Travel Products - Rimowa Classic Flight or Topas dilemma..

G'day,

My work schedule changed, and I'm flying more; ergo, I want a new carry one. I have been quite happy with my 20inch wide B&R transcend, however, I think the timing is right for a nice shiny aluminum case. I have always admired German design, so I'm looking at Rimowa for the upgrade. I like the packing discipline that a hardsided piece offers, and its something I'm not going to want to check. I was thinking of ordering online, and koffer24 seems to be the place to do it (shipping to Canada).

Choices:

http://www.koffer24.de/shop/de/en/product/cabin-trolley-iata-by-rimowa-52cm-classic-flight?filter=detail#all_reviews

or

http://www.koffer24.de/shop/de/en/product/topas-cabin-trolley-iata-by-rimowa-52cm-topas?filter=detail

The 1st one is quite the bargain compared to the 2nd. Any suggestions between the two? Doesn't seem to be that much difference between the case, Classic a touch lighter simple interior, TSA locks on the topas (but this will be a strictly carry on case)

Additionally, there is a Rimowa store in Toronto. Does anyone have any experience having prices matched to whats available online?

Thanks,

Get the Topas. The higher price is justified by mostly two things. The locks are completely different. The latches on the Topas are sunk into the suitcase. That protects them. They are also much sturdier.

The second reason are the wheels. Same thing. The side of the wheels is protected in the Topas. They can't be bent out so easily.

Three, well I can't even count till three, the hand grips are sturdier and fixed better to the case. They may even be spring-loaded as to lie flat against the case. Not sure about that.

Four, the divider that comes with it is indeed very practical. At least I think so. If you don't like, you can take it out completely.

Finally, the Topas has an integrated bag strap to hang another bag from the main bag. The Classic doesn't have that, afaik.

Not sure about importing to Canada or price matching. My hunch is that price matching will be a no-go because it is not a site from Canada. And then you will probably get stiffed on import duties. Might still be cheaper than in Canada itself, though.

Or buy one in Germany when you are there.

Till

Good morning to you.

Agree with the comments above. Buy in Germany or order from there. There is a third option also of a 4 wheel alu case, same size, and the new 747-8 with light chamois leather trim and handle from any of the Lufthansa Worldshops.

Yes, the locking hinges are recessed in the alu case design. The handle is not spring loaded, but does not flop around. I've never used the bag strap: Early models did not have that option as the newer do today. But a Rimowa Computer or Notebook bag over the pull handle I use constantly.

You seem well motivated: You won't regret it.

+3 on the Topas!
I bought the classic flight three years ago (the price difference was too big to ignore) but have been looking for an excuse to switch to the Topas ever since (mostly for the locks).

Lufthansa World Shop is offering the Topas Lufthansa alu carry-on, and the XL as a two-for-one purchase currently.

My apologies: Attached is the link for the LH World Shop offer.

https://www.worldshop.eu/product/Lufthansa-Aluminium-Collection-Cabin-Trolley-and-Multiwheel-XL-Set/1740979?0

I have the opposite opinion of everyone else.

I think if its a carry-on only, get the Classic Flight. Its alot cheaper.

The Topas is a nice bag, i have a large one for checked luggage. But if you don't need the TSA locks, or the extra protection on the carousel, I don't see the need in paying more for a Topas in your case. The Topas has the nice features Till was talking about like the wheel protection, recessed locks, sturdier handles, but I don't think they are as important for carry-on.

Yes order from one of the two Koffer stores in Germany. So much cheaper. And no need to have to haggle with price matching in North America. Be careful though, one Rimowa took 2 weeks form Germany, my most recent took 4 weeks.

You are right. These features would be even more important in a checked bag. I just find that already in a carry-on they are nice to have. It's subjective whether one thinks it's worth it, too. Recessed locks are certainly nice because you won't pull other stuff out of the luggage bin that gets hooked on protruding locks and then falls down on you or other pax.

Thanks for all the info. I might actually be going to munich in september, so I'll pick one up then. The worldstore deal looks pretty good, but its too bad it have the LH logo on it.

RIMOWA is stamped on the product normally as it always is, with the LH logo added into the circular 3-D slot. Many do not notice it as it is small: Others may appreciate the fact that the owner flies LH ( Ours received compliments on AA and Virgin ).

