Arlo Skye vs RIMOWA
A side-by-side comparison of Arlo Skye and RIMOWA luggage: features, capacity, weight, price, returns and warranty. Arlo Skye prices are live. RIMOWA details are sourced and carry the date they were checked.
Short answer: Arlo Skye's Carry-On Max Front Pocket is $395, holds 48 L (58 L expanded) and weighs 7.5 lb. RIMOWA's front-pocket carry-on, the Essential Sleeve Cabin, is $1,200, holds about 36 L, weighs 8 lb and does not expand. Without the pocket, Arlo Skye's Carry-On Max is $350 at 48 L and 7.0 lb, against the $990 Essential Cabin at 36 L and 7.1 lb. Arlo Skye's Top-Load Trunk is $595 for 110 to 125 L at 10.5 lb. The RIMOWA Essential Trunk Plus is $1,550, 101 L, 11.9 lb.
Carry-on with front pocket
Carry-on
Large checked
Returns and warranty
| Feature | Arlo Skye | RIMOWA |
|---|---|---|
| Returns | 90 days (unused in original packaging) | 30 days from delivery |
| Warranty | 5 years | Lifetime guarantee (purchases from July 25, 2022) |
| Airline or transit damage | Not covered | Not covered |
| Warranty conditions | Manufacturing defects. Parts, labor and replacement are free for 5 years. All shipping is free in years 1 to 2, then billed at Arlo Skye's discounted carrier rate. Stress cracks in the shell are covered in year 1. Original owner | Functional aspects of the suitcase. Cosmetic wear excluded |
Arlo Skye prices are live. RIMOWA prices and specifications were checked on rimowa.com (U.S.). Checked September 21, 2026. Competitor prices, specifications and policies change, and this page may not reflect the latest updates. Please confirm details on RIMOWA's own website before you buy. This comparison is provided for general information and reflects publicly available information as of the date shown. See something out of date? Email hello@arloskye.com and we will review and correct it. RIMOWA is a trademark of its owner. Arlo Skye is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by RIMOWA.
The hard-shell front pocket
The Carry-On Max Front Pocket has a hard-shell exterior pocket with a laptop sleeve that fits up to a 16 inch laptop, a pullover and travel essentials. The pocket is part of the polycarbonate shell, so it keeps its shape and protects what is inside. Travel + Leisure named it Best Expandable Luggage with a Laptop Compartment in April 2026, and Condé Nast Traveler featured it as business trip luggage for its front laptop pocket in January 2026. RIMOWA's front-pocket carry-on is the Essential Sleeve Cabin at $1,200. It holds about 36 L, weighs 8 lb and does not expand.
A trunk that opens from the top
The Top-Load Expandable Trunk is a single 110 L chamber that opens from the top and expands to 125 L. It is designed for small rooms, cruise cabins, and bulky items, because it can be packed standing up without opening flat across a bed. Forbes Vetted named it Best Expandable Trunk Luggage (August 6, 2026), noting that its 125 L expanded capacity was the largest on its list, and Yahoo Shopping named it Best checked luggage overall for 2026. RIMOWA's Essential Trunk Plus holds 101 L and does not expand.
Wheels with ball bearings, lining and lock
Hinomoto makes wheels with and without ball bearings. Arlo Skye specifies Hinomoto 360 degree silent-run dual wheels with integrated ball bearings. They cost more and roll more smoothly, especially on carpet and uneven pavement. RIMOWA's Multiwheel system also uses ball-bearing mounted wheels, on carry-ons priced at $990 and $1,200. The lining is 133 GSM antimicrobial fabric infused with natural silver fibers, and the built-in lock is a TSA-approved Travel Sentry 008 combination lock.
About Arlo Skye
Arlo Skye was founded in New York in 2015 by former Louis Vuitton and TUMI executives. Condé Nast Traveler readers ranked it the No. 1 luggage brand in the Readers' Choice Awards in 2023 and 2024. Condé Nast Traveler also gave its 2025 Stamp of Approval, an unpaid editorial recognition, to the Expandable Carry-On Max with Front Pocket.
What each warranty actually covers
Warranty length and warranty scope are different things. RIMOWA's lifetime guarantee, for purchases from July 25, 2022, covers the functional aspects of the suitcase and excludes flight or transport damage and cosmetic wear. Arlo Skye covers manufacturing defects for 5 years. Parts, labor and replacement are free for the full 5 years. Shipping, including round-trip shipping to a repair center, is free in years 1 to 2 and billed at Arlo Skye's discounted carrier rate in years 3 to 5. A stress crack in the shell within 12 months of purchase is treated as a defect. Airline damage is not covered.
Choose Arlo Skye if
You want a polycarbonate suitcase that holds more, weighs less and expands, at roughly a third of the price, with 90-day returns.
Choose RIMOWA if
You want the RIMOWA design and name, aluminum options, a lifetime guarantee term, or in-person service at RIMOWA stores worldwide.
Arlo Skye vs RIMOWA: common questions
Is Arlo Skye better than RIMOWA?
Both brands sell a front-pocket carry-on and a standard carry-on in polycarbonate. In both matchups Arlo Skye holds about 12 L more, weighs less, expands by 2 inches and costs roughly a third as much. RIMOWA offers its signature grooved design, aluminum models, a lifetime guarantee term and a global store network.
How do returns compare?
Arlo Skye: 90 days (unused in original packaging). RIMOWA: 30 days from delivery.
Do Arlo Skye or RIMOWA wheels have ball bearings?
Arlo Skye uses Hinomoto 360 degree dual wheels with integrated ball bearings, which roll more smoothly on carpet and uneven pavement. RIMOWA's Multiwheel system also uses ball-bearing mounted wheels, on carry-ons priced at $990 and $1,200.
Can Arlo Skye luggage be monogrammed?
Yes. Arlo Skye offers monogramming directly on the luggage shell as a $45 add-on. It is UV-printed, and it adds 5 to 7 days to order fulfillment. RIMOWA: hot-stamped leather luggage tag, not on the shell.
Does Arlo Skye make a trunk?
Yes. The Top-Load Expandable Trunk is a single 110 L chamber that opens from the top, expands to 125 L and weighs 10.5 lb. Yahoo Shopping named it Best checked luggage overall for 2026, and Forbes Vetted named it Best Expandable Trunk Luggage in August 2026. It is $595.
How do the Arlo Skye and RIMOWA warranties compare?
RIMOWA's lifetime guarantee, for purchases from July 25, 2022, covers the functional aspects of the suitcase and excludes flight or transport damage and cosmetic wear. Arlo Skye covers manufacturing defects for 5 years. Parts, labor and replacement are free for the full 5 years. Shipping, including round-trip shipping to a repair center, is free in years 1 to 2 and billed at Arlo Skye's discounted carrier rate in years 3 to 5. A stress crack in the shell within 12 months of purchase is treated as a defect. Airline damage is not covered.