THINKING about investing in a quality suitcase? Read on for my Briggs and Riley suitcase review, where I put the luxury luggage to the test.
If you travel often, then spending a bit more on a suitcase can pay off: not only will it stand the test of time, but pricier brands often offer guarantees to ensure that you're covered for long-term use.
Briggs & Riley does just that, promising a "simple as that" lifetime guarantee that even protects you from damage caused by an airline, so it's already off to a good start.
From its expandable design to spinner wheels, the ZDX model is packed with design features – and looks the part too, coming in a choice of three classic shades.
But is it the ultimate travel companion? Find out, as I put it to the test.
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Briggs & Riley ZDX expandable suitcase, £589
Pros
- No quibbles lifetime guarantee
- Easy access pockets
- Elastic straps help compress items
- Expandable design is very versatile
Cons
- Hefty price tag
- No integrated lock
Rating: 4/5
Briggs & Riley ZDX expandable suitcase review: overview
ZDX is part of Briggs and Riley’s business leisure range, meaning it’s smart enough to take on business trips but also roomy and durable enough for holidays.
The expandable spinner features a soft-sided ballistic nylon exterior, a large gusseted external pocket with a smaller RFID-protected pocket just above it, and a generous interior that can be expanded to give extra room.
I tested the medium spinner, which measures 62.2 x 45.7 x 29cm (24.5 x 18 x 11.4in) and gives you a storage capacity of 83.8 litres or 97.8 litres when expanded.
It comes in three colours - Black, Ocean or Hunter - and you can also get the same design in large and international carry-on sizes.
Briggs & Riley ZDX expandable suitcase review: design
The Briggs and Riley ZDX expandable suitcase has just one main compartment and it feels extra spacious because of its patented Outsider handle – it sits on the exterior of the luggage rather than inside, like most other suitcases.
Because of the big, open space, it can feel a bit daunting to pack if you don’t have a checklist of items to put in.
Fortunately, if you go overboard a bit, the suitcase has been fitted with a garment panel with elasticated straps that can help compress the contents in your bag.
And of course, this model has the benefit of being expandable: just unzip to expand and it should give you a bit more room for souvenirs on the way back from your trip.
Briggs & Riley ZDX expandable suitcase, £589
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Another issue with single-compartment suitcases is that they can be a bit of a pain if you need to fish out something tucked at the bottom of your luggage in a hurry.
To help solve this problem, Briggs and Riley have installed plenty of interior pockets, which will come in handy as long as you remember to use them.
For example, there’s a nifty mesh pocket on the front of the garment panel which is ideal for stashing smaller items like chargers.
There are also two pockets on the interior side of the opening flap, which are ideal for storing anything you don’t want to get wrinkled. These have enough depth for packing your underwear or a pair of flip-flops as well.
On the outside of that same opening flap, you have two more pockets.
One is a large, gusseted pocket that’s spacious enough for a jumper or laptop, and the other is an RFID-protected pocket that’s ideal for easy access to your phone or important documents.
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Briggs & Riley suitcase review: quick summary
Thanks to the four-wheel set-up, my luggage was easy to move around and the pulling handle looked and felt strong enough to take some bumps and grazes.
I loved that as well as the carry handles on the top and side of the case, you also get a handle on the bottom so you can easily lift it and put it on the luggage belt at the airport.
There’s also a partially hidden luggage tag where you can write your details in case it gets lost.
The single-compartment set-up took some getting used to though: I’m used to working with double compartments, but luckily it didn’t distract from its use.
Compared to medium-sized luggage from other brands, this one looks and feels smaller, but it has a pretty generous capacity, mainly because the pulling handles are on the outside of the case.
I would recommend having some packing cubes ready so it’s easier to separate different types of items – plus if you’re taking shoes, it will keep everything clean.
The one flaw I’ve spotted is that it doesn’t come with any integrated locks. This means you’ll have to buy separate TSA-approved locks if you’re worried about keeping your belongings secure while in transit.
