The 7 Best Tumi Luggage Items of 2023 (2023)

Luggage

By

Patrice Williams

The 7 Best Tumi Luggage Items of 2023 (1)

Patrice Williams

Temple University

Patrice J. Williams is a travel and style content creator, fact-checker and author of the thrift shopping bookLooking Fly on a Dime.

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Updated on 09/23/22

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Since its inception in 1975, Tumi has become one of the leading American brands in the luxury luggage industry. Its suitcases, backpacks, and travel totes symbolize status, known for its exceptional style and forward-thinking design. The brand has several special signatures—including the Tumi Tracer system and quality materials such as tegris and ballistic nylon.

Investing in a Tumi product can take a lot of thought for most people, as even the cheapest bags can cost a few hundred dollars. So that's why it's important to keep a few key factors in mind when shopping for an item. That can include the style, size, material, and practicality of how often you plan to use it.

Keep reading to see the best Tumi luggage items available.

The Rundown

Best Overall: Tumi Alpha 3 Bag at Nordstrom

"The crossbody is well-suited for carrying essentials and stashing under your seat."

Best Checked: Tumi Merge Extended Trip Suitcase at Bloomingdales

"The luggage scores high marks for durability, high capacity, and high-grade organization."

Best Carry-On: Tumi V4 International Expandable 4-Wheeled Carry-On at Nordstrom

"Not only is the exterior pretty sleek, but the inside has great organization and compression straps."

Best Under the Seat: Tumi Voyageur Oxford Compact Carry-On at Amazon

"Though the bag is small, it doesn't skimp on convenient, accessible compartments and even a USB port."

Best Personal Item: Tumi Voyageur Troy Nylon Crossbody Bag at Bloomingdales

"The nylon and leather bag is extremely light and durable, with a zippered interior."

Best Garment Bag: Tumi Alpha 3 Garment Bag Tri-fold Carry-On Luggage at Amazon

"The interior hook and fasteners keep your garments in place until you arrive at your destination."

Best Backpack: Tumi Voyageur Carson Backpack at Zappos.com

"This trusty backpack has deep pockets to store all your essentials and interior storage for a 15-inch laptop."

Best Overall: Tumi Alpha 3 Small Pocket Crossbody Bag

The 7 Best Tumi Luggage Items of 2023 (2)

What We Like

  • Great organization

  • Durable, easy to clean material

  • Deep pockets

What We Don't Like

  • Expensive

  • Limited color options

The Alpha 3 Small Pocket Crossbody Bag is well-suited for stashing under your seat—you’ll be able to keep everything you need (headphones, electronics, books, and more) within reach while still giving yourself enough room to stretch out or nap. This ultra-stylish satchel bag features plenty of organizational storage options, too. Outside, there’s a zip entry to the main compartment, a front U-zip pocket, and a back slip pocket, while the interior has a zip pocket, three card pockets, a pen loop, and even a key leash. Made of soft, durable ballistic nylon, this Tumi bag comes in two eye-catching colors: black nylon and anthracite fabric.

Price at time of publish: $225

Size: 9.5 x 8 x 1.5 inches | Weight: 0.9 pounds| Material: Nylon | Expandable: No

Best Checked: Tumi Merge Extended Trip Expandable Large Suitcase

The 7 Best Tumi Luggage Items of 2023 (4)

What We Like

  • Tons of interior organization

  • Three-stage telescoping handle

  • Easy access to exterior pockets

What We Don't Like

  • Limited expansion

When you need extra space for shoes, souvenirs, and everything in between, the Merge Extended Trip Expandable Large Suitcase is a fantastic solution. Boasting durability, high capacity, and high-grade organization, this top-of-the-line suitcase is also surprisingly easy to maneuver, considering its size. Inside, the Tumi suitcase is well-organized across its lid and main compartments, with compression straps, a hanger bracket, two mesh-detail zip pockets on the lid, and a hanging zip pocket with two separate compartments. The bag's exterior has a zip entry to the main compartment, a front vertical zip pocket, a top quick-grab zip pocket, and a front lid zip pocket.

Size: 31 x 20 x 13 inches | Weight: 13 pounds| Material: Nylon | Expandable: Yes

Best Carry-On: Tumi V4 International Expandable 4-Wheeled Carry-On

The 7 Best Tumi Luggage Items of 2023 (6)

What We Like

  • Retractable handles

  • Available in a few colors

  • Easy to clean

What We Don't Like

  • No exterior pockets

Take this luggage for a spin (literally, thanks to the four wheels) and store it in most planes' overhead storage. The polycarbonate carry-on has a sleek interior—open it up to reveal two separate compartments. If you tend to overpack, the compression straps and ability to expand will come in handy. Also, the carry-on is available in a few different colorways.

Size: 22 x 14 x 9 inches | Weight: 7.1 pounds| Material: Polycarbonate | Expandable: Yes

The Best Carry-On Luggage of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Under the Seat: Tumi Voyageur Oxford Compact Carry-On

The 7 Best Tumi Luggage Items of 2023 (8)

What We Like

  • Telescoping handle

  • USB port

What We Don't Like

  • Only fits laptops up to 14 inches

When packing light is a necessity, but you also need a bit of space, the Voyageur Oxford is the perfect combination. The carry-on has all the conveniences of a larger bag but with a size that fits under a seat. The U-zip pocket allows convenient access to any items you might need while in transit, and the center compartment fits a laptop. The 5-stage telescoping handle and wheels make maneuvering through an airport or the streets easy. Just slide the bag under most standard-size seats on a flight, and you're good to go.

