away travel mini case review

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The Best Away Luggage of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Away is one of the best brands in the business, so we tried more than 20 pieces to see why.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

Other Away Luggage We Liked

Our testing process.

• Tips For Buying
• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

If you look around any airport, you'll likely see at least one Away suitcase in the crowd of travelers hustling to catch their flight. Our team of travel editors is often asked if Away luggage is worth it, so we tested various pieces of Away luggage in our Travel + Leisure lab and on our travels to find out if it's worth the hype.

We packed each suitcase and bag, wheeled them through obstacle courses, threw them off of tabletops, and hit each bag with a baseball bat. We also recreated an airplane in our lab to lift carry-ons into overhead bins and place personal items underneath seats. After we completed our rigorous testing, it was clear which bags stood out and which fell flat, and we will continue testing each bag for a period of six months to make sure our favorites hold up. From carry-ons and checked bags to duffels and backpacks, here is the best Away luggage, according to testing.

Best Carry-on

Away the carry-on.

The bag is compact, but it can fit a surprising number of items.

It's not expandable, so you have to be intentional about what you pack.

Away has several different carry-on options, but nothing is as good as the original. The brand's iconic carry-on bag blew us away in testing due to its inconspicuously large interior that fit everything on our packing list with room to spare. We were able to neatly organize and pack enough clothing, shoes, and accessories for a week-long trip. The clamshell-style suitcase has two spacious compartments with a compression flap on one side and a large mesh pocket on the other flap. Measuring 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches, this carry-on is more compact than others on the market, but the tough polycarbonate exterior has plenty of give to pack it full, despite not having expandable zippers. The lightweight suitcase rolls like a dream with 360-degree spinning wheels, and the handles on the top, side, and bottom make it a breeze the lift the bag in the most convenient way. If you're in search of a carry-on, this champion bag is worth every penny in our opinion.

The Details: 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches | 7.5 pounds | 39.8-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | Not expandable

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Best Checked Bag

Away the medium flex.

• Organization 5 /5
• Maneuverability 5 /5
• Durability 5 /5

The expandable zipper adds extra space when needed.

It scuffed a bit during testing.

While Away has several sizes for checked bags, we are obsessed with the Medium Flex after it proved to have superior versatility compared to other sizes. It's small enough to not feel cumbersome to roll or lift, but the expandable zipper adds tons of space if needed for a longer trip. We had no issues packing the bag with enough clothing for up to two weeks of traveling with the help of the expanding zipper and compression flap on one side of the clamshell suitcase. When the bag was packed full, the 360-degree spinner wheels rolled effortlessly across smooth and rough surfaces, and the adjustable handle was sturdy enough to push and pull the packed bag with ease. The polycarbonate exterior sustained a few minor scuffs in testing, but luckily, the suitcase comes with a sponge to buff out scuffs, so we still applauded the durability of the bag. The bag is quite popular since its recent launch, so it's currently out of stock but will come back soon.

The Details: 26 x 18.5 x 11 inches | 10.8 pounds | 68.8-liter capacity; 75.7-liter capacity when expanded | Polycarbonate | Expandable

Away The Trunk

• Capacity 5 /5
• Design 5 /5

The unique 30/70 design makes it easy to pack bulky items in the deeper section of the bag.

With a 107-liter capacity, it's easy to overpack the bag with more than 50 pounds.

Don't let the unique shape of Away's trunk prevent you from giving it a try because once you start using it, you might not want to go back to a regular checked bag (trust us, we know from experience). The 30/70 split design means one side is much deeper, which is super helpful for packing bulky items like jeans, shoes, and jackets, or filling it with packing cubes . The tall, narrow shape makes the bag impressively easy to maneuver between obstacles, and it's much easier to store in a storage closet since it takes up less room. Best of all, it has a whopping 107-liter capacity for storing enough items for a two- to three-week-long trip. However, you'll want to keep an eye on the baggage weight as you pack since it can be easy to go over the 50-pound limit with the massive capacity.

The Details: 31.3 x 17 x 13.7 inches | 12.1 pounds | 107-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | Not expandable

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Travel + Leisure / Jessica Juliao

Best Aluminum

Away the bigger carry-on: aluminum edition.

Away Travel

• Organization 4.8 /5
• Maneuverability 4.8 /5
• Durability 4.5 /5

The aluminum material is protective and effortlessly stylish.

Aluminum is prone to denting and quite heavy.

If you're looking to travel in style, this stunning aluminum carry-on is the perfect balance of polished and protective. In testing, we found that the bag could fit everything in our packing list for a week's worth of traveling, and while it is spacious, you cannot overpack it because it has latches instead of zippers, so it doesn't have any expandability. This suitcase also has impressive features like a charging port (USB charger included) to charge your portable devices and slow-release handles. Despite the heavier weight of the aluminum bag, the spinner wheels handle the extra bulk with ease, and the suitcase rolls just as smoothly. When we hit the suitcase with a metal baseball bat to test durability, the shell dented fairly easily. However, since that is the nature of aluminum, we didn't shave off any points in that category because the material is also the most reliable and protective, so we deemed it a fair trade-off.

The Details: 22.7 x 14.5 x 9.6 inches | 11.2 pounds | 40.9-liter capacity | Aluminum | Not expandable

Best Weekender

Away the everywhere bag.

• Portability 3.5 /5

The bag is sleek, stylish, and lightweight enough to carry through a busy airport.

The 20-liter capacity might not be big enough for more than a weekend away, but it also comes in a larger size.

Whether used as a personal item or overnight bag, this duffel boasts the brand's minimalist and sleek aesthetic. Ideal for a night or two away from home, the 20-liter bag has a long zipper that extends down the sides, which makes it easy to see what you're placing inside the main compartment. The weekender has various pockets for staying organized, including a padded laptop pocket up to 15 inches wide, a key leash, and several slip pockets for earbuds or pens. Made with a lightweight but durable nylon material, this bag is extremely lightweight and comfortable to carry with the top tote handles or slung over the shoulder with the longer, removable strap. We included the 20-liter Everywhere Bag in this list, but it also comes in two larger sizes, so you can choose the size that is best for you.

The Details: 16.3 x 10.2 x 7.3 inches | 2.75 pounds | 20-liter capacity | Nylon, leather | 15-inch laptop pocket

• Travel + Leisure/Joy Kim

Best Duffel

Away f.a.r. duffle 70l.

• Organization 4 /5
• Design 4.5 /5

The recycled materials are designed to weather harsh conditions.

You may want to use packing cubes to organize items in the large duffel.

Away's F.A.R line — the acronym stands for "For All Routes" — offers excellent durability for use outside of leisurely traveling. Ideal for more rugged use like camping or safaris , the fully recycled polyester material boasts both water- and abrasion-resistant abilities to keep your belongings safe no matter what Mother Nature (or baggage handlers) throws your way. In the lab, we loved that the 70-liter bag could fit tons of clothing items for a lengthy trip, and the various pockets and internal compression straps helped pack items down. Due to the large size of the bag, we think using packing cubes would help travelers stay more organized. One of our favorite aspects of this duffel is that it's extremely lightweight — weighing just three pounds — but if it ever feels to heavy to carry with the tote straps, it comes with a trolley sleeve and removable backpack straps to effortlessly convert the duffel to a backpack as needed.

The Details: 5.7 x 27.5 x 11.8 inches | 3 pounds | 70-liter capacity | 100 percent recycled polyester

Best Backpack

Away the everywhere zip backpack.

The backpack has a wrap-around zipper to open it up clamshell-style.

It could have a bit more padding for comfort.

Simple, sleek, and functional, this backpack features nearly everything we look for in a high-quality backpack. In testing, we appreciated the various pockets on the interior for staying organized — a feature particularly helpful for commuting or air travel. The designated laptop pocket can store tablets up to 15 inches wide, and the interior boasts a water bottle-specific pocket and numerous other pockets for smaller items. The best part of this backpack is the wrap-around zipper to open up the bag like a clamshell suitcase for packing the main compartment with ease. During our durability tests, the water- and abrasion-resistant nylon showed zero signs of damage after we tossed it off a table several times. While the back panel and straps could use a bit more padding, the backpack was still comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

The Details: 12 x 5.9 x 17.7 inches | 2.45 pounds | 20-liter capacity | Nylon, leather | 15-inch laptop pocket

Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Best Convertible Bag

Away the outdoor convertible backpack 45l.

It's the perfect backpack for carrying your belongings with ease.

It felt a bit bulky to carry when packed full.

If your future travels include multiple legs or moving accommodations frequently, then this convertible bag should go in your cart ASAP. The 45-liter pack is basically a mini suitcase with superior portability since you can toss it on your back for hands-free travel thanks to the hidden backpack straps. In testing, we loved that the straps can easily be tucked away without hanging out so you can choose to carry it as a tote or duffel bag with a removable shoulder strap. We fit clothing, shoes, and accessories from a week-long packing list and there was even room left for a few extra items, so don't be fooled by the seemingly small look of the bag. Best of all, after we tossed the backpack on the ground many times, the laptop (dummy, of course) didn't get physically damaged, so the ample padding is helpful for both protection and comfort.

The Details: 21.7 x 13.6 x 9.5 inches | 3.32 pounds | 45-liter capacity | Recycled polyester | 15-inch laptop pocket

Away The Packable Carryall

The lightweight bag can pack down to a fraction of its original size.

The nylon material is thin, so the bag may look lumpy when full.

This packable tote from Away lives up to its name as the perfect "carry-all" bag to use while traveling. It folds up into a tiny pouch so you can toss it into your suitcase without worrying about it taking up space, only using it if necessary on your return journey. Or you can use it as a gym bag, a beach bag, or a shopping bag. Since the bag can be packed down so small, it doesn't offer much structure. We think it's worth it to be able to bring the tote along with you on all types of adventures. After testing the bag for several months, our favorite feature is the zipper top that ensures the packed items are safely tucked away whether around your shoulder or in an overhead bin.

The Details: 15 x 19.7 x 9 inches | 8 ounces | 43-liter capacity | Nylon | Not expandable

Best Pet Carrier

Away the pet carrier.

• Quality 5 /5
• Comfort 5 /5
• Portability 5 /5

The bag has both a trolley sleeve and car seat straps for any mode of transportation.

It's structured, so it takes up a decent amount of space to store it.

Traveling with pets isn't always easy (been there, done that), but Away's pet carrier makes the trip pass by much more smoothly for both pets and owners. It boasts both a trolley strap and car seat straps for locking in the carrier to a suitcase in the airport or into a car for road trips. The carrier is water-resistant to help with any accidents, and there is a removable, washable faux-shearling bedding inside for extra comfort. The nylon exterior is super durable and easy to clean after a long trip, and the tote straps and longer shoulder strap make it actually comfortable to schlep a pet through a crowded airport. One thing to note is that the carrier is structured, so it's a little difficult to store, but it does come with a handy dust bag to keep it in tip-top shape before the next trip.

The Details: 18.7 x 10.8 x 10.75 inches | 4.3 pounds | Nylon, leather

Travel + Leisure / Alessandra Amodio

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Best Packing Cubes

Away the insider packing cubes.

• Design 3 /5
• Quality 3 /5

The cubes are specifically designed to fit into Away suitcases.

They don't feature any compression abilities.

Away's packing cubes are specifically designed to fit inside the suitcases, which is a huge perk for staying organized while traveling. The set of four cubes comes in varying sizes so you can pack an array of clothing types in the cubes or you can pack by outfit to stay extra organized. Our favorite part of the cubes is that they are made with a lightweight and durable nylon material with mesh opening flaps so we could easily see what was packed in each cube. While they aren't compression packing cubes , they make it easy to save space and stay organized.

The Details: 10 x 4.1 x 4.3 inches (Small); 10 x 4.1 x 8.25 inches (Medium); 13 x 4.1 x 10 inches (XL); 13 x 4.1 x 6.9 inches (Large) | 8 ounces combined | Interior capacity varies | Nylon

Here are some other notable options from Away that we tested.

Away The Carry-on Flex : We love that this suitcase has expandable zippers to add extra space, but the wheels didn't roll as smoothly as other suitcases going over rough surfaces like carpet.

Away The Bigger Carry-On : This is a seriously spacious carry-on bag, so it's perfect for a longer vacation, but you'll want to check with airlines on carry-on restrictions since it could be too large.

Away The Large : This massive bag was surprisingly easy to maneuver through obstacles and over rough surfaces, but we thought the medium size was a little more manageable to stay under airline weight limits. One thing to note is that the glossy finish of this suitcase scuffed and scratched more easily during our tests when compared to the matte style, but it's available in both.

While we've tried plenty of Away luggage between dozens of tests for suitcases and travel accessories, we performed a test specifically for Away luggage in our New York City lab. After trying an additional 13 pieces of Away luggage, we were able to compare and contrast the older and newer luggage collections to update this article accordingly.

