So after 10 months of being a Rimowa Topas owner, I thought I would share my feedback. I waited a long time to buy one and bought it hundreds cheaper from a German website. My main goal was a bombproof checked bag, that was as light as possible, and didn't have zippers to constantly break. The higher end nylon cases all are on the heavier side, and I prefer to have more weight for my contents, not the bag itself. On long trips where I buy things I need that weight. And zippers have always been a weak point of nylon bags, where airports would always snap off the zipper sliders and pulls. And I always believed that the Germans are magicians when given metal and/or glass.
In ten months, this bag has traveled over fifteen thousand miles domestically and internationally. Always checked. DPS, LAS, JFK, YYZ, YVR, SFO ett al.
Pros: It is significantly lighter than my old Atlantic Professional nylon workhorses. I think its almost 2lbs lighter. 2lbs is alot when talking about equal sized luggage. Plus the strength of the aluminum shell makes the bag crush proof, in comparison to a nylon bag. I've brought some fragile things back in my checked Rimowa, including glassware and wine, with no damage yet. The latches have held up well. So no more zipper sliders and pulls to snap off, and with the TSA latches, no locks for TSA to snip off. The wheels and handles have held up well. No bending or handles popping off. And least importantly, people who know the brand respect the bag. The Japanese who love Rimowa give alot of respectful looks and nods.
Cons: Dents. Not scratches, since the ridged design means only the thin tops of the ridges scratch. But my case has alot of dents. Along the outer edges, across the middle, just about everywhere. None have punctured the case, and none are that deep, but the case looks like it went to war, and it hasn't been a year yet. It is all cosmetic dents, and nothing deep. The functionality hasn't decreased at all, but for a $1200 retail case, it looks pretty shabby in such a short time. Also, and this happened on a UA JFK-SFO flight, somehow the thick solid aluminum corner protector got hit so hard it popped one of the rivets that attached that corner protector. it also has a one inch long slim dent, which boggles my mind since what part of a airport baggage system can be so thin and forceful that it can dent a 1/8th inch piece of solid aluminum. I know some FT Rimowa owners buy the nylon protectors for their bags, but that would only prevent the scratches, and not the dents which I see as the main problem. The hinges are also a little on the weak side. They are still fine, but they seem to be a weak spot, especially when your bag is stuffed and you are trying to close it.
Conclusion: I'm still very happy with my Rimowa Topas. The weight savings, and protection of the inside contents is still a major factor for me, and the Topas does both well. No more zippers and snipped locks is also great to have. I just need to accept the fact that this pricy bag is not going to look shiny and new ever again. If you are looking for a very light, ultra strong checked bag, with some luxury cache attached to it, then I recommend the Rimowa Topas. Just don't expect it to look pretty that long.
For a different size bag in the future, I think I would consider the Limbo line. I still like no zippers and strong build, but with the polycarbonate body to not get dented up.
You might have the case hinges examined by a Rimowa repair service. The hinges, and the protective cap could be addressed at the same time.
I sustained a loose end cap somewhere along the line of Zurich-Miami-Manuas too. The case was well past warranty by a decade or so, so I bought 4 inox (stainless steel) rivets, and the store owner was kind enough to let me use his pliers and rivet tool to re-attach the cap.
That Topas case continues to work very well, also with an accumulation of travel-earned " honour badges. "
Thanks for your review. I agree with you. I own the Topas 82L and the Cabin Trolley IATA as well and mine are full with dents and scratches. It still protects my belongings very well. I kinda like the look with the dents.
I just got my 29" 2 wheel Topas back from the repair shop. The shop owners claimed my bag was an old model because of the serial #. I bought the bag from koffer24 online from Germany, and showed them receipt showing it was purchased less than a year ago. They said it was up to Rimowa. It was coovered under warranty. The shop evened out some major dents in the frame. Some of the major dents to the body panels and re riveted the corner metal bumper. The bag looks back to 90% new.
All for the cost of $0.
So I'm still not sure for my larger bag if I want a Limbo that doesn't dent or get bent, but can crack and be irreparable. Or another Topas that dents like crazy and can get bent out of shape, but can also be repaired almost indefinitely.
Being metal that is easy to repair is a big plus of the Topas.
Glad you were ultimately successful in repairing the case under warranty costs.
