An aluminium suitcase is chosen for what it does over years, not just on the first trip: a rigid shell that protects, a frame closure without zips, and a material that ages with character instead of wearing out. Aluminium cases are slightly heavier than plastic ones, but less than most people expect. Here is what makes the material worth considering, and where its limits are.
Strength: a shell that holds its shape
Aluminium is a stiff, strong metal that resists corrosion. As a suitcase shell, it keeps its form under pressure in a baggage hold and protects what you pack, from a pressed shirt to a camera. Plastic shells flex to absorb a blow, aluminium stands firm. The honest trade-off is that a hard knock can leave a dent. The case keeps working, and the dent becomes part of its story.
The Amice Original adds a frame closure with no zips on the shell and a TSA-approved combination lock that you set with your own code. Without a zip, there is no seam to force open and nothing to split when the case is full.
Longevity: buy once, travel for years
The strongest argument for aluminium is time. A well-made aluminium suitcase is built for many years of travel, and parts such as wheels can be serviced rather than replacing the whole case. That is why the Amice Original collection comes with a lifetime guarantee against material and manufacturing defects, including closures, locks and construction faults. Normal wear, scratches and dents are not covered, as they belong to the character of aluminium, and damage caused by an airline should be reported to the airline. The full terms are on our guarantee page.
Buying one suitcase that lasts, rather than replacing several over the years, is simply good sense. It is also the quiet idea behind everything Amice makes.
Are aluminium suitcases heavy?
This is the most common question, and the honest answer is: a little heavier than plastic, but not as heavy as their reputation. A metal shell weighs more than a moulded polycarbonate shell of the same size. The difference is real, but modest. These are the weights of the current Amice range:
- Original Carry-on: 53 × 39.5 × 22 cm, 38 L, 4.2 kg
- Original Carry-on Front Pocket: 53 × 39.5 × 23.5 cm, 40 L, 4.8 kg
- Original Check-in: 65 × 48 × 25 cm, 78 L, 5.5 kg
- Florence Carry-on: 53 × 34 × 20 cm, 38 L, 4.1 kg
Two things matter more than the number on the scale. First, the wheels: silent 360° spinner wheels and a multi-stage telescopic handle mean you push a full case through a terminal rather than carry it. Second, your airline's allowance. As of 2026, many European airlines allow around 10 to 12 kg for cabin luggage, so a carry-on of just over 4 kg still leaves room for what you pack. Always check the current limits with your airline before you fly.
The extra weight brings something in return: stability. A rigid shell stands upright, rolls straight and keeps its contents protected in the hold.
Versatility: from business trip to back roads
Aluminium is one of the few materials that looks equally at home at a client meeting and on a gravel road to a farmhouse. For business travel, the clean lines and frame closure keep documents and a laptop protected, and the Front Pocket version gives quick access to both at security. If you travel for work, our article on aluminium suitcases for business travel goes into more detail.
On longer or more adventurous trips, the same robustness matters in another way. A hard shell copes with rain, cobblestones, car boots and baggage belts, and a dent picked up along the way does not stop the case from doing its job. Inside, a fully lined interior with a strap on one side and a zipped divider on the other keeps a week of clothes as orderly as a weekend's.
Craft: how an aluminium suitcase is made
Aluminium has been associated with travel for a long time, from aircraft to the metal cases that have been familiar sights in airports for generations. Its appeal has always been the same: a metal that is light for its strength, with a surface that looks honest.
An Amice suitcase is designed in the Netherlands and hand-finished. The shell is 100% aluminium and the interior is fully lined. You can also have your initials added through the Amice atelier, which turns a suitcase into something that is unmistakably yours.
Silver: the most timeless colour
Aluminium is silver by nature. A silver aluminium suitcase shows the material as it is, with the same quiet appeal as a brushed steel watch or an aluminium laptop. Colours come and go, but silver looks as right in ten years as it does today. It is no surprise that the silver carry-on is consistently the most chosen piece in our collection.
Silver also ages best. Scratches and small dents settle into a patina that gives the case character, while black keeps marks less visible for those who prefer a darker, more discreet look. Both finishes are available in the Original collection. Browse the silver suitcases to see the finish up close.
Every dent tells the story of where you have been. That is the difference between a product that gets old and one that matures.
The honest trade-offs
Aluminium is not for everyone. It is heavier than plastic, it dents, and it comes at a fair price that reflects the material and the finishing work. If you want the lightest possible case or a surface that stays flawless, plastic or fabric may suit you better. Our comparison of aluminium, plastic and soft suitcases sets out the differences side by side.
If aluminium fits the way you travel, the Amice Original is a good place to begin, in Silver or Black and in three sizes.
FAQ
Are aluminium suitcases heavy?
They are slightly heavier than plastic suitcases, but less than many people expect. Amice carry-ons weigh 4.1 to 4.8 kg and the Original Check-in weighs 5.5 kg. With 360° spinner wheels, you push the weight rather than carry it.
Do aluminium suitcases dent?
Yes. Aluminium is rigid, so a hard knock can leave a dent or scratch. This is cosmetic and part of the patina that makes every case unique. Dents and scratches are not covered by the guarantee, as they belong to the material.
Can I take an aluminium suitcase on a plane?
Yes. The material makes no difference to airlines, only size and weight do. According to the Amice size guide, the Original Carry-on fits limits such as 55 × 40 × 25 cm. For stricter limits, such as those of KLM and TUI fly as of 2026, the Florence Carry-on is the safer choice. Always check with your airline before you fly.
Should I choose silver or black?
Silver shows the aluminium as it is and develops a visible patina over time. Black is more discreet and keeps marks less visible. Both are timeless, so choose the one that suits your style.
What does the lifetime guarantee cover?
On the Original collection it covers material and manufacturing defects, such as closures, locks and construction faults. Normal wear, scratches, dents, misuse and damage caused by airlines or third parties are not covered.
