Talk to me about Tumi

[Anonymous]

I saw some on sale packs on Tumi's website and am intrigued by their designs. So for those who swear by Tumi - what is it that keep you buying this brand? How are their backpacks on the whole?

I look at the prices of Tumi suitcases and wonder - what does it do for that much money?! I've had Briggs and Riley because of their compression feature allowing me to pack 50L - that thing is amazing. Crazy $$ but I cannot find another more practical bag offering that much space with easy packing ability on the market.

However.. I am going on an epic summer adventure to 3 countries and I really need a backpack that allows for a lot. I need a top shelf bag that offers comfort, is really well made, still practical with space and pockets. Unfortunately I'm on the shorter side of 5 foot 2 so it cannot be some huge backpack for me. I need it to offer 30-35L and prefer it offer 40L. I have a Vera Bradley pack and love because of how it's shaped - I can get 50L into that thing! The problem is, it's not the best in terms of comfort for my back. In terms of daily bags, I carry MZ Wallace because I like how light their bags are and I like Caara for their design. I have used in the past Dagne Dover and Calpak but none of these bags are right for this trip as I am seeking to carry more however.

Suggestions appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I’m a Tumi suitcase owner who wouldn’t buy one of their backpacks because it’s not what they specialize in. It sounds to me like a Deuter ir Osprey bag would be what you want for your trip. I carry a Deuter 35L for international travel when I’m also carrying a suitcase. They also make a 45L + 10L expandable.

[Anonymous]

I would just go to REI for this.

[Anonymous]

TUMI is not known for comfortable backpacks. Their backpacks tend to be well made of premium materials, but also quite bulky and stiff. I don’t think I would want to be lugging one around for the hot summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TUMI is not known for comfortable backpacks. Their backpacks tend to be well made of premium materials, but also quite bulky and stiff. I don’t think I would want to be lugging one around for the hot summer.

I’ve used the same Tumi backpack for about 10 years now and I’d agree with the above. It’s a little stiff but the result is that 10 years later it still holds its shape. I don’t use it daily, only for trips and it’s excellent for that. I think it would be uncomfortable for daily use on my back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a Tumi suitcase owner who wouldn’t buy one of their backpacks because it’s not what they specialize in. It sounds to me like a Deuter ir Osprey bag would be what you want for your trip. I carry a Deuter 35L for international travel when I’m also carrying a suitcase. They also make a 45L + 10L expandable.

This

For a backpack you want a Peak Design bag or a Nomatic bag. I travel a ton and these are the only two backpacks I would look at.

[Anonymous]

Never heard of the Briggs expansion mechanism. Wow! Now I’m bummed i just bought new luggage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a Tumi suitcase owner who wouldn’t buy one of their backpacks because it’s not what they specialize in. It sounds to me like a Deuter ir Osprey bag would be what you want for your trip. I carry a Deuter 35L for international travel when I’m also carrying a suitcase. They also make a 45L + 10L expandable.

This

For a backpack you want a Peak Design bag or a Nomatic bag. I travel a ton and these are the only two backpacks I would look at.

Agreed, I love my Peak Design 45L bag- almost always use it in the unexpanded 35L form and its seriously impressive how much stuff it holds. Have also heard good things about Osprey and Cotopaxi bags, which are a bit cheaper, and I thing have less premium (but still good) materials.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! OP here - I am aware of Cotopaxi and Peak. I was trying to go for something a bit less rugged.

PP - yeah the Briggs compression thing is seriously awesome. I mean, I do not see anything else that cool, no matter how expensive it is, on the market. For me, that's value worth the price of that thing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! OP here - I am aware of Cotopaxi and Peak. I was trying to go for something a bit less rugged.

PP - yeah the Briggs compression thing is seriously awesome. I mean, I do not see anything else that cool, no matter how expensive it is, on the market. For me, that's value worth the price of that thing

Not sure what you mean by rugged? The Peak Design bags definitely look sleek and "professional" to my eyes.

[Anonymous]

OP can you post a link to this Briggs compression thing? I am in the market for a new carry on!

[Anonymous]

OP here - I pulled off a random youtube video review - https://youtu.be/r7yZ1lBnT28

I can pack so much into this thing. More than any carry on I've ever owned! I really enjoy how the compression works and like the bottom is smooth not bulky so you can fit more stuff the outer pocket is U shaped so that holds volume as well.

I wouldn't say that it's the lightest or rolls the best - I mean it's not like any of that is less than great but for me personally - the value is in volume as we never check in luggage anymore. I have had TravelPro and love it but this baby is what I pull out when I'm gone longer than 3 days

I think I'm going to look at diaper backpacks actually.

[Anonymous]

I have a Tumi int'l-size carry-on and a Nomatic 30L travel-specific backpack: https://www.nomatic.com/collections/all-backpacks-bags/products/nomatic-30l-travel-bag

They also make larger (40L) and smaller sizes, depending on your needs for both capacity and manageability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TUMI is not known for comfortable backpacks. Their backpacks tend to be well made of premium materials, but also quite bulky and stiff. I don’t think I would want to be lugging one around for the hot summer.

I agree. TUMI laptop bags and backpacks target the professional set (consultants and such that need to look polished at a client meeting and want a backpack that doesn't clash with a suit), not the set that is trekking in the jungle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - I pulled off a random youtube video review - https://youtu.be/r7yZ1lBnT28

I can pack so much into this thing. More than any carry on I've ever owned! I really enjoy how the compression works and like the bottom is smooth not bulky so you can fit more stuff the outer pocket is U shaped so that holds volume as well.

I wouldn't say that it's the lightest or rolls the best - I mean it's not like any of that is less than great but for me personally - the value is in volume as we never check in luggage anymore. I have had TravelPro and love it but this baby is what I pull out when I'm gone longer than 3 days

I think I'm going to look at diaper backpacks actually.

Woah that's pretty cool.