The Top Luggage from Away for 2024: Reviewed and Tested

Top Carry-on

While Away offers various carry-on styles, the original remains unmatched. This iconic bag impressed us during testing with its surprisingly roomy interior that accommodated all our packing needs with extra space. We successfully organized enough clothing, shoes, and accessories for a week-long journey. The clamshell design features two large compartments: one with a compression flap and the other with a generous mesh pocket. At 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches, this carry-on is more compact than many competitors, yet its durable polycarbonate shell allows for ample packing without expandable zippers. With 360-degree spinning wheels, this lightweight suitcase glides effortlessly, and the handles on the top, side, and bottom make lifting it convenient. If you're seeking a carry-on, this champion model is well worth the investment in our view.

Specifications: 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches | Weighs 7.5 pounds | Holds 39.8 liters | Made from polycarbonate | Non-expandable

Top Checked Bag

Although Away offers various sizes for checked luggage, we are particularly fond of the Medium Flex due to its remarkable versatility. It’s compact enough for easy handling but features an expandable zipper that provides ample space for extended trips. We successfully packed enough clothes for up to two weeks, thanks to the expanding zipper and the compression flap on one side of the clamshell design. Even when fully packed, the 360-degree spinner wheels glided smoothly over different surfaces, and the sturdy adjustable handle made maneuvering easy. While the polycarbonate shell did acquire a few minor scuffs during testing, the included sponge allows for easy buffing, reaffirming the bag's durability. Since its recent launch, this popular bag is currently out of stock but will be available again soon.

Specifications: 26 x 18.5 x 11 inches | 10.8 pounds | 68.8-liter capacity; expands to 75.7 liters | Made of polycarbonate | Expandable

Best Trunk

Don't be deterred by the unique shape of Away's trunk; once you try it, you may never want to return to a conventional checked bag (trust us, we speak from experience). The 30/70 split design features a deeper side, ideal for packing bulky items such as jeans, shoes, and jackets, or for using packing cubes. Its tall, slim profile allows for easy navigation around obstacles, and it occupies less space for storage. Most impressively, it boasts a generous 107-liter capacity, sufficient for a two- to three-week trip. Just be mindful of the baggage weight, as it can easily surpass the 50-pound limit with such a vast capacity.

Specifications: 31.3 x 17 x 13.7 inches | 12.1 pounds | 107-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | Non-expandable

Top Aluminum Choice

For those who want to travel with flair, this exquisite aluminum carry-on strikes the ideal balance between elegance and protection. During our tests, we discovered that it could accommodate all items on our week-long packing list. While it's quite spacious, overpacking is impossible due to its latches instead of zippers, meaning it lacks expandability. The suitcase boasts remarkable features such as a charging port (USB charger included) for your devices and slow-release handles. Although the aluminum's weight is noticeable, the spinner wheels manage the added heft effortlessly, allowing for smooth rolling. We tested its durability by striking it with a metal baseball bat, and while the shell did dent relatively easily, we felt it was a reasonable compromise since aluminum is recognized for its reliability and protection.

Specifications: 22.7 x 14.5 x 9.6 inches | 11.2 pounds | 40.9-liter capacity | Aluminum | Non-expandable

Top Weekend Choice

This duffel, perfect as a personal item or overnight bag, showcases the brand's sleek, minimalist style. Suitable for a weekend getaway, the 20-liter bag features a long zipper that opens wide, allowing easy access to the main compartment. It includes multiple pockets for organization, such as a padded laptop pocket fitting devices up to 15 inches, a key leash, and several slip pockets for items like earbuds or pens. Crafted from lightweight yet sturdy nylon, this bag is comfortable to carry using the top tote handles or the longer, removable strap. While we highlighted the 20-liter Everywhere Bag, it also comes in two larger sizes to better suit your needs.

