RIMOWA Essential: The Sensible Case in the Expensive Suitcase Shop

Essential Cabin S measures 55 x 39 x 20 cm, weighs 3.1 kg and holds 34 L. Cabin is 55 x 39 x 23 cm, 3.2 kg and 36 L. The full-depth case adds two litres for only 100 g, so Cabin is the easy recommendation when 23 cm is accepted; Cabin S exists for routes that insist on 20 cm. Both are one centimetre narrower than the 40 cm Original and Classic cases.

Cabin Plus is a different proposition at 56 x 44 x 26 cm, 3.9 kg and 45 L. It gives nine litres more than Cabin but crosses many ordinary cabin envelopes on all three axes. It works for rail, road and airlines with unusually generous rules. For a one-case frequent-flyer wardrobe, the standard Cabin is calmer and leaves 3.8 kg for belongings under a 7 kg limit—41 per cent more payload than Original Cabin's 2.7 kg.

• Cabin S — 55 x 39 x 20 cm; 3.1 kg; 34 L; best for strict depth rules.
• Cabin — 55 x 39 x 23 cm; 3.2 kg; 36 L; the range's strongest all-round choice.
• Cabin Plus — 56 x 44 x 26 cm; 3.9 kg; 45 L; roomy but outside many standard cabin limits.

Check-In M is 67.5 x 44.5 x 24 cm, 4.1 kg and 60 L, with a 136 cm dimension sum. Check-In L is 77.5 x 51 x 26.5 cm, 4.8 kg and 85 L, with a 155 cm sum. Under a 23 kg allowance they leave 18.9 kg and 18.2 kg for contents respectively. Both offer more payload than their aluminium counterparts, and L stays below the common 158 cm reference rather than sitting on its edge.

The flatter Check-In shapes reward folded clothing, garment folders and hotel rooms where an open deep case would dominate the floor. M is enough for one careful packer and moves easily between trains and taxis. L makes sense for shared packing or winter clothing, although 85 litres can still lure an owner beyond 23 kg. The case is lighter; the contents are not.

• Check-In M — 67.5 x 44.5 x 24 cm; 4.1 kg; 60 L; dimension sum 136 cm.
• Check-In L — 77.5 x 51 x 26.5 cm; 4.8 kg; 85 L; dimension sum 155 cm.
• Theoretical payload at 23 kg — 18.9 kg in M and 18.2 kg in L, before scale margin.

Essential Trunk measures 73 x 41 x 37 cm, weighs 5.1 kg and holds 89 L. Its 151 cm sum gives breathing room under the familiar standard. Trunk Plus extends height to 80 cm while holding width and depth at 41 x 37 cm; the result is 5.4 kg, 101 L and a sum of exactly 158 cm. That is 12 litres more for 300 g and seven centimetres of height.

The standard Trunk remains the safer international purchase because airlines can measure, round or set limits differently. Trunk Plus is the sharper specification for a known 158 cm policy: under 23 kg it leaves 17.6 kg for contents, a full kilogram more than the 6.4 kg Original Trunk Plus. For shoes, coats and oddly shaped items, its deep body is more useful than simply buying the widest Check-In case.

• Trunk — 73 x 41 x 37 cm; 5.1 kg; 89 L; dimension sum 151 cm.
• Trunk Plus — 80 x 41 x 37 cm; 5.4 kg; 101 L; dimension sum exactly 158 cm.
• Best for uncertain airline rules: Trunk. Best for a confirmed 158 cm allowance: Trunk Plus.

Essential's dual-organisation interior places a fully zipped compartment with a large mesh pocket on one side and a height-adjustable Flex Divider on the other. The closed half contains underwear, cables and smaller pieces without extra cubes; the adjustable half compresses folded clothing. It is a more versatile layout than two matching divider panels for travellers whose loads mix loose and structured items.

The polycarbonate shell closes with a zipper rather than a rigid latch frame. That makes access feel less architectural than Original but also less fussy when a soft garment sits near the edge. It is not permission to overfill: a strained zipper and bowed shell signal that something should come out. Clean the exterior with water and a damp non-abrasive cloth or sponge; household solvents and abrasive cleaners can damage the finish.

• Best buyer: the frequent traveller who wants useful payload and mixed-load organisation.
• Choose Original instead: when latch closure and the aluminium surface are central to the purchase.
• Choose Essential Lite instead: when every kilogram matters more than handle and interior sophistication.