We packed each bag full of items from designated packing lists and wheeled the bags through various obstacle courses and over different floor textures to make sure the wheels and handles worked smoothly. We tossed the bags off of tabletops and hit each one with a baseball to check the durability.

We lifted carry-ons into overhead bins on our airplane set to get a feel for how heavy or light they felt and to try out special features like Away's underside grab handles. From carry-ons and checked bags to backpacks and duffels, the highest-scoring Away luggage earned spots in our list for the very best Away luggage to shop, according to our thorough testing.

Tips for Buying Away Luggage

Think about where you travel the most.

Picking the right size suitcase for your intended travels can be the most difficult part of luggage shopping. For those who fly airlines with relatively strict regulations, you may want to opt for the Carry-on, Convertible F.A.R Backpack, or the small Everywhere Bag since those are smaller pieces of luggage. For a bit more versatility, consider getting the Carry-on Flex or Medium Flex suitcases that boast expandable zippers for adding more space when needed. And of course, overpackers or those embarking on a longer trip should opt for the Medium, Large, or Trunk to get the most room in a suitcase.

Consider organizational features

Most of the Away suitcases have an extremely similar layout when it comes to organization. Only one side has a compression flap with a pocket or two and the other has a zipper closure with a pocket. The only exception to this is the aluminum collection that boasts a dual compression system. In general, the duffel bags have several pockets for storage, but you may want to get packing cubes to stay extra organized. We found that the weekender bags and backpacks offered excellent organization for commuting and traveling.

Classic versus Flex collections

Before buying an Away suitcase, be sure to browse the various collections the brand offers. The Classic collection includes Away's original suitcase designs with two sizes of carry-ons, a medium checked, a large checked, and the newly launched trunk. The Flex collection is most notable for featuring expandable zippers on every size of the Classic suitcases except the trunk. And of course, the stunning Aluminum collection features two sizes of carry-ons — a medium and a large — with latch closures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Away luggage is only sold by Away, either online or in one of its brick-and-mortar stores across the U.S. and in Toronto, Canada. You can find the list of in-person stores here .

Start by deciding between carry-on and checked bags — which are you more likely to use? Overall, we think it's a great idea to have one of each. (Plus, the carry-ons nest inside the checked bags, so you don't need to worry about finding extra storage space at home for a second bag.) Also, be sure to check your preferred airline's restrictions on sizes to get a better idea of which suitcase would be best if you're between the carry-on or checked bag sizes offered by Away.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is a commerce writer at T+L where she writes most of the team's tested content. She has tested dozens of suitcases and personally owns Away's The Trunk and the Pet Carrier. Anna spent the day in the lab testing Away luggage and combed through testing notes to compile this list of the very best Away luggage.

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Are Away Carry-Ons Worth the Hype?

By Kit Dillon

Kit Dillon is a writer focused on bags and travel gear. He has worked for Wirecutter for a decade and lost count of the number of bags he has tested.

In the past, we have not been fans of hard-sided luggage.

Hard-sided suitcases are not (despite what many may think) tougher than their soft-sided counterparts. But they do have attributes that some people may value over durability.

Hard-shell bags usually weigh less than fabric ones, and they come in far more colors, prints, and textures.

So if, for whatever reason, you prefer a hard-shell case, we recommend the  Away Carry-On after seven years of testing hard-sided suitcases.

Away The Carry-On

The best hard-sided carry-on suitcase.

This is a great-looking, resilient piece of hard-sided luggage, with top-of-the-line components—including sturdy zippers and the smoothest wheels we tested—at a decent price.

Buying Options

If you want the look and lighter weight of a hard-sided bag, the Away Carry-On is our choice. Weighing 7.6 pounds and able to hold nearly 40 liters, this bag stood out among competitors for its high-end components, such as sturdy zippers and the best-rolling wheels of any bag we tested. We liked the wide array of available colors and the strong yet flexible polycarbonate shell. Polycarbonate shells will always show more wear than soft-sided luggage. But after using multiple models over seven years, our testers found that the Away had endured most of the trials of traveling, with only a few scratches. Away bags are also backed by a lifetime limited warranty , which covers you for cracks in the shell and any broken hardware (wheels, handles, and zippers).

The research

Should you choose a hard-sided or soft-sided carry-on, is the away bag really the best hard-sided carry-on, our pick: away the carry-on, the competition.

I recommend soft-sided luggage for most people . This is a conclusion I’ve come to over nine years of testing bags, traveling with them, and interviewing travel experts, flight attendants, baggage handlers, and luggage designers. Soft-sided luggage picks up fewer scuffs and marks, and it generally provides multiple pockets and compartments, so it’s more adaptable to individual travel habits.

The ubiquitous clamshell design of a hard-sided case makes packing and unpacking clumsy. Split into two sections, the entire case splays out when you open it, which can be particularly awkward in confined spaces, such as small hotel rooms. It’s tricky to pack two shallow, equal-size compartments if you have large or bulky items. Counterintuitively, hard-sided luggage also lacks rigidity when it’s not fully packed, and most hard-sided designs lack external pockets.

So why would anybody still want a such a bag? Because hard-sided suitcases look great. They come in bold colors and patterns that soft-sided luggage is incapable of matching. The bags are sleek and minimal; they typically weigh less than fabric shells; and they’re as unencumbered by any pedestrian concerns over exterior pockets as the lithe influencer gliding through your Instagram feed is by traditional employment opportunities.

Okay, you want a hard-sided suitcase. Walk through any airport today and the Away’s popularity is self-evident. But Away is not the only brand out there creating a minimalist, hard-shelled piece of luggage. Which of these new pieces of luggage—deliriously engineered to make millennials pull out their wallets—are actually worth your money?

Bags like these have a few traits in common. They’re nearly always made of polycarbonate (that is, synthetic resin), although the less expensive models may use acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastics or blends of ABS plastic and polycarbonate to form their shells. (Polycarbonate is lighter and more flexible and has higher impact resistance than ABS.) These bags usually have a clamshell design—that is, they split down the middle and close with a zipper or locking hinge—and they normally come with four wheels, rather than two.

It’s difficult to know the strength of polycarbonate shells, and it’s difficult to test them. We can assess the flexibility, relative weight, and composition of the material, and take into account the brand’s reputation, but that’s only enough to give us a rough idea of the limits of these suitcases. Our primary goal here, however, wasn’t to find the strongest luggage. Instead, we wanted to figure out which bag was the best to pack and the best to travel with, and which was ultimately worth the price.

We chose seven models that we felt best represented this category of minimalist luggage: the Away Carry-On , the Muji Adjustable Handle Suitcase (since discontinued), Arlo Skye’s The Frame Carry-On , Lojel’s Cubo Medium , Herschel’s Trade Luggage Carry-On (since discontinued), Calpak’s Ambeur Carry-On , and the AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage - 24-Inch . We compared the bags’ layouts, the comfort of their handles, and their looks, and then narrowed down the list to our top four candidates. I’ve traveled intermittently with the Away since 2016. Over the years, we had additional testers travel with models of the Away, the Muji, the AmazonBasics, and the Arlo Skye.

I’ve tested the Away Carry-On for seven years now and have also lent the bag to several friends and frequent travelers to see how they would enjoy using it. The minimalism of the Away bag stands out among the other hard-sided suitcases we tested. There is (despite the impracticality) a peculiar comfort that comes from carrying a suitcase without external pockets. Everything you are traveling with is packed away in a single brick. The simplicity of the design, the matte texture of the plastic, the luxurious quality of the interior liner—all of it invites you to believe that there’s one less thing to worry about while you’re traveling.

The Away bag itself feels good in your hands, and its wheels are noticeably better than those of any other bag we tested, except for those on the Muji. Away formerly used YKK zippers, but as of 2023, the company is sourcing its zippers from a number of suppliers. We’ll keep an eye on how the zippers of newer Away bags perform. We also liked the compatible packing cubes sold by Away , which are shaped to fit perfectly into the bags’ beveled corners.

The Away’s polycarbonate feels similar to that used in more high-end suitcases, such as the Rimowa Cabin S, which is twice as expensive as the Away. The polycarbonate that Away uses is both strong and flexible. When we first started testing the Away, seven years ago, we found that flexibility to be a liability, especially on airport carpets—the Away tended to flex into itself and jam up its own wheels when we pushed it in front of us. But the company seems to have fixed that problem—I haven’t experienced it with any of the latest models of this suitcase.

Away makes a similar model of suitcase with an expandable zipper, The Carry-On Flex . For all intents and purposes, the Flex is the same overall bag as the standard Carry-On except for the expanding center zipper and the price (it’s $50 more; also, the Carry-On original does go on sale more frequently). Personally, I’m not a fan of expanding zippers on suitcases. It feels like potentially just one more thing to break. But some people may prefer having the extra flexibility.

The Away has the most pleasant online ordering experience. Pick your size, pick your color, and wait for your luggage to arrive at your door. If you want a set of luggage that nests within itself like a set of Russian dolls, Away’s regular Carry-On and The Medium  checked bag can both be stacked into  The Large  checked bag. If you need only a single carry-on but want a larger option, The Bigger Carry-On gives you 8 more liters of space than the Carry-On, which holds almost 40 liters.

Like many hard-sided cases we tested, the Away has an optional removable battery and external USB ports for charging. However, we still aren’t convinced that your luggage needs to have a battery inside. Portable batteries are cheap and come in a bunch of sizes , but they’re useful on a plane only when they’re close to you. The quick-release latch on the Away’s battery compartment made it the easiest to access the encased batteries that we tested. But it’s ultimately still just a fancy place to put a portable battery. (It’s also begging to be forgotten if your bag ends up getting gate-checked, which is unadvisable .) And without quick-charging USB-PD ports, the Away battery is also a step behind more-current models. In short, we think you’ll be happier buying a battery separately and keeping it in your pocket or your under-seat bag.

The Away is covered by a lifetime limited warranty that should cover you in the event of any large failure, such as the shell cracking or the zipper breaking. (Cosmetic damage isn’t included.)

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Our complaints about the Away mirror the complaints we’ve always had with hard-sided luggage, beyond any decreased durability. The clamshell design of all of these bags, which split down the middle and open into two parts, makes them frustrating to pack and unpack. Packing cubes help a bit, but after years of packing and unpacking soft-sided luggage with single lids, I definitely find a clamshell design to be more finicky. If you want or need a single compartment, you’ll prefer soft-sided luggage.

Ultimately, what I’ve found is that those who loved the bag went into testing it already wanting to love it. And those who disliked the bag resented it before they even held it. But if you’ve decided that the bag’s sleek aesthetic and simple, uncomplicated design will make you feel calmer while you travel, you probably won’t be disappointed.

Dimensions: 21.7 by 13.7 by 9 inches Weight: 7.6 pounds Capacity: 39.8 liters

We found it hard to square The Frame Carry-On , from Arlo Skye, with its price, which is $200 higher than the Away’s. It’s a decent piece of luggage, but at that price you could spend a bit more for one of our soft-sided luggage upgrade picks from Briggs & Riley , which would be a much better suitcase all around.

Although we liked the uncommon top-loading design of the Lojel Cubo Medium , the internal organization of the lid made packing it difficult. We also weren’t impressed by the Lojel’s zippered expansion system, which made the suitcase feel bulkier than our picks.

The Herschel Trade Luggage Carry-On is a little less expensive than the Away carry-on, but we preferred the Away’s more solid feel. If this bag were half the price, it would be a more competitive choice. (It’s now discontinued.)

The Calpak Ambeur Carry-on is fine but not great. We ultimately aren’t impressed with how the Calpak handled—it felt jittery on normal airport-floor surfaces.

The AmazonBasics Hardside Spinner Luggage - 24-Inch is a surprisingly good bag for just over $100. However, as with the Calpak bag, the weaker ABS plastic shell is just not as tough as a polycarbonate shell. We think it’s worth investing a little more in your luggage. Your suitcase will last longer and work better.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Meet your guide

Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. He has written for Popular Science, The Awl, and the New York Observer, among others. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich.

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Away Mini Suitcase Review 2024: Perfect companion.

Do you know? Away Travel Mini Suitcases Are Back! And, this is an away mini suitcase review. Ever since Away posted photos of this little mini suitcase on their Instagram account, I’ve wanted one. I even drove to their brick-and-mortar store on Melrose Ave. to see if I could score one. No such chance. They had me set my name on a waiting file, and I pretty much gave up after that. After one day, after scrolling through my Instagram feed, I saw that they were selling mini-cases! 

What is the mini away luggage?

Made with the same strong aluminum shell as our Aluminum Edition suitcases , this Mini is designed to stow your small tour essentials, toiletries, and whatever more you need on the road.

I was disappointed to notice they were out of the blush cases, so I decided on the sand color. I imagined it was neutral enough to go with my fashionable luggage. Still, I have 3 carry-ons right now and could not justify getting another. 

