Rimowa bursting open?
 

I've used my Rimowa multiple times for short trips as checked luggage but this time I'm packing this case to the brim due to an extended trip in Asia. I've seen many have a strap that goes around their Rimowa suitcases in the event that it bursts open. Is this something I should be concerned about? I mean the suitcase is a 29" and its packed to 70lbs. Closing it is not an issue but with the extra weight I'm concerned about it just popping open when its thrown around (especially with abysmal luggage handlers in YYZ).... Any advice from seasoned road warriors?

Hi wrldtrav2013 -

I've not heard of any bursting open, but I do use a strap around our Rimowa Aluminum XXL. The case still appears somewhat new, but was purchased in 1994.

The reason is that that model of case pre-dates the use of the TSA locks. Rather than leave it unlocked, the strap we bought comes with a single TSA lock to secure it.

Even though you are packing to " the brim, " keep the mesh dividers in place. They prevent the case from being overloaded and blowing out. If the center mesh dividers are used as they should, that would alleviate any Rimowa case from then bulging out and possibly open.

Exactly the same here (but with polycarbonate case, not aluminum). I've never heard of a case coming open but I use a strap just in case (it also makes the case much easier to identify coming off the belt; very useful in Hong Kong where it seemed 50% of the cases on my flight were Rimowa).

Thanks everyone for the input, I guess I'll put a strap on it just to make sure. Better safe than sorry, especially on these long haul flights

I use a strap to differentiate my bag, but I don't see it bursting open. If anything the straps can get caught on stuff.

Hi worldtrav2013 -

My wife and I flew from Europe to Brasil then up to Californiaand back to Europe.

I used the TSA strap on our Rimowa XXL alu case. Leaving Brasil, I decided to use the Carousel plastic cover wrap sold at the airport for R$ 40. as extra protection for that case. So it was a closed Rimowa alu case, wrapped in plastic, and then wrapped with the TSA strap turned into TAM as checked luggage. We were booked to MIA and then on to LAX.

At LAX we waited for the luggage. When it finally appeared in baggage claim, up came the Rimowa case, with the TSA strap, minus the plastic wrap. That came up later, sliced in half. The inspectors just cut it off to open the case, which now had a few more scratches on it. That was the last time we found a note inside any of our checked luggage.

I still use the TSA strap, but not the carousel plastic wrap, at least not when entering North America.