The actress Mun Ka Young once told me in an interview that she takes two luggages with her whenever she travels. “I need to be over prepared rather than underprepared,” she said. I share a similar packing philosophy, much to the disdain of the folks at r/onebag. For all my “just in case” necessities, I need as much space as possible. In girl math, that means that for a work trip to Paris Fashion Week, I need one carry-on luggage, and one really large luggage to check in—something like the Extended Trip Packing Case from Tumi’s new 19 Degree Lite collection.
As its name suggests, the luggage is designed for an extended trip, which Tumi’s website describes as ranging between two to three weeks. The luggage is large, all right, measuring 76 cm by 52.5 cm by 28 cm. And yet it weighs next to nothing, thanks to Tumi’s innovative design.
The luggage, as with the rest of Tumi’s 19 Degree Lite collection, is made with Tegris. The polypropylene material was originally used in armour, race cars and protective gear for American football players, and it is known for its strength and durability. Tegris is also incredibly light, which is why Tumi first used the material in its Tegra-Lite luggage in 2012. Tumi’s Tegris suitcases literally took the load off travellers, who did not have to worry so much about the weight of their checked baggage.
Now, for the first time, Tumi has reimagined its iconic 19 Degree luggage with the use of Tegris. The suitcases in Tumi’s 19 Degree Lite collection have the same stylish look of the original—those sleek contours and curves—but they also come with bragging rights as Tumi’s lightest hardside luggage ever. I can confirm this myself, because I also own (and love) the already lightweight Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case in polycarbonate, from Tumi’s 19 Degree collection.
How did Tumi outdo itself? Each 19 Degree Lite luggage not only features a Tegris shell but also a magnesium metal handle, slimmer wheels and even newly-engineered zipper pullers—all to minimise its weight as much as possible, without compromising quality or performance. It’s no wonder that Tumi fans have been snapping up the new luggage styles since they launched this year.
As someone who has done zero strength training, my 19 Degree Lite luggage was a dream to use, even for its size. I had little trouble loading into the back of a cab or wheeling it around the airport. I packed all my heavier stuff into it for my Paris Fashion Week trip, like thick coats and sweaters that are essential for the winter season, a pair of leather boots, and my Tumi Asra bag. For my trip back to Singapore, I packed even more items: press kits, hefty magazines, souvenirs and boxes containing my new purchases, including a medium-sized leather handbag and knee-high boots. Stuffing all of that into my Tumi luggage was how I discovered that its Tegris shell is indeed sturdy and flexible. I had even knelt on the suitcase, desperate to zip it close and lock it. And reader, the luggage held up. There were no cracks or dents to be found.
I had another surprise when I checked in my Tumi luggage for my return flight and read the number on the scale: it weighed even less than expected, even after all that extra stuff. (Something tells me that Mun, a Tumi ambassador and a fellow “over prepared” flyer, will really appreciate this detail.) As I watched, longingly, while my luggage moved down the conveyor belt, I wondered: Should I have packed… more?
Functionality aside, I had reason to love the 19 Degree Lite luggage for its distinctive looks alone. Upon closer inspection, you can see the Tegris material’s mesmerising woven pattern all around it, which is unlike anything I’ve seen on a suitcase. The luggage also boasts a metallic-looking sheen, which made it even more alluring. My luggage came in Blush, a muted pink colour, but if you need something vibrant, you can consider this season’s exclusive hues, like Cobalt blue and Amber orange. You’ll get stares at the airport, if you’re into that kind of thing.
When my Tumi 19 Degree Lite luggage finally came down the baggage carousel, I had no trouble spotting it, much less lifting it off the belt like a strong, independent woman. It may be lightweight, but it definitely leaves an impression.
Shop the Tumi 19 Degree Lite collection at tumi.sg and at Tumi stores.
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