90% matchBriggs & Riley
Ballistic nylon spinners with a lifetime repair guarantee
What changes: Purely functional business travel; no fashion-led lines or aluminium cases
Brand profile
Tumi
American premium travel brand known for ballistic nylon and aluminium luggage, business cases and leather goods; owned by Samsonite since 2016.
EdisonOrigin
UnisexFocus
Minimalist / ContemporaryStyle
$$$$Price
22 brands like Tumi like Briggs & Riley, Rimowa, Samsonite →
What to know about Tumi
Ballistic nylon built the reputation
The core of the range is ballistic nylon Alpha and Alpha Bravo bags, alongside aluminium 19 Degree cases and lightweight carry-ons.
Frequent-flyer function, not fashion luggage
The line is organised around business cases and travel bags, so the styling stays plain and the money goes into materials and construction.
Peruvian name, New Jersey origins
Charlie Clifford started it in New Jersey in 1975 after Peace Corps service in Peru, naming it for a ceremonial knife and importing South American leather early on.
If you like Tumi
See all 22 brands like Tumi →90% match
86% matchRimowa
Grooved aluminium hard-shells, more design-status than utility
What changes: Higher price, hard-shell only, little soft nylon or business-case range
78% matchSamsonite
Parent group's mainline, same engineering at mass prices
What changes: Mid-market pricing and materials rather than premium leather trim
Brand facts
Tumi makes premium travel luggage, business cases and leather goods. Charlie Clifford founded it in New Jersey in 1975 after Peace Corps service in Peru, naming it for a Peruvian ceremonial knife; early stock was imported South American leather. The range centres on ballistic nylon Alpha and Alpha Bravo bags, aluminium 19 Degree cases and lightweight carry-ons. Samsonite bought the company in 2016 for about $1.8 billion, and Tumi now drives roughly a quarter of group sales. It turned 50 in 2025 and opened a Champs-Elysees flagship in Paris.
- Founded
- 1975
- Origin
- Edison, New Jersey, United States
- Made in
- China, Vietnam, Thailand
- Price
- $$$$
- Focus
- Unisex
- Facts checked
- September 2026
- Styles
- Minimalist / Contemporary, Quiet luxury, Techwear