126 liters

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Amazon

This duffel’s plethora of compartments make it easy to pack and maneuver.

It picks up dirt easily, and it’s pricey for a duffel.

The Tumi Large Split 2 Wheeled Duffel is lightweight and versatile for travelers who prefer carrying duffels, but has plenty of structure and recessed wheels to make it more manageable. This bag holds a surprising amount; our testers were able to pack a week’s worth of items with room to spare. Its structure and multiple compartments address one of the biggest challenges with duffels — losing track of items in a shapeless bag — and it features a top zipper to quickly access items without opening the entire bag.

Although this bag has two wheels instead of the four you’d find on standard wheeled luggage, it rolled smoothly and easily across all surfaces. It also performed well on all our durability tests, showing no signs of wear and tear during drop or impact testing, though our testers noted it picked up dirt more easily than some models. As with most Tumi pieces, this bag is an investment, but its compartments and durability earned it a spot on our list.

Price at time of publish: $1,095

The Details: 16 x 30.3 x 14 inches | 11 pounds | 98 liters

Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

Amazon

This compact suitcase has tons of useful compartments and a convenient USB-C cable.

The bag’s extra pockets and cables make it feel less streamlined than some carry-on models.

The Alpha International Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-on is small and manageable, but has more than enough storage for long weekends or week-long work trips. It has more organizational features than we’d anticipate in a smaller bag, too: additional pockets in the main compartment for quick access, extra pockets on the outside of the bag for storage on the go, and an included USB-C cable. The additional straps and cables add a little bulk to the bag, but their usefulness outweighs any other issues.

The bag’s handle extends to three different heights, and even our taller testers found it comfortable and easy to maneuver. It rolled smoothly over any surface, and navigated our obstacle course with ease. Our impact tests left some superficial damage, but the bag’s functionality wasn’t affected. We’d recommend this case to anyone who wants to stay organized while traveling without sizing up to a checked bag.

Price at time of publish: $895

The Details: 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 10.9 pounds | 35 liters

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Bloomingdale's

We appreciate this bag’s stylish design and effortless maneuverability.

The bag can only hold smaller laptops (13 inches), and even then it’s a tight fit.

The Oxford Compact Carry-on is a great choice for flights where overhead storage space is limited, or where you know you’ll want easy access to your carry-on items. Its extra compact size means it can fit under most airplane seats, and the designated laptop sleeve keeps your computer within arm’s reach during your flight. The bag has two decent-sized sections, and our testers were able to load it up with enough clothing and toiletries for a one- to two-day trip. The separate laptop compartment is designed to fit a 13-inch laptop, although even that was a tight fit for our testers — 15-inch models or bigger would be a no-go for this carry-on.

This bag rolls incredibly smoothly in all directions, and has a luggage sleeve should you choose to attach it to a larger carry-on. The extendable handle can be zipped away entirely when you’re ready to stash it under the seat. We recommend this compact bag for overnight trips or as a companion piece to larger luggage.

Price at time of publish: $650

The Details: 16 x 14 x 8 inches | 6.6 pounds | 21 liters

Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Tumi

This foldable bag’s storage pouch doubles as a roomy interior pocket, and the duffel can be carried four different ways.

The lightweight nylon construction doesn’t provide much protection for delicate items inside.

If you’ve ever had to impulse buy a new piece of luggage while on vacation because you stocked up on too many souvenirs (guilty), the Just in Case Duffel might be just what you need. This foldable bag tucks away inside its included pouch when you’re not using it; once the bag is fully open, the carrying pouch snaps inside and becomes a separate zippered compartment. We loved the smart use of space, and it meant we weren’t fishing around for the storage bag when it was time to fold the duffel back up.

This bag also impressed us with its versatility. It can be carried with an included long crossbody strap; over the shoulder with its attached medium handles; by hand with its short straps; or on a larger rolling suitcase with the included luggage sleeve. Because it’s a nylon duffel, it doesn’t offer much protection against bumps and drops, but its water- and stain-resistant coating feel durable and high-quality. And, when you’re not traveling, this doubles as a solid after-work gym bag.

Price at time of publish: $195

The Details: 10.3 x 18.9 x 10.3 inches | 1.1 pounds

Travel + Leisure / Morgan Ashley Parker

Tumi Alpha Continental Expandable 4 Wheeled Carry-on We love the many pockets and dual-function compression pad/suiter in this thoughtfully designed bag. However, it is wider than the carry-on size allowance for most airlines; we’ve carried this model on board without issue, but it does pose a risk of unnecessary hassle.

The Travel + Leisure team evaluated 13 Tumi bags in our New York City lab, considering each bag’s capacity, durability, value, organization, maneuverability, functionality, and overall design. We packed each bag for different length trips — enough clothing and toiletries for a four-day trip for carry-on bags, and necessities for a week-long trip for checked luggage. We then rolled the suitcases around on smooth flooring, carpet, and cement pavers, and navigated them through obstacle courses (after all, isn’t an airport just one big obstacle course?).

To simulate wear and tear in overhead bins and cargo holds, we drop tested bags from different heights and whacked them with baseball bats — all in the name of research, we swear. For carry-on baggage and duffels, we also simulated lifting each bag into an overhead bin to test its weight and manageability. Our testers will continue using the luggage and sharing their insights for an additional six months.

Tumi’s luggage lines range from “compact” (15 to 16 inches tall) to “worldwide” (over 31 inches tall) — so there’s truly a size option for any trip. Before you dive into the rest of your research, start by determining which size makes sense for your travel style. If your trips are typically less than a week, a smaller carry-on might suit you best. If you frequently venture internationally and/or take trips longer than a week, the space and convenience of a larger bag is probably the right choice. In either case, be sure to check the size and weight allowances for your preferred airlines; even some carry-on models run wide, and many airlines have weight limits for checked luggage.

As a luxury brand, Tumi’s suitcases are heavy on organizational features. While some luggage brands offer what’s basically an empty case for packers to fill as they see fit, Tumi bags offer a range of options for organization. Look for suitcases labeled as “dual access” if you often need to take out a light layer or small toiletry bag while on the go; these models allow you to access just part of your suitcase without completely opening up and unpacking your bag in the middle of the airport. If you frequently travel for work or to weddings, look for included garment bags or suiters to keep hanging items relatively wrinkle-free in transit.

Many Tumi bags also include USB charging ports and cables, internal zippered pockets to keep small items contained, and external pockets for quick access to boarding passes or snacks. Consider making a list of must-have features as you start the buying process to ensure your Tumi investment is worth your while.

Tumi is available directly through Tumi’s website or the brand’s brick and mortar stores. Most models are also available on Amazon, or in store and online via many major department stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Tumi’s bags are an investment. With price points considerably higher than standbys like Samsonite, DTC brands like Away luggage, or even other high-end brands like Briggs & Riley, a Tumi piece is undoubtedly a splurge. But if you can swing the price, the payoff is an incredibly durable, high-quality, thoughtfully designed bag that will likely be your travel companion for years.

Tumi offers a five-year warranty for its luggage. The first year is covered “worry-free” — if your bag is damaged in the first 12 months (including airline damage), Tumi will repair or replace it at no cost. After that, Tumi will continue to cover repairs for normal wear and tear or manufacturing defects. You can find the entire Tumi warranty policy on the brand’s site.

Mandy Harris is a contributing writer at Travel + Leisure, and has vetted hundreds of lifestyle products over the last decade. For this story, she analyzed in-house testing insights, manufacturer details, and her years of experience as an organized traveler and Tumi owner to determine the best Tumi investment pieces.

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