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Away Travel Luggage: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Bags for Your Trips

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If you’ve ever been in an airport, you’ve likely spotted the sleek and minimalist design of Away luggage. Away has become a recognizable brand in the travel world, and for good reason. At travels.edu.vn, our team of travel experts frequently gets asked: Is Away Travel Luggage really worth the investment? To answer this question definitively, we put various pieces of Away luggage through rigorous testing both in our dedicated lab and during real-world travel scenarios. We wanted to see if Away luggage truly lives up to the hype.

Our testing process was thorough. We packed each suitcase and bag to capacity, navigated them through obstacle courses simulating busy airport environments, assessed their durability by dropping them from tabletops and even subjecting them to baseball bat strikes. We also recreated an airplane cabin setup in our lab to evaluate how easily carry-on luggage fits into overhead bins and personal items slide under seats. After completing our comprehensive testing, clear winners and less impressive performers emerged. We are committed to long-term evaluation, and will continue testing each bag over a six-month period to ensure our top recommendations maintain their quality and performance over time.

From versatile carry-ons and spacious checked bags to practical duffels and backpacks, this guide reveals the best Away travel luggage options based on our expert testing. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler, finding the right luggage is crucial for a smooth and stress-free journey. Let’s dive into our top picks for Away travel luggage.

Our Top Picks for Away Travel Luggage

Best Carry-on:

Away The Carry-On at Away Travel $275

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Best Checked Bag:

Away The Medium Flex at Away Travel $395

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Best Trunk:

Away The Trunk at Away Travel $435

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Best Softside:

Away The Softside Bigger Carry-On at Away Travel $245

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Best Aluminum:

Away The Bigger Carry-on: Aluminum Edition at Away Travel $645

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Best Weekender:

Away The Everywhere Bag at Away Travel $195

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Best Duffel:

Away F.A.R. Duffle 70L at Away Travel $190

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Best Backpack:

Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack at Away Travel $195

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Best Convertible Bag:

Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L at Away Travel $220

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Best Rolling Duffel:

Away The Outdoor Rolling Duffel at Away Travel $395

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Best Away Carry-on Luggage

Away The Carry-On

Away The Carry-On

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PHOTO: Away

$275 at Away Travel

Why We Love It: This Away carry-on luggage is incredibly compact yet offers surprising packing capacity.

What to Consider: This Away travel luggage does not expand, requiring mindful packing.

When it comes to Away carry-on options, the original Carry-On remains a top performer. During our tests, this iconic Away travel luggage truly impressed us with its seemingly compact exterior that belies a remarkably spacious interior. It effortlessly accommodated our entire packing list, leaving room to spare. We successfully organized and packed enough clothing, footwear, and accessories for a full week-long trip within this suitcase.

The clamshell design of this Away suitcase features two generous compartments, complete with a compression flap on one side and a large mesh pocket on the other. Measuring a modest 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches, this carry-on is more compact than many competitors on the market. However, its robust polycarbonate shell offers sufficient flexibility to maximize packing, even without expandable zippers. This lightweight Away travel luggage glides effortlessly thanks to its 360-degree spinner wheels, and lifting is convenient from any angle with handles on the top, side, and bottom. For travelers seeking a reliable and high-performing carry-on, this Away champion bag is, in our expert opinion, well worth the investment.

The Details: 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches | 7.5 pounds | 39.8-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Away Checked Luggage

Away The Medium Flex

Away The Medium Flex

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PHOTO: Away

$395 at Away Travel

Why We Love It: The expandable zipper on this Away checked luggage provides valuable extra packing space when needed.

What to Consider: This Away travel luggage experienced minor scuffing during our rigorous testing.

While Away offers a range of sizes in their checked luggage collection, the Medium Flex stood out in our tests due to its exceptional versatility. It strikes a perfect balance – compact enough for easy rolling and lifting, yet the expandable zipper provides significant extra space, making it ideal expandable Away travel luggage for longer trips. We found it easily accommodated enough clothing for up to two weeks of travel, utilizing both the expanding zipper and the internal compression flap in its clamshell design.

