Briggs & Riley Luggage: Why is it so Expensive?

Briggs & Riley is another luggage brand that has made a name for itself in the travel industry. They produce solid, durable cases. Their bags, however, are on the pricier side. What makes Briggs & Riley so expensive, and why are they popular among frequent travelers?

When Was Briggs & Riley Founded?

Briggs & Riley was founded in the United States in 1993. The company has since become a leader in the travel gear industry, offering lightweight, durable, and stylish baggage that stands out from the rest.

With almost three decades of experience, Briggs & Riley has applied rigorous testing to their designs. They continuously add patented innovations and high-quality designs to their bags. The company’s goal is to commit to the art of travel with every piece they make.

What Kind of Bags Does Briggs & Riley Have?

Briggs & Riley carries both hard-sided and soft-sided bags in standard carry-on and checked sizes. Their designs are classic and sophisticated, and they stick to primary colors—black, navy blue, army green, and occasionally, magenta or burgundy.

Aside from their suitcases, Briggs & Riley also sells travel gear like backpacks and duffel bags. They also have unique garment bags that will ensure your clothes are wrinkle-free, business briefcases, tote bags, and more. Briggs & Riley also sells toiletry kits, luggage covers, packing cubes, and other travel accessories.

How Much Does Briggs & Riley Cost?

Hard-sided luggage from Briggs & Riley costs approximately $600-700 for carry-on size and over $700 for checked bags.

For soft-sided luggage, you can find cabin bags that cost less than $500, while other carry-ons are $600-700. Their larger bags, like the Baseline Large Expandable Spinner or Extra Large Expandable Trunk Spinner, cost almost $900. 

Why Is Briggs & Riley Luggage So Expensive?

While other luxury luggage brands are more expensive than Briggs & Riley, their suitcases aren’t the cheapest bags on the market either. What is it that makes Briggs & Riley so expensive?

Classy, Sophisticated Design

Briggs & Riley’s luggage pieces feature a classic, minimalist look. While they may appear plain for those looking for bags with a little more flare, most travelers who buy the brand prefer a less flashy but more sophisticated look. They are perfect for business travelers, people who work in the airline industry, or others who want simple, unadorned luggage.

Durability

Several pilots and airline crew members name Briggs & Riley their number one luggage choice because of its durability. Its soft-sided bags are made of ballistic nylon outer fabric, known for resisting wear and tear, moisture, dirt, and abrasion. Its hard-sided suitcases are built of 100% virgin Makrolon Polycarbonate material.

Each bag is made from durable fabrics with reinforced stitching to ensure the bag can last for years. They also use features such as double-locking mechanisms and self-repairing zippers to provide extra security and long-term use.

Because of how they’ve been built and the rigorous testing each piece of luggage goes through, you can expect your bag to last 10-20 years or more, even if you use it frequently. Their emphasis on quality and reliability also ensures customers peace of mind when traveling.

Innovative Features

Briggs & Riley has several packing features to make traveling easier. They were also the first luggage brand to incorporate a front pocket in their hard-sided suitcases, an element usually seen in soft-sided luggage only. They also have retractable handles for their bags, making it easy to wheel your suitcase down smooth airport floors or bumpy roads.

Briggs & Riley has continuously sought to improve their pieces, making travel better for its customers. One such innovation is the CX Compression-Expansion line which allows some of their hard-sided and soft-sided luggage to expand. With just the push of a button, you’ll instantly get more space for things like souvenirs, documents, and more. The company also utilizes modern technologies like Airplane Safe Frame Construction and Lightweight Outsider Handles to make their products.

Unlimited Lifetime Warranty

If you’re looking for a luggage brand with the best warranty out there, several travelers will point you in the direction of Briggs & Riley. Most luggage companies will offer a warranty of five to ten years, while others with lifetime warranties limit it to manufacturing defects only.

Briggs & Riley, however, is different. They are the only luggage brand that offers an unconditional lifetime warranty and free repairs, and you don’t even have to present a receipt or proof of purchase.

How Does Briggs & Riley Compare to Other Luggage Brands?

Briggs & Riley ranks high among premium luggage brands, some of which have been in the industry long, like Rimowa and Tumi. Others, like ROAM Luggage and Paravel, are newcomers in the travel industry but have gained popularity because of the excellent quality of their bags. How does Briggs & Riley compare to each one?