Away mini luggage review:

How big is the away mini?

Dimensions of all the Minis are 7 inches tall, 5 inches wide, and 3 inches deep. The regular colors have a zip-around closure with two zippers. The Aluminum Edition has a clasp snap closure. The Interior is the same in both, and it’s an open compartment with one mesh pocket.

Is the away mini suitcase worth it?

They’re both great for travel – it just depends on your packing method and preference. The advantage of the Away Mini suitcase is that it has a hard shell to preserve things better than a leather zip pouch. Though, the Truffle Jetset is a little bigger around and shorter in depth to fit longer things.

The Away Mini Travel Cases are back for a short time! I’ve been writing about these since 2022 and am completely obsessed. The minis are typically launched only when the holiday season and sell out very quickly.

Somehow, if you are not happy with the tiny luggage, we reviewed many different-sized luggage. Among them, Best 28 Inch Suitcase and Best 30 Inch Suitcases are highly recommended. Because, in the end, size does matter!

What is the best time of year to buy luggage?

The best time to buy luggage is in July and August. For the most part, summer travel is over by July and retailers take advantage of lower demand by offering big savings off individual pieces and sets of luggage.

These are complex zip cases with a mesh pouch in the inner and measure approximately 7″ x 5″ x 3″ – they’re ideal to store things you don’t want to get smashed when touring like small hair brushes, sunglasses, beauty essentials, etc. You can get them right now online at AwayTravel.com (under their Gifts and Extras section).

Are away mini suitcases worth it?

The Away bag itself feels great in your hands, and its Hinomoto wheels are noticeably more excellent than those of any other bag we examined, but for those on the Muji. The Away’s poly-carbonate feels related to that used in more high-end suitcases, like the Rimowa Cabin S, three times as expensive as the Away.

The suitcases are versatile for an extensive range of things. I don’t simply use these for travel. I use them for weekend day tours, going to the beach, etc. They’re friendly, tiny suitcases, compact and ideal for carrying in-flight essentials. If I’m traveling to be safe, I put all my liquids I’m taking on the plane into a quart-size zip lock back before putting them into the strong case to ensure it will be within the quart size limit. Pulling one image from the archives below:

I peeked at past tours when I took my Away mini with me—shown on a selfie and with other stuff for scale. They’re very sturdy and easy to clean on the outside – use a Magic Eraser and mild water, and it cleans up excellently!

Our Recommendation

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable with Double Spinner Wheels

• 21″ Spinner luggage

Away Mini (seasonal)

• hard exterior
• zip closure
• measures 7″ x 5″ x 3″
• has one mesh pocket

Truffle Clarity Jetset (permanent)

• leather exterior trim with clear top and base
• softer but still structured
• measures 7 1/2″ L X 5 1/4″ H X 2″ W
• one open compartment

If you are looking for Samsonite luggage, then Top 8 Best Samsonite luggage is for you!

Open so you can observe the insides:

A few of my favorite travel beauty picks:

I have traveled on countless occasions with two people. Everyone has the facility to fly or travel. I think Ao Mini is more budget-friendly, and they give adorable gifts. I bought one for many of my friends and family. I am so happy to hear and see how they even use them for everyday things. My brother keeps his daily necessities (like communication solutions, etc.) in the Ao case backpack. Some of you have told me that you keep the necessary travel documents such as passports or other documents inside for easy access while traveling.

They only returned stocks for a limited time. If you have it on your wish list, I suggest buying these soon! I ordered supply up a few more colors for the gift. For now, they are only available with the case. I hope they bring them back with the same set as in the past on holidays!

Before selling this tiny suitcase on the Away website, I got very little information about them. There were a few pictures outside the case, but inside was the whole mystery. I found a picture case online with a bit of opening, but it didn’t show what the layout looks like or what might fit inside. After shaking up their comments section on Instagram, I gathered that the Interior was lined with their signature. This fabric also kept their luggage.

So, here’s my short show and tell me about this away mini luggage case if you’re looking for more information on the inside, what fits inside, or maybe you’re looking for the perfect gift for the specific person in your life who enjoys traveling and organizing.

Do not skip their packaging. It landed in a great box at my doorstep, with some travel inspiration quotes inside.

The outside is created just like the luggage. It is a hard plastic shell that feels well-made and likes it could withstand being thrown around.

I always appreciate it when a handbag comes with an excellent dust cover. Away did not disappoint! Your mini luggage case comes with a bit of dust cover – such a gentle touch! This strengthens their tag line: “1st class luggage at a coach price.” 

By no means do I need to convey that I recommend for the mother to be inactive? For just 35 for mini luggage (you can buy gift sets for 45 45 to 95 95), I’ll put this size and content on the higher end when traveling. But, upon nearer inspection, you will see the artwork that you will see in their products. There were no stitches outside the place, and their branding was smooth and elegant.

Less and see – inside a distant mini suitcase! In addition to being lined with ao fabric, there are also small mesh pockets on one side.

I’ve put some of my travel items inside so you can feel what’s appropriate inside the case.

I put some of my travel things inside so that you could get a feel for what fits inside the case. With all these items inside, I could zip up the matter quickly and probably even do a few more things. I could see this case being proper as a make-up case, and toiletry catches all, or even a chance to hold your small electronic devices and cords/chargers.

Here is everything that fits inside. Everything without for the Tarte eyeshadow and blush compact is mini sizes of regular products. 

To give you a much idea of what else could go inside, I set my Instax SP-2 printer inside. There was lots of room left for two-three packs of Instax film and the charging cord. 

I’m happy with my purchase and think this would make an exceptional gift for the travel lover in your life. They come in various masculine and feminine colors and gift sets if you want your Christmas shopping to be made even easier!

After reading their website a little more, here are some other items on my wish list:

1) The away mini luggage case in blush pink

2) The carry-on suitcase in blush pink

3) The carry-on suitcase in coral (Limited Edition collaboration with Gray Malin)

Conclusion:

Unlike the last period Away published the minis, this time is for advantage. It’s not a defined edition, a special piece. The Away minis are here to visit, so go ahead and order one in every color. We’ve gone first and picked our ideal mini hues below, but there are a total of ten different colors from which to select. Whether you’re a black-on-black type of traveler or a queen of color, these Away mini suitcases are the perfect travel companion—even if it’s just a few miles.

Like these tiny suitcases, our teen and beautiful members can sneak a peek at our  Best Suitcases For Teen Girls . It will not disappoint you. have a glance.

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A full time traveller.I share my travel experiences and the problems associated with it. I am also a good listener who can listen to your traveling experience as well! Let's live life to its fullest and talk travel.

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The 7 Away Luggage Pieces We Recommend Most

By Rachel Chang

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

I distinctly remember the moment I first laid my eyes on an Away suitcase . One of my coworkers had been talking nonstop about her new carry-on, and before heading out of town one day, she rolled the hard-shell spinner into the office. Like a proud new homeowner, she took our team on a tour through its features, leaving me mesmerized by its built-in compression straps and portable battery pack, as well as its stylish and sturdy design.

Though awestruck, I didn't immediately purchase my own; I was never one to invest in baggage—and the introductory price—$225 when it first hit the market—was beyond what I thought luggage was worth at the time. Following an ill-fated journey to Australia , in which I found my checked bag split open on the baggage carousel, the zipper having burst after I overstuffed it, I knew it was time to upgrade.

My first Away bag was The Bigger Carry-On , and despite having previously thought of luggage as glorified boxes to transport my travel essentials, I was immediately obsessed. For an overpacker, I was surprised how much I could stuff into the suitcase. Constantly slipping in “just one more” thing in, the zipper always held tight and the shell showed no signs of bulging. While on the go, the light glide of the wheels could tackle any surface, even cobblestone streets. Plus, the sleek, minimalist design just jived with me.

Shown in green

Being the space hog I am, I later upgraded to The Bigger Carry-On Flex , which added an extra 2.25 inches of expansion, meaning even I was able to go on a two-week trip with just a carry-on . As much as I’ve banged it around and overstuffed it, it’s remained impervious to my abuse.

These days, I often see other brands trying to mimic Away's features—a sign of just how much it’s changed the luggage industry. What makes it all the more surprising is that Away is still a relatively new company, having roared onto the market in 2015, with one simple goal: understanding travelers.

“From the beginning, we set out to expand the conversation around travel, solving real world travel pain points by keeping an incredibly close pulse on our customer’s needs,” Away’s chief marketing officer Carla Dunham says. “We dissected and developed a solution to all of the common headaches of travel while revolutionizing what it meant to be a travel brand.”

Founded by two female former Warby Parker executives, including Jen Rubio, who still serves as the CEO, Away was sparked by her own broken baggage disaster, noticing there was a hole in the market for luggage that was fun and functional.

After talking to hundreds of travelers, the initial carry-on was designed to meet all the most common needs—a lighter and stronger hard-side with an impact-resistant polycarbonate shell that moved easily with premium 360-degree wheels, with thoughtful features like a snap-in mesh laundry bag to keep clean to separate clean and dirty laundry, and a removable battery pack to eliminate the fight for the airport outlets.

The result wasn’t just success—the brand quickly entered the zeitgeist. Stars from Margot Robbie to Mandy Moore were spotted toting them , and Meghan Markle is believed to have given 17 Away bags as party favors at her baby shower. They've turned up on screen, too. Dunham says her favorite pop culture moment was when Portia tossed her Away away in The White Lotus. “It seemed so natural that she had an Away suitcase and that spoke to the brand’s unique position in culture and continued relevance.”

Since launch, the price points for the standard editions—which now start at $315 for The Carry-On and go up to $475 for the newly introduced The Trunk —have gone up, and are a notch above what casual or new travelers may be used to paying, but are still fairly reasonably priced for the suitcases' quality.

The brand has ventured into other travel accessories since launch, too, with both hits ( packing cubes ) and misses (travel pillows, now discontinued)—and added an outdoor collection, F.A.R., last year . It continues to evolve based on the needs of the moment. With the growing number of power outlets available on flights and around airport terminals these days, Away just phased out its distinctive built-in battery charger from its core product last month, as part of its first major refresh of its original classics line .

“Each update is incredibly intentional—from the improved features like a redesigned zipper shape, additional interior organization, and an updated trolley system, to the fresh color palette and new gloss finish, underscores how we obsess over every detail to make the journey smoother for our customers,” Dunham says.

As the brand continues to evolve, more updates and new products are sure to come, but some of the products remain staples. Here, we round up the Condé Nast Traveler team’s most-used Away bags and accessories.

This article is part of Condé Nast Traveler' s first-ever Luggage Week , for which dozens of suitcases, backpacks, and weekender bags were road-tested by our editors.

Weight: 7.9 lbs. Dimensions: 23" x 15" x 10" Capacity: 47.9L

A recent convert from a larger suitcase that often had to be checked, editorial assistant Jessica Chapel says the refreshed Bigger Carry-On suitcase “does wonders,” especially since she can fit almost as much in this more compact hardside spinner, which she recently took on a five-day trip with plenty of room to spare. She’s already traveled with the 7.9-pound bag by plane, bus, and car, and put it to the test when delays allowed her only 15 minutes to get between gates. She swiftly pulled the bag out of the overhead compartment thanks to “the perfect mix of convenient handle placements and the texture of the luggage,” put the bag on top of her head—an unconventional carrying method, to be sure—and sailed through the crowd. “It's the little things, including the unique placement of the luggage's underside handle—with a small dash of adrenaline—that certainly does the trick for easy access without any shuffle, which is exactly what's needed in an airport rush,” Chapel says. (She made her connecting flight in the knick of time.)

Also notable, she says: the interior lining, mesh, and drawstring laundry for dirty clothes (no longer snapped, as part of the refresh), are made of recycled polyester. Deputy global editorial director Jesse Ashlock concurs, having depended on the classic version for more than three years now, calling it a “solid workhorse polycarbonate bag that suits a lot of different trip styles.” I recently tried the updated version of The Bigger Carry-On, and was able to pack enough for a weeklong California getaway; I am especially loving the additional inner pockets to keep my essentials more organized.

Weight: 10.4 lbs. Dimensions: 26" x 19" x 11" Capacity: 68.8L

During a two-week car trip to Rhode Island and Martha’s Vineyard, destinations editorial assistant Charlie Hobbs brought along the “perfectly light” 10.4-pound medium check-in sized hardside, able to fit enough in to not have to do laundry the entire getaway. The interior of the upgraded version—which he found “unassuming”—includes more storage pockets: The compression flap, which used to have just one large zipper mesh compartment, is now divided into two zippered sections on one side with an added large pocket on the backside. Additionally, the zipper closure for the top half of the suitcase now has a zippered pocket on it. He also noticed what’s perhaps the most commonly called-out downfall of Away’s hardsides: “Despite only ever being in the car, this bag is already quite scuffed up,” he said. (When I was in Estonia with two other travel writers last month, looking at our three Away bags, we commented the same thing.) Each suitcase does come with Away's own version of a Magic Eraser that helps remove light scuffs, though a bit of elbow grease might be needed to get them out. That said, Hobbs found the 360-degree wheels rolled “perfectly well” and appreciated the new ergonomic curved zippers. Like Chapel, he found the luggage easy to lift up in a bind, when he had to put it on the roof of a Toyota for a ferry ride, noting it was easy to sling it up, “thanks to the side handles.”

