Tumi Alpha 3 Luggage Review: Best Softside Bags?

If you want to add a little bit of luxe to your life, high-end luggage is always a good investment. And nobody does high-end luggage like Tumi – the brand is famous for the premium quality of their bags, and for the recognizable, classy style.

There are plenty of reasons to get a Tumi bag, from the amazing materials to the unique tracing system that guarantees you will never lose your bag. But if you’re already here, then you probably don’t need any convincing.

So, let’s take a look at the best luggage from Tumi’s Alpha 3 collection, and hopefully, you will find what you’re looking for!

We’ll get to the features of these luxurious bags in a minute; first, here’s a basic overview of the specs of the Alpha 3 luggage, as well as a list of things we loved and hated the most about them:

Product Overview

Tumi’s Alpha 3 luggage collection includes a wide variety of different softshell bags. This review focuses on suitcases since they are by far the most popular options. They are all made from really durable materials, and you could actually check them at an airport without worrying that they will get destroyed. And that’s something I don’t say about many softshell bags.

This luggage is equipped with a lot of unique features, which can really make a frequent traveler’s life easier. So, let’s get down to the details of everything you need to know about the Tumi Alpha 3 luggage.

Size Variety And Their Differences

This luggage collection includes several different sizes of suitcases, from a 22” carry-on to a 34” checked bag. All of the suitcases are made from the same materials, and they are all covered by the same warranty. Which isn’t really that good, but I’ll tell you about it later.

However, not all suitcases have the exact same features. The International carry-on is the one with the most unique features, so let’s talk about that for a second.

The smallest Alpha 3 suitcase comes equipped with a USB port and a power bank compartment so that you can charge your phone while you’re running around the airport. It’s a pretty convenient feature to have, and I think it’s the only major difference between the Alpha 3 suitcases.

Suitcase Materials And Durability

The Alpha 3 bags are all made from FXT Ballistic nylon. It is a very durable material, which does not get ripped easily. And these bags feature DuraFold construction, which includes molded side panels and protective bumper rails, for improved impact resistance.

And honestly, the Alpha 3 luggage has really great impact resistance. I don’t usually recommend softshell suitcases as large checked bags, because most of them aren’t strong enough to survive being tossed around by baggage handlers.

A lot of them wind up deformed or flat-out destroyed on the luggage carousel, which is something you never want to deal with on your trip.

Well, if there’s one softside suitcase that is designed to survive the tough love of baggage handlers, it is the Alpha 3 bag by Tumi. Everything about it is tough and durable, and I honestly believe that these bags could easily outlive even ABS hardsides.

The other materials of the luggage are really sturdy as well. The wheel handle is made from lightweight aluminum, which has excellent durability.

And even the zippers are top of the line; they are designed to break away from the suitcase if they get caught on something, so that you only have to replace one part of the zipper mechanism, as opposed to the entire thing.

Double Spinner Wheels

Tumi’s Alpha 3 luggage is equipped with smooth-rolling double spinner wheels. These bags are really easy to maneuver, especially on smooth airport floors. The wheels are really sturdy, and they will not fall off easily.

You could damage them if you wheeled the bag on rocky or uneven terrain, so avoid doing that if you don’t want to contact customer support during your first year with an Alpha 3 bag. And the wheels are really quiet, which is always a bonus.

It’s also worth noting that Tumi has a carry-on option with two in-line skate wheels, as opposed to four spinner wheels. The main difference between that carry-on and the spinner is the price point; the upright bag is some $100 cheaper.

Most of the other features are the same, from the expandable capacity to the USB port. But I would recommend sticking with the spinner – at these prices, $100 doesn’t make a huge difference, and a spinner is so much more convenient to travel with.

Multi-Stage Wheel Handle

The Alpha 3 suitcases all feature a telescopic wheel handle. It is a multi-stage handle, which means that you can lock it into different height positions – three, to be exact. This makes it easy for people of different heights to get the perfect fit for themselves, and it makes the luggage just a bit more customizable.

Additionally, the top part of the handle is ergonomic, so it feels really comfortable in your hand. It is actually made from aircraft-grade aluminum, so it is a really tough and durable wheel handle. However, the barrels do protrude into the packing compartment a little, so you will need to pack around them.

Top, Bottom & Side Grab Handles

This Tumi luggage features top, side, and bottom grab handles, so it’s really easy to pick up the suitcases with two hands. Obviously, it will be easier to pick up the smaller bags, but the thing I’m excited about is that there’s a handle at the bottom that you can hold on to.

This feature is particularly useful on the carry-on since it’s the bag you’re most likely to actually pick up and place somewhere high up, like in the overhead compartment. The bottom handle is also the only one that is purely fabric; the other two are made from plastic, and they are ergonomically shaped to feel comfortable in your hands.

Double Packing Compartments

The great thing about the Alpha 3 luggage is that all suitcases have two packing compartments. And it is exciting to see this on the Tumi luggage because double packing compartments is something we’re used to seeing on hardsides and not softsides.

This makes it super easy to stay organized while traveling, especially with so many different pockets both inside and on the suitcase. Both compartments are fully lined, with zippered and floating dividers, as well as some padding on the sides which will protect the more fragile items.

Additionally, the capacity of the luggage is expandable, and this is true for all the Alpa 3 suitcases. You get two extra inches of packing space, which is perfect for those times when you packed just a little too much in your suitcase. Especially for people who, like me, can’t stop themselves from shopping too much whenever they go away.