In reading the German description of the Rimowa warranty, the stated language is quite clear. " 5 years from the date of purchase. " Here there is no question.
If Koffer24 had an alu case in stock for a few years, that is understandable ( as they are not sold every day ), but quite immaterial regarding the stated warranty.
and with the TSA latches, no locks for TSA to snip off.
When I saw the Rimowa, my first thought was how easy it must be for a crowbar to get under those latches.
I've also looked at the Halliburton Zero and a couple other high end cases, and I find it disappointing how poorly secured they are considering the price.
Where's the market for travelers who care about function and not shiny surfaces?
Hilliburton is the most surprising. A company devoted to security, and they use a flimsy TSA-only lock with no intrusion indicator and no option to use an external non-TSA lock.
The design of the TSA locks is light and simplified, and not heavily engineered.
That feature accompanies the idea of light luggage, in dealing with the realities of the " creative " airline rules and regulations today regarding the movable target of weight allowances.
I do have a Rimowa Übersee Bahnkoffer, or overseas train/steamer trunk, which has been replaced by the newer version known as the Columbus. I bought it used, and with the generous assistance of Rimowa customer service, I was able to restore it. This case features three heavy hasp-type locks, an inside shelf, hand rubber handles at each end. When empty, the case weighs in at a mere 19 Kilos ( 2.2 x 19 = 41.8 pounds ).
This case can be better secured with a stronger set of locks, but anyone who really wants to using a crowbar or bolt cutter could break right in. I also don't think I will be flying with it anytime in this life due to the weight. Times have changed - Fly light, and take whatever precautions you can to be safe and secure your luggage.
[quote=EUnomad;17578047]When I saw the Rimowa, my first thought was how easy it must be for a crowbar to get under those latches.
I've also looked at the Halliburton Zero and a couple other high end cases, and I find it disappointing how poorly secured they are considering the price.
Where's the market for travelers who care about function and not shiny surfaces?QUOTE]
I don't see the latches as making the bag more secure. You can get into any bag with enough effort. A number of FT'ers are always quick to jump on the fact that every bag is easily gotten into, locked or not. Locks to me make sure that zippers don't open in transit resulting in the embarrassing "yard sale" on the carousel. And the latches on on the Rimowa to me are nice because of the reported trend of TSA inspectors snipping locks with wire cutters, even TSA locks, because its so convenient to cut it off.
I don't think the Rimowa latches are super sturdy feeling either. But if given the choice between latches. Or zippers that are missing sliders and pulls after every flight? I'll take latches.
If security is your number one concern, use a thick Pelican case and an actual padlock. I like my Rimowa Topas for being ultra lgiht, very strong in protecting the contents, easily repairable because its metal, and latches instead of zippers since I lose a slider or pull on every flight.
Many thanks for the detailed and informative review. I would also be interested in reviews that take into account more duty cycles and/or miles. I travel 100K a year with usually 80 or more flights and want bags that last years.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dko3tgk
So after 10 months (...) my case has alot of dents.
Would you mind sharing some pictures (also before and after the repair if possible by any chance?)
I have the Topas IATA carry-on since March 2010 and it has been on *checking flightmemory* more than 120 flights and traveled more than 80.000 miles with me.
Considering that, it still looks brilliant . It has various scratches and a couple of dents, but no comparison to checked luggage I guess, and really nothing to write home about considering the amount of trips.
I am considering to buy a larger Topas (or Salsa or Limbo) but am having difficulties deciding whether it's worth the money in general (I now checked baggage gets abused) and whether I can stand paying the premium for something that may look like cr@p after two trips.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deirdre
The new Mission Impossible (Ghost Protocol) film shows a Rimowa Topas being abused. Pretty impressive ad.
The [Tom Cruise] Mission Impossible Movies always have been kind of extremely long adverts... Just watched the Trailer tough: BMW (i8 and 6er?), Rimowas and the Burj Khalifa, starring Simon Pegg - I may quite like it, even if it's as OTT as the others.
Also in the latest Nespresso Ad, George Clooney and Nazanin Boniadi swap their Topas (anyone noticed that the featured Nespresso Machine also has the "Topas Look"?)
You gotta hand it to Rimowa, they know how to make the most from Product Placement.....