Weight: 8.15 lbs. Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9" (not expanded) Capacity: 39.8L

“The joy of this luggage is its simplicity,” global director of audience development Lara Kramer says. At 8.15 pounds, this model has the expandable 2.25-inches of zipper space going from 39.8 liter capacity to 46.7 liters, providing “the luxury of expanding to add more room if needed,” she adds. She and her husband both use it as their carry-on suitcase—in part because it moves so well, “gliding smoothly and easily with its 360-degree spinner wheels.” Otherwise, she finds the other features “pretty straightforward,” also noting the issue of the exterior scuffing “very easily,” especially noticeable on a dark suitcase. “They're generally surface scuffs and not hard to buff out, but against the black color, it can look pretty jarring,” she adds. That said, Kramer says, “I still truly love this piece and it has continued to hold up despite many uses.”

Weight: 2.45 lbs. Dimensions: 12" x 6" x 18" Capacity: 20L

Simplicity comes first with this water-resistant nylon backpack, available in five subtle monochromatic shades, that CNT editors have called “functional” with “a classic look that you won’t tire of.” As a freelancer whose backpack is her office, that timeless look also means the backpack strikes the right balance of being professional (I’ve toted it to business meetings and events), travel-friendly (I’ve also taken it on day trips to the Jersey Shore and Long Island), and casual (it’s also doubled as my exercise bag for spin class). When I got caught in the rain at the US Open in New York, the raindrops wicked right off, and the bag's contents stayed dry. But my two favorite magic tricks of this bag are the extended clamshell-style zipper, which opens the main compartment and makes it just as easy to take something out of the bottom as the top, and the bag's weight distribution. Whether it’s the padded straps or the mesh back panel, it somehow makes the contents feel lighter—I’ve stopped at least twice to make sure my laptop was actually inside the 15-inch sleeve. Plus, the thoughtful number of pockets are great for storing little essentials.

Weight: 1.74 lbs. Dimensions: 19" x 13" x 8" Capacity: 26L

When it comes to travel backpacks, I’m far pickier than with luggage. I need an uber-spacious main compartment and every zipper and pocket needs to be just in place—so much so that I used the same ratty old Vans Off the Wall one for well over a decade. While I recently tested out a new Tumi backpack, I never liked the placements of its pockets. Enter the F.A.R. Backpack 26L. The main compartment is deep and wide open, yet still has a slip pocket in the back for my laptop. Hidden behind it is another zippered compartment that fits a 15-inch device. The front pocket is surprisingly roomy too, with tons of organizational pockets—plus, there are two water bottle side pockets, each able to hold a 32-ounce container. Add to that the fact the entire bag is only 1.74 pounds and it still fits under the seat in front of me on planes.

While the Everywhere Zip may be sufficient for day trips, personally, I do need the space of the 26-liter bag to fit my basic travel essentials for anything that includes an overnight stay. Plus the shell is tougher for more rugged travels, whether it's outdoor adventures or multi-stop itineraries, where it may be subject to more use. That said, I am still learning to trust mine completely. On two occasions, the zipper has opened on its own and I didn't realize until contents spilled out. But both times were when I was leaving hotels in a rush, so it's possible I didn't properly zip it.

Weight (full set): 0.7 lbs.

Dimensions: Small: 10" x 4" x 8" Medium slim: 10" x 4" x 4" Medium wide: 13" x 4" x 10" Large: 13" x 4" x 7"

Before I tried Away’s packing cubes, I was a skeptic of the travel accessory as a whole. Other cubes I had seen were either bulky, or felt rough, cheap, and pointless. Admittedly, when I first saw this innocuous set from Away, I was still doubtful. But as it turns out, this set of four nylon water-resistant zip bags with one mesh side are as subtle as they are useful. In the smallest one, I’m able to stuff in all my “just in case” accessories—a foldable running cap, beanie, scarf, gloves, and swimsuit, and tuck it into a teeny corner of the suitcase. The medium slim is perfect for organizing my underwear, packing them vertically, Marie Kondo–style , while the medium wide fits my bras, tanks, and socks. The final one, the large slim, rotates between storing pairs of shoes or other bulky items. They all fit together like Legos in my suitcase, weighing a combined 0.7 pounds—well worth it for keeping me organized on the go.

Weight: .8 oz. Dimensions: 6" x 8" x 3" Capacity: 0.5 gal.

When I first got this bag, I didn’t think I’d ever use it. It wasn’t quite a dry sack, it wasn’t quite a travel pouch. It was an in-between hybrid that I saw no practical use for. But then one day when I was running out the door, holding too many chargers in my hands, I tossed them in there—and it’s become my go-to tech accessories bag, traveling with me both on trips and in my everyday life. Made of water-resistant recycled ripstop nylon, it repels accidental spills (mostly coffee, in my case), but is so thin and sturdy that it doesn’t take up much space. The recycled nylon handle also makes it easy to grab when I’m trying to fish it out of my bag. Use it for chargers and cords, toiletries, or any other odds and ends, and know that there are small and large versions if you want a full set.

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Gift of the Day: The Best Travel Toiletry Case, Ever

The Cut’s  Advent Calendar Gift Guide : Counting down to Christmas with one guaranteed-to-please gift idea under $100 every day.

Away originally made this miniature version of their luggage as a promotional item for editors. But it was such a hit that the brand began to produce them for real, just in time for the holidays.

What makes this case better than your standard fabric pouch? Well, it fits everything I could ever need for travel. For my last trip — to Hawaii — I crammed in the following: a toothbrush , a travel-sized toothpaste, a razor, all of my skin care (8 miniatures in a variety of sizes), and a full tube of sunscreen that just made it under the TSA guidelines. And I had room to spare! My favorite detail: a tiny netted pocket to hold hair ties and earplugs. The entire thing zips up neatly without any bulges.

Full disclosure: I have TSA pre-check, so I almost never need to unpack my liquids. But even if you don’t, it’s still super useful: Just pop your products into a clear baggie within the case. I’m not sure I can overstate how much I love this thing. And at $35, you can get one for your favorite frequent flier and then get one for yourself, too.

If you buy something through our links,  New York  may earn an affiliate commission.

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Away Luggage Review: Are the Popular Carry-Ons Worth the Hype?

We put the internet's favorite suitcase through hours of testing to determine if it's worth buying.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

What I thought of the Away Carry-On

Should you buy away carry-on luggage, other types of away suitcases, more away travel products we like.

As an analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, I have personally tested dozens of travel products, from carry-on luggage and smart suitcases to hardside luggage and travel backpacks . After putting the Away carry-on through our rigorous Lab evaluations — which include using specialized equipment to analyze scratch and water resistance, as well as an obstacle course to measure wheel performance and maneuverability — I was blown away by this bag for being impressively lightweight, scratch resistant, easy to maneuver and fitting everything in our packing tests. In fact, it landed the top spot for carry-on luggage in our roundup of the best luggage brands of 2024 .

The bottom line: Away luggage is absolutely worth investing in.

What is Away luggage?

Away is a travel gear brand that offers a variety of travel accessories, including checked suitcases , backpacks , packing cubes and weekender bags . The brand originally went viral for its carry-on featuring a removable battery that can charge your phone on the go, but Away has since stopped offering battery packs with its suitcases as most people already own portable chargers .

Away's Carry-On and Bigger Carry-On are the brand's two most popular items — they are made from the same materials and have the same features but in two different sizes. In the brand's most recent update to its luggage line, the standard Carry-On now has a slightly larger packing capacity and is a bit heavier than the previous model. I put the new standard Carry-On to the test in the Textiles Lab and I used the Bigger Carry-On during a recent vacation to find out if Away luggage is actually worth buying.

Away The Carry-On

Away The Bigger Carry-On

When it comes to luggage material, polycarbonate reigns supreme over other hardside materials like plastics. Away carry-ons are made with polycarbonate, which is extremely durable and more lightweight than metals like aluminum.

Polycarbonate bags typically ace our drop tests, which involve GH pros filling a suitcase with a set weight and releasing the luggage from a 3-foot height. We repeat this test at various angles and note any damages and imperfections. As suspected, after I dropped it from different angles using our drop tester, the Away carry-on showed no dents, damages or changes in appearance .

During testing, we also use a wire to scratch the surface of the suitcase and then rate any scuffs or marks left behind. Compared to other suitcases, Away's carry-on aced our scratch-resistance testing, showing very minimal scuffs and remaining in great condition . Because marks and scuffs are inevitable on hardside luggage, the suitcases also come with a magic eraser sponge, so you can easily buff the outside of your suitcase when scuffs appear to keep your luggage looking fresh trip after trip.

I gave Away's handles lower comfort scores, compared to the other carry-ons I tested. They felt a bit wobbly and less sturdy than other carry-on handles, and they don't offer any padding at the grip. The newest iteration of the brand's carry-on luggage features an additional underside grab handle near the wheels to help make it easier to stow and retrieve from an overhead bin.

The 360º wheels rolled easily over a variety of different surfaces when I was at the airport, including linoleum, tile and carpet. Testers agreed, finding this suitcase easy to maneuver through our obstacle course and over different floorings.

A carry-on absolutely has to hold everything you need for your vacation. Away carry-ons have massive interiors , clocking in at 39.8L for the Carry-On and 47.9L for the Bigger Carry-On. When you open the suitcase, there's equal packing space on both sides. One side is a large zippered compartment, and the other is open with compression straps to keep everything in place. There are also zippered pockets for smaller items, so nothing gets lost at the bottom of your suitcase. For ultimate organization, pair the suitcase with the brand's mesh packing cubes , which excelled in our recent packing cubes test and fit perfectly in the carry-on.

I was impressed with just how much I could fit in the Bigger Carry-On — enough for a whole week's vacation without needing a checked bag. It was easy to keep all my belongings organized, and I especially loved the included laundry bag that kept my dirty clothes separate. This bag came with a stylish leather luggage tag in a similar color to the suitcase that keeps my contact info accessible if my luggage gets lost. (Remember not to put your home address on your luggage tag and instead just your email address or phone number.) Away luggage also features TSA-compliant locks to keep your belongings protected.

Starting at $275 for the Carry-On, Away luggage isn't cheap. But for the cost, you get a sleek suitcase made with durable high-quality materials and a well-organized interior for easy packing. At a similar price to our other top-tested luggage brands, like TravelPro and Samsonite , Away carry-ons aren't the most expensive suitcases I've tested either. (Both Tumi and Rimowa carry-ons start at $650, for example.) The brand also boasts an impressive 100-day return period on unused products, so you have lots of time to decide if it's the right fit for you. Note that personalized products and final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.

If you love its chic appearance and durable polycarbonate shell, Away luggage can be worth the investment. But if you're ultimately in the market for something more affordable, I suggest checking out our top-tested picks from Target and Amazon Basics .

Besides the famous carry-ons, the brand offers a few other styles of suitcases. There are checked sizes of the polycarbonate luggage as well as aluminum styles. The checked bags are made with the same durable polycarbonate material as the carry-ons and match in appearance if you're looking to create a stylish set.

I haven't yet tested Away's aluminum carry-ons , but I am wary of the higher price tag (starting at $675) and additional weight (10.1 lbs compared to 7.5 lbs for the polycarbonate version). Beyond that, it does feature an overall similar design with 360° wheels and a telescopic handle.

Away also offers Flex styles of its polycarbonate suitcases. These suitcases expand for an additional 2.25" of space to fit all the extra goodies you bought on vacation. However, when the suitcase is fully expanded, it no longer works as carry-on luggage and must be checked. Note that this style has a higher price tag than the brand's traditional polycarbonate carry-ons.

Away The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition

Away The Carry-On Flex

Away The Medium

Away The Large

In addition to the brand's suitcases, GH analysts have tested a variety of travel products from Away. We were especially impressed by Away's Everywhere Bag (available in standard , medium and large sizes), which held an impressive amount in our Lab tests and was a favorite among testers for its sleek look and roomy, well-organized interior. The brand recently launched a trendy quilted version too!

Away The Large Everywhere Bag

Away The Insider Packing Cubes (Set of 6)

Away F.A.R Convertible Backpack 45L

Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack

Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute 's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance. 