Even when fully packed, this Away suitcase rolled effortlessly on its 360-degree spinner wheels across both smooth airport floors and rougher outdoor surfaces. The adjustable handle was robust, allowing for comfortable pushing and pulling of the fully loaded bag. The polycarbonate exterior did sustain a few minor scuffs during our testing process. However, Away thoughtfully includes a sponge specifically for buffing out such marks, and we were overall impressed with the bag’s durability. For a checked bag that combines versatility, capacity, and durability, the Away Medium Flex is an excellent choice.

The Details: 26 x 18.5 x 11 inches |10.8 pounds | 68.8-liter capacity; 75.7-liter capacity when expanded | Expandable | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Away Trunk Luggage

Away The Trunk

Away The Trunk

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PHOTO: Away

$435 at Away Travel

Why We Love It: The unique 30/70 design of this Away trunk luggage simplifies packing bulky items.

What to Consider: Its substantial 107-liter capacity makes it easy to overpack and exceed 50-pound weight limits for this Away travel luggage.

Don’t be deterred by the distinctive shape of Away’s Trunk – once you experience its practicality, you may never revert to a conventional checked bag. The innovative 30/70 split design features one significantly deeper side, perfect for accommodating bulky items like jeans, shoes, and jackets, or for utilizing packing cubes for optimized organization. The tall, narrow profile of this Away luggage makes it surprisingly maneuverable in crowded spaces and also more space-efficient for storage at home.

The Away Trunk boasts an impressive 107-liter capacity, providing ample space for two to three weeks’ worth of travel essentials. However, be mindful of weight as you pack; its generous volume can easily lead to exceeding airline 50-pound baggage limits. Despite its size, the Trunk remains relatively easy to handle, making it a compelling option for those needing maximum packing space in their Away travel luggage.

The Details: 31.3 x 17 x 13.7 inches | 12.3 pounds | 107-liter capacity | Polycarbonate | 4 dual spinner wheels

The 11 Best Travel Trunks, Tested and Reviewed

Best Away Softside Luggage

Away The Softside Bigger Carry-On

Away The Softside Bigger Carry-On

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PHOTO: Away

$245 at Away Travel

Why We Love It: This Away carry-on offers ample packing space and a surprisingly stylish aesthetic for a softside bag, making it excellent softside Away travel luggage.

What to Consider: It’s relatively large and heavy for a carry-on; pack carefully to avoid potential extra fees for this Away travel luggage.

After extensive testing of every bag in Away’s new softside collection, the Softside Bigger Carry-on emerged as our top pick. We actually prefer it over Away’s softside checked bags due to its lighter weight and smoother rolling performance, while still maintaining substantial packing capacity. It may push carry-on size limits, particularly when fully expanded, so be mindful of this if utilizing the expansion zipper.

The interior of this Away luggage features a top flap and a main expandable compartment, along with a compression pad to secure contents. A small front pocket provides convenient storage for a phone, passport, or similarly sized items. We were particularly impressed by the design of this Away softside carry-on. The puffy padding on the front gives it a chic and modern look. It also performed exceptionally well in our durability tests, showing no signs of damage after being thrown, hit with a baseball bat, and even stomped upon. “This fabric felt heavier and more durable than other softsides, suggesting it would hold up well even if checked,” noted T+L Associate Editorial Director Morgan Ashley Parker. The combination of lightweight yet sturdy construction, impressive size, and maneuverability makes this an outstanding carry-on and our favorite softside offering from Away.

The Details: 23 x 15.7 x 9.1 inches | 9.8 pounds | 38.3-liter capacity; 44.3-liter capacity when expanded | Expandable | Water-resistant nylon | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Away Aluminum Luggage

Away The Bigger Carry-on: Aluminum Edition

Away The Bigger Carry-on: Aluminum Edition

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PHOTO: Away Travel

$645 at Away Travel

Why We Love It: The aluminum material of this Away aluminum luggage is both protective and effortlessly stylish.

What to Consider: Aluminum is susceptible to denting and makes this Away travel luggage quite heavy.

