Morgan Scott

January 3, 2019

Travel, Work

6 Brands like Tumi – Finding a Tumi backpack alternative

Morgan Scott

January 3, 2019

Travel, Work

Tumi is a brand that is well known for their sophisticated luggage and business bags. The brand has gained popularity for their refined designs and quality craftsmanship. Each bag is built from the ground up for travel or business carry.

As with any popular bag brand, many people are curious about alternatives. Whether you are looking for something a little cheaper or maybe just different designs, we have put together a list of our favorite brands like Tumi that offer luggage and bags with similar features. We have also noted many backpack shoppers looking for a Tumi alternative so we did the research to find the best backpacks similar to Tumi.

Brands like Tumi

After a good amount of research we figured out that Tumi’s popularity was due in part to it’s sophisticated designs and great quality. The key to finding the best Tumi alternative starts with looking at what brands make similar bags while taking into account their craftsmanship, warranties and designs.

What we found is that a few brands really stood out as serious Tumi alternatives. Here we list our top brands like Tumi that rival Tumi in terms of design, quality and price. We also made sure to include budget brands as well that offer similar designs and great quality for the price.

Italic

Read about Italic

Italic is a company revolutionizing online retail by offering a true “direct to consumer” model that cuts out the middleman – and the markup. This means you can now buy luxury goods at a fraction of the price and since Italic uses the same manufactures as brands like Tumi, Longchamp, Miu Miu and Prada you’ll know that you are getting the same great quality and on-trend styles. If you are looking for cheaper Tumi alternatives that look and feel the part then Italic should be your new go-to.

Check out Italic’s full collection of bags here.

Troubadour

Read about Troubadour

Troubadour is a relatively new brand that offers a wide collection of luxe bags for men and women that is sure to turn some heads. Their attention to detail, use of premium materials and sleek upscale designs are already hallmarks of the brand and we can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

The brand can be best described as smart casual with a streak of refined luxury. Most Troubadour backpacks and bags are waterproof and are packed with modern features for tech carry, sport and travel. And for those looking for heirloom quality bags – Troubadour offers a great selection of premium leather backpacks with their Generation collection.

If you are looking for bags like Tumi that don’t skimp on quality or modern design then we highly recommend you give Troubadour a closer look. Not many Tumi alternatives can match the style-forward designs and quality that the brand is known for but Troubadour checks enough boxes to be a fierce competitor.

Briggs & Riley

Read about Briggs & Riley

Briggs & Riley is a brand that offers luxury travel suitcases, bags and accessories with a focus on quality and stylish design. If you are looking for brands like Tumi that offer great options for traveling professionals, then we recommend to take a closer look at Briggs & Riley’s @work series of bags and backpacks. With a focus on business carry, these backpacks easily rival Tumi in style, design and quality.

Where Briggs & Riley really shine is in their warranty. Briggs & Riley offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty on their luggage and bags where as Tumi currently only offers a limited one year warranty.

Knomo London

Read about Knomo London

When it comes to women’s bags, you can’t talk about Tumi alternatives without mentioning Knomo London. Their wide range of sophisticated travel bags, totes and office backpacks are just the right blend of good value, great quality and must-have style. In fact, Knomo backpacks are some of our most highly recommended women’s business backpacks for this reason!

Along with women’s backpack Knomo London offers a wide variety of men’s and women’s travel bags – from totes to business backpacks and briefcases. Each collection is made to be complimentary in design so that you can travel in style.

Samsonite

Read about Samsonite

Samsonite is known for their travel bags, luggage and accessories that mix style and function. Those of you looking for brands like Tumi will love the variety of travel and business carry that Samonsite has to offer. Although Samsonite is known for their stylish luggage, their business bags easily rival brands like Tumi in design, performance and price.

If you are looking for a backpacks like Tumi than we suggest taking a look at Samsonite’s laptop backpacks for both men and women. They offer styles from urban casual to more sophisticated leather options. Many of their business backpacks and bags also come with a limited 3 year global warranty which is great for those of us with busy lifestyles who put our bags through a lot of wear.

Travelpro

Read about Travelpro

What’s special about Travelpro is that the company was started by an actual airline pilot named Bob Plath. He needed reliable luggage that could withstand the needs of a frequent flyer so he created his own luggage brand with reliability and convenience in mind. Today offers more than just quality luggage. The brand also offers business backpacks, executive briefcases and suitcases for both men and women.

