About Hartmann

Hartmann has been making travel goods since 1877, and the range today runs from cabin cases and checked suitcases to garment bags, duffels, totes and backpacks.

Hardside, softside and what each is for

A hard shell protects fragile contents, wipes clean and cannot be slit open, but it will not absorb an extra jumper and it scuffs visibly. A soft case flexes, usually expands, and carries external pockets for the things you want without opening the lid — at the cost of less protection. The signature collections pair textile shells with leather trim, which is where the look comes from and also where the care instructions come from. For a suit or a dress that must arrive uncreased, a dedicated garment bag beats folding into either.

Cabin sizes are not a single standard

The trap with cabin luggage is that every airline publishes its own maximum, and the strictest are noticeably smaller than the common ones. Measure the case including wheels and handles, because that is how it is measured at the gate, and check it against the airlines you actually fly rather than a general figure. Weight matters too: a heavy empty case eats allowance before anything goes in it, and on a tight limit the difference between two cases is several items of clothing.

Wheels, handles and the parts that fail

Luggage almost never fails in the middle of the shell. It fails at the wheels, the telescopic handle and the zip. Four spinner wheels are easier through a terminal and more exposed to kerbs; two recessed inline wheels are tougher and need tilting. Ask the same question of any case before buying: are replacement wheels and handles available, and is there a repair service? A brand with a real service network is the reason a good case is worth its price, and it is worth more than another decorative feature.

Looking after leather trim and packing sensibly

Leather details need the same treatment as a leather bag — kept dry, wiped rather than soaked, occasionally conditioned, and never dried on a radiator. Store cases somewhere ventilated rather than in a sealed loft, and slightly open so the inside can breathe. When packing, put weight low and over the wheels so the case stands up, roll soft items and lay structured ones flat, and keep anything valuable, medical or difficult to replace in the bag that stays with you. Record the lock combination somewhere that is not inside the case.