I’ve tested a lot of travel products over the years, but I keep coming back to this Away Luggage Review because very few have remained a constant in my suitcase for more than a decade. Few travel purchases have stood the test of time in my life quite like my Away luggage.

I’ve been traveling with Away suitcases for more than a decade, long before they became one of the most recognizable luggage brands in airports around the world. During that time, they’ve accompanied me on countless domestic flights, dozens of trips throughout France and the UK and many other international adventures.

As the founder of En Route to Rêverie, my luxury travel atelier specializing in France and the UK, I spend a significant portion of the year traveling, scouting hotels and designing bespoke itineraries for travelers. My luggage gets a workout with how many trips it goes on a year. Between research trips, client travel and my own vacations, my Away suitcases have logged thousands of miles over the last decade.

Today, I own the Bigger Carry-On, the Medium and the Large, giving me firsthand experience with the three sizes I recommend most often depending on trip length.

Away Luggage Review

Why you can trust this review: I’ve traveled with Away luggage for more than a decade and own three Away suitcases. As the founder of En Route to Rêverie, a travel atelier specializing in France and the UK, I spend much of the year researching destinations, scouting hotels and traveling extensively throughout France, the UK and beyond.

This Away Luggage Review is based entirely on my own long-term experience and has not been sponsored by Away.

Table of Contents

• My Experience with Away Luggage
• Why I Chose Away
• The Away Suitcases I Own
• What I Love About Away
• A Few Things to Know Before Buying
• Which Away Suitcase Is Right for You?
• How Away Performs in Europe
• Is Away Luggage Worth It?
• Frequently Asked Questions

My Away Luggage Review: Years of Real-World Experience

One of the reasons I feel comfortable recommending Away is because I’ve had enough time to see how the luggage performs over years and not just a few trips.

My suitcases have been:

• Checked on international flights
• Carried onto countless domestic flights
• Wheeled across Paris cobblestones
• Pulled through London Underground stations
• Packed for month-long stays abroad
• Loaded onto trains throughout France and the UK
• Used during every season, from summer in Provence to winter in London

After years of travel, they’re still the first suitcases I reach for and I’ve never wanted to stray to try other brands.

Why I Bought Away Luggage

When I purchased my first Away suitcase over a decade ago, I was looking for luggage that felt like a long-term investment but also fit my aesthetic.

I wanted something that was lightweight, durable, thoughtfully designed and built to withstand years of travel. But one of the features that ultimately gave me the confidence to invest in Away was its limited lifetime warranty.

When you’re spending several hundred dollars on a suitcase, knowing the company stands behind its product matters. It made me feel like I was buying luggage that was meant to last and not something I’d be replacing every few years.

More than ten years later, I still think that’s one of Away’s biggest advantages and it’s why I’ve remained loyal despite a lot of other luggage brands trying to send me their products to test over the years. 

I started my Away collection with the Carry On back in 2015 or so and have since upgraded and expanded those I own. 

Don’t miss Little Things I Do To Make My Travels Smoother & Easier!

The Away Suitcases I Own

The Bigger Carry-On

This carry on strikes the perfect balance between capacity and convenience. I can comfortably pack for several days and often longer if I’m traveling in warmer weather or packing strategically.

The compression system makes a noticeable difference and helps maximize every inch of space.

I will note I absolutely do not recommend the Aluminum Edge version of this suitcase as it doesn’t have a zipper making it considerably more difficult to close / pack a lot and take advantage of the compression system. I loved how it looked but immediately returned it after using it on a trip where I could barely close it either time I went to close it.

Since purchasing mine, Away has expanded the collection to include front-pocket versions designed for business travelers carrying laptops. While I haven’t personally used the Executive Bigger Carry On, I like that the brand now offers more options depending on how (and why!) you travel.

There’s also the Topside which opens from the top and the Bigger Carry On Flex with a flexible expansion. 

The Medium

The Medium is the suitcase I use when I know I’ll be checking a bag but don’t need my largest suitcase.

For me, it’s ideal for week-long trips, shoulder season travel and itineraries where I know I’ll likely bring a few purchases home.

I actually think this size is somewhat overlooked, but it’s become one of the most practical pieces in my collection but I will say I almost always travel with it alongside my Large for longer trips.

The Large

For longer trips, winter travel or content-heavy itineraries where I need multiple outfit changes, beauty products and photography equipment, I use my Large suitcase and my Medium.

Despite its size, it’s surprisingly easy to maneuver thanks to Away’s excellent spinner wheels. It fits loads and yet not so much I feel like I’ll be over the weight limit. 

What I Love About Away Luggage

The Wheels

Even after years of heavy travel, my wheels still glide smoothly through airports, hotels and train stations.

To me, good wheels make traveling dramatically less stressful and it’s one of the first things I notice when trying other luggage brands or speaking to other frequent travelers.

The Interior Organization

Away’s interior design is simple but incredibly functional.

The compression panel helps maximize packing space while the zippered compartment keeps smaller items organized.

