Are you going on a trip and shopping for your very first suitcase? Do you feel overwhelmed by the choices and prices of suitcases? You may have noticed that some of them seem to be pretty much affordable while others are priced so high.
Luggage can be expensive for many reasons, such as the cost and quality of premium materials, the implementation of features—such as anti-theft mechanisms and tracking—and the testing and research that goes into making them. Additionally, some brands charge a premium for their name and reputation.
If you’ve ever wondered why luggage is so expensive, read on, In this article, we break down what goes into making luggage and find out if it is worth it to buy an expensive suitcase.
How Much Does Luggage Cost?
Luggage prices vary depending on the brand of the luggage. If you’re looking at high-end luxury luggage, you’re likely to find suitcases ranging from $800 to over $1,000.
Some of them, especially those with bigger luggage that come in sets, may cost almost $2,000! Think along the lines of Rimowa, Tumi, and all those other luggage giants who have been in the travel industry for several years.
Mid-range luggage prices cost around $300 to almost $800. Some brands that are in this price range are TravelPro, Briggs & Riley, and the like.
And then you have the budget suitcases, which will cost around $50 to $100, depending on what you’re looking for.
You can easily find luggage like this in discount stores like Walmart and Target or online retailers like Amazon.
What Are Some of the Most Expensive Luggage Brands?
With hundreds of luggage brands out there, you’ll find a variety of brands, make, and quality. Even the materials some brands use are different, which contributes to the heft price tag.
Take, for example, Rimowa, one of the world’s oldest luggage brands. Their suitcases cost around $500 to $1,000, depending on the size and style.
One of Rimowa’s bestsellers, the Classic Cabin suitcase in Trunk size ( the largest size ) costs over $2,000.
If you’re thinking of getting a Tumi, another of the world’s oldest luggage brands, be ready to spend at least $900 to $1,000 for a small soft side or hard side luggage.
If you’ve got your eye on Tumi’s more premium collections with its additional features and other bells and whistles, you may end up spending over $2,000.
Other expensive luggage brands are Goyard, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes.
These designer brands are known for their high-quality materials, unique designs, and luxurious finishes. However, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re also paying for the brand name when you purchase one of these suitcases.
What Makes Luggage Expensive?
While there are a lot of luggage brands that offer a good price for quality, you’ll find that there are some luxury luggage brands that sell their bags for a price that seems shockingly high.
What is it that makes suitcases cost so much?
1. Brand
Some luggage is expensive because of the name they carry and the prestige it gives a traveler.
When you wheel a Rimowa in an airport, people won’t stop you and ask what luggage you have. They know it’s a Rimowa at first glance.
Luxury luggage brands have a reputation for exclusivity and high fashion, which adds to their overall value.
2. Years of Research and Rigorous Testing
Rimowa and Tumi, some of the most expensive luggage brands, have years of research to back their products.
They’ve been around for some time, so they know what goes into making the luggage.
Plus, producing a piece of luggage isn’t a matter of simply assembling the parts together. Each luggage has to undergo a series of tests to ensure its quality.
High-end luggage brands also make sure they stay on top of the latest technology to guarantee a fantastic travel experience for their customers.
They always come up with ways to innovate and improve what they currently have or come up with new luggage ideas.
3. Materials Used
Several luggage brands don’t use ordinary cloth for their soft side luggage or regular plastic for their hard side ones.
High-end luggage brands use expensive materials like polycarbonate, aluminum, and ballistic nylon that are resistant to impact, scratches, and wear and tear.
The result is quality and durability which allows a traveler to use that luggage for a very long time.
4. Warranty and Customer Service
Some luggage brands offer a limited or unlimited warranty for a few years in which your luggage can be repaired or replaced, depending on the circumstances.
Other luggage brands offer a limited lifetime warranty.
Some brands even take charge of picking up the luggage and delivering it back to you once it has been repaired.
Some luggage brands go the extra mile in serving their customers. They repair or replace a piece of luggage even when the warranty does not cover the defect.
5. Customization and Personalization
Some luggage brands aren’t necessarily expensive because they’ve been around for a long time or because they have made a brand for themselves.
Some of them will be expensive because you can personalize or customize the color of the body, zipper, or straps, and make it your own so it’s easy to spot among many other bags on the luggage conveyor belt.
6. Additional Features
Finally, expensive luggage may have additional features like built-in locks, compression systems, and GPS trackers that make traveling more convenient and secure.
Traveling can be stressful, especially when you’re worried about the safety of your belongings.
Luggage with all these security measures in place gives you better peace of mind while traveling, but may be expensive to have.
Final Thoughts: Is Buying Expensive Luggage Worth It?
Here’s one thing you should remember when you buy a suitcase: price does not always equate to worth or quality.
You can always find luggage that is sturdy enough and will last you a good number of years without having to pay such a huge amount for it.
If you like luxury brands and want a suitcase that will last you for a long time, then there’s nothing wrong with purchasing a high-end one.
However, if you have a limited budget, many other options will serve you well and last you quite a long time too.
