Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the web’s best products. If you purchase through our links, we may receive a commission. Our editorial team is independent and only endorses products we believe in.
Form or function? When it comes to most purchases, there's a trade-off between the two. And take it from an avid traveler, nowhere is that truer than in the luggage market. For years I'd try hauling around some stylish new duffel, which was always so slim and svelte it could hardly fit a pair of loafers. Frustrated there, I'd buy a new bag that prioritized packing space, only to find myself at the airport with the bulkiest eyesore in the Tom Bradley International terminal at LAX.
If you feel my pain, I'm here to tell you our prayers have been answered. Briggs & Riley makes the ne plus ultra of modern travelware, with baggage that combines the very best of durability, innovation and sophistication. For over 30 years they've incorporated customer feedback into their design process, resulting in the kind of bags that anticipate your needs. This "for travelers, by travelers" ethos can be felt everywhere from the handles (which sit flush on the outside to maximize interior space) to the wheels (which aren't just smooth, they're shock-absorbing) – and customers are noticing.
With over 15,000 rave reviews on their site, I'm but one voice in the ecstatic chorus of B&R customers. That won't stop me from singing my gospel for any travelers who need to hear it.
We like
- Classic aesthetic that feels elevated compared to its DTC luggage peers
- Wide range of sizes, from checked baggage to backpacks
- Industry-leading lifetime guarantee, with free-of-charge repairs
- Thoughtful, ergonomic designs that take into account travelers' needs
We don't like
- High price point if you're an infrequent traveler
A Strong Start
Founded in 1993 by Richard Costa, Briggs & Riley made a bold statement as soon as it hit the market. From their very inception, the brand offered a Simple As That guarantee, which covers the repair of every functional aspect of your luggage – but not for a standard one- to two-year warranty. For life. That means once you order your Briggs & Riley baggage, you're taken care of no matter what your travel days throw at you. The Simple As That repair guarantee even extends to damage caused by the airline — no hassle, no fights, no burden of proof.
Briggs & Riley was also quick to distinguish themselves with a number of design enhancements. In addition to the handle and wheel attributes mentioned above, B&R bags offer the world's only one-touch CX® Compression Expansion Technology. This comes in the form of your new favorite button, which expands your bag with a single tap to allow for more packing space, then compresses it back to the original size when you're done. This feature alone has been revolutionary for my weekend trips. Before, adding some last minute outfit changes meant potentially jeopardizing my spot in the overhead compartment. Now, I can add to my heart's content while knowing I'll still meet the carry-on requirements.
And the hits just keep coming. Briggs & Riley's smaller handheld bags are equipped with interlocking handles that allow them to stack on top of wheeled, upright luggage. If you're wheeling your entire family through the airport, then you'll be even happier to know that the Smartlink straps allow you to attach extra travel bags to the front of your upright luggage. It's these little details that prove so seismic in execution.
Back to Baselines
The cornerstone of their luggage collection, the Baseline bag really does do it all. Though available in a variety of sizes, I opted for the Essential 22" 2-Wheel Expandable Carry-On ($679), ideal for a weekend getaway. The first feature to catch my eye was the built-in garment folder, which buckles in longer items like jackets and pants with cinch-down panels..
I was also impressed with the trademarked PowerPocket, a side panel that conveniently houses a battery pack with a slot for your phone to charge in. It's rare for a product to feel streamlined and efficient but still carry bells and whistles, and this attention to the role technology plays felt genuinely groundbreaking. Briggs & Riley even factored in privacy when designing the hide-away ID tag, which I was able to inscribe with all my relevant info but still slide out of sight before all of Baggage Claim caught a peek.
The features, the size and the classic Black colorway were all just what the doctor ordered. Yet I was also eager to get my hands on something larger for my next epic out-of-office moment. For that, I turned to their other flagship product line.
Sympatico, Sympatico
Sometimes you don't want to choose. You want to bring every last outfit you love along for the vacay and that's okay – the Sympatico Large Expandable Spinner ($859) has got you covered. While the high-strength polycarbonate hardshell says from the jump that it means business, I was pleasantly surprised to find the bag was still light and easy to maneuver. The smooth, soft-touch interior kept things from feeling industrial, and the abundance of mesh pockets large and small gave me delineated areas to break up my haul by category.
It was after packing this big boy to the brim that I fully appreciated the 360º navigation of the spinner wheels. No matter the weight, these wheels gave a smooth ride, with seamless transitions between forward and lateral motion. And because I had half of my wardrobe nestled inside, I took advantage of the built-in, TSA-approved combination lock. The three digit combo was an upgrade from my last key-operated bag, and it locked both zippers into place so they weren't scuffed up in transit.
To grant myself a third, even more Goldilocks option, I tested out the Sympatico Carry-On ($695), which combines the best of both bags mentioned above. It's got the hardshell of my larger bag with the smaller, more versatile size of the Baseline carry-on, resulting in my favorite overall look of the three. Once again, it was as easy to pack as it was to haul, even more so with an assist from the Carry-On Compression Packing Cube Set ($109), a trifecta of space savers that would make Marie Kondo proud.
Lastly, a pro tip for those of you who like to make a statement: the Sympatico comes in an extra colorway called Plum. This deep, heady purple looks fantastic in that shiny polycarbonate, and definitely won't lead to any mix-ups on the baggage carousel.
Now Boarding
With airline perks on the decline and airport delays on the rise (we're looking at you, Newark), the jetset life had just about lost its luster. Nothing short of Briggs & Riley's peerless baggage could've made me excited to head to LAX again, but when bags are this well-made, they demand to be taken for a spin. Though my luggage still feels shiny and new, and I haven't had to cash in any Simple As That repairs, the peace of mind that comes with free-of-charge service is well worth the initial price tag.
Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to get back to travel planning.
.jpg)