One thing we have always liked about Travelpro is the large variety of collections. Whether you are a business traveler who needs a premium bag or airline personal who needs tough luggage Travelpro has something for everyone.

If you are specifically looking for bags like Tumi then we recommend you take a closer look at Travelpro’s Platinum Elite and Crew Executive Choice collections. Their Platinum Elite collection focuses on sophisticated luggage and bags for travelers who want to travel in style while the Crew Executive Choice is the Travelpro’s premium collection of business bags and backpacks for travel or everyday use.

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Best Backpacks Like Tumi

Whether you frequently travel for work or need a good backpack for daily commutes, we’ve found plenty of alternatives to Tumi laptop backpacks that you will love. These backpacks are high quality, professional and will help you carry your essentials in style no matter the destination.

Troubadour Apex

Troubadour

The Troubadour Apex is the ultimate work to weekend companion thanks to its sleek minimalist design that allows you to carry more while still keeping a professional silhouette for days at the office. The 25 liter interior is large enough for light travel or the gym and features like a fully padded laptop compartment and admin pockets give you the internal organization you need for daily essentials.

Troubadour comes highly recommended for anyone looking for brands like Tumi that offer high quality business travel backpack options. The Apex Backpack hits a sweet spot of refined and rugged – waterproof materials and a focus on ergonomic comfort gives the Apex an edge over other less stylish business travel backpacks in its class.

Waterproof fabric, lining and zippers
16-inch laptop compartment
Available in multiple colors and a full leather version

Italic Comrade Backpack

Italic

Made by the same manufacturer as Tumi and Longchamp, the Italic Comrade Backpack keeps the high end style and quality while ditching the markup. The Comdrade is made from a sleek polyester shell and features luxe leather detailing throughout for a refined look.

The Italic Comrade makes a great backpack for both work and travel thanks to its polished design, water resistant construction and versatile pockets for your laptop, water bottles, keys and more!

Unisex design and fit
15” padded laptop sleeve
Water resistant materials

Nomatic Navigator Backpack

Nomatic

Made for life on the move, the Nomatic Navigator series of bags and luggage is the perfect blend of functionality and upscale style. The 15L Navigator Backpack is perfect for everything from daily work carry to airline travel thanks to its clever organization and a main compartment that’s expandable up to 20L.

When it comes to Tumi alternatives, Nomatic is definitly a dark horse contender but we believe that the quality, style and functionality is there for those who want a professional and stylish look for both in and out of the office.

Hidden water pocket for a clean professional look
Dedicated padded laptop compartment
Expandable main compartment

Vessel Signature 2.0

Buy on Amazon

The Vessel Signature 2.0 is a multifunctional backpack that’s perfect for work, travel or daily commutes thanks to its premium feel and sophisticated look. Its slim profile and unisex design makes it a top pick for women’s backpacks like Tumi at a more affordable price.

Alongside it’s sleek design, the Vessel Signature 2.0 is filled with must-have features such as a padded laptop compartment, plenty of smaller storage pockets and even a bottom compartment for shoes or dirty laundry for travel days.

Unisex design and fit
16” padded laptop compartment
Incredibly comfortable back panel with breathable shoulder straps

Troubadour Ember

Troubadour

Compact yet rich with features, the Troubadour Ember is a Tumi laptop backpack alternative for work, weekends and travel. The Ember is made with lux gold zippers and highly water resistant exterior fabrics to keep your carry protected. Inside you’ll find an amazing array of pockets to organize your daily essentials. Travelers will also love the included trolley sleeve, easy-access pockets and a roomy 14-liter main compartment for easy packing.

Priced under $200, the Troubadour Ember is truly a gem in the rough. “Like Tumi but cheaper” doesn’t have to mean you have compromise on quality or style and the Troubadour Ember proves you can have it all.

Great internal organization for work and travel
Separate laptop compartment
Best-in-class ergonomic breathable back panel and shoulder straps

Italic

Italic Rafa Nylon Backpack

Italic offers a modern and stylish backpack for travel, gym days and weekend adventures with their Rafa Nylon Backpack. Each Rafa backpack is made from the same manufacturer as Tumi so you are sure to get the same quality at the fraction of the price.