Specifications: 16.3 x 10.2 x 7.3 inches | 2.75 pounds | 20-liter capacity | Nylon, leather | 15-inch laptop pocket

Best Duffle

The F.A.R line from Away, which stands for 'For All Routes', provides exceptional durability for more than just casual travel. It is perfect for outdoor adventures such as camping or safaris, made from fully recycled polyester that is both water- and abrasion-resistant, ensuring your belongings remain secure against the elements. In our testing, we discovered that the 70-liter bag can accommodate a significant amount of clothing for extended trips, with various pockets and internal compression straps to aid in packing. Given the bag's size, we recommend using packing cubes for better organization. One of our favorite features is its lightweight design, weighing only three pounds; if it ever feels heavy to carry by the tote straps, it can easily convert into a backpack with its trolley sleeve and removable straps.

Specifications: 5.7 x 27.5 x 11.8 inches | Weighs 3 pounds | 70-liter capacity | Made from 100 percent recycled polyester

Top-Rated Backpack

With a minimalist design that's both stylish and practical, this backpack has nearly all the qualities we seek in a premium bag. During our tests, we loved the multiple interior pockets for efficient organization—ideal for daily commutes or flying. The dedicated laptop compartment fits tablets up to 15 inches, along with a pocket specifically for water bottles and additional smaller compartments. The standout feature is the clamshell-style opening, making it easy to pack the main section. In our durability assessments, the water- and abrasion-resistant nylon showed no wear even after being dropped off a table multiple times. While the back panel and straps could benefit from extra padding, the backpack remained comfortable for extended use.

Specifications: 12 x 5.9 x 17.7 inches | 2.45 pounds | 20-liter capacity | Made from nylon and leather | Features a 15-inch laptop compartment

Top Convertible Bag

For trips that involve frequent transitions or multiple destinations, this convertible bag is a must-have. The 45-liter capacity offers a suitcase-like experience with enhanced portability, allowing you to wear it as a backpack for hands-free convenience thanks to its concealed straps. During our tests, we appreciated how easily the straps could be tucked away, letting you switch between a tote and a duffel with a detachable shoulder strap. We managed to pack clothing, shoes, and accessories for an entire week, with extra space for more items, so don't underestimate its compact appearance. Most impressively, after several drops, our dummy laptop remained unscathed, showcasing the protective padding's effectiveness for comfort and security.

Specifications: 21.7 x 13.6 x 9.5 inches | 3.32 pounds | 45-liter capacity | Made from recycled polyester | Features a 15-inch laptop pocket

Best Tote

This packable tote from Away truly embodies its role as the ultimate "carry-all" for your travels. It conveniently folds into a compact pouch, allowing you to slip it into your suitcase without occupying much space, ready to be used if needed on your way back. It's also great for the gym, beach, or shopping trips. While its small size means it lacks a lot of structure, we believe it’s invaluable for taking on various adventures. After several months of testing, our favorite aspect is the zipper top, which keeps your belongings securely contained whether slung over your shoulder or stored in an overhead bin.

Specifications: 15 x 19.7 x 9 inches | 8 ounces | 43-liter capacity | Nylon | Not expandable

Top Choice for Pet Carriers

Traveling with pets can be a challenge (I know the feeling), but Away's pet carrier helps make the journey much smoother for both animals and their owners. It features a trolley strap and car seat straps, allowing you to secure the carrier to a suitcase at the airport or in a vehicle during road trips. The carrier is water-resistant, catering to any unexpected mishaps, and includes removable, washable faux-shearling bedding for added comfort. The durable nylon exterior is easy to clean after a lengthy trip, while the tote straps and adjustable shoulder strap ensure it's truly comfortable to carry your pet through a busy airport. One downside is that the structured design makes storage a bit tricky, but it comes with a convenient dust bag to keep it in excellent condition for your next adventure.

Specifications: 18.7 x 10.8 x 10.75 inches | 4.3 pounds | Made of nylon and leather

Best Packing Cubes

Away's packing cubes are tailored for a snug fit in their suitcases, making organization a breeze while traveling. This set includes four cubes of different sizes, allowing you to sort clothing by type or outfit for maximum efficiency. Our favorite aspect is their lightweight, durable nylon construction with mesh openings, providing visibility into the contents of each cube. Although they aren't compression packing cubes, they significantly aid in organization and space-saving.