While Away sells coordinating packing cubes, I’ve honestly never felt like they’re necessary thanks to how well the suitcase itself is organized.

Durability

My suitcases certainly show cosmetic signs of travel. There are scratches and scuffs just as you’d expect from hard-shell luggage that’s been checked repeatedly.

What has impressed me is how well they’ve held up structurally. In the past ten years the only issues I’ve had were a zipper snapping off and a handle jamming. Both times I emailed their customer support and the Away LifetimeCare Coverage provided me with steps to repair (the handle) and replace (for the zipper). So my Away Medium is a bit newer than my other two. 

That experience reinforced exactly why I’d been willing to invest in the brand in the first place. Instead of feeling like I needed to replace an otherwise perfectly good suitcase, Away stood behind the product and made the process straightforward.

FYI that my friends who have the lighter colors of the luggage – their bags show significant more wear so keep this in mind when selecting a color.

Built-in Locks

I love having the locks built in and so easy to lock and re-lock. 

Timeless Design

Aesthetics matter to me and I really like the clean, minimalist look of the Away luggage. 

I highly recommend personalizing your cases for easy spotting at baggage claim or adding a personalized luggage tag like I have on mine. 

They’re Easy to Pack

My luggage isn’t something I use a few times a year. Rather, it’s an essential tool for my work. In a typical year, I take around 40 flights, meaning my Away suitcases have been tested in just about every travel scenario imaginable.

Between the compression panel, divided compartments and generous capacity, I can stay organized without overcomplicating things.

They Stack

For someone living in a small New York apartment, I have very limited space. The fact that my three Away suitcase stack within one another has been a huge selling point for me. 

Things to Consider Before Buying

No product is perfect and Away is no exception. Here are some key considerations I’d make before buying.

They Will Scratch

Every polycarbonate suitcase scratches and Away is no different. Personally, I don’t mind luggage that looks well traveled…it tells a story, but it’s worth knowing if you’re expecting it to stay pristine.

As mentioned, darker colors tend to disguise wear better than lighter ones.

They Aren’t Inexpensive

Away is absolutely an investment and the suitcases have definitely gotten more expensive since I first bought mine years ago.

That said, when I think about how many trips mine have accompanied me on over the past decade, the cost per use has become incredibly low.

For frequent travelers, I think they’re worth it.

Think Carefully About Size

If you’re buying your first Away suitcase, spend more time choosing the right size than choosing the right color.

The best suitcase is the one you’ll actually use most often.

Which Away Suitcase Is Right for You?

How Away Performs in Europe

Since Europe is where I travel most frequently, I think this deserves special mention.

Away performs particularly well because it’s:

• Lightweight for train travel
• Easy to maneuver on uneven streets
• Organized for hotel hopping
• Durable enough for frequent flights

One thing I always caveat when traveling overseas is that some European airlines have stricter cabin baggage requirements than U.S. airlines, so always double-check the dimensions before flying if you’re planning to carry on your suitcase.

Away Luggage Review Verdict: Is It Worth It?

After more than a decade of traveling with Away, my answer is still yes. My suitcases have traveled across Europe, been checked on countless flights and accompanied me on everything from weekend getaways to multi-week international trips. They’ve held up remarkably well over the years, and I continue reaching for them every time I pack.

Beyond the thoughtful design, smooth wheels and practical interior organization, I also appreciate that Away backs its luggage with a limited lifetime warranty. It reinforces that this is a product designed for years of use, not just a few vacations.

If I were building my luggage collection from scratch today, I’d buy Away again without hesitation.

Pro tip: You can save some money when you buy from their collections of sets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Away luggage worth the price?

In my experience, yes. After more than a decade of frequent travel, my suitcases continue to perform exceptionally well.

Does Away luggage scratch easily?

Like all polycarbonate luggage, it develops cosmetic scratches over time and I’ve had a dent here or there, too. 

Which Away suitcase should I buy?

If you’re only buying one, I’d recommend the Bigger Carry-On for its versatility. If you tend to check luggage, I’d go with the Large because it isn’t that much bigger than the Medium and is great for longer trips.

Is Away luggage good for Europe?

Yes. I’ve used mine extensively throughout Europe and appreciate how well it handles airports, train stations and city streets. (And I always feel like I can find a bit more room in them for my inevitable purchases!!)

How long does Away luggage last?

Based on my experience, well over a decade with regular use. While they show the expected cosmetic wear from years of travel, mine remain structurally sound and continue to travel beautifully.

Does Away luggage have a lifetime warranty?

Yes. As mentioned, Away offers a limited lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects on key functional components such as the shell, wheels, handles and zippers. It doesn’t cover normal cosmetic wear and tear, like scratches, which are expected with hard-shell luggage.

Before purchasing, I always recommend reviewing the latest warranty terms on Away’s website, but I appreciate the confidence the warranty adds to what is already a thoughtfully designed piece of luggage.

. . .

If you have questions after reading this Away Luggage Review, leave them in the comments below. I’m always happy to share what’s worked best for me after years of traveling with these suitcases.

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