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Away Makes Mini Suitcases For Your Toiletries & They're Only $34

Finding a good toiletry case is one of the banes of traveling, but the re-released Away Mini Travel Case could be a solid contender. The case is a shrunken-down version of the Away suitcase minus the wheels, making it an adorable option to house your shampoo bottles and skincare pots.

"The tiniest Away suitcase is back for a limited time. It's our classic luggage sized down, designed to stow your toiletries, essentials for a night out, or whatever else you need for wherever you're headed," the product description reads. The case costs $35 and comes in a whopping nine different color options, letting you choose the one that speaks to you the most.

The case is about the size of a tablet, and weighs only .35 pounds. Every frequent flyer knows that the weight of a case is important if they want to make it under the weight limit cap, so the case keeps that in mind. The kit also has polycarbonate shell with a zipper closure, mimicking the look and feel of the Away suitcase design.

The inside of the case lets you store everything from your makeup palettes to your assortment of TSA-friendly liquid bottles, and it also has a mesh pocket to keep your smaller items in an easy to reach spot.

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If you want one of these cases for yourself, you're going to have to act fast. They were originally made as a promotional item for editors , but since the mini cases were so well received Away decided to make the kits for anyone with $35 in their pocket. When the mini cases released back in Dec. 2017 as a gift set, they sold out very quickly. People love a cute scaled-down version of their suitcases, so it's no surprise these were on the market for a limited time.

The cases are great for a whole assortment of things. Thanks to their hard shells, you can cram them with all of your essentials without having to deal with awkward bulges. The hard case is also great for protecting your breakable and spill-prone products, like foundations and concealers. If you want to take the case with you in your carry-on bag, just put all of your liquids into a plastic bag for the security check and you're set.

If you don't travel that much and only find yourself at the airport once a year, this case can still be a staple in your bag. It's a great way to keep your beauty items separate from everything else in your purse. If you want to take an eyeshadow palette, mini hairspray, and foundation bottle with you to work as an emergency happy hour touch-up kit, then the Away Mini Case has you covered.

You can also pop it into your gym bag for beauty touch-ups after your workout, or store all of your essentials in the mini case when going to the beach. The hard shell will keep your items safe from the sand.

If you have an Away suitcase, you can also match your mini travel case to the actual color of your luggage. But act fast — these toiletry cases are sure to sell out in a snap.

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Away’s Ridiculously Cute Minis Are Officially Back—and They’re Here for Good

Maggie griswold.

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With everything going on in the world right now—and that list is currently  too long —sometimes it helps to just have a bit of happy and fun news thrown at you. For some, that means looking at videos of newly born puppies. For me, it’s ooh-ing and aw-ing over how cute the re-leased Away luggage minis are. Even if you’re not as luggage -obsessed as I am, you’ve likely heard of the luggage brand Away . They create durable (and aesthetically pleasing) luggage that’s meant to make your life easier wherever you have to travel. And while travel is, erm,  restricted a bit at the moment, that’s no excuse not to be prepared for that’s no longer the case.

Plus, the Away minis are perfect for so much than just plane or train travel. Even if you’re headed to a hotel to escape for a night or want to camp out at your significant other’s apartment, the Away mini suitcase is ideal. It’s designed for travel essentials (like headphones, your prescriptions, a pound of hand sanitizer) and toiletries (like shampoo, lotion, a pound of hand sanitizer ), so you really can take this baby anywhere. The mini pairs exquisitely with other Away products, but you don’t have to have a larger Away suitcase to find a million uses for the mini. And frankly, it’s just ridiculously cute.

Unlike the last time Away released the minis, this time is for good. It’s not a limited edition, special item. The Away minis are here to  stay , so go ahead and buy one in every color. We’ve gone ahead and picked our favorite mini hues below, but there are a total of 10 different colors from which to choose. Whether you’re a black-on-black type of traveler or a queen of color, these Away mini suitcases are the perfect travel companion—even if it’s just a few miles.

The Mini in Blush

The mini in blush from away.

The Mini in Coast

The mini in coast from away.

The Mini in Sand

The mini in sand from away.

The Mini in White

The mini in white from away.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

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Away Travel Carry-On Luggage Review [Worth Buying?]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

781 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

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Away Travel Luggage

Style and look, size and compartments, durability and materials, lock and zippers, warranty and customer service, away carry-on alternative sizes, away travel luggage with a pocket, kids’ carry-on, the aluminum range, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Luggage these days is much more than just a way to carry your stuff from home to the hotel and back again. Rebooted and redesigned, suitcases are now more stylish than ever, with smart features and sleek upgrades that have made them Instagram-famous and utterly desirable.

American luggage brand Away has gone back to basics with bags and cases that are designed to work with you and offer creative solutions that help you enjoy your travel experience better.

Every piece in its collection has been thoughtfully designed to function perfectly and provide practical solutions to real-life travel problems.

From carry-ons to checked luggage and daypacks to a garment bag, every piece from Away has an attractive minimalist aesthetic on the outside, complemented by interiors that will transform the way you carry your belongings.

Bottom Line: With compression compartments to maximize your luggage load, hardshell exteriors that can be thrown around and still look super chic, and even a hidden battery to charge your devices on the go, the people at Away may just have created the ultimate suitcase.

Away Travel Carry-On Luggage Review

With a hard, impenetrable shell, The Carry-On looks sleek and minimalist , and will never be out of place being pulled through any cosmopolitan metropolis or high-tech airport.

Unlike most monotone hipster carry-alls, The Carry-On is available in a range of colors, including navy, coast grey, sky blue, green, asphalt, white, sand, blush, and violet. Finding the right color to suit your personality shouldn’t be a problem.

Sized to fit in the overhead luggage compartments of most major airlines , this is practically the perfect carry-on . Measuring 21.7 x 13.7 x 9 inches on the outside, you can stow above or below every time you fly.

On the inside, you’ll find 2 separate compartments. A large zippered compartment to one side will deftly house your shoes, toiletries, and other hard objects. While to the other side, there is an impressively large open space for your clothing. The internal measurements are 20 x 13.5 inches with a total capacity of 39.8 liters.

Want to fit more in? One of the absolute best bits of the Away brand cases is the unique interior compression system .

Much more than just a couple of straps to pull around a bulging clothes pile, this offers an entire semi-rigid panel on top that squashes down to give you those all-important extra inches of interior space when you need it.

If that wasn’t enough, the case also comes with a washable laundry bag that folds up when not in use. While the bag isn’t huge, it’s fine to keep dirty items separate over a long weekend.

Made from an impenetrable shell that bends under pressure, but never breaks, The Carry-On offers first-class construction.

The sturdy, hard-wearing polycarbonate outer shell can take its fair share of knocks and bangs, while the softly lined interiors and genuine leather luggage tags and hinges give it a luxury feel that belies its functional form and price tag.

Bottom Line: By cleverly blurring the lines between a traditional hardshell suitcase and a flexible nylon/canvas one, The Carry-On offers rigid durability alongside complete adaptability.

This smart little case can charge cell phones, tablets , e-readers , and anything else that’s powered by a USB cord. With enough energy tucked away to fully charge your iPhone up to 4 times, The Carry-On is the ultimate companion for the tech-savvy traveler.

You can even fly with your electable suitcase battery as it’s compliant with current airline policies, FAA, TSA, and DOT regulations and meets UN/DOT 38.3 requirements. When you reach your destination, plug it in and let it recharge before you set off once again.

Be aware that while it can be carried in the cabin, checked luggage cannot contain lithium batteries. The Carry-On battery can be removed in a matter of seconds and carried with you in the cabin.

These sorts of design features add value to you as the passenger and set the Away brand miles apart from the competition.

Hot Tip: If the charging capability isn’t your thing or you already own a power bank, you can opt to purchase the case without a battery, which will make the case lighter and increase the interior space. Just know that if you opt for this you can’t add a battery later on.

With 4 360-degree spinning Japanese Hinomoto wheels, The Carry-On makes light work of long runways and endless terminal buildings. Agile and incredibly easy to maneuver, you can guide the case with just a single fingertip should you need to.

The pull-along handle is light and smooth and effortlessly extends or retracts to suit the height of the carrier. Made from superior materials, the telescopic handle is just like any other suitcase handle, only that bit better.

With not one, but 2 zippers for easy opening and closing, The Carry-On does away with the need for separate locks by offering an integrated combination lock. Just activate a 3-digit combination and the mechanism secures the zippers in seconds.

As the lock is part of the actual suitcase, you never run the risk of losing your travel lock again, and even more impressive, the lock is TSA-approved to allow agents access when they need it.

All Away Carry-On cases come complete with a limited lifetime warranty that covers any damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, or anything else that functionally impairs the luggage.

The electronic components are guaranteed for 2 years. That said, the good folks at Away do offer replacement batteries should you experience any issues outside of this warranty period.

Impressive credentials and an even more impressive Instagram campaign have made the Away cases some of the most sought-after in the travel sector. But, while they may be both pretty and practical, there are just a couple of really tiny downsides, too.

If you want to recharge your case to keep your phone topped up, you’re realistically looking at an overnight charge in your hotel before it has enough power to start charging your devices again.

While these cases are incredibly durable and designed to last a long time, they’re best suited to vacations and tourist travel . What is essentially a lifestyle brand with an excellent social media following, it attracts travelers who want to see the world without roughing it.

Globetrotting adventurers who plan to stray from the road less traveled may find a backpack or duffel bag more practical and hard-wearing.

Finally, the telescopic handles are a bit on the shaky side. While adept enough to wheel your case through the airport, you can still feel a slight tremor when you walk.

Bottom Line: All of these are minor gripes, and for the most part, The Carry-On from Away is an excellent suitcase that delights in providing both form and function to give you a good-looking case with on-trend extras.

Other Away Travel Luggage

Concerned that The Carry-On isn’t right for you? Away offers a full collection of luggage essentials to suit every traveler and every journey.

• The Bigger Carry-On — This carry-on is just like the standard one, but is a little bit bigger. Measuring up at 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches, this little beauty was designed to squeeze into the cabin bag containers found at check-in and to give the user some all-important extra internal inches. It also has just over 8 liters of extra space compared to the standard-sized The Carry-On.
• The Medium — This midsize suitcase is designed to be checked in the hold when you travel and offers enough space for all those extra outfits, as well as the same unique compression system and high-quality polycarbonate construction. It measures 26 x 18.5 x 11 inches and has 68.8 liters of storage space.
• The Large — Away’s biggest suitcase yet, this full-size family case has the same attractive and durable polycarbonate shell, interior compression system, and removable laundry bag. Just as impressive as The Carry-On, only much bigger! It measures 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches and has 99.2 liters of storage space.

• The Carry-On with Pocket  — Like a regular carry-on , only better, this is still the perfect size for overhead storage bins, but with an extra, useful pocket. The nylon front pocket is big enough and protective enough to carry your boarding passes and travel documents, without eating into that all-important interior space.
• The Bigger Carry-On with Pocket — This suitcase offers an external nylon pocket that’s perfect for carrying your vacation documents, magazines, or other useful bits of kit close by your side when you travel.
• The Daily Carry-On with Pocket — A new release by Away, this carry-on is slightly smaller than its other carry-on counterparts and is geared towards short trips and business travel. The pocket provides easy access to your daily essentials.

Make it a family affair with The Kids’ Carry-On . Just like the regular version, your mini-me can enjoy a shell that never breaks, a battery that charges their phone or tablet, and a versatile interior with a compression system and separate laundry bag.

This is the very same as the grown-up version but is just a little bit smaller in size at 18 x 12 x 9 inches with a 31-liter capacity.

• The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition — Made with a durable aluminum shell and leather-wrapped, slow-release handles, this little beauty offers the same standards as the regular The Carry-On, but this time is made of even more robust stuff.
• The Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition The Carry-On — Sized up but still made from aluminum, this is the bigger of the 2 carry-on cases. It offers all the same great features but in a slightly larger package.
• The Medium: Aluminum Edition — With the same beautiful curved lines and an attractive aluminum shell, the medium-size case is perfect for those who want more than a carry-on but don’t crave a full-size case.
• The Large: Aluminum Edition — With enough room for all the family, the trusty aluminum shell will protect everything inside. Shoehorn even more in with the interior compression system, and as you have come to expect, bring home your dirties in the removable laundry bag.

Modern-day luggage is fast becoming a reflection of the way we travel and indeed, where we travel to.

Away not only creates beautifully designed, cleverly crafted suitcases and bags that are more than fit for purpose, but it is also one of the few brands that take a holistic approach to modern-day travel. It offers practical solutions to the rigors of reaching your next destination with ease.

Hardshell exteriors, internal compression systems, and the ability to charge almost every kind of device on the go makes the Away cases some of the very best, and most thoughtful, on the market today.

