Review: Rimowa Original Cabin S

Rimowa is the ultimate in luxury luggage and has been around since 1898. The German brand pioneered the aluminium suitcase back in 1937, which is now considered the “gold standard”.

Most of the reviews will say the 360-degree wheels are unmatched. It is highly rated, iconic, and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Based on a request, I am posting a review of my bag, which I shared on my travel IG page “NafisaExplores”. This is the link to the bag I bought. It was a splurge purchase at €1130, an early birthday present to myself.

There are no official Rimowa stores in South Africa. I purchased mine in Barcelona earlier this year, and received 13.7% tax back (€155). It came with a free personalised luggage tag; hot stamped while you wait.

I received good service at the Barcelona store. They were helpful and friendly. My sales associate also registered my bag before I left the store, which you need to do to make use of that lifetime guarantee.

There is a third party retailer selling it online in South Africa who I cannot vouch for, but I don’t buy luxury items from third parties. Unless it’s a department store listed by the brand on their website.

Rimowa Original Cabin S Quick Look:

• Aluminium suitcase
• Cabin S size: 55 x 40 x 20cm; 4.2kgs
• 360° gliding wheels
• TSA-approved locks
• Telescopic handle
• Includes removable Flex Dividers
• Lifetime guarantee

As a frequent traveller with OCD tendencies, I like using different hand luggage based on destination and purpose. I have one that is soft with a laptop slot, and I wanted the Rimowa as it has no zips, and is made from aluminium.

I also take my time with big purchases and ahead of purchasing my Rimowa, read loads of reviews, spent time on forums, watched a ton of TikToks and YouTube videos before deciding which bag I wanted.

It ultimately came down to two carry-ons: the Original Cabin and Original Cabin S. A lot of people like the Original Classic but I didn’t like the black handles.

There were plenty of people who said that the Cabin 23cm sometimes gets taken away for a gate check-in. I didn’t want that risk so I chose the Cabin S, which is 3cm smaller on the depth, and 4L less in volume. Even though it says 2 outfits for 2 days, just know you can squeeze more into it.

I also read an article that the EU wants to implement a standard carry on size across all airlines from September 2024, which are these exact dimensions: 55 x 40 x 20cm. I’m very happy with my choice, should this indeed become a “standard”.

And based on the reviews, I would never buy a checked-in aluminium Rimowa. It WILL get damaged and dented because of how bags are thrown around in general, all over the world.

So my Rimowa purchase was carry-on or nothing. They also have the Essential range, which is made from polycarbonate and comes in fun colours, if you want to buy a Rimowa bag without paying for the signature aluminium ones.

Using the Rimowa Original Cabin S

I’ve been using my bag for more than seven months now. As ALL the reviews state, the bag just glides. I love rolling it around the airport, I’ve been through and used many bags. The Rimowa is smooth.

A telescopic handle means you can adjust it to any height that is comfortable for you, no matter your height.

The bag is split into two halves on either side. Initially I used it with packing cubes and realised that it is not suited for packing cubes, which in this instance, takes up precious space.

It is easier to just load the bag straight with your clothes and used the flex dividers to compress them before closing the bag. I also love that it does not have zips. You can close it and click it. It took a bit of playing around to see how it locks into place.

But as mentioned, you can definitely get away with more than 2 outfits. It depends on season and what you pack. I found that rolling my tops was most efficient to get more items in there.

On my last weekend away, I took 3 bottoms, 4 tops, pyjamas, jacket, jersey, 2 pairs of shoes, toiletries, underwear and socks, plus my charging cables and there was still some gaps to fit stuff in, if you pack like Tetris.

I am counting the clothes I wore as well, which indicates that is how much you be covered for. If I didn’t take a puffer jacket folded up, I could have fit at least 2 more tops rolled. I would not put a laptop in there. The dividers offer a good compression, and even though they are removable,  I always use them.

I am very happy with my purchase. I love gliding it around, and knowing that the size I went for is good for a trip for as least three days.

I know I can get away on business class carrying a backpack that is at least 36L (my Thule bag), which fits at least 2 sets of clothes with a compression cube. This includes tops, bottoms and underwear. I actually got in 2 pairs of jeans and 4 tops with underwear before.

Is the Rimowa Original Cabin S worth it?

This is subjective. Do you travel often, and do you use carry-on luggage a lot? Do you want something stylish and luxurious with a lifetime guarantee? Then yes. I do not regret my purchase and know I made the right choice with the Cabin S size. I couldn’t bear the thought of my bag being thrown into checked luggage if it were any bigger, and the risked of getting damaged.

I also decorated my bag with stickers. They are vinyl and peel off easily. And I know some of you may cringe at the thought of doing that to a luxury item. But for me, as with my MacBook Air that I put stickers on, apart from the individualism, it was also a way for me to say my items don’t own me. I can do what I want with it. And if I don’t like it or get bored, I can remove it.

By the way, Rimowa themselves sell stickers to decorate your bag with anyway, to make it personal. Their stickers are expensive though, at €6 per city sticker. I took the Barcelona city sticker at purchase.

If you’re looking at luxury luggage purchases, you may as well purchase a Rimowa over other luxury brands as Rimowa specialises in luggage, and will always have the upper hand with that.