REI Co-op Tourwinder 28 Review

The REI Tourwinder suitcase offers almost 70 liters of storage with many useful organizational features. It stands out as durable and rugged, ready to take on Europe or other worldly destinations.

Performance Comparison

Reliability

Loaded with bomb-proof zippers, a super sturdy handle, and stable oversized wheels, you can trust this case to take you wherever you need to go.

The extended bumper across the back of this suitcase protects the already burly 420-denier ripstop nylon fabric, ensuring that your trip won't be interrupted by a fabric tear.

While this suitcase isn't waterproof, the nylon fabric offers water resistance from light rain. Just don't get caught in a torrential downpour.

Overall, we rate the reliability of the Tourwinder to be above average because of its great craftsmanship. In addition, when assessing online reviews from everyday users, nothing raised red flags. We find this suitcase to be well-constructed and reliable.

Storage & Organization

The Tourwinder comes in just one size and offers about 68.5 liters of volume. We love the front entry that allows access to items inside while the bag is standing upright. While we don't love that you need to undo four external buckles to get inside, this system does offer good compression.

The interior of this suitcase holds it shape well due to the hard case frame that runs the length of the handle and there are two compression straps to secure clothing. Each side has a zippered mesh compartment for convenient storage of toiletries or other things you need to be able to locate efficiently.

Along the front flap are two very large pockets. The bottom one is fully enclosed (though not waterproof), and perfect for stashing a pair of running shoes. The top pocket is an ideal place to store electronics or other items you'd like to have quick access to.

On the outside of the Tourwinder you'll find some unique features that may or may not be useful, depending on your packing style. On the top of the bag there are four webbed gear loops and a very tiny pocket that houses a small buckle. We didn't find the gear loops to be very useful and the pocket is not even large enough to fit a sandwich. The buckle, however, can be used to secure a carry on article or purse to the top, which we find very helpful.

In the front, there is a larger zippered compartment where you can store other easy to access items like a phone or charging cord. Finally, the compression system that wraps around the bag isn't closed at all and might serve a purpose for an extra jacket or layer, or even a water bottle. We wouldn't recommend putting a padded laptop here simply because of theft potential.

Overall, we love the storage features of this suitcase. We find most of them quite functional, making it easy to pack. Given the small volume, though, we wouldn't recommend this case for super bulky items. It's probably not the bag to pick if you need bring a bunch of ski or camping gear. Instead, this is a great choice for traveling across Europe where all you'll need are some essentials, not clunky gear.

Ease of Transport

The oversized wheels on the Tourwinder work well on all kinds of terrain. That said, since the wheels are composed of a plastic material and aren't rubberized, this case does jiggle quite a bit. When fully loaded on bumpy surfaces like cobblestone, this behavior can get annoying. You'll still get to where you're going, but it won't be as enjoyable.

There are handles on all sides of the Tourwinder, making it easy to grab from any angle. We especially like the one on the very front of the bag which aids with foward and backward movement. None of the handles are very luxuriously padded, but they get the job done when the bag can't be wheeled.

Overall, this suitcase scores about average for ease of transport. While it's pretty easy to wheel around, the vibrations in the wheels can be cause for annoyance. If they were replaced with a smoother wheel, this luggage case would be far nicer to travel with.

Weight

Weighing a measly 8.5 lbs, this is a super lightweight piece of luggage. You can pack 41.5 lbs of gear into it before hitting airline weight limits. Additionally, this case distributes its weight very well, so it doesn't tip or fall over when left standing.

Style

This suitcase isn't really fashion-forward, but it's not behind the times either. It offers a more tactical, but not too techy, look. Its casual appearance stands out enough to be sighted on the luggage claim, but it shouldn't be considered overly stylish or formal by any means.

Value

The Tourwinder offers pretty awesome value for its level of reliability. It's one of the cheaper suitcases out there with great performance all around. While the price seems high at first glance, remember, you get what you pay for. Also, since this is an REI product, it comes with an unbeatable warranty. Within 90 days, you can return it for any reason if you're unhappy. After that, it falls under a limited warranty agreement.

Conclusion

The REI Tourwinder is a great general use luggage piece. With just under 70-liters of storage, it's perfect to use for anything from a short weekend trip to a whirlwind backpacking trip around Europe. It boasts awesome craftsmanship and great storage features. With a decent price tag, it's one of the higher valued pieces that we tested, and was in the running for our Best Buy award.