Briggs and Riley Review: Is It Worth the Price?

Briggs and Riley is a premium luggage brand that many frequent travellers swear by. But with prices that often run from $400 to more than $700 for a single suitcase, it is fair to ask: is Briggs and Riley worth the money?

The short answer is yes, if you travel often. If you fly five or more times a year for work or long trips, the strong build and the lifetime warranty can make it good value over time. If you travel once or twice a year and want a cheap bag, it is probably more than you need.

In this review, we look at what Briggs and Riley is, what its famous warranty really covers, what its bags do well, where they fall short, and how the brand compares with Tumi, Rimowa, Travelpro and Samsonite.

What Is Briggs and Riley?

Briggs and Riley is an American travelware brand. It was founded in 1993 in New York, and it is now owned by U.S. Luggage LLC. The company sells high-end suitcases, backpacks, duffle bags and travel accessories.

From the start, the brand focused on two things: strong materials and smart packing. Most of its softside bags use 1680D ballistic nylon, a thick fabric made to resist tears and scuffs. Its hardside bags are usually made from polycarbonate. The brand also uses strong YKK zippers, reinforced corners and sturdy wheels and handles.

Its best-known collections include Baseline, its classic softside range, Sympatico, its hardside range, and Torq, another hardside line. It also makes @work bags for business travel, including backpacks and briefcases.

The look is simple and plain. You will not find bright patterns or flashy designs here. Most bags come in plain colours such as black, navy, grey, olive and plum. That suits business travellers, but it may feel dull if you want a bag that stands out.

The Simple as That Lifetime Warranty

The main reason people pay more for Briggs and Riley is its warranty. The company calls it the Simple as That guarantee.

In simple terms, Briggs & Riley says it will repair all functional damage to your bag for life, free of charge. That includes damage caused by an airline. You do not need a receipt or proof of purchase, and the guarantee can pass to a new owner if you sell or give the bag away. You can read the full terms on Briggs & Riley’s official page about the difference.

There are limits, and they matter. The warranty does not cover cosmetic wear, such as scuffs and marks, or cleaning. It does not cover lost or stolen bags, or the things inside your bag. If your bag is damaged, you usually pay to send it to a repair centre, and Briggs & Riley pays to send it back. For small problems, the company also offers self-repair kits for zippers, wheels, handles and corner guards.

This is still the strongest warranty in luggage that most reviewers have found. Tumi and Rimowa, for example, usually offer a limited five-year warranty. That difference is a big part of the price.

What Makes Briggs and Riley Different?

Briggs and Riley holds several patents. Three features come up again and again in reviews.

First is the CX compression-expansion system. Instead of a normal expansion zip, you unclip two clips inside the bag, pack more in, then push the top down. The clips lock and hold your clothes in place. The company says this can add up to 25% more packing space, then compress the bag back to its normal size.

Second is the Outsider handle. On many models, the handle sits outside the main packing area instead of inside it. That leaves a flat, rectangular space inside, which is easier to pack and helps clothes stay less wrinkled.

Third is the built-in suiter. On models such as the Baseline and Sympatico, you can hang a suit or dress on a hanger, clip it in, and fold it around a padded roll. It does not remove every wrinkle, but reviewers say it removes most of them.

Other small details help too. Zipper heads can be replaced easily if one breaks, so you do not have to send the whole bag away for a small fix.

How Much Does Briggs and Riley Cost?

Briggs and Riley is not cheap. In a review that compared almost 400 suitcases from 31 brands, CleverJourney put the average Briggs and Riley price at about $631. That is high, but Tumi and Rimowa charge 60% to 90% more on average for similar premium bags, according to the same review.

As a rough guide from recent reviewer listings, carry-on bags are often priced from about $419 to $779, and checked bags from about $379 to $1,049. Prices change with sales and new models, so check the official site before you buy.

The price makes more sense if you think in years, not in one trip. Reviewers who have used these bags for years say a Briggs and Riley suitcase can last 10 to 20 years with regular use. At $400 to $700 for a bag that lasts that long, and with free functional repairs, the cost per trip can work out lower than buying a cheap bag every few years.

