Well, finally getting around to a follow-up post. So here's my review.

I used my new Rimowa Salsa Deluxe on just one trip earlier this summer. Four flight legs, plus bus, taxi, rental car, dragging it upstairs where there was no elevator, pulling it down long gravel driveways.

Results: I'm really pleased!

The main thing I was concerned about, based on some negative reviews I had read, was that the corners would be dented beyond repair and the wheels would be rendered inoperable. Nothing like that happened! Held up beautifully.

As a spinner, it's easy to maneuver in airports, except you have to careful about strips between different surfaces, like at doorways, or elevators.

It's not easy on cobblestones, or gravel, but I just tipped it and pulled it like a trolley, no problem.

The other concern I had based on some comments by reviewers was the 50/50 split. Yes, it won't fit opened on one of those standard hotel room luggage holders. But I didn't find that terribly inconvenient, just moved it to the bed when it was time to pack/unpack. And I did like that unlike with an 80/20 split, or a 100/0 cover opening, I could find everything. Nothing was buried in the bottom of the case for weeks without my finding it. I also liked the compression feature that held everything down without spilling when I opened the clamshell.

I did discover that Rimowa offers a "Sport Multiwheel" in the Salsa range (not Salsa Deluxe) which has more like an 80/20 split and will accomodate sports equipment in the larger 80 section. Might want to add that to my collection later.

There's a retractable hook which can be used to carry a satchel or another light bag. Convenient, as long as the handle of the satchel doesn't detach (which happened once for me). I also was able to clip my B & R laptop case onto the handle of the Rimowa, so I was able to navigate airports with just one large spinner item.

My primary motivation for getting this case was to carry more weight on an extended international trip. That worked! I easily stayed under the 50 lb limit, but since the case was 6 lbs lighter than my old Tumi, I was able to carry 6 lbs more. Made a difference!

When I got back I had sticker residue on the case. It cleaned off easily using a hair dryer as recommended by Rimowa. The case cleaned easily with water and some rubbing alcohol for skid marks. The case is no longer new, there are some minor scratches, but the shiny polycarbonate surface is still shiny, and there are no dings or dents.

All in all, it's ***** (out of 5) luggage. And I'm pleased that I chose the Rimowa over the Tumi.

Thanks for reading!