You don’t always need to spend oodles of cash in order to get something that is chock full of quality. Also, the old adage, “you get what you pay for” isn’t always completely true. Sometimes you can get an item that’s made well, made from great materials, backed with a great warranty, and comes from a reputable company at a great price.
The Floto Imports Roma Duffle is one of those items I’m referring to with the above statement.
About Floto Imports
Floto Imports was established in 2003 and is based in Brooklyn, NY. All of their products are manufactured in Italy with the philosophy, “older is better”. According to the Floto website, “Our mission is to refine old world craft methods to produce pieces that are superior to mass-produced luggage. Top grade Italian calfskins and natural, vibrant fabrics come together to create timeless and iconic styles.”
The Roma Duffle is the second duffle we’ve reviewed for Floto Imports. You can read about the Parma Edition Duffle here.
Construction
The Floto Imports Roma Duffle features Roma leather. Roma hides are purchased from a well-known tannery in Tuscany. After the hides are dried workers use sponges to stain them with darker dyes. They also spray the hides after the darker dyes are dried with a light clear coat that stops color transfer and provides some stain protection. The double stitched seams are attractive and even while the golden tan color nicely contrasts and compliments the darker color of the leather.
The hardware used on this bag all features an antique brass finish. Joe noted that new versions of the Roma Duffle will be sporting a YKK zipper with the same finish in lieu of the current coil zipper on this particular duffle. The strap clasps, rivets, feet, and handle components all seem sturdy and well constructed. While this is certainly a more budget-minded duffle, quality is definitely not compromised.
Function
The Roma Duffle has a slightly different profile than its sibling, the Parma Edition Duffle. The Roma Duffle is 13” high x 10” wide x 20” long. These dimensions still keep it well within standard carry-on luggage rules for most airlines. It weighs slightly less, at 4.2 pounds.
This duffle is roomy and you should not have any difficulty packing it with a reasonable amount of clothing or gear. Again, as with the Parma Edition Duffle, it features gussets on each side and a full floor-to-floor zipper, creating a wide opening allowing you to load and unload it with ease.
You’ll also notice the same eye-pleasing interior cloth and a nice, secure, well-sized zipper pocket on the inside wall of the bag.
Aesthetic
The saddle brown color of the Roma Duffle is very eye catching. It’s definitely darker than the Parma, but it too should age and patina well. It features the same type of strap as the Parma Duffle. And, it should be mentioned that you can easily upgrade to the thicker, heavier, and more adjustable Grande Strap in a matching color by ordering directly from Floto Imports’ website. The Roma Duffle carries well, packs well, and I look forward to using it for many adventures and travels with my wife.
Conclusion
The Floto Imports Roma Duffle is a solid travel companion. It looks good, it’s well constructed, and it’s not going to kill your budget when you pull the trigger to purchase it. In fact, I believe the Roma Duffle is a great way to get started on the journey of purchasing quality leather products. At $229, the Roma Duffle is what I’d consider a “best buy” based on the quality of construction and Floto’s lifetime guarantee.
