Rimowa Just Built a $450 Bag That’s Actually 3 Bags in One

You know that frantic airport moment when you need your laptop but it’s buried deep in your suitcase? Or when you’re rolling through the terminal juggling a carry-on, a tote bag that keeps slipping off your shoulder, and a coffee that’s about to meet its untimely end? Rimowa just made all of that dramatically less chaotic.

The luxury luggage brand has reimagined its Cabin Luggage Harness with a clever upgrade that transforms it from a simple add-on into something genuinely versatile. This isn’t just another travel accessory trying to justify its existence. It’s a three-in-one design that actually makes sense for how we move through airports and cities today.

Designer: Rimowa

At first glance, it looks like a sleek organizer that wraps around your suitcase like a well-tailored vest. Made from high-quality recycled nylon with nylon webbing for durability, it attaches via adjustable straps that fit neatly over Rimowa’s Original, Classic, Essential, Essential Lite, and Hybrid cabin collections. The straps secure to the telescoping handle, keeping everything stable as you roll through crowded terminals. Three non-slip silicone strips ensure the bag stays balanced even when you’ve loaded it unevenly (because let’s be honest, we all do that).

What makes this version special are the hidden shoulder straps tucked into the design. When you need to break away from your rolling luggage for a coffee run or quick meeting, simply detach the harness and those concealed straps convert it into a surprisingly functional backpack. It’s the kind of thoughtful detail that makes you wonder why no one thought of it sooner.

The organizational setup is where Rimowa really nailed it. Two large pockets accommodate laptops up to 16 inches, plus tablets, documents, and magazines. Several smaller pockets handle the usual suspects: chargers, phones, passports, that random USB cable you always need. Everything stays accessible without forcing you to dig through your main suitcase or squat awkwardly in the middle of a busy airport corridor.

But wait, there’s more functionality packed into this thing. Zipped side panels connect the two sections of the harness, and when paired with the two top handles, the whole setup transforms into a hand-carry briefcase. It’s polished enough for a business meeting, yet practical enough for everyday travel. That’s three distinct carrying modes in one compact package. Despite all these features, the harness stays remarkably compact and lightweight. It weighs just 0.59 kilograms and measures 15.4 inches high by 12.2 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep. When attached to your suitcase, it sits flush against the surface rather than bulging awkwardly or throwing off your balance as you navigate tight airplane aisles.

The timing of this release feels particularly smart. As travel rebounds and more people return to airports, there’s growing frustration with the juggling act required to manage multiple bags while maintaining easy access to essentials. Airlines have gotten stricter about what counts as a personal item, and gate-checking fees continue to climb. A solution that consolidates your carry items while keeping them organized and accessible? That’s solving real problems.

Rimowa can’t claim total originality here. Similar suitcase harness designs have existed for years, though typically at lower price points and with less refined execution. What sets Rimowa’s version apart is the build quality, the versatility of those hidden shoulder straps, and the thoughtful integration with their suitcase lineup. It’s the difference between a hack that technically works and a solution that feels intentionally designed.

The recycled materials deserve a mention too. Using recycled nylon for both the exterior and lining aligns with growing expectations that luxury brands need to consider sustainability. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s the baseline we should expect from premium products in 2025. For frequent travelers who already own Rimowa luggage, this harness feels like an obvious upgrade. For everyone else, it’s an interesting glimpse into how thoughtful design can solve everyday frustrations without overcomplicating things. Sometimes the best innovations aren’t flashy new technology. They’re just smart solutions that make you say, “Why didn’t this exist before?”

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RIMOWA original suitcase gets alternate brushed finish to create the ‘optical’ illusion of movement

How about a fancy cabin bag that appears to be moving when you are standing for your boarding pass or awaiting your boarding call in the lounge? All sorts of suitcases make an appearance these days. Some are modular, some reminiscent of the icons, and some throw in an optical illusion to put fun to your airport look and those timeless halts. And for the latter, we are sold!

Designed and developed by Germany-based RIMOWA using high-end anodized aluminum, the suitcase is a fancy variant of the company’s original carry-on. Aptly dubbed Original Cabin Optical, this suitcase in RIMOWA’s words “redefines boundaries.” This is done by “creating” an “illusion of the iconic groves disappearing.”

Designer: RIMOWA

In simpler words, the famous RIMOWA suitcase is made with a shimmering effect achieved by a brushing technique that gives the suitcase the illusion of movement. The Cabin Optical’s anodized aluminum exterior has an alternating brushed finish to create this illusion: so, when you are at the airport or in the hotel lobby, people could mistake your suitcase to be moving even when it’s standing beside you.

Such illusion happens because of these specially brushed groves that with the change in light and perspective create the illusion of movement. This interesting optical motif is not only limited to the exterior, interestingly RIMOWA carries it to the inside of its limited-edition Cabin Optical. Here the jacquard lining is directly woven with geometric patterns for a similar effect.

The Cabin Optical is available in 35 litter carry-on sized dimensions making it – according to the company – apt for three to four days of travel. The suitcase itself is pretty lightweight, weighing only 9.5lbs, and comes with a stage-free telescoping handle, RIMOWA’s Multiwheel system with cushioned axles, and Flex Divider.

It is strictly limited-edition of just 2,002 examples. The number is only chosen for its palindromic nature and has no relevance to the year, which I earlier thought to be the case.  Currently available for pre-order, with sales beginning November 7, the special silver Cabin Optical will set you back $2,050. If you are not ready to shell that kind of money, you can pick the suitcase in your choice of silver, emerald green, black and titanium for $1,430.

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