Size: 16 x 14 x 8 inches | Weight: 6.6 pounds| Material: Nylon | Expandable: No

The 8 Best Checked Luggage Bags of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Personal Item: Tumi Voyageur Troy Nylon Crossbody Bag

The 7 Best Tumi Luggage Items of 2023 (10)

What We Like

  • Luxe, gold hardware

  • Removable strap

What We Don't Like

  • Limited interior capacity

When it comes to the best personal items for flying, you truly can’t go wrong with the Voyageur Troy Crossbody Bag. It’s incredibly light and durable, with a zippered, spacious interior that keeps all your belongings organized while you travel. This fashionable satchel purse features a main pocket with smartphone pockets and a card slot, a zippered front pocket, and an adjustable nylon crossbody strap with leather anchor details. The Tumi bag measures just over eight inches long and has metal feet on the bottom to protect your investment from scratches.

Size: 8.25 x 7 x 2.25 inches | Weight: 0.8 pounds| Material: Nylon and leather | Expandable: No

Best Garment Bag: Tumi Alpha 3 Garment Bag Tri-fold Carry-On Luggage

What We Like

  • Can be carried via the strap or handle

  • TSA-approved lock

  • Can fit a laptop in the exterior pocket

What We Don't Like

  • Nothing yet

Some people just throw their clothes in a suitcase, but a garment bag is necessary for those special occasions or even special clothes. This is especially true if you don't want to check a bag with a suit or expensive dress in tow. The Alpha 3 is a tri-fold bag that holds up to two suits, dresses, or coats. The interior hook and fasteners keep clothes secure until you reach your destination. There are also a few wide exterior pockets to store toiletries or items you might want in close contact.

Size: 6 x 22 x 15 inches | Weight: 5.5 pounds| Material: Nylon | Expandable: No

Best Backpack: Tumi Voyageur Carson Backpack

The 7 Best Tumi Luggage Items of 2023 (13)

What We Like

  • Deep exterior pockets

  • Easy to clean

What We Don't Like

  • Best for short trips

The Voyageur Carson Backpack is an excellent option if you prefer to travel light. Thoughtfully outfitted with a zippered side pocket, padded tablet pocket (which fits up to a 15-inch laptop), a water-resistant water bottle pocket, and multiple organizational pockets, this trusty backpack truly has space for everything. The Tumi backpack comes in four chic colors—indigo, midnight, mink, and black—and measures 17 inches long. Even more, this beloved backpack comes with the Tumi Tracer program, a complimentary product recovery program that helps find lost or stolen items. With its basic yet sophisticated style, the backpack goes with anything and can be worn on virtually any type of trip. (Note that this bag is fairly compact, so it may not be the best option for heavy packers.)

Price at time of publish: $395

Size: 17 x 12 x 6 inches | Weight: 1.6 pounds| Material: Nylon | Expandable: No

The 12 Best Carry-On Backpacks of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

What to Look for in Tumi Luggage

Price

How often you travel will help dictate how much you want to spend on a new bag. Those who hit the road frequently might want to spend a little more on a bag that suits their travel habits—and will last with use. Those who travel less might want to consider a smaller investment and then evaluate how much use they get out of it before buying a more expensive suitcase.

Durability

All Tumi bags are well-made and built to last through years of use. However, what style of suitcase you choose can impact how it wears. Hard-shell cases are more likely to get dinged and dented, but they’ll keep what you pack safer. Soft-shell cases give you more packing flexibility but might risk tears or a stitch coming out under the rigors of travel.

Style

Tumi luggage is often at the forefront of classic, stylish elements. Whether you’re looking for a backpack or a checked bag, Tumi has plenty of options to suit your personal preference and help your bag stand out from all the other suitcases at the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is Tumi so expensive?

    There's no denying Tumi luggage comes with a hefty price tag. The luxury brand is a worthwhile investment for frequent travelers and those who appreciate the classic look. There aren't many colors or embellishments compared to some of the newer, trendy brands, but the material is durable (usually ballistic nylon) and often has accents like leather trim or gold hardware.

  • How do you clean Tumi bags?

    Most Tumi bags, particularly those made of nylon, can simply be wiped clean. Any products with leather or suede trim should be spot cleaned, and it's always best to do a patch test if you plan to use any cleaning products.

  • What is Tumi Tracer?

    Many Tumi bags have a 20-digit code that customers can register online with Tumi Tracer. This makes it easier to relocate any lost or stolen bags. Though not all Tumi products can be traced, most larger bags and suitcases include the tracer number at the bottom of the back plate.

Why Trust TripSavvy

Patrice J. Williamsis a travel, home, and leisure writer based in Richmond, Virginia. Besides TripSavvy, her work has been published in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and Fodor's. Williams is also the author of a top-rated thrifting book, "Looking Fly on a Dime," and has been an on-air expert on the Today Show and WEtv, sharing her expertise on lifestyle hacks and product recommendations.

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