For travelers prioritizing style and protection, the Away The Bigger Carry-On: Aluminum Edition is an ideal choice. This stunning aluminum carry-on balances a polished aesthetic with robust protection. In our tests, this Away suitcase comfortably held a week’s worth of travel items. While spacious, it is not overpackable due to its latch closures instead of zippers, meaning it lacks expandability.

This premium Away travel luggage boasts impressive features, including a built-in charging port with a USB charger and slow-release handles. Despite the added weight of the aluminum construction, the spinner wheels handle the extra bulk with ease, providing smooth maneuverability. When subjected to a metal baseball bat strike in our durability testing, the shell did dent somewhat easily, which is inherent to aluminum luggage. However, given aluminum’s superior protective qualities, we considered this a reasonable trade-off and did not deduct points. For those seeking a stylish and secure carry-on, the Away Aluminum Edition is a worthwhile investment.

The Details: 22.7 x 14.5 x 9.6 inches | 10.6 pounds |40.9-liter capacity | Aluminum | 4 dual spinner wheels

Best Away Weekender Bag

Away The Everywhere Bag

Away The Everywhere Bag

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PHOTO: Away

$195 at Away Travel

Why We Love It: This Away weekender bag is sleek, stylish, and lightweight for easy airport navigation.

What to Consider: The 20-liter capacity may be limited for trips longer than a weekend, although larger sizes are available in this Away travel luggage line.

Whether used as a personal item or for short trips, The Everywhere Bag epitomizes Away’s minimalist and stylish design philosophy. Ideal for overnight or weekend getaways, this 20-liter bag features a long zipper extending down the sides, providing wide and easy access to the main compartment. The Away weekender offers excellent organizational features, including a padded laptop pocket for devices up to 16 inches, a key leash, and multiple slip pockets for smaller items like earbuds or pens.

Constructed from lightweight yet durable nylon, this Away travel bag is comfortable to carry using the top tote handles or the removable shoulder strap. While we featured the 20-liter Everywhere Bag in our top picks, it’s also available in larger sizes to suit various travel needs. For a stylish and functional weekender, the Away Everywhere Bag is an excellent choice.

The Details: 16.3 x 10.2 x 7.3 inches |2.75 pounds (with shoulder strap) | 20-liter capacity | Nylon, leather | 16-inch laptop pocket

Best Away Duffel Bag

Away F.A.R. Duffle 70L

Away F.A.R. Duffle 70L

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PHOTO: Away

$190 at Away Travel

Why We Love It: The recycled materials of this Away duffel bag are built to withstand harsh conditions, making it durable Away travel luggage.

What to Consider: This Away travel luggage is too large to be a carry-on and will need to be checked for air travel.

Away’s F.A.R. line, meaning “For All Routes,” is designed for exceptional durability, extending beyond typical leisurely travel. Ideal for rugged use cases like camping or safaris, the fully recycled polyester construction is both water and abrasion-resistant, protecting your belongings from the elements and rough handling. In our lab tests, we were impressed by the 70-liter capacity of this Away duffel, which easily accommodated a large volume of clothing for extended trips. Multiple pockets and internal compression straps help to efficiently pack and secure items. Given its generous size, we recommend using packing cubes for optimal organization within this Away travel luggage.

One of the standout features of this duffel is its remarkably light weight – just 3 pounds. For heavier loads, it conveniently converts to a backpack using the included removable backpack straps and trolley sleeve. Note that the Away F.A.R. Duffle 70L exceeds standard carry-on dimensions and must be checked when flying. For a durable, versatile, and spacious duffel, the Away F.A.R. 70L is an excellent choice.

The Details: 5.7 x 27.5 x 11.8 inches | 3 pounds |70-liter capacity | Recycled polyester

The 10 Best Duffel Bags, Tested and Reviewed

Best Away Backpack

Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack

Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack

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PHOTO: Away

$195 at Away Travel

Why We Love It: The wrap-around zipper on this Away backpack allows it to open clamshell-style for easy packing access, making it great Away travel luggage for organization.

What to Consider: The padding could be slightly increased for enhanced carrying comfort in this Away travel luggage backpack.

