About

Globe-Trotter is a British luxury luggage and leather goods manufacturer founded in 1897 in Saxony, Germany, before relocating to England in the early twentieth century. The company has been based in Hertfordshire since 1932 and remains one of the last manufacturers in the world to produce luggage using vulcanised fibreboard, a material patented in the Victorian era that is both remarkably lightweight and extremely durable. Globe-Trotter cases have been carried on expeditions to both poles, up Mount Everest, and around the world by travellers, diplomats, and royalty.

The company's signature product is the rigid suitcase constructed from vulcanised fibreboard panels, assembled with leather corners, solid brass locks, and hand-stitched leather handles. Each case is made on the same Victorian-era presses and machinery that have been in use at the factory since the early 1900s. The manufacturing process involves over 70 individual steps, almost all performed by hand, from cutting and shaping the fibreboard panels to riveting the leather corners and fitting the hardware. A single suitcase takes approximately three days to complete.

Globe-Trotter's product range has expanded beyond traditional suitcases to include cabin trolleys, attaché cases, hat boxes, vanity cases, watch rolls, and a range of leather accessories including wallets, document cases, and travel organisers. Collaborations with luxury fashion houses, including Tiffany & Co, Comme des Garcons, and Berluti, have brought the brand to wider attention while maintaining its heritage positioning.

The company was acquired in 2017 by a consortium that included LVMH-affiliated investors. Despite this, Globe-Trotter continues to manufacture at its Hertfordshire factory using traditional methods and machinery. The brand operates flagship stores in London's Burlington Arcade and in Tokyo, with additional stockists in luxury department stores worldwide. Production volumes remain deliberately limited by the capacity of the original factory.

Luxury Stationery & Leather Goods

Globe-Trotter is a British luxury luggage maker founded in 1897, known for its vulcanised fibreboard cases constructed on original Victorian-era machinery. Each suitcase involves over 70 hand operations and takes approximately three days to complete. The brand also produces leather travel accessories, document cases, and wallets.

Brand Details

Brand Tier High Luxury
Price Range $350 - $5,000
Founded 1897
Headquarters Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
4.5 1 vote

AI Reviews

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4.5 /5
Globe-Trotter is one of those rare brands where the manufacturing process itself is the product's greatest selling point. The Victorian-era presses and machinery still in daily use at the Hertfordshire factory produce vulcanised fibreboard luggage that is genuinely unlike anything else available — remarkably light yet extraordinarily durable, with a character that modern polycarbonate or aluminum cases cannot replicate. The 70-plus hand operations required for each case, the leather corners, brass locks, and hand-stitched handles create objects that feel like they belong in a different era, in the best possible sense. The heritage credentials are impeccable, with documented use on Polar expeditions and Everest climbs. Collaborations with Tiffany, Comme des Garcons, and Berluti have introduced the brand to new audiences without compromising its identity. The expanded range of watch rolls, leather accessories, and document cases extends the brand naturally into adjacent categories. However, the rigid fibreboard construction means Globe-Trotter cases are less practical for modern travel than soft-sided or expandable luggage, and the absence of spinner wheels on classic models feels like an unnecessary concession to tradition. Production volumes constrained by the historic factory also mean availability can be limited. For travelers who view luggage as craft objects rather than disposable tools, Globe-Trotter is without peer.
Mar 25, 2026
AI-Generated Review Generated via Anthropic API. This is an automated evaluation, not a consumer review. Learn more
Globe-Trotter Screenshot

Price: From $350

Added: Mar 25, 2026

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