Instagram's favorite carry-on luggage for 100 Days. Is it worth the hype?
I tried Instagram's favorite carry-on luggage for 100 days. Is it worth the hype?
The TL;DR version is: I'm sure you've been guilty of being influenced by the 'gram to purchase something. I know I have 🙋🏻♀️ It was only natural for me to purchase an Away carry-on suitcase to test. Despite the fact I already owned a couple of other carry-ons from other brands, I needed to see if it was worth the hype.
I’m backing it down for you. It’s the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Overall impression
Even with the scuff marks, small wheels, and slightly flimsy handle, this suitcase looks good.
I enjoy taking it on trips because it was a lot lighter in weight compared to my other carry on luggage. And with a lifetime warranty and a 100-day trial period, during which you can return your luggage with no questions asked, it's a pretty safe bet for frequent travelers to try and test it out.
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Key Features
For $225, you get a thoughtfully designed, sleek piece of luggage in your choice of nine different colors, sized to fit comfortably into the overhead bins on most airlines with:
A durable polycarbonate shell
Lightweight
An ejectable battery that charges your phone or iPad
TSA-approved combination lock
360-degree spinner wheels
Leather detailing
Black leather luggage tag
Interior compression system
Hidden laundry bag
Features
The carry-on's ejectable 37-watt battery makes life a whole lot easier. Not only can I charge my phone (up to five times) at the airport without sitting next to an outlet, but I could also relax knowing the TSA-compliant battery could be removed without a screwdriver if I had to check it in. Just press down, and it pops out. The hardest part is just remembering to charge the battery fully before a trip.
The most exciting feature for me was that the Away carry-on came with a selection of international plugs, which came in handy when I landed in the U.K.
Durability
The outer shell is sturdy yet has quite a bit of give, meaning you can stuff your suitcase to the brim without worrying about damage from less than reverent baggage handlers. Although the exterior is prone to scuffs and the sewn fabric that holds the two halves of the shell together seems like a potential weak spot
This bag can be thrown in and out of an Uber and dragged off a plane without a worry, but be prepared for some scratches on the shell. But with normal wear and tear, even with the matte material, scuffs can be seen.
Lighter colors show black marks as well. I got the color "sand," a light beige that looks lovely but seems to scuff a lot. I haven't had to check mine in just yet, and it has still managed to get scuffed.
If you're buying an Away suitcase, skip the black or white bags in favor of a more unusual hue, as more than once I have grabbed someone else's Away bag from the carousel and nearly walked away with it. I purchased my new bag in beige, but there's also an attractive coast blue, deep forest green, and plenty of limited-edition shades. If you do opt for black or white, add a very identifiable tag or something to stand out from the baggage carousel crowd.
The wheels roll smoothly if you don’t overpack and opt not to travel to locations with on cobblestone, but that's tough for most suitcase. This has to do with the small wheels; most brands tend to believe they are functional. They aren't. All four rotate a full 360 degrees without snagging on regular concrete or flat surfaces.
The real test comes to the durability of rolling Away on cobblestone streets. Mine has glided effortlessly through Portland and San Francisco's streets, offering such a smooth ride that I can strap my dog's carry case on top, and he'll stick his head out like he's navigating a tiny and slow-moving car. In cobblestone streets of Puerto Vallarta? Not so much. (I doubt it will pass the Europe cobblestone street test.)
The zippers are relatively sturdy and effortless to use. The handle sometimes feels a little flimsy, but it does the job. The TSA-approved combination lock is easy to set and will be a comfort to those who worry about people rifling through their cloth
Packing
Packing with Away has made it easy to stay organized. The clamshell design features two compartments. One side is meant for clothes and is covered by a compression pocket that smooshes things down surprisingly well. The other side is an open cavity with a zippered mesh closure, making it great for hard or awkwardly shaped objects. I put shoes in there, hats, camera lenses, and tripods, or anything else I don't want to carry in my laptop bag.
It also seems that no matter how much I pack, I can always carry my bag pretty easily, which I attribute to how lightweight the suitcase itself is. I also love its side carry handle, which lets you flip the bag 90 degrees to more easily maneuver it upstairs.
The verdict
I give Away a 4 on a scale of one to five. There isn’t a ‘must-buy’ to it that gives it a differentiating factor when it comes to functionality. If this was based on design and the aesthetic, it’s a 5/5. But, when it comes to travel, I need function over design. The main problem is the wheels. Having wheels that small makes it harder to navigate on uneven pavement.
Overall, this is a suitcase built by folks who understand what travelers need and put it into a package that looks really, really good. It’s lightweight, which makes it a smart choice for a carry-on.
There are still plenty of reasons to go for the Away Carry-On, the least of which is its modern, minimalist look as well as the built-in phone charger. If you like traveling in style and documenting your trips, Away might be your choice.
Pro’s
Polycarbonate shell
Ultra lightweight
Waterproof lining
Four double polyurethane casters
Removable 37w lithium-ion
Sleek, minimal design
Price point
Con’s
Sewn fabric that holds the two halves of the shell together seems like a potential weak spot
Small wheels
Handle feels a little loose
Lock didn't always work properly
The AWAY Sand Collection
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As always, all opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any brand or affiliates, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
