Editor's Picks: The Art of Travel with Tumi

When it comes to travel and all its inherent accessories, I find that the utmost beauty is crafted from utility. The most important considerations in choosing luggage is its capacity, weight, maneuverability, security and durability. Any extraneous facilities are purely ornamental, adding unnecessary bulk and weight to the task.

Although I pride myself on being a reasonably light packer (I travel with what I can carry, which typically consists of one check-in luggage, one cabin luggage and either a backpack or tote), my Achilles heel when exploring a new city are the boutiques and bookstores that await discovery. Whether travelling for work or for play, packing to return home is absolutely my least favourite part of any trip, especially when forced to play Tetris with fragile souvenirs.

On a recent trip to New York, I had the opportunity to put American luggage brand, Tumi’s 19 Degree Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheel Packing Case and their Harrison Bradner Backpack to the test. The experience revealed much about both form and function—read on to discover how these pieces fared in the hustle of work travel.

THE 19 DEGREE EXTENDED TRIP EXPANDABLE 4 WHEEL PACKING CASE

I have always favoured hardside luggage, though I am woefully aware of its shortcomings when trying to stuff last minute purchases into an already overfilled suitcase. Tumi’s 19 Degree Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheel Packing Case has a capacious, well-organised interior with easy-to-use compression straps to keep everything in place, and a zippered compartment for separating the good from the bad, the clean from the dirty. It rolls quietly and effortlessly on recessed dual spinner wheels, with a three-stage telescopic handle to accommodate for different heights.

What makes it a true winner in my eyes is that the depth of the suitcase can easily be expanded from 28cm to 33cm, incresasing its total capacity to 99L. The tough but lightweight shell is made from post-industrial recycled polycarbonate that has been molded into the iconic contours of Tumi’s 19 Degree range, and comes in a range of colours including a rather lovely olive green (which coincidentally is my colour of choice for travel gear). As part of the brand’s commitment to the planet, 1% of all proceeds from this collection go towards supporting verified global environmental efforts, which helps with offsetting the carbon footprint of travel.

VERDICT: It was smooth sailing with the 19 Degree Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheel Packing Case. Good-looking, efficient, and thoughtfully designed, this travel case combines style with substance. Its expandable depth, lightweight durability, and eco-conscious materials make it not only a practical choice for frequent travelers but also a responsible one. Whether for business or leisure, this is luggage that truly delivers.

The Harrison Bradner Backpack

Though I love the convenience of a backpack, I always tend towards a bag with grab handles when travelling for work, particularly when there are occasions that call for a suit. The Bradner Backpack from Tumi’s Harrison range is a slim-lined, elegant solution that is smart enough to carry into a meeting but with the absolute benefit of leaving me hands-free.

Sleekly silhouetted with embossed leather details for an architectural finish, the Bradner is a handsome and compact travel companion that punches above its weight. Measuring just 42 cm X 29 cm X 9 cm, it stores just as easily under-seat as it does overhead. In the chaos of travel, I find it helpful when there is a place for everything, and everything in its place. What I loved most about the Bradner is that it has a ton of compartments to keep small items and valuable travel documents secure. Its interior has a padded laptop compartment, while the magnetised quick-access pocket in the back was perfect for stowing away my passport when navigating the airport. I especially appreciated the pass-through straps which allowed me to securely fasten the backpack to my wheeled luggage so that it never had to touch the floor (handiest for toilet breaks!).

VERDICT: Both sleek and chic, the Tumi Harrison Bradner Backpack is not only an excellent travel backpack but would also be great for the daily commute. Its rigid structure, however, leaves no room for overpacking (although this is a good thing in my books, because who needs to pile on more weight?).

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