One can substitute THAI AIRWAYS, or any other logo in that slot. I have one item that states BEVERLY HILLS on the slot, from the Rimowa store located on Rodeo Drive. Quite unique and much appreciated, but still 100 % Rimowa.

I do find the tendency to spray paint large lettering onto the cases a bit much. Some may find that sexy, or somehow justifying an extra $ 1000. USD, as an exclusive item, but I don't. It was included on an early Rimowa camera case purchase back in my SLR days, stating AMAZONAS for all the world to see, and possibly even the space shuttle.

A quick cloth in acetone did the trick. Gone, and the case stills looks brand new.

RIMOWA is stamped on the product normally as it always is, with the LH logo added into the circular 3-D slot. Many do not notice it as it is small: Others may appreciate the fact that the owner flies LH ( Ours received compliments on AA and Virgin ).

One can substitute THAI AIRWAYS, or any other logo in that slot. I have one item that states BEVERLY HILLS on the slot, from the Rimowa store located on Rodeo Drive. Quite unique and much appreciated, but still 100 % Rimowa.

I do find the tendency to spray paint large lettering onto the cases a bit much. Some may find that sexy, or somehow justifying an extra $ 1000. USD, as an exclusive item, but I don't. It was included on an early Rimowa camera case purchase back in my SLR days, stating AMAZONAS for all the world to see, and possibly even the space shuttle.

A quick cloth in acetone did the trick. Gone, and the case stills looks brand new.

Do not use acetone on the polycarbonate cases!. Aluminium is fine of course.

My apologies: Attached is the link for the LH World Shop offer.

https://www.worldshop.eu/product/Lufthansa-Aluminium-Collection-Cabin-Trolley-and-Multiwheel-XL-Set/1740979?0

Know of anywhere that ships to the states?

Thank you, Neverfirst.

We were of course, talking about Aluminum Classic Flight and Topas luggage. But your cautionary regarding polycarbonate is well advised.

Know of anywhere that ships to the states?

I do.

You can make your purchase in Germany, and ship to the US, or anywhere in the world. This service is located in Konstanz (Constance), Germany. Send your email in English to the following email address:

lieferadresse-konstanz@gmx.de

I can vouch for this service highly: We use it for online purchases in Germany to be sent to Switzerland.

I do.

You can make your purchase in Germany, and ship to the US, or anywhere in the world. This service is located in Konstanz (Constance), Germany. Send your email in English to the following email address:

lieferadresse-konstanz@gmx.de

I can vouch for this service highly: We use it for online purchases in Germany to be sent to Switzerland.

Nice, but her website only seems to mention Switzerland, so precipitous please do report back if she does ship to the US for you.

I like this line on her website,

Wer sich etwas an meine Adresse bestellt, ohne sich vorher bei mir registrieren zu lassen, bringt mir ab jetzt , bei der Abholung , eine Tafel Schweizer Schokolade mit und zahlt 30 Euro für meine Zeit, wenn ich recherchieren muss, wer dieser Spassvogel ist.

I can answer that for you Never First, as Preciptous would hardly know that as yet.

This service has sent items of German cookware, and individual EBAY.DE purchases we either bought for our son, or that he did, in Germany, to be sent on four different occasions to his home in California. The German store or seller would not ship outside of Germany, which is quite common for sellers there. Thus we used this service, which is licensed in Germany to work around the shipping difficulties with our German neighbours, if you will.

The service works in this manner: You set-up your own personal account, which is free. You then make your purchase in Germany, having the shipment delivered to the address of the service in Konstanz. That service confirms the arrival and good condition of the article(s) and then notifies you of the arrival.

You then receive a second email estimate of shipping cost to the US, in this case. If you approve, the item is shipped. One may pay for this shipment using a variety of credit cards: In our case we used PAYPAL, which is common enough in North America.

A third email confirming the shipment with tracking Nr. is then sent to you. Then comes the hard part: Tracking and Waiting.

The large boxes of cookware sets, comparable to luggage cartons, took 3.5 weeks to arrive in California, USA. They were intact and to date, there has been no US Customs tax or fees. As I recall all were finally delivered to his door by US Postal Service, which trades off from Deutsche Poste or DHL.DE and not DHL. USA

There are many such services in Germany and Austria such as this company. We chose to use this one based upon an article in our own SWISSINFO, and it works for us very well in Switzerland and to North America.

