I've thrown a lot of bags in my time. Six years at the gate in Chicago, and now four years of full-time testing from the passenger side. I've seen the hype cycle for every luggage brand that has ever promised to "change the way you travel." Away is one of the big ones.
Related: Best Carry-On Luggage
They sell a lifestyle, and they sell it well. But I'm more interested in what happens after the 100th flight, not the first Instagram post.
Here is the ranking of the Away lineup, based on my own rotation and the real buyer feedback I track.
The bottom line: The Away Carry-On is a solid, well-built bag that does exactly what it promises. The problem is the price.
Away makes a good product. The zippers are smooth, the shells are thick, and the warranty is real. But you are paying a ~$100 to ~$150 premium for the brand name and the aesthetic. If you want the same build quality for less money, you can get it. If you want the specific color options and the recognizable silhouette, Away is the play.
Away The Carry-On Luggage, 22-inch Lightweight Hardside Spinner Suitcase
Best balance of size, weight, and durability. Fits the sizer on every major US airline I've tested.
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Away Bigger Carry-On Luggage, 26-Inch Lightweight Hardside Spinner Suitcase
Carry-On Luggage Bigger Carry-On Luggage Medium Checked Luggage Large Checked Luggage Large Trunk Luggage Active Rolling Duffle
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Away Medium Checked Luggage, 26-inch Lightweight Hardside Spinner Suitcase
The sweet spot for a checked bag. Handles the belt well.
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Away Large Checked Luggage, 29-inch Lightweight Hardside Spinner Suitcase
Massive capacity. Great for families.
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Away The Carry-On Luggage, 22-inch Lightweight Hardside Spinner Suitcase
Carry-On Luggage Bigger Carry-On Luggage Medium Checked Luggage Large Checked Luggage Large Trunk Luggage Active Rolling Duffle
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Away Insider Packing Cubes Set of 4, Lightweight Travel Luggage Organizers
Carry-On Luggage Bigger Carry-On Luggage Medium Checked Luggage Large Checked Luggage Large Trunk Luggage Active Rolling Duffle
Visit on Amazon →How I tested
I flew the Away Carry-On for 14 segments over four months. I packed it full with the same load I take on every business trip: five shirts, two pairs of pants, a dopp kit, a laptop, and a pair of dress shoes.
I also ran the Bigger Carry-On through a week-long trip where I needed bulkier clothes. I check the zippers after every flight.
I check the corners. I check the wheels. I also have Juno, my 70-pound lab mix, who has slept on every softside bag I own.
These are hardside, so she doesn't get the same vote, but she did knock one off the couch onto the hardwood floor.
It survived.
Pros:
- The zippers are genuinely good. They are smooth and don't snag.
- The 360-degree spinner wheels are the best I've tested in this price range. They roll straight and don't wobble.
- The interior compression system is simple and effective. It keeps your clothes from shifting.
Cons:
- The price. You are paying for the name.
- The polycarbonate shell will scratch. It's a bag, it gets thrown. Buyers complain about this, and they're right to, but it's cosmetic.
- The handle has a slight wobble when fully extended. It's not a dealbreaker, but I noticed it.
Compared to the competition
The most common question I get is "Away or Monos?" Both make a 22-inch polycarbonate carry-on. The Monos is slightly lighter, and the interior organization is a bit better. The Away has a more established warranty and customer service track record.
The real difference is the price. Both are around ~$275. You can get a direct-to-consumer brand like July or a no-name polycarbonate shell on Amazon for ~$150.
The build quality is close. The zippers are not as good. But if you're on a budget, that's where I'd look.
The Away Insider Packing Cubes are a different story. They're fine. The compression zipper works, and they fit the bag's interior perfectly. But at ~$75 for a set of four, they're overpriced. My Shacke Pak set has better zippers and costs less than half as much. The only reason to buy the Away cubes is if you want the exact match with the bag's lining.
Design and build
The shell is a 100% polycarbonate hard shell. It's thick enough to handle the belt without cracking. I've seen the dents that come back on cheaper bags. The Away takes a hit and bounces back. The corners are reinforced, which is where most bags fail first.
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The interior is where Away does its best work. There's a compression system on one side and a zippered divider on the other. The compression system is a simple strap and buckle, but it works. It keeps your clothes in place and reduces the "chaos in your bag" problem. The divider side has a mesh pocket that's good for smaller items.
The handle is the weak point. It's a two-stage telescoping handle that has a slight wobble. It's not going to break, but it's not as solid as the handle on a Travelpro or a Briggs & Riley. The wheels are excellent. They're 360-degree spinners that roll smoothly on carpet and tile. I've had no issues with them catching or sticking.
Performance on the road
The Carry-On fits the sizer on every major US airline I've tested. That's the most important metric. I've flown United, American, Delta, and Alaska. No gate checks. The bag fits in the overhead bin on a CRJ-900, which is the tightest test I know.
The bag weighs 7.6 pounds. That's a bit heavy for a carry-on, but it's not unreasonable. The Bigger Carry-On weighs 8.9 pounds. When you pack that one full, it gets heavy quickly. I took it on a week-long trip and I was lifting it with both hands.
The zippers on the main compartment are smooth. I've tested them 50 times each. No snags. The zipper pulls are solid metal. They haven't come off. That's more than I can say for some other brands in this price range.
Durability over time
The shell scratches. It's a fact. Buyers complain about it in their reviews. The first scratch is always the worst. After that, it's just a bag. The scratches are cosmetic and don't affect the structural integrity.
The interior lining is holding up well. No tears or fraying. The compression strap is still tight. The zippers are still smooth.
The one thing I'm watching is the handle. The wobble hasn't gotten worse, but I'm not convinced it will last for years. It's the kind of thing that fails on a cheap bag, and I'm curious to see if it holds up here.
The packing cubes problem
The Away Insider Packing Cubes are a tough sell. They're well-made, and the compression zipper is a nice feature. But the price is hard to justify. The set of four costs ~$75. My Shacke Pak set, which has better zippers and includes a laundry bag, costs around ~$30.
The cubes do fit the bag's interior perfectly. They're designed for the dimensions of the Carry-On. That's a nice touch. But if you're looking for organization, there are cheaper options that do the same job. Buyers who have used both say the same thing. The Away cubes are nice, but they're not worth the premium.
Should you buy it?
If you want a carry-on that will last, fits the sizer, and comes with a solid warranty, the Away Carry-On is a good choice. It's a well-built bag. The price is the only real issue. If you have the money and you want the brand, go for it.
If you're on a budget, look at the direct-to-consumer options that are selling the same shell for half the price.
I've tested both, and the difference is not worth ~$150.
If you have a family or you're a heavy packer, the Bigger Carry-On is the better call. It gives you more space without moving up to a checked bag. Just be ready for the extra weight.
What I'm testing next
I've got two more direct-to-consumer polycarbonate carry-ons under ~$150 in my rotation right now. I'm putting them through the same five-flight test. I'm also tracking the zipper reliability on the Away Carry-On over the next year. If the handle wobble gets worse, I'll update this review. If it holds up, I'll say so. That's the deal.