The Details: 10 x 4.1 x 4.3 inches (Small); 10 x 4.1 x 8.25 inches (Medium); 13 x 4.1 x 10 inches (XL); 13 x 4.1 x 6.9 inches (Large) | 8 ounces total | Varies in interior capacity | Nylon

Other Away Luggage We Liked

Here are some other impressive options from Away that we put to the test.

Away The Carry-on Flex: We appreciate that this suitcase features expandable zippers for added capacity, although the wheels could roll more smoothly over uneven surfaces like carpet.

Away The Bigger Carry-On: This is an exceptionally roomy carry-on, ideal for extended trips, but be sure to verify airline carry-on size restrictions, as it may be too large.

Away The Large: This oversized bag was surprisingly easy to navigate around obstacles and rough terrains, though we found the medium version slightly easier to manage for staying within airline weight limits. It's worth noting that the shiny finish of this suitcase showed scuffs and scratches more readily during our tests compared to the matte option, which is also available.

Our Evaluation Method

Having tested a wide range of Away luggage through numerous evaluations of suitcases and travel accessories, we conducted a focused test for Away luggage in our lab located in New York City. By examining an additional 13 pieces from Away, we compared the older and newer collections to refresh this article appropriately.

We filled each bag with items from specific packing lists and navigated through various obstacle courses while rolling the bags across different floor surfaces to ensure the wheels and handles functioned seamlessly. We also dropped the bags from tabletops and struck each with a baseball to assess their durability.

We hoisted carry-ons into the overhead bins of our airplane setup to gauge their weight and experience special features like Away's convenient underside grab handles. From carry-ons and checked luggage to backpacks and duffel bags, the top-rated Away luggage made it onto our list of the best options to purchase based on our extensive testing.

Suggestions for Purchasing Away Luggage

Consider your most frequent travel destinations

Choosing the appropriate suitcase size for your travel needs can be the toughest aspect of shopping for luggage — just ask our travel editors, who are quite selective about their preferred luggage. If you're flying with airlines that have strict guidelines, you might want to consider the Carry-on, Convertible F.A.R Backpack, or the compact Everywhere Bag, as these are smaller options. For added flexibility, think about the Carry-on Flex or Medium Flex suitcases, which feature expandable zippers for extra space when required. And for overpackers or those planning longer journeys, the Medium, Large, or Trunk options offer the most spacious solutions.

Think about organizational features

Most Away suitcases share a very similar design in terms of organization. One side typically has a compression flap with one or two pockets, while the other features a zipper closure along with a pocket. The only exception is the aluminum collection, which has a dual compression system. Generally, the duffel bags come with multiple storage pockets, but investing in packing cubes can enhance your organization. We found that weekender bags and backpacks provided excellent organization for both commuting and traveling.

Classic versus Flex collections

Before purchasing an Away suitcase, make sure to explore the different collections available. The Classic collection features Away's original suitcase designs, including two sizes of carry-ons, a medium checked bag, a large checked bag, and the newly introduced trunk. The Flex collection stands out for its expandable zippers on all sizes of the Classic suitcases, except for the trunk. Additionally, the striking Aluminum collection includes two sizes of carry-ons — medium and large — both equipped with latch closures.

Common Questions

• Where can I purchase Away luggage?

  Away luggage is exclusively available through Away, either via their website or in one of their physical stores located throughout the U.S. and in Toronto, Canada. You can find the list of physical stores here.

• How do I choose the right size luggage?

  Begin by determining whether you need a carry-on or a checked bag — which do you expect to use more often? We believe it's beneficial to have both. (Additionally, the carry-ons fit neatly inside the checked bags, eliminating the need for extra storage space at home for another bag.) Be sure to check your preferred airline's size restrictions to help you decide between the carry-on and checked bag sizes offered by Away.

Why Trust Dinogo

Anna Popp is a commerce writer at T+L, where she focuses on the team's tested content. Having tried numerous suitcases, she owns Away's The Trunk and the Pet Carrier. Anna dedicated her day in the lab testing Away luggage and reviewed her notes to create this list of the finest Away luggage options.

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