I hope this is helpful to anyone interested in online products from Europe. It is a very good solution, luggage included.

Thanks for the information Swissaire! Does anyone know where I can find more pictures of the carry-on or know how wieldly the piece is? I noticed that it only has two wheels.

Here you are:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/RIMOWA-Cabin-Trolley-Bordgepack-Alu-Silber-Lufthansa-Edition-/261045611970?pt=Reiseaccessoires&hash=item3cc787edc2

This is an older LH Rimowa carry-on, probably 1990-2000 vintage. The newer model is slightly more cubical shaped, with the addition of the pull-out bag strap on the top. The interior is roughly the same design.

For comparison you can also see the difference between the Salsa Air and Topas carry-on if you look at my photos here, located under the Extras tab above.

As you can see from the many photos, the case is intact, and they last.

After reaching out to your contact I jumped on this earlier today. I'm hoping to take delivery before my travels on the 2nd. Thanks again! Are there any other pertinent differences between this and the Topas line?

1. Good for you.
2. I share your hope.
3. You are most welcome.
4. No.

My sleuthing suggests otherwise, but is there any chance of having the VAT refunded?

My sleuthing suggests otherwise, but is there any chance of having the VAT refunded?

I would also think this is not going to happen.
The sticking point will be proving it was exported - the post office/courier will be unable to certify that. The only two ways that I know it can be done are by personal inspection at the point of exit from the EU or to have a shipper who has been permitted to pack the items and complete the certification.

I think you also need some paperwork from Worldshop, and I think they have to belong to a refund-scheme.

So, all things considered, I thnk you might have to just consider it a donation to the coffers of the EU economy.

I'm heading back home tomorrow, and in talking to my wife the new LH Worldshop catalogue is at home.

If you are making a purchase or not with LH Worldshop from North America, you can request a free copy via email. The catalogue is available in English.

I didn't realize that the XL was 62 linear inches. That's the max United will accept without assessing an excess baggage fee :(

62 linear inches is now common as the standard.

It is the maximum linear measurement acceptable to most airlines as checked luggage, and has been for sometime now.

It worries me with the ever-changing nature of airline travel, given the investment. Just a cautionary tidbit to anyone who might not be as proficient in metric conversion as I thought I was. If anyone is interested in this set my OCD might compel me to let go of it :D

i would suggest salsa air for carry on. If you are not checking in why do you need to be that strong. And for checked bags topas if you don't care about weight.

I take a chance in a cold thread. Even for a carry on, the Topas is the right pick, looking at the spec. 4 wheels etc. BUT the classic looks so much better! I can live with all the external differences. But the interior is just too limited in the classic. Do you think it is possible to buy and fit the Topas interior inside the classic? I'm talking about the 32 vs 35 litre version/size.

Some like the Classic model, and others something more modern. Other posts here suggest that fabric luggage is superior, top loaders versus clamshells, and dark, steathly cases somehow attract less thievery than metallic or bright colours.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Purchase a case and organize it internally to your needs, to your satisfaction.


The interior confirguaration for the Classic is entirely up to you. On occasion I have removed the interior dividers from our various Rimowa cases, usually to accomodate a large item inside.

One trip to Brasil this included a flatscreen television set to European standards ( Fortaleza uses PAL-M with 220-240 v, while the majority of other states in Brasil use NTSC with 110V ). The flatscreen was wrapped in plastic, surrounded by expansion foam, which acted to protect the television and stabilize the case from twisting and being torqued.

Once that arrived (intact), everything was inspected, then removed, with the return leg accomodating some hand-made linen and cloth items made in Ceara. The case was lightly packed, but without the mesh dividers things might have moved around inside the case, so a little packing tape was used inside, on both sides of the case.

No issues with customs (ours), no torque of the case, and no damage aside from a small scuff mark. Keep in mind that the dividers keep the case from being overloaded and blowing out, in addition to isolating and organizing packed all items inside.

Heading back in late April for two weeks, hopefully after the rainy season has ended. Unless my wife decides on more to take down, this will be a Salsa carry-on only trip, ZRH-GRU-FOR.