Rimowa Carry on with Eagle Creek Packing system
 

I apologize if this posting already exists, as I was not able to easily find a posting on this. My question is this.

Does anyone have experience using the Eagle Creek Packing system with a Rimowa Topas (Stealth) Multiwheel Cabin IATA spinner (55)? I am trying to find the optimal Eagle Creek accessories to go with the Topas. I typically travel for business and take one to two suits, with typical trips lasting 2-4 days. I also like to have a set of casual clothes and workout clothes. That means I also need to back a pair of shoes in addition to the ones I am wearing. Thanks for any help. I am trying to find the right Eagle Creek accessories to optimally use the space of this smaller carryon. Thanks!

drguitar;

I have used Eagle Creek packing cubes, and the packing system in the past, with the Rimowa luggage we own.

Some were in vinyl, some in nylon, general fabric (Eagle Creek), and a Tumi in leather. None really worked very well in the IATA Topas my wife and I own. Too big, too small, too stiff, one was sticky, and a few hard to zip, or unclasp open. My wife does continue to carry a slim yellow neoprene zip folder for her toiletries.

A few years ago Rimowa began carrying zippered shirt bags, manufactured from the slippery but elegant lining material used in the better made case models. These are sold as options along with a laundry bag, shoes, bags, and a full multiple-suit garment bag ( for one to two full suits, plus shirts ), which includes a folding hanger and removable frame.

The garment bag may interest you as it offers shoulder protection, a full length zipper, and a mesh and material mix in the foot area,, for ventilation. It will also snap together as a tri-folding garment piece item, which I have carried onboard separately from the carry-on case a few times.

I still own an old LH leather garment bag, but I find it easier to work with the Rimowa, which carries more volume. While I have never found a use for the silicone frame, the garment bag when hung in a closet, or folded and placed in an overhead bin, does the job.

The shirt bags are sold in different colours, and are exactly the right size for the carry-on, and checked luggage cases. One of the colours is a dark grey, or charcoal which would be a good match for the Rimowa Stealth case you mention

The bags allow for protection of items, and a slight stretch if one needs it for additional packing. They also compress easily if needed. By different colour coding for each bag, I know what is packed in each, or at least should be, when I travel. One shoe bag carries my everlasting Havaiianas from Brasil that set me back about R$ 5.00, or 1.50 CHF, for use at the pool, lake, river, or beach.

Match the Rimowa shirt bags with one of the poly Rimowa amenity cases, and you have a well organized, stylish, and functional travel kit. No fumbling around: Just open the case and slide out what you need quickly, and easily.

Add further a Rimowa Business case, or Notebook case, using the back strap to slide over the top of the Topas handles, and you can easily travel for weeks using the IATA case alone, sans additional check through.

I hope this is helpful.

This was from another thread on here, they're Flight 001 cubes, but the same principle I suppose

http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.c...ggage26tr1.jpg

Aaron;

Really excellent photos.

And that is the Rimowa model of Topas (2-wheel ) we own and use, using our Rimowa shirt bags.

One item of concern I do see in the photo is the fact that the mesh divider has been removed in the upper case lid to accommodate all the Flight 001 cubes. Under normal packing of light items, that alone might not present a problem.

But were those cubes packed with heavy objects, and the mesh divider were removed, it could lead to a torqued, overload condition.

The dividers in the Rimowa cases provide a way to separate your packed items, store small personal items inside the zipped mesh recess, but are primarily engineered to function in keeping the packed load inside the case from blowing out.

Our Rimowa Topas were by the way purchased in January, 1994, and despite having many thousand air miles on them, still look and function like new.

I did a little more information today. I visited our local Rimowa store. They didn't have any of the Rimowa accessories but they did have the full line of Eagle Creek. The Pack-It folder 18 fits perfectly. Pack-it folder 20 is too big. Also, the Eagle Creek garment bag is about 1 inch too big to comfortably fit in the Rimowa Topas Stealth IAEA Multiwheel. I did not check the other Rimowa cases. I also checked the size of the compression bags. The medium size fits fine. However, the large size fits perfectly if you fold it exactly in half. I did check out the Notebook bag. It is pretty sweet. I do think the combination of the notebook bag and the Topas Stealth may be a great combo for me, especially with the right combo of packing cubes. Thinks Aaron and Swissaire. Now i just need to find a dealer with the Rimowa shirt bag and I'll be set!

drguitar -

You are most welcome.

If you click above on EXTRAS, then PHOTO GALLERY, and the go to page 9, you can see the notebook bag combination I posted, along with our other Rimowa case photos.

Note that I have tried combinations with our Topas, a pilot case, and the attaché cases large and small. The notebook bag remains the best designed option, and will work very well with any of the two-pole carry handle Rimowa cases, large or small. The one in the photo is a Rimowa LH model purchased in Frankfurt. All are used and still going strong.

I could give you a list of a dozen or more Rimowa stores here, but seeing that you live in California, USA, I doubt that would be very useful.

Try the Rimowa Beverly Hills store on Rodeo Drive. They have been most helpful when visiting California: If they do not have the bags in stock, they can order them for you. They posted a few to me in just a few days via FEDEX when I was visiting Walnut Creek.

Thanks again Swissair. The pictures are great and useful. I will actually be in Frankfurt June 8 and 9th and Berlin June 15-18th. These bags are so much cheaper in Germany than the U.S. I was hoping to purchase this at Koffer Direkt and deliver to my hotel in Berlin, but just noticed their recent 15% off coupon stopped working. If you know of other stores in Frankfurt or Berlin, that would be great.

If you have a little spare time in Frankfurt, take a look at this thread;

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/13675180-post8.html

Actuall, scrub that, they seem to have tightened up on their policy of "airline-staff only"

Ah ha.

