Rimowa’s Legendary Aluminum Luggage Gets Transformed into an Unlikely EDC Classic

It boasts the same nigh-indestructible construction, now with a more convenient carry option and some handy internal organization.

Silver hard-shell backpack with vertical ridges and padded shoulder straps.

By Sean Tirman

Published September 17, 2025

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Rimowa’s aluminum luggage is legendary. Not only does it look as classic as they come, but it also benefits from lightness and extreme durability. Some even say they’re better with damage (and cheaper, too).

But they don’t translate well to EDC — or, rather, they didn’t. Now, that’s all about to change thanks to the Rimowa Original Backpack, which translates its most iconic product line into a more commuter-friendly format.

A sleek, silver hard-shell backpack with vertical ridges and rounded corners. It features padded, light gray shoulder straps with mesh padding for comfort. The design resembles a compact suitcase with a modern, minimalist aesthetic. — Yep. It’s a backpack, now.

High-ho, silver!

As you might gather from looking at it, this bag is built to the same rigorous standards and with many of the same materials as Rimowa’s classic carry-ons. It has a full-aluminum shell with reinforcements on the corners.

That means this backpack, like its travel-friendly siblings, can take a beating and keep right on ticking… so to speak. It also means it will age uniquely as you use it, acquiring a character unique to your experience.

Perhaps more importantly, it means the equipment inside will be kept safe and secure, even if the bag gets banged up. It won’t collapse on itself or jostle everything inside around.

The front looks like a standard aluminum case, but the back has an integrated pad and backpack straps.

Rimowa

Of course, that’s typical with the brand’s luggage, so what’s different? Well, this is slimmer — more like a briefcase — and has an integrated, breathable back panel and adjustable shoulder straps (and a top suitcase-style grab strap).

This way, you can wear it on your back and keep your hands free while you travel, commute and generally go about your day. And to keep anything you need handy in reach, the back panel has a sneaky, quick-access pocket, so you won’t have to open the whole thing and dig around in it.

Slim, hard-shell backpack in light gray with a ribbed design and visible rivets. It has padded shoulder straps and a mesh back panel for comfort. The backpack appears structured and compact, resembling a small suitcase in shape. — The back pad is padded and vented, as are the adjustable shoulder straps.

What’s in the box?!

Unlike its siblings, this bag doesn’t open laterally (side to side). Instead, it has a vertical, accordion-style opening, more like a typical backpack.

Not only does that mean its easier to pop open when you’re on the go, but it also means you don’t have to worry about laying it down flat on the ground, as with a typical carry-on. Instead, you can rest it on its rubber feet and keep your gear off the ground.

Silver hard-shell backpack with padded shoulder straps, opened to reveal organized compartments holding a laptop and a tablet in black protective sleeves. — The internal organization scheme is more like an EDC backpack than a carry-on bag.

Inside, the bag has a pretty interesting organizational scheme. There are multiple zippered pockets, open pouches and even a compression strap to help tack down the largest storage slot.

It also has a separate, padded laptop pocket, so you can ensure your precious tech gets extra care and attention. The whole compartment is secured with a top latch, similar to traditional luggage, instead of a wraparound zipper.

Silver hard-shell backpack with vertical ridges and rounded corners, worn by a person dressed in a white t-shirt, beige vest, and cream pants. The backpack has a top handle and padded shoulder straps. — I’m really not sure if I love or hate this. I think I love it.

Available now

The Rimowa Original Backpack is on sale now via the brand’s site for $2,400 apiece. While that might be a little jaw-dropping, it’s still likely to sell out if only because of Rimowa’s pedigree and reputation.