Away Luggage Review for 2023

It’s not an easy choice determining what’s the right bag for a trip… are backpacks the best choice? Perhaps a suitcase would make it easier? It is a difficult decision, and it becomes even more difficult when considering which brand to choose. There are so many on the market that offer different benefits for each traveler or type of trip, even I get overwhelmed just thinking about it!

You’ve probably heard of Away if you are looking for a new bag, backpack, or suitcase. Away is a well-known brand that’s popular on social media in recent years and it offers luxury luggage at a more affordable price. Away piqued my curiosity so naturally, I had to review the brand - let’s find out what makes Away unique and determine if the brand lives up to the hype and is worth the investment.

Away Overview

Away is a luggage manufacturer that sells premium suitcases, carry-on bags, backpacks, duffels, and other coordinating accessories. The company operates a direct-to-consumer business model to reduce overheads and decrease customer costs. Away focuses on using high-quality materials to deliver durable luggage options to travelers.

What I really like about the brand is that they partner with Global Glimpse, a non-profit organization that gives high school students from diverse backgrounds travel and leadership programs. Away wants to remove any financial concerns from students so that they are able to experience the world through travel.

The company has its headquarters in New York City, but there are plenty of Away shops in cities around the US, in addition to Toronto, Canada and London, UK. I think the best place to purchase Away luggage is directly on their website!

Why is Away different?

With so many different suitcase options out there, you might think, “well, what makes Away different from other brands?” 

These suitcases truly look beautiful. Minimalistic and stylish at the same time, they offer a great, clean look that is perfect for almost any traveler. Luggage options at Away come in up to 9 various colors, and Away’s signature black stitching, handle, and wheels. Speaking of wheels, the suitcases are equipped with four 360-degree wheels, making them effortless to maneuver through airports or city streets. 

Made with a polycarbonate shell, these bags not only look great, but they are incredibly durable and I think they feel very solid. With multiple sizes to choose from, you can create your own matching set of Away suitcases for your next trip. You can also pack more stuff in the suitcases with an internal compression system. Additionally, the bags come with a laundry bag, which I think is a nice touch and perfect for keeping those dirty clothes away from your clean ones during your travels.

Away offers a generous 100-day return policy when you purchase a bag. If you try it and find that Away isn’t the right choice for you, you can return it without any issue. However, you should note that making any personalizations to the luggage disqualifies you from the 100-day return policy. Away does have a warranty on their items that covers any functional damage, which is great if you have a broken zipper or missing wheel (not a fun experience)!

Away Products

Away offers a range of bags that are designed for travel, including checked and carry-on suitcases. In addition, various sizes and prints are available for small and medium-sized backpacks. The brand also has duffel bags and totes, which make the perfect companion to your Away suitcase. 

A wide variety of accessories are also available on their website. You will find neck pillows, packing cubes, toiletry bags, tech cases, and more. I really like that the brand offers so many accessories in coordinating colors to your Away luggage. For the fashionistas or anyone looking for a monochromatic vibe, you will find plenty of Away accessories to make sure you are always traveling in style. 

Away Carry-On Luggage

The Carry-On seems like the perfect carry-on and after my review of this bag, I absolutely agree! Just like other Away bags, this one is made with a durable, polycarbonate shell and has a cool, sleek look. An internal compression system makes packing all your items a breeze, and the laundry bag is perfect for storing your dirty clothes. The laundry bag is water-resistant as well, so you can easily go from the beach to the airport and store your wet swimsuit without ruining your other clothes. 

Measuring at 21.7" x 13.7" x 9", this suitcase is the perfect carry-on size and will fit in the overhead bin of most airlines (but always double-check before you travel). Its small size but impressive packing capacity makes this a great bag to take on planes, trains, and automobiles! Additionally, the Carry-On can be packed within your Away checked luggage for additional packing options to/from home base (and if you don’t want to carry or push multiple suitcases). The only drawback I found with this bag is that you can't expand the suitcase (bummer!)

Customers rated this bag a 5/5 stars on Away’s website, which is impressive. After combing through the reviews to see what buyers had to say, I only found a handful of negative reviews. The negative reviews (rated one or two stars out of five) complained about the size and how the bag scuffed easily, and interestingly enough, the only two star review must have been a mistake as the text in the review left glowing comments and explained how the user loved the bag!

Away Bigger Carry On

The Bigger (possibly better) Carry On is the sister suitcase to Away’s standard Carry-On luggage. Equipped with all the same features - a durable polycarbonate shell, internal compression system, water-resistant laundry bag, and TSA combination lock - the Bigger Carry-On is perfect for those who need extra space. 

