It’s been a long three years without traveling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely been getting the wanderlust travel itch to hop on a plane and make a comeback. And if you’re like me, you like to give yourself a little refresh after a long hiatus by upgrading your gear. That’s why I decided to invest in a brand new suitcase that has all the qualities I was looking for.
Being a mom to a 5-year-old, I needed a suitcase that was sturdy, durable, and unique enough that I could travel without the fear of it getting mixed up with someone else’s. Could you imagine losing both your and your kid’s things? Anyway, when I started to do my research, two brands stood out above the rest: Roam and Rimowa. On the surface, both brands seemed like good options, but only one was right for my big comeback. Read on to find out which suitcase has the qualities to make it worth the investment.
If you want to turn heads… ROAM
How many times have you been waiting for your luggage and noticed it coming your way before realizing it wasn’t yours? Yeah, same. That’s why I wanted a suitcase that would not only make people wonder where I got it, but would help make sure I never grabbed the wrong bag and no one else ever grabbed mine.
Although Rimowa comes in a variety of styles and colors, Roam really lets you create a one-of-a-kind design to make your suitcase your own. You can either purchase a pre-designed model with colors inspired by your favorite cities around the world, or you can design your own by choosing different colors for the front and back shells, zipper, binding, wheels, handles, and lining. You can even add a monogrammed patch if you really want people to know that it’s yours.
If you don’t want to break the bank… ROAM
A quality suitcase will definitely cost more than one from a department store, but trust me, it’s worth it. Roam has ready-to-buy options starting from $495 for their smallest size, up to $650 for their largest size. And although it gets a little bit pricier for added customizations, you won’t spend more than $695 on the biggest suitcase.
With Rimowa, the cheapest suitcase is around $625, while the most expensive suitcase is upwards of $4,000. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’d rather spend that money on the actual trip instead of the suitcase.
If size matters… Either or
If my suitcase meets the airline’s size guidelines, then I’m happy. And both Roam and Rimowa have size options to fit your every need, whether you like to carry-on your bag or check it. Ranging from compact to large, Rimowa has six size options to choose from while Roam has four — all of which have expandable options for those who like to pack extra. Who needs more than that?
If craftsmanship is important to you… ROAM
I care about quality craftsmanship and that’s why I seek out brands who care about it too. Most of the time, you don’t know where your suitcase was made or what materials were used. But with Roam, all of their suitcases are handcrafted and individually built using only the highest quality materials right here in the USA — helping to revitalize American manufacturing (Rimowa suitcases are made abroad).
The overall winner… ROAM
Having traveled extensively before the pandemic, and now getting back into it, there's no doubt that Roam is the suitcase for me. Not only is it vastly more affordable than Rimowa, but it puts sustainability at the forefront of its products. Plus, being able to customize it based on my style preferences is a bonus in my books. So if you’re looking to purchase your forever luggage and invest in quality, ROAM is the best option in the market.
