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An aluminum suitcase is an instant classic\u2014like a little black dress, the perfect white tee<\/a>, or a good pair of jeans<\/a>, it\u2019s an investment that will never go out of style. With a shimmering finish, they\u2019re 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\u2014but no other finish combines solid performance with such an air of well-traveled glamour.<\/p>\n Now, Carl Friedrik, one of our favorite luggage brands<\/a>, has released its own aluminum carry-on<\/a>\u2014taking everything we know and love from its original Carry-On<\/a> and reworking it in a glistening silver shell. This new iteration retains the brand\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Carl Friedrik<\/p>\n The catch? It\u2019s a serious investment at $845. While this is cheaper than competitor aluminum carry-ons (Tumi’s is $1,395<\/a> and Rimowa’s is $1,525<\/a>), it marks a step up for Carl Friedrik price-wise: $200 more than the brand\u2019s Hybrid carry-on<\/a> and $450 more than the Core carry-on<\/a>, which swaps some of the more premium details for more accessibly priced alternatives (such as replacing the lock with a zip).<\/p>\n We\u2019re big fans of Carl Friedrik\u2019s 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<\/a> with me on two trips\u2014to Paris and Milan\u2014traveling by rail and air to find out.<\/p>\n Commerce writer Charley Ward traveling with Carl Friedrik’s new Aluminium carry-on<\/p>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n 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\u2019s no surprise that Succession<\/em>\u2019s<\/a> Roy family\u2014quiet luxury icons of the small screen\u2014traveled with the brand\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n On the flip side, for all the additional style points, it\u2019s slightly less practical than the brand\u2019s 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\u2019re a strict carry-on-only traveler<\/a>\u2013 even on long-haul trips<\/a>\u2014that 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\u2014which I can\u2019t always do when testing suitcases<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nAluminium The Carry-On<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
My first impression<\/h2>\n