RIMOWA's Aluminium Backpack Protects a Laptop—and Weighs 3.2 kg Empty
The Cologne-made shell is beautifully resolved and genuinely protective, but its empty weight is the fact every commuter should read first.
Quick answer
The Original Backpack measures 41.5 × 31 × 18 cm, weighs 3.2 kg empty and was listed at $2,450 when reviewed. Its aluminium shell, latch, removable divider and pouch give a 16-inch-class laptop unusual crush protection; breathable padding, hidden phone pocket and suitcase sleeve improve travel use. The verdict is still weight-led: once a laptop and charger are added, this is closer to carrying a small hard case on your back than a normal commuter pack.
Seven pounds before the computer
At 3.2 kg, the empty backpack already approaches or exceeds the entire cabin-baggage allowance on some strict fares. Add a 16-inch laptop, charger, water and headphones and the load can easily pass 5 kg. Shoulder straps and breathable padding distribute that mass; they cannot remove it.
The rigid 41.5 × 31 × 18 cm body also holds its full depth in a crowd and will not compress under an airline seat like nylon. That is the price of protection. Buyers should try the loaded pack, not an empty showroom sample, and consider whether the daily route actually exposes a computer to impacts that justify aluminium.
- Empty weight: 3.2 kg / 7.1 lb
- External dimensions: 41.5 × 31 × 18 cm
A configurable case rather than a conventional backpack
The divider is removable and incorporates a laptop area for computers up to the stated 16-inch class plus accessory pockets. A separate zipped pouch can also be removed to reclaim volume. This modularity prevents the rigid cavity from becoming an undivided metal box, although a thick workstation or protective sleeve still needs dimensional confirmation.
Outside, a magnet-secured hidden pocket in the padded back gives phone access without opening the latch. A rear webbing sleeve fixes the pack to a telescopic suitcase handle. Those two features make the strongest travel argument: the pack can ride on wheels through an airport and still keep one small item reachable.
- Interior: removable laptop divider and removable zipped pouch
- Travel details: hidden magnetic pocket and suitcase attachment sleeve
Exceptional object, narrow recommendation
The US product page listed $2,450 in July 2026 and a two-year warranty. Shell and frame are anodised aluminium; the lining is nylon; shoulder straps combine nylon webbing with leather trim. A latch provides convenient closure, but the product is not a certified safe and the metal surface will mark.
Our verdict: this is the most convincing aluminium backpack RIMOWA could make and still the wrong backpack for most people. It suits short transfers, collectors and commuters who prioritise crush protection over weight. Anyone walking far, cycling or facing strict personal-item limits should buy a well-padded textile pack and let the suitcase carry the aluminium.
- Best fit: short urban transfers and wheeled-luggage pairing
- Walk away if comfort, low weight or under-seat flexibility comes first
Frequently asked questions
How heavy is the RIMOWA Original Backpack?
Will a 16-inch laptop fit?
Does the backpack have RIMOWA's lifetime guarantee?
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