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Hartmann has been making luggage since 1877. That makes it one of the oldest luggage brands in America – older than Samsonite, older than Tumi, older than the modern suitcase itself. The brand built its reputation on leather trunks and steamer bags during an era when travel meant train stations and ocean liners. Today, Hartmann sells softside spinners, hardside carry-ons, and its signature herringbone-patterned pieces through its own website at prices between $260 and $1,500.
If you’ve never heard of Hartmann, that’s by design. The brand doesn’t compete on volume or visibility. It sells directly through shop.hartmann.com and a handful of department stores. There’s no Amazon storefront. The pitch is heritage and craftsmanship over mass-market accessibility – closer to Briggs & Riley’s philosophy than Samsonite’s, even though Samsonite has owned Hartmann since 2012.
The Collections
Hartmann currently sells 26 luggage pieces across seven collections. The range spans from a $260 hardside carry-on to an $800 tweed-and-leather piece that looks like it belongs in a Wes Anderson film. Here’s how they break down.
Herringbone Deluxe is the signature line and the one most people picture when they think of Hartmann. The herringbone pattern – a woven textile in black or terracotta – has been the brand’s visual identity for decades. These are softside expandable spinners available as carry-on ($360), medium ($430), and extended journey ($480). The pattern is distinctive enough that frequent travelers recognize it on a baggage carousel. If you’re buying Hartmann for the brand identity, this is the collection.
The Reserve collection is the premium tier for travelers who want Hartmann quality without the herringbone pattern. Clean lines, softside construction, and a more modern look in Midnight Navy or Oak. The carry-on starts at $450 and the extended journey runs $650. It’s also the collection with the most owner feedback – 118 reviews across multiple sizes, which is high for a brand that sells exclusively through its own site.
The Luxe II is Hartmann’s entry point and its hardside option. At $375 for the carry-on (frequently on sale around $260), it’s the most accessible piece in the lineup. Leather trim on a hardside shell gives it a look that’s distinct from the Samsonites and Delsey cases that dominate the $200-400 hardside market. The 172 reviews make it the brand’s most-purchased piece.
Tweed is the heritage play. At $800 for a domestic carry-on, it’s priced above most Tumi carry-ons and well into Rimowa territory. The construction uses actual tweed fabric with natural leather trim. No one buys Tweed luggage because it’s practical – they buy it because it looks like an heirloom. The kind of bag that gets compliments from flight attendants and curious looks at the gate.
The remaining collections – InnovAire (lightweight hardside, currently on clearance), Century Deluxe, and Metropolitan 2 – round out the lineup with less distinctive options. InnovAire was Hartmann’s lightweight hardside play but appears to be on its way out.
Who Hartmann Is For
Hartmann makes sense for a specific type of traveler. You care about how your luggage looks and you’re willing to pay for it. You travel frequently enough that a $400-800 bag gets enough use to justify the price. You’d rather buy from a brand with 148 years of history than a DTC startup with slick Instagram ads.
The brand doesn’t make sense if you’re looking for a budget carry-on, if you want the latest in luggage technology and materials, or if buying directly from a brand’s website instead of Amazon is a dealbreaker. Hartmann’s distribution model means you can’t compare prices across retailers, read thousands of Amazon reviews, or get Prime shipping.
Hartmann vs. the Luxury Competition
At $360-800, Hartmann sits in a crowded luxury bracket. Here’s how it compares to the brands it actually competes with.
vs. Tumi: Tumi’s Alpha 3 carry-on runs $795. Hartmann’s Herringbone Deluxe carry-on is $360. Both are softside, both target professional travelers, both have heritage branding. Tumi has wider retail distribution and a more recognizable name among business travelers. Hartmann has the price advantage and the herringbone pattern as a differentiator.
vs. Briggs & Riley: Briggs & Riley’s Baseline carry-on is around $579 with a lifetime guarantee that covers airlines breaking your bag. Hartmann’s warranty is strong but not quite at that level. Briggs & Riley wins on durability reputation. Hartmann wins on visual distinctiveness.
vs. Rimowa: Rimowa starts around $700 for a cabin case and runs well over $1,000. It’s the brand-as-status-symbol pick. Hartmann’s Tweed collection plays in this space aesthetically but with softer construction. If you’re buying for the look, Rimowa’s aluminum cases are the modern luxury standard. If you want something with more history and less hype, Hartmann fills that gap.
For a broader comparison of where Hartmann fits in the market, see our breakdown of the most expensive luggage brands and what you actually get at each price tier.
The Samsonite Question
Samsonite acquired Hartmann in 2012, and it’s a fair question: is Hartmann still Hartmann, or is it Samsonite wearing a heritage label? The short answer is that Hartmann operates as a separate brand with its own design team, materials, and price positioning. Samsonite doesn’t slap Hartmann’s name on its mass-market products. The Herringbone Deluxe is a genuinely different bag from anything in Samsonite’s lineup.
The longer answer is that corporate ownership always affects a brand. Hartmann’s distribution shrank after the acquisition – it used to have a larger retail presence. Some long-time customers feel the quality shifted during the ownership transition. Whether today’s Hartmann matches the pre-2012 product is debatable, but the current lineup is well-reviewed and priced to compete with other luxury brands on its own merits.
FAQ
Where can I buy Hartmann luggage?
Primarily through shop.hartmann.com. You’ll occasionally find Hartmann at department stores like Nordstrom or Macy’s, but selection is limited. Hartmann doesn’t sell on Amazon. The direct website runs frequent sales – 25-30% off is common on most collections.
Does Hartmann luggage come with a warranty?
Yes. Hartmann offers a limited warranty that covers manufacturing defects. The coverage period varies by collection but typically extends 10 years. It doesn’t cover airline damage or normal wear. Briggs & Riley’s lifetime warranty is more generous if warranty coverage is a deciding factor.
Is Hartmann luggage worth the price?
At full price, Hartmann is expensive relative to what you get functionally. A $430 Herringbone Deluxe spinner doesn’t roll better or hold more than a $200 Samsonite. You’re paying for the herringbone pattern, the brand history, and the leather details. On sale (frequently 25-30% off), the value proposition improves. The Luxe II carry-on at $260 on sale is competitive with mid-range hardside options from other premium brands.
Is Hartmann still owned by Samsonite?
Yes. Samsonite International acquired Hartmann in 2012. Hartmann operates as an independent brand within Samsonite’s portfolio, alongside Tumi (which Samsonite also owns). The products are designed and manufactured separately from Samsonite’s own luggage lines.
What is the Hartmann herringbone pattern?
It’s a woven textile pattern that Hartmann has used as its signature design for decades. The diagonal zigzag weave comes in black or terracotta colorways and covers the exterior of the Herringbone Deluxe collection. It’s the easiest way to identify Hartmann luggage on sight.