For reviews on other types of luggage and travel bags, check out these pieces:

• The Best Checked Luggage Bags for Any Traveler
• The Best Carry-On Luggage Bags for Any Traveler
• The Best Laptop Backpacks To Buy for Travel
• The Best Travel Duffel Bags on the Market
• All Our Best Travel Product Reviews – In One Place

Frequently Asked Questions

Is away luggage tsa-approved.

Away luggage is compliant with the FAA and is TSA-approved as the lithium batteries can be ejected and removed from the luggage during your flight.

How much does Away luggage cost?

The standard carry-on luggage by Away costs $225 and includes an ejectable battery. The bigger carry-on costs $245 and the medium and large checked luggage costs $275 and $295 respectively.

Is Away luggage banned?

Most airlines instituted a ban on smart luggage in 2018. This means that luggage with a lithium battery that cannot be removed is banned. However, Away luggage comes with an ejectable battery which means you can check your luggage and take the battery with you as a carry-on.

How much does The Carry-On from Away weigh?

The Away Carry-On weighs 7.6 pounds, but if you opt for one without a lithium battery it weighs 7.1 pounds.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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Monday, November 27, 2017

Away mini suitcase review and what fits inside.

5 comments:

Hey the minis will be on sale again starting tomorrow and they are offering them in all the current colors (including blush) if you are still interested!

Oh, I ended up getting the blush a while back during one of their holiday specials!Thanks! :)

After several days and without too much pressure or hard work, you can expect for the product right at the front of your door. best safari brand hrd suitcase online

Certain bags are not practical for this type of situation. luggage

A wide of scope of materials can be utilized in causing a suitcases and those materials to incorporate plastic, metal, calfskin or fabric. blog

Design and specs

• What it's like to use
• What makes it stand out

The bottom line

Away carry-on luggage review: after 5+ years of testing this suitcase, we still think it's worth the hype.

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Away makes the "it" suitcase that many travelers love and even more want: a colorful, hard-shell roller bag that's spawned countless imitators. But is at all hype, or is its flagship carry-on the real deal?

Before trying the Away Carry-On, my go-to suitcase was a purple polka dot bag I received for Christmas 10 years ago. Using Away's bag has completely revolutionized my packing and traveling routine. I can honestly say that this suitcase deserves its social media buzz. In fact, I've found that Away has done the seemingly impossible and made packing and carrying a suitcase downright enjoyable.  

Since former Business Insider senior reporter Connie Chen originally wrote this review, I've had the chance to retest the Carry-On to update our thoughts. You can find my review, along with Chen's thoughts, below. We've also tested many of Away's other products, which you can read about in our Away luggage review , best carry-on guide, and guide to the best luggage .

By far one of the most popular Away bags, The Carry-On has thoughtful design features like in-bag compression, TSA-approved locks, and a fold-away laundry bag.

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Attractive design
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Thoughtful design
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Integrated TSA-approved locks
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Durable
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Personalization available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Lifetime warranty and 100-day trial
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No longer has battery option
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Once unique features are now found standard in many suitcases
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not the smoothest wheels we've tested

The mere seven-and-a-half-pound Carry-On is a particularly good buy for travelers who embark on frequent, shorter trips and want a smart solution.

The Carry-On features a strong yet light outer shell, 360-degree rotating wheels, interior compartments designed to help you pack smarter, TSA-approved locks, and more. At just under 22 inches, including wheels, it will fit in almost any overhead bin. As an added plus, it comes with a 100-day trial period and a lifetime warranty.

The exterior is made from a durable polycarbonate, and its minimalistic design with subtle horizontal lines gives it a sleek look. Inside, it has a liner that's easy to wipe down in case anything spills.

The Carry-On comes in numerous color options, ranging from black and olive green to bright orange and pink. The brand also often offers limited-edition colors and prints that sell out quickly.

What it's like to use

You can very easily fit enough clothes for a weekend trip with Away's carry-on. While some reviewers say they've been able to pack an entire week's worth of clothes into this carry-on, I'd say four to five days of clothes is attainable for most travelers. 

In the zippered mesh compartment, I can pack one toiletry bag, one makeup bag, two pairs of shoes (sneakers and heels), one purse, and one hairbrush. These are usually the problem items since they're strangely shaped and take up a lot of space.

On a practical level, the physical separation makes sense: shoes are dirty and toiletry bags carry the risk of accidental spills. On a mental organization level, I now know that all my accessories are in one place and my clothes are in another. This has saved me so much time, since I don't have to sift through an entire suitcase to find one item.

Meanwhile, the inner compartment, which is just as roomy, is designed for clothing. Dividing the two is a sturdy, lined layer for your small items that are typically awkward to pack. I was able to fit a week's worth of underwear and socks in these pockets. Fully packed, the bag was easy to close (I didn't even have to sit on it to zip it).

If you want to be even more organized, you can get one of our picks for the best packing cubes to store similar items together and make space out of thin air. Away sells its own packing cubes with fashionable colors to match your Carry-On. 

Tucked into a pocket at the bottom of the suitcase is a nylon laundry bag, which was a small, but thoughtful touch. It probably won't fit all of your laundry for a four to five-day trip, but it is a handy feature if a piece of clothing gets particularly muddy or sweaty. It's as wide as the suitcase itself and keeps your dirty clothes appropriately separated from everything else. It compresses when you buckle down the layer above it.

The outside of the bag has a number of noteworthy features. The TSA-approved built-in combination lock, for one, is an innovation. The two zippers slot into this combination lock, deterring potential thieves from using creative methods to get into your bag. The combination takes seconds to set and since the lock is part of your actual suitcase, there's no way you can lose it and waste money on buying a new one for every trip. I love the peace of mind that the lock provides—it is a small but useful feature that reduces my travel stress.

The TSA-approved combination lock (shown at the top of the bag here) locks the bag's zippers in place. This design means there are no lock parts to keep track of — everything is integrated in the bag. Lauren Savoie/Business Insider

Unfortunately, Away no longer includes what was once one of its most defining features in its bags: a removable battery. Many airports now have outlets or dedicated charging stations in the terminals, but you can't always rely on them — they might all be taken or simply don't work. Having a portable battery right in your bag was such a convenient feature, so I am disappointed that it was removed. If a removable battery is important to you, you might want to check out our review of July's Carry On .

The exterior of Away's Carry-On did develop some scuffs in testing but, for the most part, the bag is in good shape. There were no major dents or dings in the shell. The suitcase also comes with a useful sponge to clean up minor scratches or scrapes.

What makes the Away Carry-on stand out

With their glossy and matte hard shells and eye-catching color options, Away suitcases already look distinctive. As a lover of bright colors, I am a huge fan of Away's color selection. You can make one truly your own by adding up to three letters of personalization via digital monogramming to the Carry-On itself or a stamped luggage tag . 

Taken individually, features like a laundry bag or compression straps aren't necessarily new or revolutionary, but it's the combination of all the little things travelers care about and use the most that has made the suitcases stand out among the many we've tried.

While most of the bag's accessories are smooth, the zippers feel stiff compared to other suitcases that I have tested. The zippers can get stuck, which can make proper closing difficult. 

As mentioned before, the brand no longer offers its suitcases with the option to add a portable charger. I think this is a lost attribute that really made the brand stand out, especially considering that its competitors still offer this feature.

What are your alternatives?

Away makes several other suitcases that might be a better fit if the standard Carry-On feels too small. The Bigger Carry-On offers 7 liters more space and will fit on most domestic flights, but it likely will not meet requirements for smaller jumper planes and budget flights within Europe. The Carry-On Flex is expandable, which is a nice option if you want to save room in your suitcase for souvenirs. It's the brand's most versatile carry-on, but it does not meet carry-on size requirements when fully expanded. You might be able to get away with carrying it on while fully expanded on some airlines, but others may require you to check it. Finally, there's the Bigger Carry-On Flex , which offers the most space of them all, but has the greatest chance of being checked if you try to carry it on while fully expanded. 

After testing the Carry-On, I believe the hype surrounding Away's suitcases is completely deserved. It's hard not to be a fan of Away's smart design decisions and high-quality travel products. With a starting price of $275, it's also an excellent value since many suitcases of similar quality are far pricier. If you hate packing like me, I recommend the Away Carry-On to make traveling a breeze.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

• Main content

I’ve Been Using Away Luggage For Years — Here’s Why I Recommend It

By Morgan Greenwald

Morgan Greenwald

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

If you’ve done any sort of research on popular luggage brands or have spent some time scrolling through Instagram, odds are you’ve come across Away , the trendy, DTC luggage brand known for its sleek suitcases and vibrant colorways. The polycarbonate shell suitcases have maintained their popularity almost a decade after their launch and social media virality, but for those who may be hesitant to spend upwards of $300 on a piece of luggage, the question remains: Is Away really worth the hype (and price tag)?

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

• Editor’s Choice: Away The Carry-On Flex
• Large Carry-on Pick: Away Bigger Carry-On
• Also Consider: Away Large Suitcase

As a journalist and avid traveler, I have used Away’s Carry-On Flex , Bigger Carry-On , and Large suitcase since 2018 to travel everywhere from Spain and France to California and Vermont. During this time, I’ve tried other suitcase brands like Monos and Samsonite , but Away has remained my top choice thanks to its roomy interior and lightweight shell. There are some drawbacks to the bags — notably, the lighter colors scuff pretty easily and it can be hard to find your suitcase on a conveyor belt full of Away bags — but ultimately the pros far outweigh the cons, especially if you travel often.

In This Article

What is away luggage, what makes away luggage so unique.

• Away Luggage Pros & Cons

How Does Away Luggage Compare to Competitors?

• Is Away Luggage Worth it?

Away was founded in 2015 by Jen Rubio and Steph Korey, who previously worked together at Warby Parker. They originally launched with a single product — the Carry-On — but later expanded their suitcase offerings and eventually branched out into accessories, totes, and other travel-related essentials. 

Since its launch in 2015, Away has taken customer feedback to heart, and the brand’s suitcases have evolved significantly: Among other things, the bags now have a grab handle under the wheels that make them easier to carry, and previously existing handles now protrude less. The carry-on pieces were previously offered with built-in battery packs, but these have since been phased out based on customer feedback. (As someone who owns one of the older battery pack models, I agree that while the battery pack was convenient, it’s just as convenient to bring a portable charger with you on the plane.)

There are a lot of things to appreciate about Away’s suitcases . All of the brand’s signature carry-ons and checked bags are protected by a polycarbonate hard shell that, according to Travelpro , is sturdier and more crack-resistant than other common hardside materials like polypropylene. Thanks to the hard shell, it’s also easy to fill the suitcase to the brim without worrying about whether it will fit in an overhead compartment. “I am an overpacker through and through, and I love that the shell is hard but also flexible, so I can pack as much as I want into this bag that fits into a carry-on compartment,” says Becca Higgins , Rolling Stone ’s senior producer of artist relations who has been using her Bigger Carry-On for years.

The bags are also secured by a three-digit, TSA-approved combination lock that’s built directly into the suitcase. (A word to the wise, though: Do not forget your lock combination. More on that later.)

From a size standpoint, the Away bags also offer a lot of bang for your buck. All of the suitcases have an interior compression system that keeps your belongings compartmentalized while condensing them down. If you tend to be an overpacker, the Flex suitcases also come with zipper expansions that enlarge the interior to give you more packing space. 

Away The Carry-On Flex Review

Away carry-on flex.

Specs: • Measurements: 21.7″ x 13.7″ x 9″ (exterior) and 20” x 13.5” (interior)
 • Weight: 8.15 lbs
 • Capacity: 39.8 L (46.7 L when expanded)


Away’s The Carry-On is the bag that first helped the company rise to prominence in 2015. The smallest suitcase option in Away’s lineup, the bag has deep compartments on either side that are secured with either a zippered mesh sleeve or a buckled mesh compression divider.

“The square shape maximizes the usable storage in all bag sizes,” says Jessica Seib , Rolling Stone ’s VP of Commerce who owns several Away bags. “The mesh zip compartments and divider built-ins also make sorting clean and dirty or delicate clothing and shoes within one bag a breeze.”

When I used my Carry-On Flex for a four-day trip to Lake Placid, I had no trouble packing six outfits, a few sweaters, and all of my toiletries; however, there wasn’t any room left to pack a second pair of shoes, so I would recommend The Bigger Carry-On Flex (which has a 55.7-liter capacity) if you want to pack larger items like sneakers or a hair styling tool.

Away The Bigger Carry-On Review

Away the bigger carry-on.

Specs: • Measurements: 22.7″ x 15.4″ x 9.6″ (exterior) and 20.9″ x 15″ x 7.9″ (interior)
 • Weight: 7.9 lbs
 • Capacity: 47.9 L


The Bigger Carry-On has been my go-to travel companion since I first bought it in 2018. Though it’s just slightly bigger than the Carry-On Flex at its full capacity, I have found that it offers more room for larger items like shoes, jackets, and heavy sweaters. I have relied on my Bigger Carry-On alone for week-long work trips, bachelorette trips, and more; on average, I can fit up to eight or nine outfits in my bag, but that number gets smaller depending on how many larger items I need to bring with me. 

