I've never found the Tumis to be that good actually. Especially not for the price premium.

After years of throwaway Target/Walmart/Marshalls bags, though, I've invested in a couple B&R bags and there is absolutely a difference.

I like to think I'm not seen as a pretentious jerk when I walk around with them, but then again they're highly functional for me and carry a warranty that truly puts my mind at ease, so if whether they make me look like a princess or a bum, I wouldn't care.

Same thing about the elite tags - they serve some minimal function for me and don't get in the way otherwise, so on the bag they go.