The Best TUMI Backpack

1. Ballistic Nylon

Who wouldn’t want a backpack made of “ballistic nylon” – even without knowing what it is!? The good news is it’s just as cool as it sounds.

Ballistic nylon is a superior fiber that was originally used in flak jackets worn by soldiers in World War II. What does this mean for Tumi backpacks? They’re highly durable.

Okay, it’s not quite kevlar but they still offer next-level toughness and strength that most other commercial backpacks struggle to compete with.

2. Tumi Tracer® Product Recovery Program

Tumi is a highly regarded brand. Indeed some would say it has a high snob factor.  The best Tumi backpacks offer that signature Tumi style. They’re timeless and stylish (just ask Helen Mirren).

If you have a Tumi backpack, the last thing you want to happen is to lose it.

To avoid this, Tumi places a plate made out of metal which contains a unique 20-digit registration number on all Tumi backpacks. Once you’ve registered your Tumi backpack with the company’s Tracer program, they can help you be reunited with your backpack.

3. 30 Tests to Guarantee Quality

If you love the Tumi style, you might want to expand your collection beyond your Tumi backpack. This brand is known for its full collection of luggage, backpacks, business bags and handbags.

But before you build a collection you might want some reassurance of quality. You don’t have to look far. Tumi bags are put through a whopping 30 tests before shipping. These tests include1

• Colorfastness to Water and UV Fading
• Finish Adhesion
• Abrasion Resistance
• Tensile Strength
• Tear Strength
• Seam Strength
• Drop Test
• Tumble Test
• Telescoping Handle Free Fall/Impact

Tumi was founded in 1975 by Charlie Clifford after he returned from a Peace Corps mission in Peru. The name Tumi after a Peruvian ceremonial knife. In 2016, Tumi was acquired by Samsonite luggage.

The Tumi company is based in New Jersey and the company is known for their black-on-black ballistic nylon. The brand is always improving its designs. In this Inc. article Clifford describes the process:

“When something is “design fixed,” it means that it’s ready for production. Our products were never completely design fixed. We’d constantly make changes and tweaks: better handles, more pockets, stronger screws to hold the piece together. We never copied other companies—but we were never afraid to borrow good concepts and then interpret them as our own.”

Whatever backpack you decide is the best Tumi backpack for you, you’ll be choosing a brand that epitomizes style and quality.

Our Top Pick is definitely the Tumi Alpha Bravo Tyndall Laptop Backpack, but really this is a brand you can be confident purchasing. Shop for what appeals to both your eyes and your practical needs. With Tumi, you won’t have to compromise.

The good news is that once you’ve landed the best Tumi backpack for your needs, you’ll be able to build a luggage collection to match. This is a brand that will serve you for a lifetime (and is priced to match). But you definitely get what you pay for.