RIMOWA Original Cabin Plus: The Ultimate Review

HK$12,700

The RIMOWA Original Cabin Plus in Titanium is the answer for travelers who find the standard Cabin just a touch too small but aren't ready to check luggage. It's the "maximum carry-on" — pushing right up against international size limits while delivering noticeably more packing capacity. And that Titanium finish? It might be the finest color in the entire Original lineup.

First Impressions & Design

Titanium is RIMOWA's most sophisticated color — not quite silver, not quite grey, but a warm, champagne-adjacent metallic that shifts subtly under different lighting. It's less flashy than silver, more distinctive than black, and carries an air of quiet luxury that the louder finishes can't quite match. The color is achieved through a specialized anodization process that gives the aluminum a depth and warmth absent from the standard silver. In bright airport lighting, it glows with a bronzed undertone; in dimmer environments, it settles into a cool gunmetal grey. It's a chameleon finish that always looks intentional.

At 57 x 44 x 25.5 cm, the Cabin Plus is marginally larger than the standard Cabin in every dimension — just 2 cm taller, 4 cm wider, and 2.5 cm deeper. These small increments add up to a meaningful capacity increase, but they also push the envelope on carry-on compliance. Most airlines still accept it, but budget carriers with stricter size limits (particularly in Europe and Asia) may force gate-checking. The grooves, rivets, and leather handles are all standard Original fare, but the Titanium color transforms the familiar silhouette into something that feels genuinely special. Even seasoned RIMOWA owners will do a double-take.

Build Quality & Materials

The Cabin Plus shares the same aluminum-magnesium alloy and hand-riveted construction as every Original model. At 4.6 kg empty, it's 400 grams heavier than the standard Cabin — the price you pay for the larger body and frame. The additional surface area means slightly more flex in the flat panels, but the groove design handles this gracefully, and the frame maintains rock-solid rigidity. The Titanium anodization appears to have the same scratch resistance as the silver finish, though the warm undertones mean that surface wear blends in more harmoniously than on the stark silver.

The leather handles, corner protectors, and wheel housings are color-matched to the Titanium finish, creating a fully cohesive look. The luggage tag holder and lock bezels share the same warm grey tone. The telescopic handle extends with the same precision we've come to expect, locking at three heights with zero play. The overall build feels identical to the standard Cabin but scaled up with the same attention to detail.

Features & Functionality

Feature-wise, the Cabin Plus mirrors the standard Cabin exactly — dual TSA combination locks, Multiwheel system with four double-casters, flex-divider interior with compression panel and zip pockets. The 45-liter capacity is the real upgrade, representing a nearly 30% increase over the standard Cabin's 35 liters. That's the difference between packing for a 3-day trip and comfortably covering 5-6 days without laundry. The clamshell opening and dual-compartment design make organization straightforward, and the compression panel does an excellent job of securing contents even when the case isn't fully packed.

The wheels are the same size as the standard Cabin's, which means they're working slightly harder with the larger case — something to keep in mind if you frequently pack to maximum weight. In practice, they handled the load without complaint during our testing.

Size, Weight & Capacity

The 57 x 44 x 25.5 cm dimensions produce 45 liters of volume, making the Cabin Plus suitable for trips of 5-7 days. A typical packing load fits 8-10 shirts, 3 pairs of trousers, two pairs of shoes, a Dopp kit, and a light jacket with room for souvenirs. At 4.6 kg empty, it's heavy for a carry-on, so travelers on airlines with 7 kg carry-on limits will struggle. On airlines with more generous 10-12 kg limits, the weight is manageable. The size fits most international overhead bins, but check your specific airline's dimensions — budget carriers are the main risk.

Performance in Real-World Use

We tested the Cabin Plus on a 10-day trip across four flights with three different airlines. It fit comfortably in overhead bins on wide-body and narrow-body aircraft alike, though on smaller regional jets the extra depth meant a slightly tighter squeeze. The Titanium finish drew consistent compliments — multiple fellow travelers and even an airline lounge attendant asked about it. The Multiwheels rolled flawlessly across all surfaces, and the telescopic handle provided the usual excellent control.

The extra capacity proved transformative. Items that would have required compression or creative tetris in the standard Cabin simply dropped in with room to spare. Coming home with souvenirs didn't force any difficult decisions. After the trip, the case showed only minor wear on the corner protectors, with the Titanium finish masking light scuffs exceptionally well.

Who Is This For?

The Cabin Plus in Titanium is perfect for the frequent flyer who wants maximum carry-on capacity without stepping up to checked luggage. It's ideal for business travelers on week-long trips, weekenders who pack generously, and anyone who finds the standard Cabin just slightly too restrictive. The Titanium color will appeal to those who want RIMOWA's quality in a finish that stands out from the sea of silver and black at baggage claim — without being ostentatious about it.