Updated March 2026.
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FPM (Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano) is an Italian luggage brand that’s been around since 1946 but only recently started getting attention outside of Europe. They make aluminum and polycarbonate hardside luggage with a design language that falls somewhere between Rimowa’s industrial minimalism and Away’s direct-to-consumer polish. The prices start around $600 and run past $1,500, which puts them firmly in luxury luggage territory.
FPM isn’t widely known in the US yet, which makes it an interesting option for travelers who want premium luggage without the ubiquity of Rimowa or Tumi. Here’s what you’re paying for and whether it’s worth the investment.
What FPM Makes
FPM’s lineup centers on three collections. The Bank line is their flagship – aluminum luggage with butterfly closures and leather handles, similar to Rimowa’s Classic but with Italian design details. The Spinner line is polycarbonate hardside with Japanese spinner wheels. The Trunk collection is vintage-inspired with stackable designs meant to look like classic steamer trunks.
Every piece is made in Italy. That’s the brand’s primary selling point – genuine Italian manufacturing, not just Italian design with Asian production. The leather work, metal finishing, and assembly happen at their facility in Milan. For context, Rimowa manufactures in Germany and Canada, Tumi in Asia, and most other luxury brands use factories in China or Thailand. FPM’s Italian production is becoming increasingly rare.
Build Quality and Materials
The aluminum pieces use anodized sheets that are thicker and stiffer than Rimowa’s Classic Flight. They don’t dent as easily on initial impacts, though any aluminum luggage will accumulate dents over time – that’s the nature of the material. The butterfly lock closures are precision-machined and satisfying to operate, with a reassuring click that cheaper brands can’t replicate.
The polycarbonate Spinner line uses Makrolon shells (Bayer’s polycarbonate, same as what Victorinox and some Samsonite lines use) with a textured finish that hides scratches well. The Japanese Hinomoto wheels are one of the better spinner wheel systems available – smooth, quiet, and resistant to the wobble that plagues cheaper casters.
Interior details are where FPM’s Italian heritage shows up. Leather corner reinforcements, fabric linings that feel premium, and packing compartments with genuine leather straps rather than elastic bands. These are finishing details that don’t affect functionality but signal the quality difference between $600 and $200 luggage.
FPM vs. Rimowa
The obvious comparison is Rimowa, since both offer aluminum luggage at premium prices. FPM’s aluminum is thicker gauge. Rimowa’s is lighter. FPM has Italian craftsmanship and leather details. Rimowa has German precision and a more recognizable brand. FPM costs about 20% less than comparable Rimowa pieces.
The practical difference for most travelers is minimal. Both are premium aluminum suitcases that will dent attractively over time and last a decade or more. FPM wins on exclusivity (fewer people have them) and craftsmanship details (leather touches, Italian finishing). Rimowa wins on brand recognition, resale value, and after-sales service availability.
Is FPM Worth the Price?
At $600-$1,500, FPM luggage is a luxury purchase. The build quality justifies a premium over $200-$300 brands, but at this price you’re also paying for Italian manufacturing heritage, design exclusivity, and materials that go beyond functional necessity. If you view luggage as purely functional, there’s no rational argument for FPM over Victorinox at half the price.
If you appreciate the craft – the weight of a precision aluminum closure, the smell of Italian leather handles, the satisfaction of something genuinely made in a workshop in Milan – FPM delivers an experience that mass-produced luggage doesn’t. That’s the value proposition, and it’s worth exactly as much as you personally value those things.
Where to Buy FPM
FPM sells through their website (fpm.it), select luxury department stores (Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus), and a few specialty travel retailers. They’re not on Amazon in any official capacity. Availability in the US is limited compared to European markets, so expect shipping times if ordering online.
FAQ
Where is FPM luggage made?
Italy. FPM manufactures all their luggage at their facility in Milan. Leather work, metal finishing, and final assembly are all done in-house. This is increasingly rare for luggage brands, most of which manufacture in China or Southeast Asia.
Is FPM better than Rimowa?
FPM uses thicker aluminum and more leather detailing. Rimowa is lighter and has better global brand recognition and service infrastructure. The quality difference is marginal – both are premium products. FPM costs about 20% less and is rarer, which matters if exclusivity is important to you.
How much does FPM luggage cost?
Polycarbonate carry-ons start around $600. Aluminum carry-ons run $800-$1,000. Checked sizes and trunk collections go up to $1,500+. FPM occasionally runs seasonal promotions on their website, but deep discounts are rare.
Does FPM luggage dent easily?
The aluminum models will dent over time – that’s true of all aluminum luggage, including Rimowa. FPM’s thicker gauge aluminum resists initial impacts better, but checked bags will accumulate character marks after enough flights. Many owners consider the dents part of the luggage’s character.