Rimowa Essential Check-In L Review

The Rimowa Essential Check-In L is our favorite premium hardshell suitcase because it perfectly blends the finest construction materials in the luggage industry.

Performance Comparison

Capacity

Based on our measurements, the Essential Check-In L offers 90 liters of packing volume.

This certainly isn't the largest amount of available real estate; however, what this bag lacks in space, it makes up for with an ability to maximize its volume by way of compression.

Compressing clothing and accessories into secure bundles is what the Essential Check-In does best. This reduces wrinkles and adds protection, but it also condenses payloads, creating more space. During our packing tests, we found this feature very effective, and it often allowed us to pack just as much clothing into our Essential as larger hardshells on our list. Since this bag doesn't offer an expansion feature, the ability to compress its payload is one of its most desirable and differentiating trademarks.

Weighing 10.6 pounds, the Essential isn't the lightest suitcase on our list, but it certainly isn't the heaviest either. In fact, when compared directly against other hardshells on our cabin crew, it bests most of them on weight.

Additionally, the Essential is shallower than most of the bags in our lineup, aiding in its compression. All said, this high-end spinner can do without the added size or volume because it packs smarter, not harder.

Ease of Transport

The Essential's landing gear is simply one of the best in the biz. Its four double-wheeled, polycarbonate spinners are practically a work of art. But this metric isn't only about wheels. It also considers handles and trolleys, as well as lifting, loading, curb jumping, stair climbing, and all things movement. And, as expected, the Essential knocked it out of the park.

We had the most fun rolling our Essential Check-In L through airport terminals and baggage claim areas. It effortlessly glides over commercial flooring at any speed. We even ran with our Essential, and it kept perfect pace with us without rattling or vibrating (many lower-end spinners roll like a bad shopping cart at higher speeds).

We also pushed our swanky spinner outside of its posh comfort zone, rolling it over grass, gravel, and dirt. Its 2.25-inch wheels aren't the tallest on our list, but they were tall enough, strong enough, and responsive enough to handle nearly any terrain we pulled it through.

Lugging a piece of checked luggage up a few flights of stairs isn't an ideal part of any travel plans, but it is occasionally required. Likewise, loading a heavy suitcase into a car or taxi, onto a shuttle bus or train, and onto the check-in counter scales is simply part of the travel experience. In this metric, we examined the quality and placement of grab handles and how well each suitcase balances in mid-air when being suspended. The Essential moves well in all of these situations. Its top and side grab handles are comfortable, well-placed, and easy to grip. Our only disappointment is the lack of a bottom handle or finger grab. This is a simple addition that would allow the bag to be pulled from nearly any angle.

Staying the course is another key attribute we looked for in our spinner suitcases. A bag's ability to stay by your side while making your way through an airport or down a busy sidewalk is key. During most of our walking tests, the Essential was very easy to maneuver and to keep in line. However, when we tested this bag in a more controlled environment, it showed its true colors: it likes to twirl. We feel this need to spin is due to its exceptionally reactive spinners, and it did not pose a problem when it was at our side.

Stairs and curbs are no problem for the Essential. Its top-tier trolley handle is sturdy enough to bear the weight of the bag as it is pulled over most roadblocks common to city, hotel, or airport life. Our concerns in this area are not housed in strength or durability but rather in aesthetics. In short, the Essential's beautifully polished polycarbonate shell is super strong but is void of protection, be it a kick plate, bumper rails, or other. When hoisting the Essential upward, the bag's exterior shell makes direct contact with stairs and curbs. And although it's certainly up to the task, we couldn't help but cringe to hear it scrape against unwanted surfaces, especially when we considered its price tag.

A simple yet often overlooked feature on most suitcases is trolley handle settings. Although it appears to be a standard pull, its advanced engineering sets it apart from any bag we've studied. To be concise, it locks into place wherever you release the adjustment button. Say goodbye to fumbling with pin-based trolley settings. The Essential offers elevations from 30 inches to 45 inches and a zillion settings in between.

Construction Quality

The question of quality is pretty cut and dry: you get what you pay for when you shell out the bucks for an Essential Check-In L. As with any Rimowa luggage piece, corners were not cut, nor were pennies pinched. Everything about this bag is top-grade; however, we shaved off a few points because its polished exterior is prone to scratch.

The Essential's shell is constructed of sturdy polycarbonate material, but it is pleasingly more pliable than the other hardshells in our lineup. In fact, it almost has a rubbery feel to it. This allows the shell to more easily bounce back from blunt force trauma instead of denting or cracking.

We weren't very nice to our big-budget travel trunk. We subjected it to the same amount of turbulence as less-expensive bags on our list. During our drop and tumble tests, our Essential experienced no serious damage. However, it tends to flip end over end when careening down stairwells. This isn't ideal. We would rather see it slide or ski down because it is less violent and less likely to damage the case or its contents. Additionally, the Essential's shiny shell does tend to collect scrapes and scuffs. A lot of the markings are simply dust, but a fair amount of them are permanent.

We were pleased to discover that the Essential repels water. Its sturdy shell and thick zipper system do an excellent job serving as an effective first line of defense against rain or spills.

During our water tests, we drenched our Essential Check-In L for several minutes with hose water and then checked its interior for signs of leakage. We used a strip of blue paper towel as an indicator of any moisture, and we were pleased to find it, as well as the bag's interior, almost completely dry.

Design and Functionality

Layout, longevity, and looks were key factors that influenced how the Essential ranked in this metric. Everything about this bag's appearance and purposeful packing system makes sense.

We feel the Velcro stays, which hold the Essential's compression panel straps in place, are a little weak. They really should have a more aggressive seal. Additionally, we held back on giving this premium hardshell our highest marks for this metric because its high price tag is unrealistic for most people. That said, we couldn't help but be drawn to the Essential for its quality, style, function, and elite status.

Should You Buy the Rimowa Essential Check-In L?

This bag is built for extensive business or leisure travel, but its amenities will cost you much more than the average hardshell. It certainly is an option if you desire premium style and function and don't mind paying a premium to get it. However, many other checked bags on our list perform just as well at a fraction of the cost.

What Other Suitcase Should You Consider?

If you want the best but lean more toward softshell bags, we think the Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner is worth taking a look at. However, if you want a quality hardshell but need something a little more budget-friendly, we highly suggest checking out the Away The Large. It offers a lot of the same amenities as the Essential, but for a third of the price. If bargain bin shopping is more your vibe, you can't go wrong with the Amazon Basics 30" Hardside Spinner.