Simple, sleek, and highly functional, The Everywhere Zip Backpack encompasses nearly all desirable features in a quality travel backpack. In our testing, we appreciated the numerous interior pockets for organization, a particularly beneficial feature for commuting or air travel. The dedicated laptop compartment accommodates devices up to 16 inches, and the interior also includes a water bottle pocket and various smaller pockets for accessories.

A standout feature of this Away backpack is its wrap-around zipper, enabling it to open like a clamshell suitcase for effortless packing of the main compartment. During durability tests, the water and abrasion-resistant nylon showed no damage after multiple drops from a tabletop. While the back panel and straps could benefit from slightly more padding, the backpack remained comfortable for extended wear. For a well-designed and practical travel backpack, the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack is an excellent choice.

The Details: 12 x 5.9 x 17.7 inches | 2.45 pounds | 20-liter capacity | Nylon, leather | 16-inch laptop pocket

Best Away Convertible Bag

Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L

Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L

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PHOTO: Away

$220 at Away Travel

Why We Love It: This Away convertible bag is the perfect backpack for carrying your belongings with ease and versatility as Away travel luggage.

What to Consider: It can feel somewhat bulky when fully packed as Away travel luggage.

For itineraries involving frequent transitions or multiple destinations, the Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L is an invaluable travel companion. This 45-liter pack essentially functions as a mini suitcase with enhanced portability, allowing for hands-free travel using the concealed backpack straps. In our tests, we appreciated the ease with which the straps tuck away, offering the option to carry it as a tote or duffel bag using a removable shoulder strap.

Despite its seemingly compact size, we packed a week’s worth of clothing, shoes, and accessories, with room to spare. In drop tests, the ample padding effectively protected a laptop (dummy), demonstrating its protective and comfort-enhancing design. For travelers seeking versatile and durable Away travel luggage, this convertible backpack is a top choice.

The Details: 21.7 x 13.6 x 9.5 inches | 3.32 pounds | 45-liter capacity | Recycled polyester | 16-inch laptop pocket

Best Away Rolling Duffel Bag

Away The Outdoor Rolling Duffel

Away The Outdoor Rolling Duffel

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PHOTO: Away

$395 at Away Travel

Why We Love It: This Away rolling duffel bag offers massive packing space while remaining surprisingly lightweight as Away travel luggage.

What to Consider: The wheels do not rotate 360 degrees, slightly impacting maneuverability compared to other Away travel luggage options.

With a substantial 85-liter capacity, The Outdoor Rolling Duffel is designed for travelers needing to pack large volumes. It’s an excellent choice for bulky gear, featuring a single main compartment with minimal zippered pockets for organization. In our testing, we easily packed our entire list with ample room remaining. External straps allow for cinching down the top and sides when fully packed.

Despite its large size, this Away travel luggage is remarkably lightweight, aiding in staying within airline weight restrictions. Maneuverability is commendable for its size, although the fixed wheels, lacking 360-degree rotation, make navigation slightly less agile than spinner wheeled bags. Overall, the Away The Outdoor Rolling Duffel is a durable, lightweight, and high-capacity option for travelers needing to transport or store bulky gear.

The Details: 30.5 x 16.1 x 11 inches | 7.96 pounds | 85-liter capacity | Polycarbonate back shell; polyester duffel body; recycled webbing, mesh, and drawcord | 2 fixed wheels

Other Away Luggage Options We Liked

Beyond our top recommendations, we also tested and liked these other notable Away travel luggage options:

Away The Carry-on Flex: The expandable zippers offer added space, but the wheels were less smooth on rough surfaces compared to other Away suitcases in our testing.

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Travel + Leisure – Away Carry-on Flex overhead bin

Away The Bigger Carry-On: A very spacious carry-on, ideal for longer trips. However, its size might exceed some airline carry-on restrictions, so check with your airline.

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Travel + Leisure – Away Bigger Carry-on rolling

Away The Large: Despite its large size, this Away suitcase was surprisingly maneuverable. The Medium size is recommended for staying under airline weight limits more easily. The glossy finish of this model is more prone to scuffs and scratches than the matte finish options.

