The best aluminum luggage in 2024 is built to last, no matter your destination
With Memorial Day travel around the corner, it's time to upgrade your luggage to something built to last. You might want to think about splurging on aluminum bags over polycarbonate or softsided options. Though it's more expensive to do so upfront, investing in one of these sleek, durable, and stylish metal suitcases will keep your belongings protected trip after trip.
This Memorial Day, treat yourself to a high-quality aluminum suitcase that will withstand years of travel ahead. Like buying home goods that last for generations, the splurge is worth it to keep your belongings safe in sleek style trip after trip.
The 5 best aluminum luggage options you can buy in 2024
- Best aluminum luggage in 2024: Rimowa Classic aluminum luggage
- Best midrange aluminum luggage: Away The Aluminum collection
- Best aluminum luggage for organized packing: Tumi 19 Degree aluminum check-in
- Best large aluminum carry-on: Zero Halliburton Continental aluminum carry-on
- Best zipperless aluminum suitcase: Level8 Gibraltar aluminum carry-on
- Best luxury aluminum luggage: Sterling Pacific 35L Cabin Travel Case
- Best smart aluminum luggage: Arlo Skye The Frame Carry-On Max: Aluminum Edition
The most popular aluminum luggage for 2024: Rimowa Classic aluminum luggage
Rimowa pioneered the aluminum luggage trend, introducing the bag style to the market in the 1930s. The high-end, celeb-favorite Rimowa Classic Cabin S suitcase features TSA-approved locks, a height-adjustable flex divider and a telescopic handle. And like all of Rimowa's designs, it has grooves inspired by the first all-metal airplane.
Aside from its quality materials and construction, one of the greatest benefits of buying a piece of Rimowa luggage is peace of mind. The brand includes a lifetime guarantee on all new suitcases, covering all functional aspects (but excluding wear and tear). Rimowa also offers in-store repairs and even in-hotel repairs at participating international locations, if you need a fix while traveling.
You'll want to snag this bag thanks to its sturdy aluminum construction protects your belongings much better than soft-sided or polycarbonate luggage. This suitcase comes with a lifetime warranty.
Rimowa suitcases come in a lot of shapes and sizes, materials and colors. Size and color combinations vary per collection, but most come in a few cabin (carry-on) and checked luggage options. There's also a trunk, an extra large piece of luggage designed for trips of two weeks or more.
Some of our favorite aluminum pieces from the brand include:
- Rimowa Original, $1,375 and up
- Rimowa Classic, $1,450 and up
- Rimowa Hybrid, $1,075 and up
- Rimowa Essential, $900 and up
The best midrange aluminum luggage: Away The Aluminum collection
Away Travel offers sleek, functional suitcases at a reasonable price point. Jet setters will appreciate the easy-to-set TSA-approved lock and smooth-rolling spinner wheels. Away's upgraded aluminum edition offers a more wallet-friendly alternative to Rimowa with the same features as the durable polycarbonate bags that put the brand on the map.
Away also offers a warranty that covers damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers and other functional elements of the suitcases. This provides added peace of mind when splurging on pricier suitcases.
The aluminum version of Away luggage comes in four sizes: two carry-ons and two check-ins. It's available in three metal tones: silver, onyx black and rose gold. The smaller carry-on weighs 10.1 pounds, the medium-sized one weighs 10.6 pounds, the smaller check-in is 13.3 pounds and the larger version is 16 pounds.
Away's 360-degree spinner wheels make these bags easy to roll through the airport. The suitcases feature a dual-lock for added security. The carry-on fits in most airlines' overhead bins.
Best aluminum luggage for organized packing: Tumi 19 Degree aluminum check-in
Tumi crafted this sleek suitcase out of lightweight aluminum. Features include TSA-approved locks, smooth swivel wheels and an impact-resistant telescoping handle for all-around easy maneuverability. Interior highlights include compression straps, a removable garment sleeve and lots of zipper compartments for organization.
Worried about losing your luggage? As part of the Tumi Tracer program, the bag includes a 20-digit number for easy identification. Plus its two TSA-integrated combination locks will keep your belongings safe and secure.
It also features a durable aluminum exterior and sturdy extension handles, plus retractable side and top carry handles for easy loading and carrying. Available in four colors: silver, matte back, dark denim and textured blush.
