The Wallet Shoppe
They’re stylish and look rugged enough to cope with a lot, but woah are they pricy! Are Tumi backpacks worth it? We’ll take you thru the pros and cons…
Our Picks
If you’re shopping for a Tumi (or a smart alternative), compare these two backpacks:
The Voyageur Celina — daily-carry Tumi at the merely-premium end of the range, not the eye-watering McLaren end.
The SwissGear ScanSmart — a lower-cost laptop-carrying option if Tumi's premium isn't worth it for you.
Tumi Backpacks
Tumi has managed to create a very recognizable “look” since they debuted in 1975. Ballistic nylon, softer edges in rubber and leather, black-on-black most of the time … it’s easy to recognize luggage from this brand!
In addition to the familiar messenger bags and cases, Tumi makes a range of backpacks that echo that aesthetic. But - are they worth the cost? They range from squarely premium to eye-watering (the McLaren model is the F1 of backpacks — it commands a genuinely absurd price tag.)
Let’s go through some of the features and see how these bags measure up.
(Spoiler Alert - when I first wrote this in 2023, I had been using mine for about five years, so that probably gives my answer away a bit doesn’t it?)
Pricing and Quality
The price takes some justifying. I think it’s fair to say you’re only buying one of the top-end models if money isn’t really an issue, but at the merely “high” end I’d argue you’re getting what you pay for.
The ballistic nylon and leather designs are very stylish - and that’s a big part of the story. There are plenty of backpacks at lower price points that are just as tough, but you’re partly paying for looks and these don’t disappoint.
The quality of the materials is (as you’d expect) very high - from the premium leather to the YKK zippers and very tough nylon, I’ve not found any components to be sub-par.
Design and Organization
This is where Tumi products shine for me.
Both my Tumi messenger bag and my backpack have a ton of smaller pockets for organization, some external for easy access, some hidden inside for security. On both, at least one pocket inevitably has an internal key chain incorporated.
Laptop and Tablet Protection
Pretty much standard for all these bags is an assumption you’re carrying a laptop or tablet.
The interior pockets often include a specific compartment with extra padding. These are sized differently for different backpack models - some will only take a 15” laptop, some go further up to 17”
As for the styles of the bags themselves, I said before that they’re a recognizable “Tumi look”. That’s probably a plus for most but if it’s not your thing you’ll probably struggle to find something you’ll like anywhere in their range - it is a signature look after all.
Colors
You like black-on-black, right? At one point that really did seem to be the ONLY option with this brand, almost a trademark.
When I first wrote this, they’d expanded their horizons to … um, grey and navy too. The big exception was the McLaren line, with Papaya Orange accents after the F1 team. Be still my beating heart!
Ahem. The range has broadened since, so it’s worth checking the current colors for the model you like.
Choosing a Backpack
The Voyageur is an option to compare if you want Tumi’s organization and styling:
TUMI Voyageur Celina Backpack
The Celina has a separate padded laptop compartment, a luggage-handle sleeve and plenty of smaller pockets. Tumi lists space for a 15-inch PC or 16-inch MacBook. It’s from the lighter nylon Voyageur line; the Alpha packs are the ballistic-nylon ones.
Looking for a less expensive laptop backpack? This is a strong alternative:
SwissGear 5358 USB ScanSmart Backpack
The SwissGear’s USB port is a pass-through cable, so you’ll need your own power bank.
Style Changes
It does seem like Tumi regularly update their styles. My model isn’t available any more for instance. This isn’t really a good or bad thing in my view.
On the one hand, no-one is likely to look at your backpack and go “oh, he’s wearing last year’s Tumi.” Just not really a thing.
On the other hand, if you really like a particular style, it probably won’t be there in a year or two so forget about a replacement.
That means the durability and warranties had better be good…
Durability and Warranty
The warranty is not bad, but it’s not the best we’ve seen either. Tumi currently lists a five-year limited warranty for backpacks bought from an authorized seller. It includes functional and structural faults covered by its terms, with broader transit-damage coverage during the first year. Cosmetic damage and misuse are excluded. Read Tumi’s warranty terms and keep your receipt.
Tumi also offers paid repairs once the warranty runs out.
However - I’ve found my bag tough and durable. I don’t treat backpacks delicately - they do get slung into a car, and stuffed under airplane seats (often with my feet on them) and my bag has held up well.
Comfort and Fit
This is an interesting one as this might vary a bit from style to style. My own backpack has padding in the places I want it and feels comfortable with my usual load. A Celina owner also liked the shoulder comfort and well-planned pockets.
Are Tumi Backpacks Worth It? The Verdict …
Drum roll please…
My take is that yes, these are very pricey backpacks. To some degree you are paying for the name, and so long as you realize that, the product itself is very good.
They are stylish, making this a high-end accessory, not just a utility bag. They are hard-wearing and durable, have well-thought-out organizational features, and are comfortable to carry.
Before You Go
OK, that’s a wrap! But you may remember I mentioned I also have a Tumi messenger bag. We’ve long advocated that men treat their bags as stylish accessories (women have treated their bags as part of their outfits forever), but which is best for men, a backpack or a messenger bag?