Measuring 22.7” x 14.7” x 9.6”, the Bigger Carry-On is only slightly larger than its smaller counterpart. When looking at suitcase options, I always consider the weight - the Bigger Carry-On weighs in at 7.4 pounds, which is only .3 pounds more than the Carry-On. However, those .3 pounds make a difference when looking at packing volume. The Bigger Carry-On’s capacity is 47.9L, whereas the Carry-On’s capacity is 39.8L. For $20 extra in price and all of the same features, I think the Bigger Carry-On is worth it simply for the extra packing capacity! 

While Away’s website claims this bag is perfect for trips between four and seven days, I think the Bigger Carry-On is the ideal option for those looking to travel with only carry-on luggage. With the proper packing techniques and pre-trip planning, this suitcase can be your trusty sidekick on trips for up to two weeks (or longer)!

Away Medium Checked Luggage

The Medium checked luggage is a great option for any traveler. With a polycarbonate shell, the bag is very durable and will last you for years. The leather details on this bag are a nice touch and I think the leather luggage tag is a cool addition to your purchase (you can never have too many luggage tags). 

The bag features a TSA combination lock to keep your belongings secure. The interior of the bag is well-made, with a compression system to help you pack more clothes! With a 68.8L packing capacity, you’ll be able to pack all of your essential items, especially for lengthier trips. 

The bag measures at 26" x 18.5" x 11” and can be nested in the Large checked luggage, which I think is a great feature if you will be buying multiple Away suitcases and have limited space to store them. Overall, I find this is a great beginner bag for travelers new to Away. It's clear that customers also love this bag, giving it a 4.9/5 star rating on Away's website out of over 1,300 reviews.

Away Packing Cubes

Away’s Insider Packing Cubes make a great addition to your Away luggage. Available in a set of four ($45) or set of six ($65), these packing cubes are designed to fit perfectly within any Away suitcase. Made with water-resistant nylon, the packing cubes are durable, and the zippers do not feel flimsy like other brands. What I like about these packing cubes is the mesh top which allows you to easily see what you’ve packed inside each cube without opening it. For those who like to organize by category (tops in one cube, bottoms in another, etc.), this makes it super quick to find what you need. 

While the packing cubes themselves are not compressible (a feature I am starting to find very valuable), they can be packed within any Away suitcase, which has its own internal compression system, so you can save some space! The pack of four all fit within any Away carry-on so that you can stay organized even on shorter trips.

Travel Merak's Review of Away

I believe that Away luggage is a great option for frequent travelers willing to spend a little more on a durable, high-quality travel bag that is both stylish and functional. Away bags are made to last and the company frequently partners with charitable organizations and other groups that aim to improve the world (they get bonus points for this)! Sustainability is an important cause and I like that the brand works with suppliers to reduce waste.

Away's website also includes a tool for checking airline compatibility for its carry-on bags, which is a great feature. The brand includes both domestic and international airlines, making it easy to check if your new carry-on will comply with the airline for your next vacation.

Our rating: 4.8/5

Pros

• Made from durable, high-quality materials
• 100-day return policy
• Great customer ratings online
• Sustainable brand that focuses on social causes around the world
• Several color options, including lavender, sand, and coast (a pretty blue)
• Coordinating accessories

Cons

• Expensive, especially if purchasing multiple items
• No returns for any personalized bags
• Not expandable

Read about Travel Merak's product rating methodology.

Away on Instagram

@Away has quite a significant following on Instagram, with over 587,000 followers. The company has several highlights and reels posted regarding Tourism, Travel Guides, Impact, and New Arrivals for products.

They seem to have good customer engagement and post content often, with 2,145 posts. Many of their stories focus on sharing customers' pictures and reels, and also on how they continue to strive for sustainability as a company and social causes they care about. Additionally, their tourism guides offer great recommendations on where to stay, eat, and explore in a number of destinations worldwide.

Final Thoughts on Away

Are Away suitcases worth the cost? It all depends on your travel needs. Away bags are a great choice if you are looking for premium quality luggage or luxury suitcases. The lifetime warranty makes it feel like you're getting more for your money and for travelers aiming to support brands that are sustainable, Away fits the bill! Additionally, the brand offers plenty of coordinating accessories like packing cubes, toiletry bags and tech organizers to keep all your items neatly packed away and yet still matching Away's signature style.

If Away doesn't seem like the right brand for you, their competitor Monos offers similar styles and great quality in luggage at affordable prices.