Best large aluminum carry-on: Zero Halliburton Continental aluminum carry-on
The luxurious 22-inch, 12.5-pound Zero Halliburton Continental suitcase fits overhead on most domestic flights. It boasts a smooth-moving wheel system trademarked by the brand. A three-stage telescopic handle, TSA-compliant lock system, leather accents and a roomy interior round out the features that make the brushed metal suitcase a keeper. Its smaller size also makes it a great choice for road trips.
The suitcase also offers plenty of storage and internal compartments to keep all of your belongings organized. The Zero Halliburton Continental aluminum carry-on features a zip separator, wide-panel-tie down straps with a mesh separator to hold clothes in place and a closure compression panel with an extra mesh pocket to hold smaller items. Available in silver, black and bronze.
One of the reasons we love this suitcase is that it features rubber-lined 360-degree wheels for improved ease of use, traction and shock absorption. A built-in TSA-approved combination lock keeps your belongings secure. Also comes with a magnetic leather ID tag and free monogramming.
Best zipperless aluminum suitcase: Level8 Gibraltar aluminum carry-on
Crafted out of aerospace-grade aluminum magnesium alloy, the Gibraltar aluminum carry-on, available in silver and gray, weighs 10 pounds and fits neatly in the overhead bin of an airplane or the trunk of a car.
Keyless and zipper-less, the sleek suitcase boasts TSA-approved locks and 360-degree durable spinner wheels. It comes with a four-piece organizer bag set.
You'll love this suitcase as it's made with scratch-resistant material and reinforced with metal corner protectors for long-lasting durability. It also includes removable dividers for flexible packing.
You can breathe a sigh of relief when buying from Level8 as well, as this bag comes with a lifetime warranty. It's also relatively inexpensive for aluminum luggage, so you can get a high-quality piece for less.
Best luxury aluminum luggage: Sterling Pacific 35L Cabin Travel Case
Do you want aluminum luggage? Then you want Sterling Pacific. The entirety of this bag is crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum, and you'll pay a premium for it. It also has aluminum wheel housings, an aluminum frame and corners, and an aluminum handle.
This luxurious bag is quite expensive, but you know exactly what you're getting - and you can see in its design that it's roomy, high-quality, and easy to wheel around with you.
It has two wheels instead of four (a curious design) and a slender yet spacious silhouette along with reinforced leather handles so you can carry it if need be. It's surprisingly lightweight at just 11.5 pounds, and it's super eye-catching.
The trunk is deep enough to stow just about everything you need for time away from home, and you know your belongings will be in good hands when you put them in this striking piece of luggage. You might be spending a lot to bring this suitcase home, but Sterling Pacific does offer a lifetime warranty and free repairs should anything happen to this pricey piece.
Best smart aluminum luggage: Arlo Skye The Frame Carry-On Max: Aluminum Edition
If you're often caught out with a low smartphone battery when you travel, this aluminum alloy carry-on is a great option for you. Arlo Skye brings modern convenience to reliable construction with this piece.
This aluminum bag comes with built-in USB-C and USB-A charging ports so you can juice up your smartphone and other devices with a portable charger. It also has an antimicrobial lining inside tucked away from its aluminum shell.
With leather handles, super smooth wheels, and a massive capacity of 45 L, this bag can charge your phone in under 30 minutes, pack a full week's worth of clothes and other goodies or more, and get you to your destination in style. It also won't break the bank.
This is one aluminum hardside bag that you'll want to keep at the top of your list if convenience is important to you.
Why choose aluminum luggage?
One of the biggest allures to aluminum luggage is its luxurious look, but there are more benefits to ownership. Aluminum is less likely to crack over time compared to polycarbonate, making it a better long-term choice.
Aluminum luggage comes at a higher price than polycarbonate and softsided luggage. But because aluminum luggage is a luxury purchase, many brands offer a luxury level of service. Rimowa (and some Rimowa alternatives) offers in-store repairs and even in-hotel repairs at participating international locations, plus warranty coverage for any parts that may break.
What are some drawbacks to aluminum luggage?
One main drawback (aside from price) is that aluminum bags often weigh more – expect carry-ons to weigh around 10 pounds and checked suitcases to weigh up to 16.
