Mellonc

I am testing out a couple briefcases from Tumi and found this older thread on Tumi weights. I have an older model too and thought something's amiss with the newer ones. For example, the 26160 which is the large expandable brief weighted only around 6 lbs. In comparison to the post above it seemed odd. I also felt around the interior and exterior fabric and I can tell the thickness of the whole structure isn't the same as before.

I know Tumi changed the warranty to an inferior one than what we had before but wasn't sure the product quality is now actually different. Anyone know this for fact? Any comparisons between new and old?

Doc Savage

Mellonc

I noticed the shoulder strap attachments are now plastic stead of metal. The strap design is also different. But I don't see any other parts that are too different from simply looking at it.

Materdei

They all carry a lighter weight warranty.

Seriously, they reduced their warranty for a reason, to save money. Why would we not expect them to reduce the quality to compensate. Why use heavier duty materials when all you really need are ones that last 5 years? After the warranty period expires repairs become a profit center. Couple that with the fact that many will not retain proof of purchase and therefore will have to pay for repairs before 5 years have elapsed.

My recommendation would be to either buy something which is disposable (i.e. cheaper) or buy something with a lifetime no BS warranty. Otherwise you're just paying for the status symbol, which is legit and worth the extra cost to many.

mikel51

I stopped using my Tumi briefcase several years ago for two reasons--
--The zippers broke and I was too lazy to get them repaired.
--It was heavy and I wanted to go lighter.

Mellonc

I think of Tumi as actually inexpensive. I know the materials they are using these days are not as solid as before (evidently) but I just don't have many options in the "luxurious and functional but not pretentious and godawful expensive." Look at all the Vuitton stuff. My colleague has one of these and I checked it out. The price was about double of Tumi's highest priced luxury line yet lacked functional compartments and usable pocket designs. I like Hartmann also but mostly for the belting leather line. Not so much for the other stuff.

On a side note: I was at a conference in NYC a couple weeks back and got to have lunch with a well known corresspondant from a cable news channel. He didn't have any briefcase at all. He had this old paper accordion folder with a bunch of paper notes. I asked why he wasn't carrying around an iPad like everyone else in the room. He said he didn't need to and pulled out a 3 by 5 paper notepad with a tiny pen attached to it from his jacket pocket. Then he smiled.

Kagehitokiri

tumi has outlet stores that have sales