Away suitcases have lasting power thanks to their sleek design and thoughtfully designed features.
Illustration: Forbes / Images: Retailer
Over the years, Away has expanded from its classic hardshell model to new releases like aluminum luggage, softside suitcases and expandable styles. We had our editors test them all, narrowing down the top performers after multiple trips. Each model was then scored based on a set of criteria that included size, storage options, materials and more. Here’s our roundup of the best Away luggage of 2024.
Best Carry-On Away Luggage: Away The Bigger Carry-OnBest Checked Away Luggage: Away The MediumBest Softside Away Luggage: Away The Softside Carry-OnBest Aluminum Away Luggage: Away The Carry-On Aluminum EditionBest Expandable Away Luggage: Away The Carry-On FlexBest Trunk Away Luggage: Away The Trunk
Our score: 10 | Dimensions: 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches | Weight: 7.4 pounds | Capacity: 47.9 liters | Material: Polycarbonate | Expandable: No
Pros:
A larger-sized carry-on that still fits into the overhead binDurable polycarbonate shell that can withstand impactUseful extras, like a laundry bag
Cons:
Offers generous storage but isn’t expandable
One of Away’s classic suitcases, the Bigger Carry-On is slightly larger than the classic Carry-On—but that extra space makes all the difference. This is my most used suitcase of all time; I’ve had it in my rotation since 2018. I’ve taken it with me on trips throughout North America, Europe and the Caribbean. It’s weathered heavy rain, years of being tossed around on the baggage carousel and multiple instances of me trying to cram over a week’s worth of clothes into it. After all this time, it still rolls like butter—and its zippers are still firmly in place.
While Away luggage is relatively well-priced, the value to functionality ratio of this particular model really stands out. It’s hard to find a carry-on suitcase that gets the job done as well as this one does at under $300.
Our score: 9 | Dimensions: 26 x 18.5 x 11 inches | Weight: 10.4 pounds | Capacity: 68.8 liters | Material: Polycarbonate | Expandable: No
Pros:
Spacious enough to accommodate for up to two weeks of travelRoomy without feeling too large or heavyDurable polycarbonate shell
Cons:
For travelers looking to bump their storage a size up, Away’s The Medium is, well, a happy medium. It has a generous capacity of almost 70 liters, without any of the clunkiness of some of the larger suitcases on the market. I found it to be just right for a two-week trip to New Zealand—reasonably sized yet spacious.
As someone on the shorter side, I was looking for a model that would provide plenty of room for chunky sweaters and souvenirs without feeling like I was lugging around something larger than my body. Despite being a larger style, this suitcase is very manageable. I traveled through four different airports on that trip, stuffing more items into it at each stop, and it held up spectacularly well. It’s now become one of my go-to options for long-haul trips—I took it with me on a 10-day trip to the West Coast last winter.
Our score: 7 | Dimensions: 21.9 x 15 x 9.1 inches | Weight: 9.2 pounds | Capacity: 32.2 liters (37.2 liters when expanded) | Material: Nylon | Expandable: Yes
Pros:
Durable and weather-resistant nylon exteriorStylishExpandable up to 1.75 inches
Cons:
Heavier than hardside Away carry-onsHas less capacity than other Away carry-onsTight pockets that can only store thin objects
While many travelers credit Away for kicking off a surge in popularity for hardside luggage, the brand surprised some loyalists when it launched its first softside collection over the summer. The Softside Carry-On is a solid competitor in this category due to its minimalist, elegant style—not something that’s too common with softside luggage. It’s also the first Away suitcase to feature exterior pockets.
I tested the Softside Carry-On this summer and was impressed by its construction. It looks stylish, and the nylon feels heavy and durable. In addition to being made with a more forgivable fabric, it also features Away’s classic compression system and the ability to expand almost two inches. It’s helpful to know, however, that this suitcase is heavier than the hardside version, which I found to be strange. I also found the pockets to be a bit tight—my 16-inch laptop was a tight squeeze—and even after expansion, it doesn’t hold as much as its hardside counterpart.
Our score: 6 | Dimensions: 21.5 x 13.5 x 9 inches | Weight: 10.1 pounds | Capacity: 35 liters | Material: Aluminum | Expandable: No
Pros:
Sleek and sophisticatedCompact and easy to fit into an overhead bin
Cons:
Weighs more due to its use of heavier aluminumSmaller capacity than that of other Away hardside options
Aluminum luggage has seen a surge in popularity—the metallic material is not only sturdy and durable, but offers an incredibly stylish look that will turn heads in any airport. Away’s Carry-On Aluminum Edition is no exception.
“I love the way this suitcase looks—it’s sleek and sophisticated,” says Forbes Vetted deputy editor Kari Molvar, who tested the Carry-On Aluminum Edition on a trip to Los Angeles. “It’s compact and a good size for shorter trips, but for longer trips, it could use a bit more packing space. I also felt that it was on the heavy side, and I personally prefer zipper closures to locks.”
