An aluminum suitcase is an instant classic—like a little black dress, the perfect white tee, or a good pair of jeans, it’s an investment that will never go out of style. With a shimmering finish, they’re always the most recognizable suitcases on any luggage carousel, standing out among a sea of identical black bags. Plenty of suitcases will see you through a journey perfectly well—but no other finish combines solid performance with such an air of well-traveled glamour.
Now, Carl Friedrik, one of our favorite luggage brands, has released its own aluminum carry-on—taking everything we know and love from its original Carry-On and reworking it in a glistening silver shell. This new iteration retains the brand’s signature understated ridged design, super-secure dual lock (no zips to bust here), steel-reinforced corners, leather detailing, and buttery-smooth 360-degree spinner wheels.
The catch? It’s a serious investment at $845. While this is cheaper than competitor aluminum carry-ons (Tumi’s is $1,395 and Rimowa’s is $1,525), it marks a step up for Carl Friedrik price-wise: $200 more than the brand’s Hybrid carry-on and $450 more than the Core carry-on, which swaps some of the more premium details for more accessibly priced alternatives (such as replacing the lock with a zip).
We’re big fans of Carl Friedrik’s existing carry-ons, with several of our editors having taken them on countless trips. So, is it worth investing in the aluminum finish? I took the new Aluminum carry-on with me on two trips—to Paris and Milan—traveling by rail and air to find out.
My first impression
First, the good: This is a beautiful suitcase. From a purely aesthetic perspective, it feels immediately investment-worthy. Designed to evoke the Golden Age of travel, the ridged shell has a distinct midcentury sensibility and a presence few other cases can match. It’s no surprise that Succession’s Roy family—quiet luxury icons of the small screen—traveled with the brand’s luggage when flitting about in their helicopter. The wheels are exceptionally smooth, and the solid, leather-wrapped handles make it easy to maneuver in and out of the plane’s overhead compartment with a firm grip.
On the flip side, for all the additional style points, it’s slightly less practical than the brand’s existing Hybrid model. While virtually identical in size, the Aluminum carry-on offers 38 liters of capacity compared to the Hybrid that can hold 41 liters. If you’re a strict carry-on-only traveler– even on long-haul trips—that marginal loss of space may matter. That said, it still feels impressively lightweight, and I was able to lift it into the overhead compartment unaided—which I can’t always do when testing suitcases.
