Behind the Atlas: Designing Termini's Flagship Carry-On

The Atlas Carry-On is Termini's statement about what we value in travel gear: resilience, purposeful simplicity, and honest materials. This behind-the-scenes look walks through the design process from initial sketches to the final production model, explaining why certain choices were made and where compromises landed.

Design Intention

From day one the brief was clear: design a carry-on that performs reliably across contexts and years. That meant focusing on components that typically fail — handles, wheels, zippers — and ensuring they could be replaced. We also wanted an interior that organizes without overcomplicating packing.

Material Choices

We considered multiple shells: polycarbonate, polypropylene blends, and a composite formulation that offered a middle ground: improved scratch resistance with less brittleness. Liners were chosen for low weight and easy cleaning, and hardware was evaluated for corrosion resistance. Every material went through abrasion, compression, and weather exposure testing.

Prototyping and Iteration

Prototyping involved iterative rounds of geometry tweaks. Early prototypes revealed subtle balance issues when packed asymmetrically, so we adjusted interior compartment placement and wheel positioning. A series of user tests across different traveler profiles uncovered the need for an easily accessible document pocket and a modular bay for power modules.

Wheels and Handle Design

Wheel design focused on surface adaptability. A layered polyurethane wheel with a resilient core hit the right balance between shock absorption and long-term wear. For the handle, a double-lock telescoping system improved stability over single-click variants and allowed for a reassuring tactile feel when changing heights.

Repairability Considerations

One key choice was to design common failure parts as removable modules. Wheels, zipper sliders, handles, and the optional electronics bay can be swapped with a simple tool kit. We publish repair guides and sell parts directly to customers, a decision aligned with our sustainability pledge.

‘Designing for repair changed many of our earlier aesthetic choices; it made the product quieter over its lifetime,’ — Termini Engineering Lead.

Balancing Weight and Strength

To keep weight down without sacrificing strength we optimized wall thickness in load-bearing areas and used reinforcing ribs where needed. This selective reinforcement helped the Atlas maintain a comfortable lifting weight while ensuring critical stress points had margin.

Final Aesthetics and Finishing

Aesthetics were minimalist by design. Matte finishes hide scratches better, and neutral colorways integrate into many travel wardrobes. Branding is subtle — a small, metal Termini badge — because we prefer our gear to be recognized by function rather than logos.

Testing and Validation

Before production release the Atlas completed a battery of validation tests: repeated handle cycles, wheel abrasion, hinge stress, and zipper endurance tests. Real-world testing included field deployments with frequent travelers who logged wear patterns that informed final assembly changes.

Where We Compromised

No design is without trade-offs. Early ultra-lightweight concepts compromised impact resistance and were shelved. We chose a slightly heavier but sturdier shell to ensure long-term protection. Similarly, we prioritized modularity which added marginal complexity to assembly but paid off in serviceability.

Looking Ahead

The Atlas will continue to evolve. Future iterations may include more recycled content and refined modularity informed by repair data and customer feedback. We remain committed to designing products that last and can be loved for years rather than replaced every season.

Closing Thoughts

Designing the Atlas was an exercise in balancing ideals with practical constraints. We aimed to create an object that performs reliably and feels inviting to use. For us, a successful product is one that travelers forget about while traveling — it simply supports the journey. The Atlas is our attempt at that quiet reliability.