Away The Large Review

Away the large.

Specs : • Measurements: 29″ x 20.5″ x 12.5″ (exterior) and 26.9″ x 19.7″ x 10.6″ (interior)
 • Weight: 12.1 lbs
 • Capacity: 99.2 L


Away’s checked bag offerings include The Medium, The Large, and The Trunk, as well as Flex and Aluminum versions of the first two. The Large , which remains relatively lightweight at 12.1 pounds, has a shockingly sizeable interior; on a recent two-week trip across Germany and Denmark, I was able to fit everything into my Large suitcase without having to bring a carry-on (on top of my usual outfits, I had to pack gym clothes and a dirndl for Oktoberfest!).

The Large is easily my favorite Away suitcase of all the ones I own thanks to how reliable it is on longer trips. My light pink shell is pretty scuffed up after years of use, but there isn’t any damage that would compromise the integrity of the suitcase. The other thing that I love about The Large is that, when I’m not traveling, my Bigger Carry-On can be stored inside of it so the two suitcases aren’t taking up as much space inside my closet.

Away Luggage Pros:

• The Away suitcases are relatively lightweight, which makes them easier to lift into overhead bins and makes it easier to stay under the weight limit.
 • The suitcases’ 360-degree wheels hold up well after several years of use and easily glide across all types of surfaces, from carpeting to asphalt — “the wheels are 360-degree magic and so smooth,” Higgins says.
 • Away’s customer service is excellent and the lifetime limited warranty covers most major damage.
 • The myriad pockets (and optional packing cubes ) allow for maximized use of the interior space.


Away Luggage Cons:

• The polycarbonate shell scuffs relatively easily, especially in the lighter colorways.
 • The combination lock is impossible to reset if you forget the code.
 • The suitcases are on the pricier side, so they may not make sense for people who don’t travel as often.
 • Since Away bags are so popular, it can be easy to mix your bag up with someone else’s. “My suggestion: Buy an Away suitcase and then pick up one of these cheap accessories to help differentiate your bag from someone else’s,” says Tim Chan , PMC’s associate VP of editorial and commerce.


While I have found that the Away suitcases best fit my travel needs, some of the other popular luggage brands may be a better option depending on how often you travel and the type of travel you’re doing. If you’re looking for something to use for work travel, for instance, I am a fan of Monos’ Carry-On Pro ; in addition to boasting many of the features of the Away bag — like a polycarbonate shell, combination lock, and 360-degree spinning wheels — it also has an exterior pocket that can hold a laptop, notebooks, and other work travel essentials. A more affordable alternative that Chan is also a fan of is Brandless’ Checked Luggage : “It features a suitcase with vertical lines (Away has horizontal lines) so I can always pick my bag out of a crowd,” he says.

Though many of the popular luggage retailers offer similar features, one of the biggest selling points when it comes to Away is the company’s customer service. Most Away bags come with a lifetime limited warranty , which covers everything from cracks and unusable wheels to broken zippers and fabric tears. “My first Medium Bag zipper was damaged by an airline bag handler when it was brand new. I brought the bag to an Away store in Brooklyn and received a brand new bag within minutes,” Seib recalls.

So, Is Away Luggage Worth it?

Away’s luggage isn’t going to make sense for everybody; for those who travel less often, something more affordable might make more sense, and if you’re mostly traveling for work, you might want to consider a carry-on that offers easy access to your laptop, notebook, and electronics. However, if you travel regularly and are looking for a durable, sleek suitcase that’s easy to organize, the Away bags are well worth the price tag when you consider how long they last and the brand’s lifetime warranty. “I basically overstuff my suitcase and put it through the wildest conditions and it comes out unscathed,” Higgins notes. Away even has a 100-day free return policy on unused bags, so if you’re on the fence, you can order one to test out at home before you fully commit.

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Away Travel Luggage Review [2024]: Are They Worth It?

Learn about what makes the Away suitcase so special, including its added features, side products, and the brand itself. Keep reading to see for yourself!

When you’re packing to go on a trip, it’s hard enough to know what to take with you — let alone figuring out what bag to take.

Is a backpack the right choice?

Maybe a suitcase would be easier?

It’s a tough choice and one that gets made even tougher when you start thinking about what brand to choose.

If you’re in the market for a new suitcase,  backpack , bag, or other types of luggage, chances are you’ve heard of Away. It’s all over social media and is often touted as one of the biggest names in luxury luggage at a more reasonable price.

But is it really all it’s cracked up to be and is it worth the money? Let’s find out.

What is Away?

Away is a luggage company that makes and sells premium suitcases, carry-on bags, backpacks, duffle bags, and totes, as well as a small range of other travel accessories. The company uses a direct-to-consumer business model to reduce its overheads and keep prices lower for customers.

With that said, prices are still definitely on the premium end — the “Medium” suitcase, which measures 66 cm x 47 cm x 28 cm, costs $305, and the “Large” costs $335. However, suitcases from Away come with a  limited lifetime guarantee , which means if any damage makes your bag impossible to use (such as broken zippers or wheels, cracks or breaks in the shell, or faulty wheels and handles), the company will repair or replace it.

When you buy a bag from Away, you’ll also get a generous 100-day returns policy. During this time, you can use your bag as much as you want: customize it, wheel it around, live out of it, eat off it. Whatever you want. At the end of 100 days, if you’re just not digging it, Away will happily exchange or refund your bag.

It’s a pretty sweet deal, especially if you’re just not sure you’re ready to commit to a premium bag’s price tag.

Where Is Away Luggage From?

Away was set up by entrepreneurs Jen Rubio and Steph Korey in 2015. It has its headquarters in New York City, but it mostly operates online.

You can find Away stores in 13 locations, including two in NYC and two in L.A. most are in the United States, but there’s also a store in Toronto, Canada, and one in London, England.

If you want to buy Away luggage, the easiest way is just to place an order on the  Away website . They deliver to the U.S. and Canada, plus several countries in Europe.

What Makes Away Luggage Special?

For many of you reading this, you’ll probably be thinking that a suitcase is just a suitcase — what features could a bag possibly have that could make it stand out?

Well, for one thing, they look great.

All the Away suitcases are sleek and stylish, and they come in a range of colors; favorites on social media include the “Blush” tone, which is basically millennial pink. The suitcases come with a hard shell and four 360-degree wheels. They’re also sturdy and compact — the carry-on size bag is designed to fit precisely into the standard carry-on allowance used by most airlines.

The suitcases also come with an internal compression system to help you cram in even more stuff while you’re on the road, and there’s a detachable laundry bag so you can keep your dirties away from your cleans. They’re also customizable (though this will invalidate the 100-day returns policy).

There are also optional extras to jazz up your luggage and make it even more practical, like the removable battery that can turn your suitcase into a walking, talking (okay, not quite) phone charger. The battery is also removable, so you can stick it in your backpack or purse if you need to.

It’s features like this that make Away so popular with reviewers.

Other Products

As well as carry-on and checked suitcases, Away makes a variety of other bags, all created with travel in mind. There’s a range of small and medium-sized backpacks on sale, in a variety of colors, prints, and shapes.

There are also duffle bags, sling bags, and totes, and a range of bag accessories like organizers, travel pouches, jewelry boxes, and toiletry bags.

They also sell neck pillows and travel blankets,  packing cubes , luggage tags, and an adorable miniature suitcase, The Mini, that’s designed to keep your small items safe inside your bag. It’s just about small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, and it comes with a D-ring attached so you can add a keychain to it too. It’s pretty neat — as long as you’ve got a spare $65.

Is Away a Good Luggage Brand?

Overall, we believe that Away Luggage is a great choice for frequent travelers who can dish out a bit more cash for a quality travel suitcase that lasts! Let's dissect these Away reviews.

Reviews of Away travel luggages suggest that it’s pretty popular among customers. The carry-on bag, for example, has an average of 4.9 stars out of five, based on over 1,800 reviews on the site. Many online away travel reviews also gave positive feedback to the carry-on bag, saying that it costs much less than similar-quality bags.

Some negative Away Luggage reviews online pointed to long wait times and miscommunication between customer support and their refund policies.

The bags also seem pretty popular among the rich and famous. Big-name celebrities like  Karlie Kloss  and  Rashida Jones  own Away suitcases and have both teamed up with the company to create limited-run collections.

One of the benefits of Away luggage is that the company also regularly partners up with charities and organizations that aim to do good in the world. They also strive to be sustainable by creating bags that are built to last and working with suppliers who strive to reduce waste.

Our Rating: 4.6/5

• Sustainable Social-benefit driven Brand
• 100-day return policy
• Made with Durable & Quality Material
• High ratings & big-name endorsements
• User experienced long wait times for customer support

Time to Pack Your Bags!

So, are Away suitcases worth it? That probably depends on your own travel needs.

If you’re in the market for luxury or premium-quality suitcases or luggage, Away bags are certainly a good option — and the lifetime warranty definitely makes you feel like you’re getting more bang for your buck!

If you're looking for more options, why not check out our review of Away's competitor, Monos Luggage ?

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Away’s Aluminum Checked Luggage Delivers Luxury for Less

We all aspire to roll a ritzy Rimowa, but Away makes an aluminum option that’s half the price.

By Evan Malachosky

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.  Learn more

To be honest, you buy an aluminum suitcase to show off, not to stuff it to the brim on your next trip. Sure, you can — but aluminum suitcases don’t expand when you need to fill them up, and the slightest bump against a corner / overhead bin / the ground will show forever. But travelers wear these dents and dings with pride, slapping stickers overtop them or using them as proof they really went on trips. (There’s even a brand, called Crash , that sells pre-dented suitcases.)

The battle scars, like holes in vintage jeans , have made aluminum suitcases a cult favorite for frequent travelers . It helps that there’s arguably one defining brand, Rimowa — part of the LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) luxury group — cementing it as such. The brand’s luggage is aspirational, something you buy once and own forever. But how much is too much? $1,500 dollars for the full-size suitcase seems like it might be

On the other hand, Away , the ubiquitous brand behind the suitcases with integrated batteries, sells an aluminum suitcase — called The Large: Aluminum Edition — that’s roughly the same size for half the price, coming in at $745. Despite our collective shopping tendencies, where we often mistake expensive for better, Away’s is actually the smarter buy. Here’s why.

Away The Large: Aluminum Edition

• $745.00 at Away
• Packs quite a lot inside it, and compresses easily using two mechanisms
• Is super durable, especially for such a big unit
• Gets heavy fast
• Gets a little loud as it breaks in
• Price: $745
• Dimensions: 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches
• Weight:16 lbs
• Capacity:95.1 L
• Warranty: Lifetime coverage of non-cosmetic issues

What’s Good About Away’s Large Aluminum Suitcase

The Away The Large is super-roomy.

With a capacity of 95.1 liters, this is a big suitcase. I could fit plenty of shirts, a few jackets and at least three pairs of shoes, plus a dopp kit. I tend to overpack, and I get a free bag with my airline rewards card, so I will usually check one — and this is the perfect excuse to continue doing so.

It looks like an aluminum suitcase.

I know, this is an easy benchmark, but owning an aluminum suitcase is, for better or worse, a bit of a status symbol. If you’re only in it for the aesthetic, you need to know that it looks the part — and it does. It’s sleek and shiny and smooth to the touch. Plus, it’s actually made from aluminum, not an imitation silver material.

It’s protected by Away’s lifetime warranty.

Aluminum suitcases scratch and dent rather easily. The actual likelihood of a crack or puncture wound is low, because aluminum is rather resilient, but repeated strikes to the same spot could cause an issue over time. If you pick a polycarbonate suitcase, for example, that first bounce off the luggage belt into the carousel could cause a crack, exposing what’s inside to the elements.

Having this lifetime warranty is well worth the $745 dollars because it covers anything past “cosmetic damage.” So, no, a scratch isn’t a reason to send you a new suitcase, but they will if the shell cracks, wheels break or fall off, handles no longer open or a the fabric inside rips. Plus, they’ve eliminated the most likely element to fail: There are zero zippers on the outside of this thing.

It rolls rather easily.

The 360-degree wheels on Away’s are on par with pricier suitcases, which means they’re smooth, simple-looking and don’t stick too far out from the frame. I will admit, though, they catch a lot of dirt and debris. I felt myself wanting to pick at what’s stuck on there, but I know it only adds to its “dirty by design” aesthetic.

It comes with two TSA-approved locks.

When you’re checking a bag, you want to know what’s inside will remain protected long after it’s out of your sightline. Away equips their Large Aluminum Suitcase with two TSA-approved locks that keep those who aren’t granted access away.

It has a comprehensive internal divider system.

