Add news
News Every Day |

Away luggage review: The 8 best Away suitcases and travel accessories we've tested

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

We rounded up our favorite Away luggage pieces, all based on first-hand testing.

It's hard to believe that the ultra-popular luggage brand Away is now nearly a decade old. In 2015, Away launched its colorful polycarbonate suitcases, and thanks to the brand's influence, hard-shell carry-ons went from being a rare sight in airports to the new norm. These bags (and the imitators they've spawned) are now staples among stylish travelers thanks to their sleek designs, smart added features like built-in TSA-approved locks, and Instagram-worthy color options.

Away makes some of the best carry-ons and best luggage we've tested, but the brand also offers a wide range of chic and useful bags and travel accessories, including totes and pet carriers. 

We pulled together the best Away luggage and travel accessories worthy of your consideration — all put to the test by our team of trusted product experts and travelers.

The 3 best Away pieces we tested

What makes Away luggage worth it

Away was the first luggage brand to pioneer features like integrated locks, internal compression, and roll-up laundry bags in hardshell suitcases. The brand has spawned dozens of imitators in the last few years, so this once-unique luggage design may no longer seem particularly novel. However, in our testing (and we've tested the suitcases numerous times over the past few years), Away's bags trump imitators in functionality, ease of movement, and durability. In fact, Away's bags have fared the best among hardshell suitcases in our durability testing, usually emerging with scuffs and scratches, but no major damage.

Perhaps the biggest reason to consider Away is the brand's lifetime warranty policy. We have firsthand experience trading in an Away bag under the warranty; you get a brand-new bag and there are no costs for shipping or returning the damaged bag. An Away bag is truly a bag for life — well, or as long as the company is around.

The Carry-On
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.

One of the first things my husband and I registered for when we got married was a set of Away's carry-on bags — he opted for the standard-size carry-on while I upgraded to the Bigger Carry-On. He loves his Away suitcase's smart details: a built-in lock, an interior compression system, and a fold-away laundry bag. The smaller size is particularly helpful on smaller international airlines: on a Ryanair flight in Italy, he didn't have to check this bag, but I got dinged with my Bigger Carry-On. We're both a little upset that the brand did away with the option to add a removable battery. I thought that really set Away luggage apart from others, but I can see why they did, since airlines are really cracking down on having batteries in the luggage hold and overhead bins. —Lauren Savoie, deputy editor

I have always hated packing, especially the dreaded experience of trying to squish my clothes and shoes down to zip up my suitcase. Using Away's Carry-On showed me that packing can be easy and even fun. The Carry-On comfortably fits five days of outfits with room for more. As a fan of all things bright and unique, I also love the range of colors that Away offers. The Away Carry-On is a luggage staple that won't let you down. —Kinsley Searles, Insider Reviews contributor

Read our full Away Carry-On review.

The Bigger Carry-On
For those who want a little more packing space and take more cross-country flights than tiny jumper planes, the Bigger Carry-On is an excellent option.

While my husband opted for the smaller Carry-On, I sized up to the Bigger Carry-On because I tend to travel with more stuff. It's not a dramatic difference in the sizing over the Carry-On, but I love that it has all the same features and offers me a bit more room when packing. I actually recently had the opportunity to exchange the bag under the brand's warranty program when the lining started to tear after 100+ flights with the bag. I found the process really simple: customer support responded to my request within 24 hours, and after I sent photos of the damage, they sent me a brand new bag (I got to choose the color). All I had to do was ship back my damaged bag once the new bag arrived, and Away provided the shipping label at no charge to me. The whole experience was incredibly positive and made me feel really great about the quality of the brand. —Lauren Savoie, deputy editor

As a notorious overpacker, I've experienced many trips that involve me attempting to maneuver several suitcases down large flights of stairs, through crowded airports, and onto small overnight trains. So it's safe to say that I need all of the space I can possibly get when traveling. I purchased the Bigger Carry-On at the same time as the smaller Carry-On and I love that the bigger version offers slightly more space while still being able to fit in the overhead compartments of most major airlines. I've already taken this carry-on with me on several small getaways over the last year and can't wait to travel with it internationally. —Maliah West, former home & kitchen reviews fellow

The Bigger Carry-On Flex
The Bigger Carry-On Flex expands to reveal an additional 2.25" of space available when fully flexed—perfect for those last-minute items.

