mc1263

Hello all,

I was a road warrior for a dozen years. I came into that job already a devoted Hartmann luggage man. My tweed "suiter" model has probably flown 3 million miles. I think it WAS the perfect case for me.

My tweed model, fwiw, had two zippered compartments: A larger/deeper one on "bottom" and a thinner one on "top" of the case. The tri-fold suiter sleeve fit into the thinner top layer (with one or two suits). Then my eagle creek shirts folder pack slipped into a zippered pocket on the very top/outside of the case (3 shirts easy). My toiletries, shoes, underwear and any casual or exercise clothes fit into the bottom/deep layer. Packed this way, my Hartmann is a fairly large rollaboard . . . but I never had any trouble on any airline in any country.

The truth is that there is nothing wrong with this case today . . . but from what I can tell, Hartmann as we knew it for a century is really a thing of the past. Meanwhile, after a 6 year reprieve, I have taken a new road warrior job (I start in two weeks). I feel the need to refresh my luggage.

I do NOT want a black ballistic bag. I think I can and should have a bit more "style" than the standard. So . . . Rimowa Topas has my attention.

1. Do you all like the Rimowa Topas? Would you steer me to it or away from it?
2. Assuming I get the Topas, is it the 34 or the 32L model? Is there any chance that the 45L model (still 22") is allowed onboard?
3. Finally, how will I pack it? It does not come with a suiter . . . do I buy the Flight 001 version and use it similar to the way I packed my Hartmann? Do I start folding suits? Do I need a modified packing cube with hard sides to make that work?
4. What other advice do you have for me? (I may start another thread tomorrow about briefcases)

Thanks!

mc1263