Our score: 9 | Dimensions: 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches | Weight: 7.9 pounds | Capacity: 39.8 liters (44.6 liters when expanded) | Material: Polycarbonate | Expandable: Yes
Pros:
Compact but spacious enough to accommodate up to six days of travelExcellent compression systemNon-snagging zipper closure that glides very smoothly around the suitcase
Cons:
May not fit into overhead bin after full expansion
Away launched its line of expandable luggage, the Flex collection, in 2021—and overpackers everywhere celebrated. For carry-on travelers, the Carry-On Flex expands over two inches, making it a great option for travelers who don’t want to check a bag but still want the insurance of knowing that more space is available if they need it.
“This is my favorite suitcase to travel with,” says Molvar, who brought the Carry-On Flex on a recent trip to Stockholm, Sweden. “Its expansion allowed me to fit everything I needed for my five-day international trip. It easily fit into the overhead bin, and its wheels swiveled seamlessly. I threw it into the back of cabs, tugged it over curbs and tossed it on the luggage rack in the hotel room with ease. It’s also organized very well; I loved that I could leave it open—clamshell style—and see exactly where my belongings were.” For longer trips, the style is available in Bigger Carry-On, Medium and Large sizes.
Our score: 9 | Dimensions: 31.3 x 17 x 13.7 inches | Weight: 12.1 pounds | Capacity: 107 liters | Material: Polycarbonate | Expandable: No
Pros:
The most spacious Away suitcaseEasy to roll, even after being filled to the brimDurable and sturdy on its wheels
Cons:
May not be as comfortable to maneuver for shorter travelersOn the heavier side for carrying
If you have a long-haul trip of three weeks or more on the horizon, Away’s The Trunk is the brand’s biggest suitcase—as well as one of the largest on the market. It’s a great style for extended trips and offers an elongated size that makes it easy to transport bulky items.
Home and kitchen editor Sholeen Damarwala tested this on an extended road trip to Tahoe and Yosemite, as well as on a shorter flight from San Francisco to Phoenix. “Due to its elongated shape, this suitcase actually took up less space in the trunk of the car, giving us more room to store other bulky essentials,” she says. “As for the flight, I didn’t notice any major pitfalls in its shape, and overall enjoyed pushing it around at the airport.” Damarwala especially called out its construction: “The wheels spin beautifully and the zippers are sturdy. It’s also surprisingly lightweight; I was able to easily juggle the full-size suitcase and a toddler with ease on my own.”
Other Away Products We Like:
Away The Carry-On: “I would recommend thto any traveler with a short trip (three to five days) on the horizon,” says senior reviews editor Anna Perling, who reviewed this suitcase after traveling with it on a trip to Paris in May. “Its easy-to-use handle and thoughtfully placed interior pockets made packing for and navigating my trip effortless.”
Away The Hanging Toiletry Bag: “I have yet to find a toiletry bag that works better than this one,” says Molvar, who has been traveling with this since June. “It holds a ton, thanks to the clamshell design that adapts easily when you have to cram in different-sized bottles and items. It has enough pockets and dividers to keep things organized, and the zippers are very sturdy. I often pack this to the brim and I haven’t noticed any wear and tear yet.”
Away The Weekender Bag: I own several weekender bags (and recently used this for a short trip to Maine this summer), but this is one of my favorites thanks to its clamshell-style opening. It makes it so much easier to pack. I also really appreciate its padded laptop sleeve.
Away The Everywhere Tote: “This tote holds a lot, so you can squeeze extra food, snacks and shoes into its many pockets and use it as your personal item,” says Molvar, who is a fan of the tote’s design. “It might not be the most flashy or stylish bag out there, but it’s super functional and comfortable to carry.”
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted travel team has written and published dozens of luggage stories, based on rigorous research and firsthand testing.
We have extensive experience covering not only the best suitcases, but the best weekender bags, travel totes, carry-on backpacks and more travel essentials.
This story was written by Forbes Vetted’s senior travel editor, Astrid Taran, a seven-year industry veteran who’s visited over 35 countries and travels at least twice each month. She has used all types of luggage on her journeys—including many Away suitcases and bags—and tested them on planes, trains, buses and boats.
Alongside Taran, all of the picks on this list have been tested by Forbes Vetted staff editors: deputy editor Kari Molvar, home and kitchen editor Sholeen Damarwala and senior reviews editor Anna Perling.
How We Chose The Best Away Luggage
To help us narrow down the best Away luggage, we took into consideration the factors that separate one model from the rest. The variables we kept in mind were size, weight, materials and features, as well as the type of trip the suitcase is best suited for (long-haul or short-haul).
Our editors spent months (and in Taran’s case, years) road-testing bestsellers from the brand in a variety of categories, including carry-on, checked, softside, expandable, aluminum and trunk.
We carefully inspected the build quality and construction of each suitcase and product, taking note of the different ways each product was built. We took note of unique features, like expandability, pocket size and lock closures versus zip closures.
Our testers packed each suitcase to the brim to test capacity, tugged on every zipper to test construction, weighed every version to determine how heavy or light it is, and dragged each one through different types of terrain to test maneuverability. Additionally, testers were asked to take note of each suitcase’s weather-resistance and durability, using them in a variety of climates.
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Publish date : 2024-09-27 12:34:00
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