Another thing worth noting is that these bags come with a removable garment sleeve. It can fit one suit, which makes the bags a great option for business trips. And when you want to use the luggage for pleasure, you can take out the sleeve to have even more space inside the packing compartments.

External Packing Compartments

The thing I love the most about softside luggage is that it always has external compartments. They’re great for people who want to keep certain items separate, but also just for having things easily accessible.

The Alpha 3 bags have three external compartments. The largest external compartment has zippered pockets inside, and it can be locked. It is large enough to hold a laptop, and you could store your tech in it if you get the carry-on. I don’t recommend putting your laptop in there if you plan to check the suitcase – the bag needs to land awkwardly just once, and you’ll end up having to buy a new laptop.

There are also two zippered pockets on the front panel of the bag. The top one is pretty small, and it is great for stuff you want to have handy while you’re at the airport, like your passport and boarding pass. The lower one is much roomier, and it can fit bigger items, like a magazine, files, or a book.

TSA Friendly Lock

This luggage is equipped with TSA-friendly lock. It’s a basic three-digit combination lock, and you can set up the combination that you would like to use. But there is something unique about the lock on this luggage – it doesn’t just lock the main compartment, but also the front laptop compartment.

The lock is able to secure two sets of zippers, which is something you won’t see on many other suitcases. This is particularly great because the large front pocket is designed as a laptop compartment, so it is pretty important to keep it secure.

A TSA-friendly lock is especially important for people who often travel to the United States. TSA agents might choose your suitcase randomly for inspection, and they can open up these locks without damaging your bag. Any different type of lock, and they have the right to rip it off and pretty much just destroy your luggage.

However, it is important to know that no zippered luggage is 100% from smugglers and thieves. Bypassing a lock is as simple as inserting a ballpoint pen between the zipper teeth – if you’re traveling with some extremely valuable items, you might want to consider going with a zipperless suitcase instead.

Tumi Tracer System

Tumi has a great tracing system, which pretty much guarantees you will always be reunited with your bag if you lose it at the airport. Every bag has a unique serial number, which the company can trace back to you. But you have to register it first – so, as soon as you get your suitcase, go on their website and register the bag to your name.

That way, if your luggage ever winds up on a flight that’s different from yours, airline personnel can contact Tumi, which can then find the owner of the bag in their register. That’s pretty great, not just because it would suck to lose the contents of your bag, but also because we’re talking about luggage that isn’t at all cheap!

Everything about Tumi bags is pretty great, except for the price tag. These are really expensive suitcases, and it’s pretty hard to stomach the price points. Wondering whether or not they are actually worth so much money is entirely fair, especially considering just how pricier they are than other respectable luggage brands.

The honest answer is that the luggage is usually not worth so much money. A big part of that price tag is the brand on the bag, and that’s the hard truth. Don’t get me wrong – Tumi bags truly are high quality, with excellent and convenient features. But there’s nothing groundbreaking about them, and I’ve yet to see a feature that would justify three zeroes on the price tag.

Of course, the people for who this luggage is mostly made don’t really care about the price point. They care about what it means to drag around a Tumi suitcase, even if it’s no better than the ten times cheaper Samsonite. And if you just want to flaunt a little or let the world know how well you’re doing, carrying around a Tumi bag is a pretty universal sign among frequent travelers.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for some seriously durable luggage, I encourage you to check out Rimowa suitcases. They are in a similar price range as the Tumi bags, but they are much sturdier options – most of the luggage is zipperless and made from aluminum, and the cases themselves are pretty much indestructible.

Warranty And Customer Service

One reason why it’s so hard to stomach the price of the Tumi bags is the poor customer service and disappointing warranty. The Alpha 3 bags come with a 5-year warranty, which is not that much. Osprey backpacks, which are about 10 times cheaper than these bags, come with a lifetime warranty. So do many other bags from various different luggage brands, which cost only a fraction of the price of an Alpha 3 suitcase.

It is a decent warranty, but it is not unlimited like you get from Briggs & Riley. In addition to that, it can take weeks for them to repair a broken piece of luggage, and you don’t get a loaner in the meantime. All in all, if your Tumi suitcase gets broken, it’s going to be at least a month until you see it again.

The upside is that, if they are unable to fix your bag, they will let you pick out a brand new one that’s in the same price range. But only if your luggage is still under warranty; if it’s not, then you’re pretty much doomed.

Tumi Alpha 3 Luggage Review: Final Thoughts

Tumi’s Alpha 3 luggage features some of the best softside suitcases you can get your hands on. They are made from premium materials and are reinforced for superb durability. The bags all have TSA locks, two packing compartments, smooth spinner wheels, a multi-stage wheel handle, and an abundance of pockets for easy organization.

The carry-on luggage even features a handy USB port, for charging your phone on the go. All in all, these are premium suitcases that you will enjoy using if you wind up getting them.

But you have to pay quite a lot of money for them. And if you just can’t stomach the price of these bags, then I encourage you to look at some more affordable options. You can get a premium Samsonite suitcase for a fraction of an Alpha 3 bag’s price, and it will perform just as well.

Head over to Amazon to see the price points of all the different Tumi Alpha 3 bags. And go through our related posts for ideas on other, more affordable luggage that you might enjoy!

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