The Italic Rafa Backpack features a satin nylon exterior in a variety of contemporary colors. The leather detailing throughout the Rafa also gives it a touch of elegance. We love the Rafa for its roomy interior (perfect for travel) and clever zip pockets for keeping everything nice and organized.

Unisex design and fit
Padded sleeve for 15” laptop
Made by same manufacturer as Tumi

Samsonite Tectonic business travel backpack

Samsonite Tectonic Sweetwater backpack

Buy on Amazon

The Samsonite Tectonic Sweetwater Backpack is a rugged travel backpack for those on the move and one of our top picks for the best backpacks similar to Tumi. This Samsonite backpack includes a generous main compartment, tons of extra pockets for smaller items and a fully padded laptop sleeve to keep your expensive tech safe.

Perfect for anyone who is a fan of the Tumi Alpha line of backpacks, the Samsonite Tectonic Sweetwater makes a great contender thanks to it’s ultra-tough nylon construction and sleek business-friendly design. With this backpack, Samsonite really does strike a balance between functionality and style.

17” laptop compartment
USB port for on-the-go charging
Interior pockets for folders and documents
Includes trolley-sleeve for securing to rolling luggage

SOLO A/D Backpack

Solo New York

The Solo A/D is a versatile backpack that has everything you need in a daily work bag – laptop and tablet pockets, internal organizers and comfort-focused ergonomic shoulder straps all in a sleek office-appropriate design.

If you like the look of the Solo A/D backpack then we recommend the Solo Gravity Collection of bags to anyone looking for a much cheaper Tumi backpack alternative that is stylish yet versatile enough for travel and everyday carry. Each bag in the Gravity Collection was designed from the ground up for professional and travel carry.

Dimensions: 19.5” x 15” x 5.5’’ inches
Sleek and professional profile
Padded laptop compartment (15.6 inches) and separate tablet sleeve.
Comfort designed shoulder straps and back panel

Hartmann Luggage travel backpack - Tumi alternative backpacks

Hartmann Metropolitan 2 Executive Backpack

Buy on Amazon

Hartmann is a brand known for their high quality travel bags and their Metropolitan 2 Executive backpack is no exception. The backpack itself is made of durable nylon to combat scuffs, tears and rips while traveling and polished chrome accents give the bag a refined look.

This backpack was made for business travel in mind. Inside you will find plenty of pockets for all of your gadgets, chargers and cables. A large main compartments allows you to carry your work essentials, clothing and more. These features and more is why Hartmann Luggage makes is one of our top picks for Tumi alternatives.

Accordion style gusset main compartment and front pocket
Dedicated sleeve for laptops up to 15 inches
Large front pocket organizer for smaller items

Criteria Used for Evaluation

Here we go over what criteria was used to pick the brands and backpacks on our brands like Tumi list. Finding the best Tumi alternative starts with breaking down what make Tumi bags so special and then starting the hunt for brands with similar criteria.

Refined Designs for Grown Ups

Because of their association with school bags, backpacks often get a bad rep. One of the reasons brands like Tumi are so popular is because they make real functional bags for adults. This means no loud branding, no cheap materials and silhouettes that don’t look like you are starting the 9th grade. Tumi makes bags for adults looking for reliable travel bags and the best work backpacks. And these grown ups have busy work commutes, hectic travel schedules and a special carry needs for everyday life.

We made sure to focus on brands that address these needs by offering refined backpacks and bags designed for work and travel. Colors should be simple and understated while silhouettes are sophisticated and mature.

An Emphasis on Travel Features

Tumi is a luggage brand first and an emphasis on travel features goes into all of their designs as a result. Because of the best Tumi backpacks have features such as RFID blocking pockets, TSA-friendly laptop compartments and luggage attachment sleeves. With this in mind we sought out brands that reflect this attention to detail and addressed the needs of people with busy traveling schedules.

Quality and Warranty

Craftsmanship and build quality is what separates Tumi from similar travel brands. Their choice of refined materials such as leather, textured fabrics and high quality hardware allow their bags to be lifetime investments. We sought out brands that have similar built quality and emphasis on craftsmanship. Brands like Briggs & Riley and Hartmann Luggage not only rival Tumi in quality but they also robust warranties.

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6 Brands like Tumi – Finding a Tumi backpack alternative