Now you have better options available. But little time.

First, I am not sure if you are buying your Rimowa Stealth case in Germany, or in California. If you are buying everything in Germany ( Stealth case, notebook bag, shirt bags, and a current Rimowa catalogue ), I would try and order all items as a package. But you need to do this quickly to allow the selected store a bit of time. So:

Im Frankfurt:

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl ( Rimowa, Frankfurt, Germany)

Berlin:

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl ( Rimowa, Berlin, Germany )

Please note that both the official Rimowa stores, and authorized retailers that come up in the English link search should carry the products you want. Your best option is to select and order same for store pick-up upon your arrival. This would allow the store you select to order and receive the item for you if it is not in stock at that location.

Conversely, if there is an item you change your mind on, or substitute, or you see something more to also purchase, you can do this easier at the store, than in your hotel. Up to you, of course.

Discounts.
This seems to be a pre-occupation with some traveling to Germany, but in your case time is not in your favour. You can easily call each store to shop and of course ask ( If you have Vonage or some similar Voip system, that call would be free ), but I would confirm any order by email or fax, verifying the model of case and colour. Most stores have English speaking staff today, so hopefully no problems there.

Reading back, you are no doubt aware of VAT in Germany, and the fact that German luggage qualifies you for another discount, upon your departure from Germany. Discuss this with the store you select, and ask if they can assist you with the VAT discount and documentation.

One final option:
LH Worldhop offers Rimowa products, internally configured by LH specialists. One can find both the notebook bag and stealth case versions at the LH Worldshop, but sans shirt bags. In addition to the Rimowa catalogue, you might also obtain a Worldshop catalogue from LH, perhaps upon your arrival at FRA.

Time to get cracking ! Viel Spaß

Thanks again, Suissair. I am definitely planning on getting everything in Germany! Are there paricular stores you recommend in Berlin. I could di Frankfurt also, but I have 2 days in Frankfurt and 4 days in Berlin plus Berlin is ob the back end of the trip.

Vielen danke!

For ease and convenience, I would try Galeria Kaufhof at Alexanderplatz;

http://www.galeria-kaufhof.de/filial...rplatz/Marken/

Don't be shy in asking for a discount for cash (if you're paying by cash). The only thing they can say is 'no'. If your German's up to it, give them a call. In advance and make sure they have everything you want in stock, as Swissaire suggested. If you're not feeling confident enough for that, then go there on your first day and see if they can order everything for you by the time you leave.

The shop itself is really rather pleasant (and I can spend hours in the cookware department alone)!

And finally, make sure you get all the VAT refund forms from them and get them stamped at the airport when you leave. You'll probably get about 12% back from that.

If it were my purchase, I would complete it first, immediately upon arrival.

This would confirm that all works well, and is exactly what is wanted = Peace of mind. You would also have something perhaps new and better to pack your personal items and souvenirs into, and travel with.

Either way, it is up to you.

Berlin:

Start with the Rimowa stores there first, then with the authorized dealers. All should be able to help you.

Google the stores near your hotel or where you will be staying, and see if that works. The store having all items in stock would be great. Bear in mind that if they have to order stock for you using Pelikan, or DHL, that may require a few days for delivery to the store. Have the store representative make 1 extra copy of everything for you, placing one in the luggage, and keeping the original with you. Even if the store is able to accommodate your VAT discount, retain the sales documents as you may be asked for them upon departure.

Kaufhof is very good, as Neverfirst just mentioned. I purchased our XXL Rimowa Silver Integral case there, which has also travelled many air miles. They are limited to what they carry in-stock, but yes, a discount or two is not unknown there.

Scout motto: Be prepared. ( FRA versus Berlin for your purchase )

Scout oath: Do a good turn daily.

After your no doubt successful purchase, it will be your turn ( by your experience ) to help someone in need of luggage here on FT. Pass it on.

Viel Spaß

Will do, Swissair! I will post my experience next week as well.:)

Drguitar

Mission Accomplished
 

So today I had a very successful transaction in Berlin. Swissair and Neverfirst, thanks for your advise. I had called around while in Frankfurt but couldn't find anyone who had everything I wanted in stock. Prior to leaving from the U.S. I tried calling the Galleria and also KaWaDe. Both did not have everything I wanted and also they were not willing to give a cash discount. I then contacted Steve from Kauferhaus Witt on Haupstrasse. He spoke great English and had absolutely everything Rimowa in stock. I would guess have their store was Rimowa. He wasn't able to hold the items I requested for more than 2 days, but they had plenty of inventory so I chanced it. They also offerred a 10% discount if I paid cash.

So when I got to the store, I picked up the following:

Rimowa Topas Stealth IATA (749 Euro)
Rimoa Black Notebook (269 Euro)
Rimowa 1 Shirtbag (28 Euro)
Rimowa 1 travel kit (19 Euro)
2 Rimowa hangers (threw in for free)
Total Damage after 10% discount was 958 Euros. I am also eligible for another 108 Euro refund for VAT since I live in the U.S.

Overall, my experience was incredible. The store also gave me a 10% discount for life, just to sign up for their mailing list. I just had to provide my email address. Thanks for your help. I hope this will also help another person who travels to Berlin in search of Rimowa products.

It's always good to hear back, drguitar and especially so when you return with good news.

Just to note, if others come across this thread, I assume it is Kofferhaus Witt (rather than Kauferhaus) that you went to. I've never come across them before but Schöneberg is a nice area and the store seems to be located very close to the U-Bahn station (Kleistpark, if anyone's interested).

Seems like a good deal, perhaps you should get more than 10% discount based on your Flyertalk promotion. ;)