TUMI 19 Degree Lite: The Sky's the Limit

TUMI’s iconic 19 Degree collection levels up with its lightest iteration yet: the 19 Degree Lite

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Published: 3 April 2025

The undulating curves that decorate every façade of a TUMI 19 Degree piece undoubtedly make the collection one of the brand’s signature icons. The design is distinct, easily distinguishable on the baggage belt and elevates what would typically be a utilitarian piece into an accessory. But looks aside, the 19 Degree is also known for its sturdy hardside make, protecting securely while maintaining its form and structure.

It’s not unfounded to think that with such a hardy construction, a 19 Degree piece would be quite hefty. Yet, TUMI aims to challenge the perception that a hardside luggage is anything but lightweight and sturdy. The brand has exactly 50 years of design innovation in the travel and lifestyle space, and pursuing such endeavours has become second nature.

19 Degree Lite Short Trip Packing Case in Titanium Grey, TUMI

Its latest addition to the collection, the 19 Degree Lite, does just that. “Lite” here refers to how it’s the most lightweight iteration of the 19 Degree yet, and not that the brand is skimping out on what makes the collection great.

TUMI’s favoured Tegris® material—a polypropylene thermoplastic composite it has used heavily in the Tegra-Lite collection—is the main hero for the 19 Degree Lite. Tegris® provides the strength and impact performance needed and expected of a hardside luggage while minimising its foundational weight. But to make sure that the 19 Degree Lite is as lightweight as it could possibly be, TUMI made just about every consideration possible.

19 Degree Lite International Carry-On in Black/Graphite, TUMI

The attention to detail extends to every functional aspect of the 19 Degree Lite. For starters, unique to the 19 Degree Lite is the use of magnesium to craft the telescoping handles. The metal is known to be low-density with a comparatively strong and lightweight nature when set against the usual aluminium telescoping handles of the rest of the 19 Degree collection. The wheels too have been adapted to minimise weight without reducing quality by splitting the luggage’s weight distribution across a slimmer dual-wheeled design on each corner. And lastly, featherweight zippers are chosen for their strength-to-weight ratio, because every element counts to result in the lightest 19 Degree iteration thus far.

We’re not saying that TUMI’s flying high with the 19 Degree Lite, but at the very least, there’s seemingly no limit to how high and far it’ll go to ensure that the form, function and stellar capability are maximised for every journey, sky high or otherwise.