Briggs & Riley vs. Tumi

Like Briggs & Riley, Tumi offers both hard-sided and soft-sided luggage in various sizes. Tumi has been around since 1975, which puts it in the travel industry several years ahead of Briggs & Riley. Nevertheless, both luggage brands are popular among luxury travelers, and both target business people with specific suitcases to keep your suit neat.

Cost-wise, Briggs & Riley is the more affordable one. Their suitcase prices start from $300-400 and go up to $600-700. You may find some suitcases that cost $900 but only for their larger bags. Tumi, on the other hand, has an average range of $900-1,200 for most of their pieces.

Tumi offers a five-year luggage warranty, while Briggs & Riley has a lifetime warranty for all their suitcases.

Related Article: Tumi Luggage Review

Briggs & Riley vs. Rimowa

Rimowa is one of the very first luxury luggage brands in the travel industry, making them popular among frequent travelers. They are also among the pricier brands, with the luggage costing ranging from $500-1,000. You’ll find more options for bags that cost less than $500 at Briggs & Riley, though they also sell luxury collections for over $1,000.

Both luggage brands are known for producing high-quality luggage, so if you’re looking for a bag that will last a long time, you’re safe with either of these brands.

In terms of warranty, however, Rimowa only offers a five-year one, while Briggs & Riley has an unlimited lifetime warranty for all their bags.

Briggs & Riley vs. Travelpro

Both Briggs & Riley and Travelpro are great favorites among those in the airline industry. Both are known for their durable suitcases; both offer hard-sided and soft-sided luggage to their customers.

One of their major differences lies in the design of their luggage. Briggs & Riley sticks to classic colors and styles, while Travelpro is a little more explorative. If you are not a fan of flashy colors and designs, then perhaps Briggs & Riley is the one for you. If you are looking for more colors to express yourself, check out Travelpro’s diverse collections.

In terms of price, Travelpro and Briggs & Riley are almost the same. Their luggage prices range between $300-$800, though you may also find some bags that cost less and more in both brands.

Both brands also offer a lifetime warranty, though Travelpro’s lifetime warranty is only available for particular collections and is limited to specific damages. Other Travelpro collections only have a 1-, 5,-, or 10-year warranty. Briggs & Riley has an unlimited lifetime warranty for all their bags.

Briggs & Riley vs. Away

Away is a new luggage brand, joining the travel industry only in 2015, but its hard-sided suitcases have garnered immense popularity to the point that wherever you travel, you are likely to spot an Away suitcase.

Briggs & Riley offers hard-sided and soft-sided suitcases, but with more classic colors. Away has more “fun” colors for those who want to express themselves through pastels and other hues.

Away and Briggs & Riley have somewhat similar price points, as you’ll be able to find bags that cost about $300-500 from both brands. Both are sturdy and durable. Briggs & Riley has an unlimited lifetime warranty, but Away also offers a lifetime warranty for cracks, breaks, unusable wheels and handles, broken zippers, and more.

Briggs & Riley vs. ROAM Luggage

ROAM Luggage is a new player in the travel industry, but their customizable suitcases are the talk of the town. ROAM Luggage, however, only offers hard-sided luggage, while you can get both hard-sided and soft-sided bags at Briggs & Riley.

While other luxury luggage brands are more expensive than Briggs & Riley, their suitcases aren’t the cheapest bags on the market either. What is it that makes Briggs & Riley so expensive?

Cost-wise, ROAM Luggage is more expensive as their suitcases start at $500, but that is because your luggage is fully customizable. You’ll be able to find bags for less than $500 at Briggs & Riley.

Both luggage brands offer a lifetime warranty, but Briggs & Riley’s is still the better deal because their warranty is unlimited, compared to ROAM’s limited one.

Briggs & Riley vs. Paravel

If you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly and sustainable luggage brand, Paravel is the way to go. They only offer hard-sided luggage, while Briggs & Riley has several soft-sided and hard-sided options. Both luggage brands have classic designs and colors, such as black, blue, and tan.

In terms of price, Paravel and Briggs & Riley have suitcases that cost $300-500. They also have luggage sets with a carry-on bag, a checked suitcase, and packing cubes. These vary in price and can sometimes go on sale at a very affordable price.

Paravel offers a 10-year limited warranty only, while Briggs & Riley has an unlimited lifetime warranty for all their bags.

Is Briggs & Riley Worth It?

In the end, it all boils down to what you want or what you’re looking for in a suitcase. Briggs & Riley has made a name for itself with their durable bags and classic designs and colors. Plus, with their unlimited lifetime warranty—the best any luggage brand has to offer—you’ll find that it is definitely worth it.