Briggs & Riley ZDX expandable suitcase, £589
Briggs & Riley suitcase review: final verdict
I think the Briggs and Riley ZDX expandable suitcase is great for regular travellers who are pretty organised about their packing, but it obviously comes with a pretty hefty price tag and you’ll need deep pockets to buy it.
What will win fans over, however, is the very comprehensive lifetime guarantee.
The brand promises: “Our simple guarantee means if your bag is ever broken or damaged, we will repair it free of charge, no proof of purchase needed, no questions asked.”
This doesn’t include wear and tear but it does include all the functional aspects of your bag, like the wheels or the zips – you just have to take it to an authorised repair centre.
Compared to similar brands at the same price point, this can mean much better value for money in the long run.
Where can I buy Briggs & Riley suitcases in the UK?
Briggs & Riley is based in New York but don't worry: its luxury products are available to buy in the UK from many retailers as well as from the Briggs & Riley website itself.
The Briggs & Riley website is undoubtedly where you'll find the largest selection of its suitcases including carry-on luggage, checked luggage, rolling duffle bags, hardshell luggage, softshell luggage, trunks and more.
You'll also find accessories like toiletry bags and packing – plus there's also a sale page that's worth checking out.
We've listed some other places you can shop for Briggs & Riley suitcases and other items below:
- John Lewis
- Selfridges
- Case Luggage
- Amazon
How to clean Briggs & Riley luggage
The process for cleaning your Briggs and Riley luggage will depend on what it’s made from.
All of the brand’s hard-sided suitcases are made from polycarbonate, which means a simple wipe down with mild soap and water followed by a second wipe down with a soap-free cloth to remove any residue, would be enough.
If there are any scuff marks, you can use a mildly abrasive sponge – just do a spot test first.
Its soft-sided suitcases, like the ZDX I tested, are made from nylon and ballistic nylon.
The dark colours on the one I tested mean most scuffs will just blend in, which is lucky as soft-sided cases are a bit more time-consuming to clean.
To clean these, you need a brush with soft bristles and some mild soap and water. Simply dampen your brush with the soap and water mixture and scrub out any dirt or stains from the fabric.
Make sure you don’t apply too much soap or it will be difficult to remove it from the fabric.
Follow this process by wiping down using a soap-free cloth and allowing it to dry.
If any stains aren’t coming out, apply a small amount of stain remover with a sponge. Just make sure you do a spot test first to check it won’t discolour the fabric.
You can also try a combination of laundry pretreatment products, washing-up liquid and water.
Finally, once the bag is dry, Briggs & Riley recommends spraying the exterior with a couple of coats of Scotchguard.
For the interior, you just need to vacuum up any debris and apply a mild soap and water solution or stain remover to any stains.
Is there an alternative to the Briggs & Riley ZDX expandable suitcase?
If you're looking for an alternative to the Briggs & Riley ZDX expandable suitcase, there are lots of suitable options out there.
The Samsonite S'Cure DLX Spinner offers a roomier capacity with 102 litres of storage space and is expandable like the ZDX. One shopper raves that it's 'light but very robust and manoeuvrable.'
Elsewhere, the American Tourister Pulsonic 4-Wheel 68cm Expandable Medium Suitcase is soft-sided like the ZDX and has a capacity of 74L. 'Very pleased with this suitcase, light and easy to manoeuvre loads of room for everything and expands if needed,' writes one reviewer.
If you're looking for a lightweight case specifically, our roundup of the best lightweight suitcases includes tried and tested luggage from brands including Antler, Rocklite and Craghoppers.
In our Tripp suitcase review, our reviewer was impressed by the lightweight design, integrated lock and the fact that it's budget-friendly.
And speaking of budget, we put 7 cheap suitcases to the test in our best cheap suitcases review, crowning the It Luggage Attuned as our overall favourite.
