The Away brand made waves when it launched — and went viral — in late 2015. It also started a wave of trendy startup luggage brands offering high-quality and fashionable luggage at a fraction of the cost of Tumi, Rimowa and other designer brands.
Now, almost 10 years after the brand launched, we’re revisiting the flagship Away The Carry-On to see if it still lives up to the hype. Spoiler alert: I tested the bag on a handful of domestic and international trips over the past six months and can confidently say it’s still one of the best carry-on bags under $500.
Let’s take a closer look at what I did and didn’t like when using the Away The Carry-On over the past couple of months.
Away’s signature carry-on bag is stylish, durable and priced right. Its polycarbonate shell will protect your belongings as you move through the airport, and it’s small enough to be considered a carry-on bag by most domestic airlines.
What we liked about it
There’s a lot to love about Away’s The Carry-On, from its design to durability. These are a few things that stuck out to me about the bag as I was testing it throughout my travels.
Timeless and functional design
I’m a huge fan of the Away The Carry-On’s design. It has sleek exterior lines, giving it an understated but still premium look. The bag is available in a variety of colors, and you can personalize it with your initials for an extra $50.
The interior of the bag is intuitive too. One side has a compression strap, which is useful for maximizing space by compressing your clothes. The other is a large zippered compartment that’s perfect for storing larger items and keeping clothes wrinkle-free.
These compartments provide just enough organization to separate types of clothing but are open-ended enough that you can pack whatever you’d like in the bag.
Durable, even as a checked bag
I’ve checked the Away The Carry-On a handful of times, and minus some minor scuffing, it hasn’t been damaged. The bag looks almost as good as the day I bought it, even after 10+ trips, making me confident that it will withstand even the busiest travel schedules.
Durability extends beyond the exterior of the bag too. All handles and internal pockets have a premium feel and haven’t stretched or otherwise been damaged during my testing. The built-in TSA lock also works great and has never gotten stuck.
Zippers — while not the smoothest I’ve tested — still open and close without issue and have never gotten stuck or bunched up as I’ve experienced with other luggage and travel backpacks in this price range.
All Away suitcases have a limited lifetime warranty that protects the bag from functional damage to the wheels, shell, zippers and handles. If something goes wrong, Away will send you a repair kit or a replacement bag.
Small and lightweight
Away’s The Carry-On weighs just 7.5 pounds when empty, so there’s little extra weight to lug around the airport. Plus, the bag is small enough to fit in overhead bins on most major airlines, so you shouldn’t have to check it.
The price is right
Coming in at $275, the Away The Carry-On is one of the more affordable bags in its class. And given how durable and stylish the bag is, I think it’s a great deal for the price.
What we didn’t like about it
Of course, no luggage is perfect. Here are a couple of things Away’s The Carry-On can improve upon.
The trolley handle isn’t as sturdy as competitors
My biggest gripe with this carry-on is its trolley handle. It moves around quite a bit, especially when the bag is fully packed. This is especially true when you compare it to the July Original Carry-On, one of Away’s closest competitors.
Further, the trolley handle has just two height settings and is not adjustable, unlike some competing bags. Depending on your height, this could make it difficult to maneuver the bag.
The wheels could be smoother
I’ve tested a lot of luggage over the years and have had varying success when it comes to how smooth the wheels are. I found the Away The Carry-On’s wheels had trouble on carpeted surfaces, especially when fully packed.
How it compares
Here’s how Away’s The Carry-On compares to some of its closest competitors from July, Samsonite and Monos.
| Interior measurements | 20 x 13.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Exterior measurements | 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 in. |
| Weight (empty) | 7.5 lbs. |
| Colors | Jet Black, Navy blue, Coast Blue, Olive Green, Sorbet Orange, Wave Blue, Salt White and limited-edition colors |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
| Price | $275 |
| Interior measurements | 20 x 14.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Exterior measurements | 21.5 x 15 x 8.5 in. |
| Weight (empty) | 7.4 lbs. |
| Colors | Sand, Moss, Forest, Navy, Shadow Lavender, Charcoal, Monochrome, Clay and limited-edition colors |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
| Price | $295 |
| Interior measurements | 20.5 x 14.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Exterior measurements | 23 x 15 x 10 in. |
| Weight (empty) | 6.5 lbs. |
| Colors | White/Gray, Navy, Black, White and Amethyst Purple |
| Warranty | Limited 10-year global warranty |
| Price | $149 |
| Interior measurements | 20 × 13.5 in. |
|---|---|
| Exterior measurements | 22 x 14 x 9 in. |
| Weight (empty) | 7.01 lbs. |
| Colors | Desert Taupe, Rose Quartz, Olive Green, Blue Haze, Ocean Blue, Storm Gray, Stellar White and Midnight Black and limited-edition colors |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty |
| Price | $255 |
Bottom line
Away The Carry-On is an excellent pick for casual travelers and budget-minded frequent flyers alike. Its design is stylish and functional, and the bag’s polycarbonate shell can withstand just about any travel situation. Even if something does go wrong, the bag is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
But as always, compare your options before you buy a carry-on bag. There are dozens of great bags, each with pros and cons. That said, Away’s The Carry-On is a good fit for most travelers seeking a durable carry-on bag for under $300.