Briggs and Riley vs Tumi, Rimowa, Travelpro and Samsonite

CleverJourney reviewed 15 luggage brands and gave Briggs & Riley 81 out of 100 points, the highest score in its list. Travelpro and Tumi shared third and fourth place with 75 points, and Samsonite ranked sixth with 71 points. Customer reviews averaged 4.65 stars out of 5 for Briggs and Riley, the highest result among the premium brands in that comparison. You can see how the scores were worked out in CleverJourney’s full 2026 review.

Against Tumi, Briggs and Riley wins on warranty and price. Tumi bags often look smarter and use a special ballistic nylon, but Tumi usually offers only a five-year warranty and charges more.

Against Rimowa, the same point holds. Rimowa makes strong, stylish hardside bags, but it also usually offers a five-year warranty, not a lifetime one.

Against Travelpro, the choice is closer on price. Travelpro makes good mid-price bags for crew and frequent flyers, and its Platinum Elite range has a worry-free lifetime warranty that also covers airline damage. But reviewers note that its warranty wording is less clear than Briggs and Riley’s.

Against Samsonite, Briggs and Riley is stronger and better built, but Samsonite is much cheaper and lighter, and it suits occasional travellers well.

In short, Briggs and Riley is the best pick in the premium range if warranty and long life matter most to you. It is not the best pick if you want the lightest bag or the most fashionable one.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Very strong build, with ballistic nylon or polycarbonate, strong zippers and reinforced corners.
• The best luggage warranty most reviewers have found, including airline damage, with no receipt needed.
• Smart features such as CX expansion, the Outsider handle and a built-in suiter.
• High customer ratings, with an average of 4.65 out of 5 in one large comparison.
• A plain, professional look that suits business travel.

Cons:

• Expensive to buy. A single bag can cost several hundred dollars.
• Heavy. The thick materials and extra features add weight, so it is not ideal for budget airlines with strict weight limits.
• Plain looks. If you want colour and style, Tumi or Rimowa may appeal more.
• Mixed reports on service. Most customers praise the quality, but some reviews report slow warranty claims. One review site also notes a low Better Business Bureau rating linked to a small number of unanswered complaints. That is worth knowing before you buy, even if most owners are happy.

Who Should Buy Briggs and Riley?

Buy Briggs and Riley if you travel often, especially for work, and you want to buy once and keep the bag for years. It suits people who check bags, fly with suits or business clothes, and want a repair promise they can rely on.

Skip it if you travel rarely, if you need the lightest possible carry-on, or if your budget is tight. In that case, a good mid-price bag from Travelpro or Samsonite will do the job for much less money.

If you do buy, choose the size first. Most Briggs and Riley carry-ons are below 22 x 14 x 9 inches, the common size limit for airlines in North America. For checked bags, stay within 62 linear inches in total — height plus width plus depth — to avoid oversize fees. Check your airline’s rules before you fly, as some European airlines allow less depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Briggs and Riley worth it?

Yes, for frequent travellers. The high price is offset by strong materials and a lifetime warranty that covers functional damage, including airline damage. For occasional travellers, a cheaper bag is usually better value.

Does the Briggs and Riley warranty cover airline damage?

Yes. The Simple as That guarantee covers the repair of functional damage for life, even if an airline caused it. It does not cover cosmetic wear, cleaning, lost or stolen bags, or the contents inside.

How long does Briggs and Riley luggage last?

With regular use, reviewers say you can expect 10 to 20 years from a Briggs and Riley bag. The thick fabric, strong zippers and lifetime repair promise are built for that kind of use.

Is Briggs and Riley better than Tumi?

For warranty and value, yes. Briggs and Riley offers a lifetime warranty and usually costs less than Tumi. For style and a more fashionable look, some travellers still prefer Tumi.

Where can I buy Briggs and Riley?

Buy from the official Briggs & Riley site or an authorised retailer. That helps if you ever need a repair, and it avoids fake or grey-market bags.

The Bottom Line

Briggs and Riley is not the cheapest luggage, and it is not the lightest or the most stylish. But for frequent travellers, it is hard to beat. The build is strong, the packing features are useful, and the lifetime warranty is still the best in the business.

If you travel a lot and you are tired of replacing bags, this is a buy-once choice. If you travel rarely, save your money and pick a good mid-price bag instead.