Ink Blue Is More Than a New Finish for the RIMOWA Original

A deep blue aluminium Original is visually persuasive, but colour alone would not change our buying advice. The important 2026 revision is mechanical: RIMOWA added a damper to the ergonomic carry handle so it returns with less of the hard snap familiar from older cases. That is a modest intervention, yet it improves one of the surfaces an owner touches repeatedly between a taxi, security belt and hotel room.

Inside, the adjustable Flex Divider now carries a zipped pocket. It will not transform capacity, and packing cubes still organise loose clothing better, but it gives passports, cables or laundry bags a fixed home without adding a separate pouch. Owners of recent Original cases should view both changes as refinement, not a reason to trade in luggage that already rolls and closes properly.

• Best reason to choose the 2026 case: quieter, more controlled handle return
• Most useful interior change: one secure pocket without losing compression

The release began with the 55 × 40 × 23 cm Cabin, Check-In L and high-capacity Trunk Plus. Wallpaper recorded European launch prices of €1,200, €1,500 and €1,950 respectively. RIMOWA called Ink Blue permanent, which distinguishes it from the short colour cycles that can make a replacement or matching second case difficult to find a season later.

Anodisation keeps the metallic grain visible because the colour is developed in the aluminium surface rather than laid over it as an opaque coat. Scratches will still mark an aluminium case and may expose brighter metal beneath the blue. Buyers who want a pristine finish after repeated checking should choose polycarbonate; Ink Blue suits travellers who accept wear as part of an aluminium case's appearance.

• Cabin: 55 × 40 × 23 cm; launch RRP €1,200
• Check-In L and Trunk Plus launched at €1,500 and €1,950

Ink Blue also reached the Groove Cross-Body Bags in Small and Large, a Groove Zipped Pouch, packing cubes, a toiletry pouch, a reversible denim bucket hat and an aluminium card holder. The blue ties the assortment together, but the Groove pieces are Italian calf leather and the soft accessories use denim or textile. None should be described as anodised simply because it sits beside the suitcases in campaign photography.

Our verdict is straightforward: buy Ink Blue for the permanent colour and the improved touchpoints, not because the Shanghai-set Sydney Lemmon campaign makes it look collectible. The Cabin is the sensible entry; the larger cases only make sense if their shape already fits the way you pack. The engineering update is real, but deliberately evolutionary.

• Best buy for most frequent flyers: Original Cabin Ink Blue
• Walk away if scratches on coloured aluminium will bother you