For Those Who Favor Soft Luggage, Away Unveils a New Collection Tailored for You

If you stroll through any U.S. airport or hotel lobby, you're likely to spot Away luggage—beloved by frequent flyers. Known for their sleek, minimalist design, 360-degree spinner wheels, and vibrant colors, these sturdy polycarbonate suitcases have gained a dedicated fanbase since their debut in 2016.

Yet, for enthusiasts of soft-sided bags—those who prefer luggage that hides scuffs and has a bit of flexibility—Away has traditionally offered limited choices, but that has changed.

Today, the renowned luggage brand introduced its newest line, “the Softside,” which features a robust, water- and abrasion-resistant nylon exterior.

“Travel is a deeply personal experience, and luggage preferences reflect that,” stated Jen Rubio, cofounder and CEO of Away. She highlighted that over 50 percent of luggage sales in the U.S. are for soft-sided options, with more than 90 million American travelers exclusively using this style. “After years of design evolution, thorough testing, and countless conversations with softside users to grasp their travel needs and style choices, we are perfectly positioned to revitalize this often-overlooked category. Finally, travelers who prefer soft-sided luggage will have an elevated and affordable option they can feel proud to take on their journeys.”

The Softside collection comes in Away's four standard sizes: the Carry-On, the Bigger Carry-On, the Medium, and the Large, along with four attractive colors: Jet Black, Coast Blue, Cloud Gray, and Clay Pink. With prices ranging from $225 to $325, these new bags are more affordable than their polycarbonate versions (for instance, the soft-sided Carry-On is $50 cheaper than its hard-sided counterpart).

Similar to the hard-sided luggage, these suitcases include a compression pad to help optimize space, a telescoping handle, four 360-degree wheels, and a drawstring laundry bag. However, unlike Away's other models, the soft-sided variants abandon the clamshell design—where a suitcase splits into two equal sections—for a single top flap that opens to one main compartment. New features include two discreet exterior front pockets, a unique stabilizer to keep the bag upright when packed, and a separate TSA-approved color-matching padlock (instead of the built-in lock found on hard-sided bags).

This isn't Away's first venture into soft luggage. This latest collection is a revamped version of a previous soft-sided line the brand introduced in 2019, called the Expandables.

“In 2019, we launched a limited collection that allowed us to test our ideas, which ultimately led to the creation of this new line,” an Away spokesperson shared with Dinogo. “We reexamined every aspect of this collection, from the materials and interior layout to the locking system and handle design.”

Products from the Softside collection are now available online and in 17 physical Away stores throughout the U.S., U.K., and Canada.

The Softside line isn't the only new offering from Away this year. In May, the suitcase brand also introduced an 85-liter Rolling Duffle, crafted with a soft, abrasion- and water-resistant polyester front, a durable polycarbonate back shell, and two large all-terrain wheels. This roomy checked bag is the newest addition to Away’s outdoor collection.