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Travel + Leisure – Durability test Away Large

Away The Softside Medium: A spacious checked softside option with good internal organization. However, we found it a bit heavy and preferred the Softside Bigger Carry-on overall for Away softside travel luggage.

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Travel + Leisure – Zipping Away Softside Medium

Our Away Luggage Testing Process

We conducted dedicated testing for Away travel luggage in our New York City lab, building on our extensive prior luggage and travel accessory testing. We evaluated 24 Away luggage pieces, comparing older and newer collections to provide up-to-date recommendations.

Our testing involved packing each bag with standardized packing lists and navigating them through obstacle courses and various floor surfaces to assess wheel and handle performance. We also performed drop tests from tabletops and baseball bat strikes to evaluate durability.

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Travel + Leisure – Packing Away Large Aluminum Edition

For carry-ons, we simulated placing them in overhead bins in our airplane cabin mock-up to assess weight and features like underside grab handles. From carry-ons and checked bags to backpacks and duffels, the highest-scoring Away luggage, based on our rigorous testing, earned a place in our best Away luggage recommendations.

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Travel + Leisure – Overhead bin test Away Aluminum Carry-on

Tips for Buying Away Travel Luggage

Consider Your Travel Style

Choosing the right suitcase size depends largely on your typical travel habits. For travelers frequently flying on airlines with stringent size restrictions, the standard Carry-on, F.A.R. Convertible Backpack, or smaller Everywhere Bag are ideal Away travel luggage choices. For greater flexibility, consider the Carry-on Flex or Medium Flex, offering expandable zippers for variable packing needs. Overpackers or those embarking on extended trips should opt for Medium, Large, or Trunk sizes for maximum packing capacity in Away travel luggage.

Organizational Features

Most Away suitcases share a similar internal layout. Typically, one side features a compression flap with a pocket or two, while the other has a zippered closure with a pocket. The Aluminum collection is an exception, featuring a dual compression system. Duffel bags generally offer multiple pockets, but packing cubes can further enhance organization. Weekender bags and backpacks excel in organizational features, suitable for both commuting and travel within the Away travel luggage range.

Explore Away’s Collections

Before purchasing Away travel luggage, familiarize yourself with the different collections. The Classic collection includes Away’s original suitcase designs in carry-on, medium checked, large checked, and trunk sizes. The Flex collection adds expandable zippers to all Classic sizes except the Trunk. The Softside collection features outer pockets and nylon construction in four sizes. The Aluminum collection offers premium aluminum construction and latch closures in two carry-on sizes within the Away travel luggage family.

Frequently Asked Questions About Away Travel Luggage

  • Where to buy Away luggage?

    Away luggage is exclusively sold by Away, online and in their physical stores across the U.S. and Toronto, Canada. A store locator is available here.

  • How to choose the right luggage size?

    Decide first between carry-on and checked baggage based on your typical travel style. Ideally, having one of each provides maximum versatility. Carry-on suitcases conveniently nest inside checked bags for space-saving home storage. Always check your preferred airline’s size restrictions to determine the best Away travel luggage size, especially if deciding between carry-on and checked sizes.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp, Associate Editor at T+L, specializing in tested content, led the Away luggage testing. Having tested numerous suitcases and owning Away luggage personally (Trunk, Medium Checked, Backpack, Crossbody), Anna brings deep expertise. She conducted lab tests on multiple Away suitcases and bags, compiling testing notes to create this best Away luggage guide.

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Additional reporting by Stefanie Waldek, a space, travel, and design journalist with expertise in aviation, meteorology, and polar regions, and former editor at Architectural Digest, TripAdvisor, and ArtNews.

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Edited by Jackie Cucco, Testing Editor at Travel + Leisure, overseeing product tests and writing/editing travel product reviews based on in-depth testing. Jackie has extensive experience covering consumer products and shopping trends, with over eight years in product and gift guide coverage and 100+ TV appearances discussing consumer products.

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Updated by Anne Taylor, Updates Writer at Travel + Leisure, keeping articles current. An avid traveler to 23 countries, Anne continually tests travel products and holds a bachelor’s degree in news media, with over seven years of writing and editing experience.

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