Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

Briggs & Riley vs Thule

Wednesday, December 4th

2024 Luggage Reviews

Briggs & Riley Review 3 Star Rating

Briggs & Riley

3 Star Rating
  • Starting at $229
  • 52 luggage options
  • Lifetime guarantee
  • Free shipping on orders over $99
  • Free return shipping
  • 30-day return policy
  • In business for 30+ years

Briggs & Riley is a retailer that caters to people who travel often and have a lot of preferences about their luggage and the features they come with. You'll be spending at least a couple of hundred dollars here on any given suitcase or bag, so you should expect that it will be high-quality and thoughtfully-constructed. Briggs & Riley has a lifetime guarantee on their luggage, and they also allow free returns within 30 days of purchase. Unfortunately, their ratings are mixed and some people feel like customer service is hard to work with, especially when getting repairs done on their products. Then there are others who love this company and everything they make. For as much money as it costs to shop at Briggs & Riley, it feels like reviews should be higher, but they may also have a pickier customer base. Overall, if you are willing to spend more money on high-quality luggage, you will likely be happy with the selection at Briggs & Riley, but it's not for everyone.

Thule Review 2.5 Star Rating

Thule

2.5 Star Rating
  • Starting at $139
  • About 35 different suitcase choices
  • Unique backpack or duffel-like suitcase designs
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • "A-” Better Business Bureau rating
  • In business since 1942

Thule is a sporting goods brand that has a line of products to transport just about anything. Whether you need a ski rack for your next adventure, a stroller for rocky terrain, a fancy camera case, or luggage for intense traveling, Thule has you covered. Their suitcases are a few hundred dollars each, so you're investing more if you shop here. They have unique, sporty luggage that's different from many other brands, but a major hangup we have is with how many people have complained about poor customer service. If you have an issue with your order or product, it seems that Thule may not be as quick to help as you'd hope for spending so much money.

What is the Best Brand of Luggage?

Whether you're a world traveler and you frequent the airport, or you're just taking a weekend trip a few cities away, you need something to keep all your belongings organized. At some point in life, everyone will need to have a good set of luggage and there's really no way around it. It's something that you might only buy once in your life if you get a high-quality set and it will serve you over and over again.

The key is to own the right sizes and, of course, colors and design that fit your style. You may never have put much thought into all the different features you could find in different sets of luggage, but as you start shopping online you'll soon realize that there are a lot of things to consider.

The Best Luggage Brands Compare Luggage Brands Compare Luggage Reviews What are the best Luggage Brands Best Luggage Reviews

Luggage FAQ

Not necessarily. Every company has to start somewhere, and a new brand might be the next big hit. However, sticking with luggage brands that have lots of customer reviews and a track record of honoring warranties is always a safer bet.
Definitely not. Some brands have limited lifetime coverage of manufacturer defects, while others only extend that protection in the first few years that you own your luggage. A very small number of luggage brands protect you against wear and tear, even airline mishandling, but the majority will only replace or repair your suitcase if something malfunctions (like a zipper breaks).
Unused? Yes, usually. Check the policy of the luggage brand you're considering if you think this is a real possibility.
In our experience, not usually. You're paying for the prestige and the look, but luxury luggage brands rarely match their more affordable counterparts with respect to durability and function. Even the ones that supposedly offer a "lifetime warranty” often fall down when it comes to honoring that promise. You're usually better off going with luggage that mixes form and function: what good is a fancy name if your suitcase busts open the first time it's thrown on an airport conveyor belt?
Very few. Even iconic brands like American Tourister and Samsonite are usually made in China.
Your features wish list depends on the kind of travel you anticipate doing. Adventurous, outdoorsy types might like duffel bags with compartments to separate muddy and wet clothing from dry, clean items. Business travelers or the tech savvy might appreciate a carry-on with a built-in USB port. Other commonly-sought features include spinner wheels, TSA-compatible locks, zippers to expand the packing capacity, and external handles that maximize interior packing space.
No. While most luggage brands do their best to designate their carry-ons as domestic- or international-sized, there are no guarantees. Helpful hint: read through the customer reviews on any piece you're considering and see if any mention your frequently-flown airlines.
That's like asking "Coke or Pepsi”. Soft-sided tends to weigh a little less and be more forgiving of cramming in that one last must-have item. Hard-sided is, well, harder. It can offer greater protection if you tend to travel with fragile belongings, but it also tends to get scuffed up quickly. It's really more a matter of personal preference than anything.
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

For example, do you want hard or soft luggage? Do you want wheels that glide straight? Or ones that can swivel around in all directions? Do you want it to have a lock with the zipper in case it gets into the wrong hands? How about pockets on the outside or the ability to expand? See? There are many more things to decide on than you may have originally anticipated.

When you're off from place to place or sprinting to your airport terminal, the last thing you want is a busted wheel or handle. You might have to spend a tad bit more money, but having a high-quality luggage set is totally worth it. Another helpful hint when shopping is to buy something that's easily identifiable in case your luggage gets mixed in with other people's or you want to quickly grab your suitcase from the luggage carousel at the baggage claim. All of your essentials are in that important travel bag, so you'll always want to be able to pick it out in a crowd.

There are many companies that sell luggage online, but which ones will last you years to come? Some brands have really basic options while others get a lot more technical and fancy, so we've done the research to lay it all out for you so you can buy from a company that will best fit your traveling lifestyle. Here are some major things to take into account when weighing your options for luggage brands:

  • Selection. Does the company have a lot of sizes to choose from? Do they have luggage with more basic features that come at a lower cost as well as those with fancy wheels, extra pockets, and high-quality materials to keep them in good shape while getting shuffled around? Find a brand that gives you plenty of options and allows you to pick your very favorite.
  • Price. Luggage can vary quite a bit in price. If you're getting a high-end suitcase with extra compartments, accessories, top-shelf materials, and a unique design, chances are that you're going to be spending a bit more. Make sure that customer reviews live up to the hype and price of the luggage brand so you know you're getting your money's worth. If you hardly ever travel and just need something to function as a large compartment for your clothes and nothing more, look for a good deal.
  • Warranty policy. If your luggage arrives and isn't what you pictured or it arrives damaged, what is the warranty like? If you use it a few times and the zipper breaks or a wheel falls off, will the company repair or replace it at no charge? How long will the warranty last?
  • Reputation. We prefer shopping at stores that let customers leave honest feedback about their items. Pay attention to what people say about the durability, glide, material quality, and customer service of a certain brand and its unique products. Taking the brand's Better Business Bureau rating into account can also set you on the right track.

The experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched the best luggage brands you can buy from online. We hope you are able to find a great luggage set to accompany you on all your big adventures that lie ahead!

The Best Reviews of Luggage Brands