Tumi Tegra Lite Review (Should You Splurge On This?)

Traveling is a luxury in itself. But you probably know that already. If, however, you also want to take things to the next level and get a luxury-level suitcase, then Tumi is the brand for you. And the Tumi Tegra Lite is a must-have for many a luxury lover who travels. But is it right for you?

In this review, we’ll take a look at the Tumi Tegra Lite suitcase in detail. We will dig into all of its features and establish whether they justify its high price tag.

But we will also show you what it can (and can’t do) and whether it makes sense for you to spend your hard-earned cash on this top-end luggage.

Interior Of The Tegra Lite

Tumi went all out on interior features with this model. The Tegra Lite is fully lined with nylon and has 2 packing compartments. The top compartment can be closed off with a zipper, and the bottom compartment features mesh tie-down straps.

Inside the suitcase, there are 2 zip pockets, one of which is meshed.  There is also a suiter section and a hanger bracket inside, so your belongings can be as organized as possible.

Depending on your preference, this can be both a good thing and a bad thing. Some people prefer their suitcases to be as empty as possible so that they can fir more stuff inside them. Other people, like me, prefer to have little pockets and sections, so that their things can be better organized.

A huge benefit of the Tegra Lite is that it is expandable by 2 inches. When you wish to expand your suitcase, you should simply undo the extension zipper. I find this to be an incredibly helpful feature because I tend to return from my trips with more stuff than I originally brought. If you also like to do some shopping when you’re abroad, this will benefit you a lot.

Materials & Durability

The Tegra Lite suitcase is made of Tegris, a polypropylene thermoplastic composite material. No idea what that is? Neither did I. But suffice it to say that Tegra is used in NFL protective gear and in NASCAR race car components, and Tumi is the only manufacturer in the travel industry with exclusive rights to this material.

The material itself is incredibly lightweight and durable. However, because of all the interior features of this case, it is not as lightweight as some of the competitors.  For example, the Samsonite S’Cure Spinner is quite a few pounds lighter. However,  that suitcase has far fewer features.

So, in essence: you can’t have it all (light and features).

Another issue with the Tegra Lite shell is that it scuffs and scratches very easily. This is quite a common issue with shiny suitcases, which is why I go for the rougher patterned models. But if looking brand new forever is not an issue for you, then it won’t be a problem.

The suitcase is also equipped with Tumi’s patent-pending DuraFold technology construction method.  This method folds and reinforces the luggage with protective caps on the corners as well as heavy-duty stitching. This makes the corners of Tegra Lite much stronger than those of some other suitcase, and also impact-resistant.

Aluminum Telescopic Handle

The suitcase, like almost every other, has an aluminum extension handle. It can be extended and locked at several different heights, so it’s suitable for people of all heights. The Tegra Lite is also equipped with side and bottom handles, allowing you to carry your suitcase any way that you want.

The telescopic handle features the X-Brace 45 Handle System. The handle tube system is designed to protect the telescopic handle, with an impact-absorbing structure. It is made of aluminum, an incredibly lightweight and sturdy material, so it would take a significant amount of force to break the handle.

Double Spinner Wheels

The Tegra Lite is equipped with 4 double spinner wheels. This means that each wheel can turn 360 degrees. Spinners allow you to push/pull your suitcase in any direction you want, without having to tilt it to get the wheels rolling. As such, spinner wheels on a suitcase are always a plus, at least in my book.

Nowadays, a lot of suitcases have spinner wheels, but not all of them function properly. Sometimes people have issues with the wheels getting stuck, or with their lousy performance while trying to turn corners. You will not have any such issues with the Tegra Lite; especially since they have used double wheels. Most manufacturers have only single.

In fact, the wheels on this particular suitcase roll like a dream. This aspect of the suitcase will certainly fulfill any high expectations you might have.

TSA Approved Lock & Closure

Tumi Tegra Lite features a zipper closure system. In a previous post, I talked about the benefits of zipperless luggage, so be sure to check that out too. Anyway, Tumi goes a step further than other manufacturers when it comes to the closure system as well.

The suitcase features Omega Closure System with the Omega Zipper puller. The puller is specifically designed to break away from the suitcase itself if it gets caught on anything. This is a real bonus because, if that were to happen, you would not have to replace the entire zipper – just the puller. And Tumi will gladly do that for you for free while your Tegra Lite is under warranty.

In terms of the locking system, this suitcase features a standard TSA-approved combination lock. You choose the combination yourself, and apart from a few TSA agents, nobody else will be able to access the contents of your luggage.

This is especially beneficial if you travel to or within the United States a lot. It’s better that the TSA agents are able to safely open up your suitcase if they wish to inspect it, than if they just forcefully open it and possibly damage it beyond repair.

Other Cool Features Of The Tegra Lite

There are some other cool features on this suitcase that are worth mentioning. One is that the Tegra Lite has a front U-zip pocket. This allows you to store anything you might need quick access to in the front pocket and removes the hassle of having to rummage through your luggage in search of your charger.

However, the front pocket cannot be locked in any way, so don’t store anything too valuable there – because anyone can access it.

Another really cool feature of the suitcase is the Tumi Tracer technology. Every Tumi suitcase is assigned a 20-digit serial number that is permanently affixed to it. This number, as well as the owner’s contact information, is entered into Tumi’s tracer database when the suitcase is registered with them.

That way, Tumi can reunite you with your lost or stolen luggage, provided that someone finds it and informs Tumi about it. This is beneficial to everyone, especially to people who travel a lot. Well, maybe not everyone; I imagine that smugglers wouldn’t want their suitcases traced back to them.

With the Tegra Lite, you will get a 5-year warranty. However, the terms of the warranty are not the same for all 5 years. During the first year, Tumi will cover all repair expenses (as well as shipping fees to and from their facility). In the case that your luggage is beyond repair, they will replace it.

On the other hand, the other 4 years of your warranty do not cover any damage caused by airlines, or any other transit damage for that matter. So, after the first year passes, your best bet is to pray really hard that baggage claimers will be gentle with your suitcase.

Is The Tumi Tegra Lite Worth The High Price Tag?

If luxurious luggage is what you are after, the Tumi Tegra Lite is perfect for you.

The suitcase has a ton of cool benefits, but for the same money, you can get a cheaper one and have more spending money for the actual trips. However, it is undeniable that is a high-quality, sturdy piece of luggage. If you can afford it without having to cause some serious damage to your wallet, then I see no reason why you shouldn’t get it.

On the other hand, if this suitcase is out of your price range, then there are plenty of other suitcases you can buy that cost half as much as this one. For example, the Delsey Helium Aero Spinner is a great alternative.

The Tegra Lite is an incredible suitcase, but if you prioritize function over luxury, there may be better ways for you to spend your money.

However, if you are really intent on getting this suitcase, I doubt you will regret it. It is a high-quality suitcase that will probably last you at least a decade, so it is a good investment.

In any case, be sure to check out the Tumi Tegra Lite on Amazon! If you do decide to get it, you will get a much better deal there, than on Tumi’s actual online store.