Most suitcases open like a clamshell, offering space on either side for whatever it is you’re taking with you. Away’s does this, too, but it offers further organizational features like a click-in, compartmentalized zipper pocket panel and an interior compression sheet.

Because aluminum suitcases can’t expand, once you’ve reached the limit, you’ve really reached the limit. There’s no sense in sitting on top of it to try to squeeze even more in. However, the internal compression system helps flatten your clothing so you can fit an extra T-shirt or a towel. Plus, the zipper pockets help items like chargers, documents or travel ephemera in place and flat-packed.

What’s Not So Good About Away’s Large Aluminum Suitcase

The leather handles feel less luxe than expected.

Sure this isn’t the $1,500 suitcase I name-dropped earlier, but it’s still $745. The slim handles make sense, because how else would you achieve the sleek silhouette, but a little more padding would help when lifting the suitcase when full. No, you won’t be flipping it over your head in a tight airplane aisle — this is a bag you check, not carry on — but you might be lifting it into the back of a car or onto a luggage rack in your hotel room.

I need to break my urge to always add more.

This isn’t necessarily Away’s fault, because it’s more so commentary on aluminum suitcases at large — but if you’ve packed the same way for a long time, especially using a poly or fabric suitcase, there’s an adjustment period. You can’t pile your things in and expect to add more up until seconds before departure. There’s a true maximum to what you can bring with you. Again, the internal compression system helps, and the suitcase is plenty roomy, but you won’t be able to pack it until it bulges.

My Thoughts After 9 Months of Testing

Products in the guide.

Aluminum suitcases are known for their proclivity for dents, scratch marks and scuffs. The material, while durable, doesn’t do a good job of hiding how its been handled, meaning you’ll definitely know if an airline attendant tossed your suitcase into the cargo hull (or chucked it onto a truck to transport it to baggage claim). This might sound odd, but that’s part of the appeal — that and they’re typically more expensive than polycarbonate ones.

I like aluminum because of the looks, sure — the shiny silver is nice — but I also appreciate that it’s metal, not plastic, however tough plastic might be. I want a suitcase that’ll succumb to dents but won’t shatter. And my Away suitcase certainly hasn’t shattered, despite its fair share of freefalls.

There’s a massive dent on the top of the frame — noticeable, sure, but not doing any harm. There are scuffs all over; the top got scratched by my keys or the rivets on the bottom of a bag; and there’s residue from checked luggage stickers aplenty. You can tell I’ve traveled, and that I trusted several airlines with it. There are no structural issues, but the whole is a tad louder — like things have loosened up a little and it’s simply a little rickety.

That said, the wheels roll fine; the locks still shut; and the telescopic handle goes up and down still, just as it did the day I got it. So far, so good — but I’ve got plenty of trips on the calendar.

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Shop by size

Shop by collection, shop by category, shop by feature, city guides, the carry-on: aluminum edition.

Model is 6'1"

No more baggage claim mix-ups. Personalize your suitcase by adding up to three letters to make it uniquely yours.

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Free shipping・Free returns

Our Aluminum Carry-On suitcase is our classic Carry-On, leveled up. Sized to fit in the overhead bin of most major airlines and compact enough for train and car trips alike, this suitcase makes a statement wherever it goes.

With a striking aluminum hard shell, 360° spinner wheels that ensure a smooth ride, and our signature interior compression system for effortless packing, this suitcase is built to last.

• Durable aluminum hard shell
• Leather details, including a leather luggage tag
• Dual TSA-approved combination locks for extra safety
• 360° spinner wheels that ensure a smooth ride
• Slow-release handles for easy carrying
• Interior compression system and clip-in pocketed panel to help pack more in
• Hidden laundry bag to keep dirty clothing separate
• Meets the airline requirements for most major airlines as carry-on luggage

Exterior measurements  21.5" x 13.5" x 9" Interior measurements  19" x 12.5" Weight  10.1 lbs Capacity  35L Measurements include wheels.

TSA-approved combination lock

We want you to love everything about getting Away—which is why we offer free returns and exchanges on unused items for the first 100 days. We can only accept returns on unused items, so please gently test them out at home before traveling with them. Learn more about our return policy .

Our suitcases are guaranteed by a limited warranty that covers any damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, and many other functional elements of our luggage. Learn more about our warranty .

Keep in mind that while personalized items cannot be returned or exchanged, they are still covered by our warranties. For shipping info, see our FAQ .

"Allows me to travel in complete confidence." –Forbes

Premium features.

Roll with it

It's in the details.

Time will tell

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Review of the updated Away The Bigger Carry-On: Same great bag, revamped features

Editor's Note

• The Away The Carry-On and the Away The Bigger Carry-On bags offer high-end luggage looks and features.
• Standout features include a handy mesh laundry compartment, fun colors, optional ejectable battery and 360-degree spinner wheels.
• However, the bag does scuff, and there are some elements to be aware of before spending close to $300.

Since it debuted in 2015, Away has become a popular luggage company with bags that are often easy to spot in every corner of an airport, from airline lounges to baggage carousels. It's almost like the iPhone of carry-on bags — simple, stylish and priced in a way that walks that line of exclusivity while simultaneously feeling affordable enough for many frequent travelers. It likely doesn't hurt Away's popularity — and visibility — that a few times a year, it unveils seasonally refreshed colors for its bags, too.

Right now, you can purchase away bags for what is likely the best deal of the year with 20% off for Black Friday . This Black Friday sale drops the price to $236 for the Away The Bigger Carry-On and $220 for the Away The Carry-On . And if someone with an Away bag refers you, that can drop the price an additional 20% as those discounts stack.

Personally, my family now has five Away bags: two child-size bags (that are no longer available) and one adult carry-on size from a limited-edition collection inspired by the northern lights as well as two of the more traditional colors and styles. The northern lights Away bag, which was beautiful when it first arrived at my door, didn't hold up very well.

But the Away The Bigger Carry-On in the coast color that Away provided for product testing a year ago and, more recently, the revamped design in olive, have both held up wonderfully overall.

Now that I've flown more than a dozen flights with the revamped Away The Carry-On in olive and spent a year and about 100,000 miles with the previous version in coast, I'm here to share my review of the Away The Bigger Carry-On bags. I'll also talk about some differences between the most recently released version and previous iterations.

What you should look for in a carry-on bag

The best carry-on bags have a few things in common. Notably, they have a sturdy handle and are easy to roll — not only on smooth airport surfaces but also on some slightly imperfect surfaces. Sometimes, taking that train to the city center and walking the rest of the way to the hotel while pulling your bag is the best course of action, and your bag needs to be able to handle that journey.

Ideally, carry-on luggage has some compartments to help keep your belongings separated and make the act of physically closing and opening the bag a bit easier. No one wants all the items that were so carefully packed exploding everywhere, thanks to gravity during the zipping and unzipping process.

The best carry-on bags don't waste a ton of weight on the bag itself and fit in airline overhead bins, pushing right up to that maximum limit allowed so you have as much packing space as possible. They're also built to withstand the harsh realities of frequently flying without becoming the ugly duckling at the baggage carousel shortly after buying them.

Related: Keep calm and carry on: TPG shares its favorite travel carry-on bags

Why we like Away's The Bigger Carry-On

Spoiler alert: After a year of using Away The Carry-On (often instead of my beloved Rimowa), I'm a fan.

While I still love my Rimowa carry-on bags that I've used for almost a decade, there is no question that the Away bag is more functional in a few ways — which is why it is now the primary bag in my rotation.

The mesh, zippered laundry compartment on one side of the bag is one of my favorite components, as it is so useful for keeping things organized and in place. The other side of the bag can then be used for packing cubes and the like, making it easy to pack, unpack and keep everything together.

In fact, the updated carry-on model released in the summer of 2023 has even more pockets and sturdier zips. It also has redesigned handles that are easier to grip and refreshed 360-degree spinner wheels.

Purchase link: Away The Bigger Carry-On

The zippers themselves are strong and easy to move, even when you may have slightly overpacked and are leaning all your weight on the top of the suitcase to get it to close while you zip it up. I absolutely do this all the time and am continually impressed at how much I can cram in there.

The 360-degree spinner wheels have made moving through the airport, along sidewalks and more basically a dream.

As someone who avoids checking a bag as much as possible, I'm particularly fond of the slightly larger size of Away's standard carry-on bag.

The Bigger Carry-On allows you to add an extra set or two of clothes or one more pair of shoes without drifting into that "must check a bag" situation. We'll get more into the exact dimensions in a bit, but this little extra room makes a noticeable difference when packing.

Related: Carry-on luggage showdown: Away vs. Rimowa

Things to know about The Bigger Carry-On from Away

While this bag can be thrown in and out of a cab and dragged off a carousel without a worry in terms of functionality, be prepared for some scratches on the shell. (If you really want to see the durability in action, jump to the three-minute mark of the "Kids Away Luggage review video" at the end of this article to see how we tried to destroy that bag.)

Even with normal wear and tear, scuffs can absolutely be seen on the matte material. I found some on my test bag after just the first few flights.

Additionally, I've discovered that this coast color is quite popular, as I've been in a few situations now where multiple people have had the exact same bag.

Without something clearly identifying the bag as yours, you're risking bag mix-ups. Consider getting some kind of special identifier (such as a colorful luggage tag) and toss an Apple AirTag in for good measure, just in case. Or, choose a non-traditional or limited-edition color that fewer people will have.

One thing that's no longer an option on the Away carry-on bags is the removable battery, which I think is a good thing as I get stopped frequently when boarding flights to ensure mine is removed on the bags we have that still have that slot. The bag we got over the summer of 2023 does not have that battery slot, which I consider an improvement.

Related: 15 packing hacks for traveling with just a carry-on

How Away's carry-on measures up

Regularly priced starting at $295, the Away The Bigger Carry-On from Away is currently available in 12 colors (though a few are temporarily sold out or are limited-edition options) and is sized to fit in the overhead bins on most airlines.

Some of the Away bag's features include:

• Durable polycarbonate shell
• Leather detailing, including a black leather luggage tag
• TSA-approved combination lock for extra safety
• 360-degree spinner wheels that ensure a smooth ride
• Interior compression system
• Hidden laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate
• Underside grab handle (new to the 2023 model)

The Bigger Carry-On that I've been trying out has the following measurements:

• Exterior: 22.7 inches by 15.4 inches by 9.6 inches
• Interior: 20.9 inches by 15 inches by 7.9 inches
• Weight: 7.4 pounds
• Capacity: 47.9 liters

For reference, Delta Air Lines , American Airlines and United Airlines all have posted maximum carry-on sizes of 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches, which is technically a hair smaller than this bag on all sides.

In practice, on most flights, a bag that is a fraction of an inch over will still fit in the sizer and in the overhead bin. Still, know that there is a possibility that you may need to gate-check your bag .

Southwest Airlines currently has a maximum carry-on size of 24 inches by 16 inches by 10 inches, which means this larger carry-on does officially comply with that carrier's baggage dimension limits.

Away The Carry-On vs. Away The Bigger Carry-On

The two main differences between the Away The Carry-On and the Away The Bigger Carry-On are price and size.

The standard Away carry-on bag is usually about $20 cheaper than the Bigger version, at $275 instead of $295 (prices vary by color and exact model). Additionally, the traditional Away The Carry-On measures 21.7 inches by 14.4 inches by 9 inches, meaning it is smaller than the maximum carry-on size requirements for all major U.S. airlines, unlike the Bigger version. In the U.S., that difference isn't likely to cause issues most of the time, though it may be problematic when flying carriers internationally.

As someone who stuffs their carry-on to the brim, the additional capacity in The Bigger Carry-On is worth it.

But if you don't find yourself needing every square inch in your carry-on, then getting The Carry-On will save you a few dollars and be sure to keep you within the posted airline carry-on size limits.

Related: Carry-on vs. checked bags: Which is the better choice?

Overall impression

Even with the scuff marks that just happen over time, my Away suitcases still look pretty good.

I love the more voluminous Bigger version. I'm also a sucker for the zippered side of the bag that makes organizing — especially in conjunction with packing cubes — a cinch. And in perhaps the best test of all, my kids will pretty much only pull the Away bags on the rare occasion that some of our other bags are in the mix at the airport because they roll so much easier than all of our other luggage brands.

The new version that came out in 2023 is even better, especially with that handy spot to grip when pulling in or out of the overhead bins.

We're pretty much a fully Away bag family at this point, as they are the right balance of quality, style, durability and price. I give it a big thumbs up if you are in the market for a new carry-on bag this year.

Read on for more tips on finding the right piece of travel gear for you:

• Carry-on luggage showdown: Away vs. Roam
• These are the 11 best travel fanny packs for easy, hands-free travel
• 10 must-have travel accessories for less than $15
• These are the checked bags carried by TPG's staff
• Is expensive luggage worth it?