It’s no secret that travelers increasingly want luggage that’s both durable and convenient. Yet, in a crowded luggage market, innovators like Briggs & Riley set the expectations high for with new designs that bend the elements of hardside and softside design (who said you have to choose just one?)
The recently-released Briggs & Riley Sympatico suitcase creates a “future-proof” luggage piece that anticipates what modern travelers will demand in the years ahead. To learn what sets this travel innovation apart from the endless options on the market, we spoke with Daehwan Kim, Briggs & Riley Senior Product Designer. Kim played a heavy role in the design process for the Sympatico Front Pocket. Here’s what he shared.
Product innovation & vision
First launched in October, the Sympatico Front Pocket is a hard-sided bag that features a soft front pocket. This innovative design marks a first for the brand and largely for the industry, per Kim. “Other brands offer front pockets on their hard side luggage, but most are still hard plastic which limits the amount that can be packed within. The Sympatico Front Pocket offers a true soft pocket that combines the aesthetic of a hard side bag with the convenience of a soft side,” he shares.
“The Sympatico Front Pocket redefines modern luggage by combining easy-access organization associated with softside luggage with the durability of hardside luggage. This luggage is especially unique as it also features B&R’s top innovations including the patented CX™ Smart Packing technology for more packing room that doesn’t sacrifice the carry-on size,” says Kim. Ultimately, this creates a “future-proof” luggage design that stays practical, durable, and relevant even as travel evolves, rather than becoming quickly outdated.
So far, early feedback since the launch in October has been very positive. Kim shares that the Black color of the Sympatico Front Pocket has already sold out online! So far, both customers and the Briggs & Riley team alike have been especially excited about the collection’s ability to enhance the everyday experience. The practical, well-designed features are ones travelers actually use. “While it may not reinvent the category, it strengthens our ethos by offering smarter, more reliable luggage that meets real-world needs,” says Kim.
Design & engineering
In designing the Sympatico Front Pocket, Kim found the biggest challenge was adding a soft pocket to a hard-sided case. “The front pocket is different in function because of its soft and flexible construction. Rigid, hard-plastic pockets on other bags won’t be able to fit as many items, and they risk damaging delicate items when forced closed,” he shares. The product’s front pocket design is constructed from recycled polyester and nylon, allowing it to increase its stretch capacity.
The design is intended to address key pain points for travelers. “The Sympatico Front Pocket addresses a key accessibility issue for hardside luggage users while traveling. As many travelers are choosing to only use carry-ons, we wanted to solve a pain point of having to open the interior shell of your hardside luggage in the crowded airport to access frequently used items. The front pocket enables quick and easy storage for those who prefer hardside luggage, without sacrificing durability and innovation,” Kim shares.
Any type of traveler can enjoy the unique innovation of the Briggs & Riley Sympatico Front Pocket bag, however, it is especially designed with business travelers in mind. “The front pocket is enables easy laptop storage and other essentials for working on the go. This transitions perfectly for leisure travel where users can store frequently accessed items like wallets, books, passports, and more,” says Kim.
A changing industry
The luggage industry has lots of competition, though many brands have been slow to merge softside functionality with hardside aesthetics. The sleek, neutral design of this bag works for any type of traveler with any style. As a leisure traveler (and chronic overpacker), I’ve found the CX expansion-compression system of this carry-on to be especially helpful when trying to travel with only a carry-on bag.
“Most of our customers are creatures of habit, and they either prefer softside luggage or hardside luggage. Hardside users tend to have different packing habits and might not look for features that are typically exclusive to softside luggage functionality; however, accessibility has increasingly become a priority for our customers in recent years,” Kim says. In the future, he shares that Briggs & Riley plans to expand this hybrid design to other luggage models.
While this product is still new to the market, the “Launch of the Sympatico Front Pocket demonstrates Briggs & Riley’s long-term approach to innovation by taking key patented features—like the CX™ Smart Packing Technology—and applying them in new, functional designs. It shows a consistent focus on solving real travel problems through durable, sustainable, and user-driven features rather than short-term trends. A soft, zippered front pocket means no more digging for travel essentials.”