After trying out this bag in our latest round of luggage testing, it's my new go-to. I love that the expansion features allow me to still travel with only a carry-on, but not have to worry about fitting souvenirs and other items I pick up in my travels into my suitcase. The expansion panels also make it much easier to close the bag: I haven't had to wrestle the suitcase closed like I usually do. Instead, I typically pack it with the expansion open, and then zip up the expansion panel when the suitcase is fully closed. I think this will result in a lot less wear and tear on the bag from overpacking. Keep in mind that you may be asked to check the bag when it's fully expanded, though this has yet to happen to me. —Lauren Savoie, deputy editor

Read our full Away Carry-On Flex review.

The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition
Aluminum luggage is extra durable and, let's be honest, looks extra cool.

I love this carry-on so much that I named it the best aluminum luggage in our guide to the best carry-on luggage. Built to last, this bag is seriously sturdy and has come out of several trips completely unscathed. What most impressed me, though, was the huge amount of packing space. I took this bag on a weekend ski trip and was able to fit my long underwear, sweaters, ski pants, gloves, and a light jacket on just one side. I easily fit a weekend's worth of everyday clothes on the other side. The only downside is the weight. At just under 11 pounds, this bag is heavy, so I tend to use it more for car and train trips. —Hannah Freedman, former associate travel editor

The Large
The Away Large has all of the same features we know and love in the brand's carry-on bags, including interior organization, 360° spinner wheels, and more thoughtful details.

I've been using The Large Away suitcase for about five years as my main checked bag. Though I tend to try to fit everything in a carry-on whenever possible, there are times that's just not feasible, and this bag has come in seriously handy for everything from monthlong treks through Asia to big ski trips in Europe when I needed to fit all my gear, plus my clothes. Checked bags, in particular, need to be durable since they get tossed around, and though it has a few marks and scratches, this suitcase has held up really well. I also like that the Carry-On nests inside it for easy storage.  —Hannah Freedman, former associate travel editor

The Pet Carrier
The third-party crash-tested Away Carrier is loaded with features for the safety, comfort, and convenience of you and your cat or small dog.

Editor's note: At the time of this update, the pet carrier was out of stock with a waitlist. We've left it in our review in case it comes back in stock before our next update.

Away's sleek Pet Carrier has a roomy interior fitted with a plush sherpa mat and privacy screens, and plenty of pocket space on the exterior to hold essentials. Its padded shoulder strap is comfortable and you can slip its luggage strap over the handle of a carry-on for easy rolling through an airport or train station. Best of all, this carrier is as safe as they come: it's been both crash-tested and certified by the Center for Pet Safety. I ended up naming it the best for car travel in our guide to the best cat carrier. —Shoshi Parks, former Insider Reviews contributor

The Everywhere Bag
The Everywhere Bag is a great easy duffle for weekend getaways. Made from durable nylon, it is available in several colors.

The Everywhere Bag is a fantastically flexible addition to Away's luggage line-up. I have used it as a work tote, a personal item, and an overnight bag. This bag's versatility is incredible: features like a padded shoulder strap and luggage sleeve make it equally at home at the gym or at the airport. Whatever you use it for, I definitely recommend this bag for both daily use and traveling. It lives up to its name: you can take it everywhere. —Kinsley Searles, Insider Reviews contributor

The Insider Packing Cubes
The Insider Packing Cubes help you store items efficiently in your suitcase.

I'll admit it: I always thought packing cubes were pointless. I stubbornly stuck with this idea for my entire life until it was time to pack for a monthlong trip for my destination wedding. There were just too many things to organize, so I tried Away's Insider Packing Cubes Set.

With six options in varying sizes, I was able to use each cube for a type of clothing — dresses used a large cube, swimsuits a smaller one. During the course of this trip, I stayed in seven hotels, and seven times the cubes not only helped me find what I wanted to wear, but made it easier to pack up quickly when it was time to move on. And, when I overpacked and had to remove items from my Large (see above), all I had to do was pull out a cube and throw it in my carry-on to remove weight quickly. For long trips especially, this packing cube convert thinks these are totally worth it. —Emily Hochberg, former travel editor

Similar to Emily, I used to be a packing cube skeptic, but now I don't travel anywhere — even for 1-2 night trips — without them. Away's are flexible and stretchy and keep all my different clothes neatly organized. I own them in black, but if I could go back I'd choose one of the lighter colors so it's easier to spot the contents behind the mesh cover. —Connie Chen, former senior reporter 

As a digital nomad, I've found Away's packing cubes to be an easy way to stay organized. They are spacious and feature a sturdy mesh lining to keep your clothes fresh (and also to let you see what's inside). Best of all, these bags can really fit a lot of clothes. I own the set of four, which comes with two slim and two wide cubes and is just right for most of my trips. Together they weigh just 0.32 kg, so they don't add much weight and can be stored flat. — Jamie Ditaranto, Insider Reviews contributor 

Read our Away packing cube review.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Минск

