Briggs & Riley always has something new coming around the corner. As a leader in high-end, luxury luggage, many travelers love this brand for its guaranteed life-time warranty and quality.
The brand’s Baseline product line has been a popular choice for some time now, which already included options like the Baseline carry-on and the Baseline medium checked spinner (26 inches). However, they recently dropped the Briggs & Riley Baseline Compact 24″ checked expandable spinner, designed to add an “in-between” size to meet the needs of specific travelers.
The story behind the new 24-inch size
Briggs & Riley 24" Baseline Checked Spinner
Per the company’s latest press release, the idea behind the 24″ bag was to create an option that gives travelers more capacity than a standard carry-on size, without the bulk of a full-sized checked suitcase. With travel trends suggesting that more travelers are going on more frequent, but shorter, trips, bags like these can quickly become go-to staples in a luggage collection.
As an avid traveler and luggage fanatic, Briggs & Riley gave me a chance to put the new Baseline Compact 24″ Checked spinner to the test on my most recent trip to Gatlinburg, TN. Here’s my honest thoughts to help you decide if this expensive suitcase is worth the splurge.
Specifications
- Exterior Dimensions: 24 inches high x 16 inches wide x 12-14.5 inches deep.
- Case Dimensions: 22.5 inches high x 16 inches wide x 11 inches deep.
- Color Options: Black, plum, or navy.
- Weight: 11.8 pounds.
- Material: Premium ultra-durable ballistic nylon.
- Capacity: 64.9 – 79.6 liters.
Colors and sizing
At a price point of $799, there’s no doubt that Briggs & Riley caters to a higher-end traveler and an older age group. With this in mind, it makes sense that they’ve kept the color scheme of these bags simple and basic (available in black, navy, or plum). Personally, I love basics like these that don’t clash with any outfit. However, if you’re seeking bold, fun luggage colors or bright colors, you’re not going to find that option here.
More often than not, I prefer to travel with hard-sided luggage for its extreme durability. However, this bag felt more durable than other soft-sided luggage I’ve tried. As my first “miniature’ checked bag, I enjoyed how easy it was to roll through the airport without the bulkiness of my usual 28-inch spinner. For a three-day getaway to Gatlinburg, packing this bag was effortless. The compression technology was very simple to learn to use and ended up allowing me to fit more of those “just in case” items I love to pack.
Briggs and Riley Baseline Spinner: Product Interior
One of the key features that sets Briggs & Riley’s suitcases apart is their unique CX® Smart Packing Technology. I’ve tried this in some other bags before, but never in a checked-size bag. It’s a game changer. Once you learn to use it, you’ll realize that it really does work to allow you to fit more inside your bag.
You start by pressing it to allow the suitcase to expand up to 23%, giving you more space to pack everything for your getaway. Once your items are all in, it then compresses to its original size. It’s pretty magical to watch. At a price point of $799, it’s little features like these that make the bag worthwhile for frequent travelers. Yes, you can find a comparable-looking 24-inch suitcase by another brand for a fraction of the price, but it likely wont have this unique technology that makes packing for trips so much less stressful.
Pros
- CX packing technology allows you to fit more.
- Included garment panels.
- Smooth 360-degree spinner wheels.
- TSA-approved cable lock included.
- Ideal size for 3-5 day trip.
- Lifetime Briggs & Riley warranty included.
Cons
- Limited color selection, solids only.
- Very high price point.
- Doesn't include a built-in luggage lock.
- Heavier than hard-shell luggage pieces.
In My Expert Opinion
As someone who travels over 10 times per year, there’s certainly a place for the Briggs & Riley Baseline spinner in my luggage collection. The 24-inch checked size is just slightly larger than the maximum size you can take as a carry on (22 inches), ideal for giving you a little more space and the stress-free experience of not having to fight for overhead space.
While 24 inches would not typically be large enough for me to warrant checking a bag, the unique CX Smart Packing technology makes it worthwhile because you can fit a ton more into this bag than usual. That said, although I do love the durability and quality of Briggs & Riley’s suitcases, spending $799 on a checked suitcase is simply unnecessary for the average traveler.
Briggs & Riley Baseline Compact 24" Checked Expandable Spinner
Occasional or infrequent travelers do not need to spend this much on a bag and can find suitable suitcases for a fraction of the price. In my expert opinion, it’s important to remember that Briggs & Riley’s high-end, luxury bags are not geared towards the average traveler: These suitcases are made to withstand regular, frequent use such as monthly or more-than-monthly travel.
Purchasing a Briggs & Riley baseline spinner would just be overkill if you only travel once or twice a year. That being said, if you’re a frequent traveler like me, it’s a smart investment for a suitcase that will hold up for years. Briggs & Riley crafts suitcases like the Baseline collection with top-tier materials, designed to hold up over time. Additionally, you get the peace of mind when purchasing one of their bags that it will be under the lifetime warranty forever.