В Минске подтвердили выработку формулы справедливого ценообразования

Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

The Spectrum: State of the State; Columbus business leader

Liverpool emerge as frontrunners to sign Chelsea & Newcastle United transfer target

Jared Padalecki Teases 'Supernatural' Reunion With Jensen Ackles & Misha Collins on 'The Boys'

Dina Pugliese and Tim Bolen Are Hosting Breakfast Television

Ria.city
Реклама
I bought a watermelon in the market weighing 130kg.

but when he cut it, he was very surprised. It was inside






Реклама
I bought a watermelon in the market weighing 130kg.

but when he cut it, he was very surprised. It was inside


Реклама
I bought a watermelon in the market weighing 130kg.

but when he cut it, he was very surprised. It was inside

Read also

Best disc golf set

Hong Kong’s leader swipes at Trump but avoids criticism of tycoon’s deal to sell Panama Port assets

Exclusive: Liverpool scout La Liga star to replace member of the starting line-up

News, articles, comments, with a minute-by-minute update, now on Today24.pro

News Every Day

The Spectrum: State of the State; Columbus business leader

Today24.pro — latest news 24/7. You can add your news instantly now — here


News Every Day

Liverpool emerge as frontrunners to sign Chelsea & Newcastle United transfer target



Sports today


Новости тенниса
WTA

Андреева обыграла Соболеву и победила в финале WTA в Индиан-Уэллсе



Спорт в России и мире
Москва

Как избежать травм в тренажерном зале: техника безопасности



All sports news today





Sports in Russia today

Москва

Женские спортивные сообщества и формирование субкультур


Новости России

Game News

We asked two parkour athletes to rate the realism of Assassin's Creed's acrobatics, and a surprising 'crime against parkour' might actually be one of the most realistic things they saw


Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Russian.city

Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine


News Every Day

Dina Pugliese and Tim Bolen Are Hosting Breakfast Television


Губернаторы России
Спартак

"Спартак" обыграл "Зенит" в РПЛ впервые с 2017 года


Женские спортивные сообщества и формирование субкультур

это строка мета тайтл - заполненные данные реальные

ТСД SAOTRON RT41 GUN: практичный, производительный, надёжный

Проект БЦ класса А «Башня Рябов» получил положительное заключение экспертизы


Shaman «отдохнул» в одном из караоке-баров Самары и попал на видео

Продать текст песни. Продать тексты для песен.

Долина рассказала о внучке, мечтающей пойти по ее стопам: «Я ей запретила»

Концерт «Душеполезные песни на каждый день» проходит в Пскове. ФОТО


Даниил Медведев опустился на 8-е место в рейтинге ATP, Андрей Рублев — на 9-е

Елена Рыбакина получила приятный сюрприз от WTA после неудачного выступления

Россиянка Мирра Андреева одержала победу в финале турнира WTA в Индиан-Уэллсе

"Бегали словно кролики": Андреева и Соболенко прокомментировали итоги финала


Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine


Как избежать травм в тренажерном зале: техника безопасности

Подмосковные росгвардейцы задержали подозреваемого в мошенничестве на территории магазина

Женские спортивные сообщества и формирование субкультур

ТСД SAOTRON RT41 GUN: практичный, производительный, надёжный


«Что такого в том, чтобы признаться в любви своей женщине на всю страну?» Павел Воля эмоционально высказался в Comedy Club

Программа стратегического партнерства России и Таджикистана, поддержание мира в Средней Азии: о чем договорились Путин и Рахмон

Fork-Tech: разрешение сделок с криптовалютами поможет ЦБ протестировать регуляторные механизмы

Путин пригласил Николаса Мадуро в Москву на торжества по случаю 80-летия Победы


Клещи атакуют — в Подмосковье членистоногие вышли на охоту

Путин и Трамп проведут переговоры: детали телефонного разговора

Собянин: Утверждена визуальная концепция станции метро «Народное Ополчение»

Бастрыкин поручил доложить о ходе проверки после прорыва трубы в Медведкове


Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine


Путин в России и мире
Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this



Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this



Реклама
Top 6 nutrition questions men should ask themselves after 40

To maintain health and remain full of energy, men will be helped by this



Реклама
The most beautiful beach towns with cheap living

A huge number of people around the world dream of one day breaking out of the daily routine

Персональные новости Russian.city
Пианист

Пианист Станислав Корчагин сыграет воронежцам Листа и Дворжака с симфоническим оркестром ВКЗ



News Every Day

How 3 MILLION dogs are being slaughtered ahead of World Cup with executions & poisoned food… but Fifa is doing nothing




Friends of Today24

Музыкальные новости

Персональные новости