About Away
Traveling has been one of my priorities since I was a teenager. Whether it’s getting to know a new place, visiting friends abroad or just going somewhere for the sake of traveling … sometimes it just feels good to get away.
Before I knew what an ideal suitcase was, I was lugging around an old relic or a huge duffel bag – without wheels. Away designs suitcases that just make sense. Away’s sleek, stylish luggage is a response to the real problems of travel (like gate sprints and too much luggage) and just looks chic.
The durable materials in colors that match your personal style and needs, with a quick, smooth zipper, become the travel-friendly innovations your jet-setting dreams are made of. With a social community of over 700,000 members and features in Forbes and CNN, apparently I’m not the only one who thinks so.
When it comes to traveling, I’ve learned that luggage is one part of the trip I shouldn’t mess with. In this review of Away luggage, I take a close look at the brand and its products to see if it’s really worth the purchase.
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Overview Of Away
Away started like most brilliant ideas: out of necessity. Founders Stephanie Korey and Jennifer Rubio launched the brand in 2015 to put an end to the easily avoidable frustrations of traveling.
The pair believe that luggage is the “unsung hero of travel”, and I couldn’t agree more. I know the annoyance that comes with a zipper that just won’t open, a wheel that won’t run and handles that just fall off. Little things like that make traveling stressful, even though it doesn’t have to be.
When Korey and Rubio launched their brand, they decided to keep everything digital. They wanted to make it easy for buyers and keep costs as low as possible. They wanted to do things differently than other luggage manufacturers, who either offer bags that are too expensive or too inferior.
Away’s cases fall somewhere in the middle and are equipped with all the thoughtful details the duo came up with – such as a built-in battery for charging your cell phone. Their aim? To help you “get more out of every journey ahead”. I appreciate that, and I’m also a personal fan of how they see the concept of the suitcase: a mobile home and a closet when you’re on the go.
Pros & Cons
If you don’t want to read how much I rave about this company, maybe it’s time to turn away from this Away luggage review. Want to find out more about their top-notch quality and traveller-friendly design? Then be sure to read on.
To begin this Away luggage review, let’s first take a look at the pros and cons of the brand:
Advantages
- Robust construction: Away suitcases are made from durable materials that can withstand the wear and tear of travelling.
- Spacious interiors: Away cases have a large interior with equal storage space on both sides.
- Smooth-running, multidirectional spinner wheels: The wheels make it easier to navigate in tight spaces and are also very quiet.
- High customer satisfaction: Away luggage is rated very highly by customers with an average of 4.9/5 stars based on thousands of reviews.
- Innovative accessories: Away offers a wide range of travel accessories such as packing cubes and toiletry bags that make it easy to keep things organised when travelling.
- Trendy design: Away’s luggage has a sleek design that is both modern and stylish, so you can easily match your travel accessories with your style and mood.
Disadvantages
- Price: Away luggage tends to be expensive compared to other luggage brands, with some suitcases costing hundreds of dollars.
- Limited colour selection: Although Away luggage is known for its trendy designs, the brand only offers a limited number of colour options that may not suit everyone’s taste.
- While I won’t introduce you to every product from the brand, in this Away luggage review, I will share the details of some of their bestsellers to show you what their smart suitcases are all about.
Features
Away Luggage offers various travel products, including checked suitcases, backpacks, packing cubes and duffle bags. One of the brand’s most popular products is the carry-on suitcase, which is equipped with multiple features.
A notable feature of the Away carry-on suitcase is the removable battery that allows you to charge your mobile phone on the go. The battery is easy to remove from the case so you can hold it when boarding the plane, and it charges quickly and holds a charge for a long time.
The Away carry-on cases are made of polycarbonate, a durable material that typically performs well in drop tests and is lighter than metals such as aluminium.
The carry-on bags have a solid interior with equal storage space on both sides and a large zipped compartment on one side and an open area with compression straps on the other.
Away luggage is designed to be sleek and stylish and offers a range of colours and designs to choose from. The brand also offers other types of suitcases, including polycarbonate luggage in controlled sizes and aluminium models.
In addition to suitcases, Away offers a range of travel products, such as the Everywhere Bag, which has been highly rated by customers.
Overall, Away Luggage is known for its durable materials, innovative features and stylish designs, making it a popular choice among travellers. However, it is important to note that the luggage can be expensive compared to other reviewed luggage brands.
Materials
Away luggage is known for its durability and high-quality materials. The brand carefully designs its travel products to transform modern travelling and uses only the most durable materials for its designs.
Away’s luggage trays are made from polycarbonate, a lightweight and durable material that can withstand bumps and scratches. For the Carry-On Aluminum Edition, the brand also uses aluminium, which gives the case an extra layer of strength and security.
For the interior of the case, Away uses a water-repellent nylon material that is easy to clean and maintain. The brand also offers removable and washable laundry bags to help keep clothes separate and organised while travelling.
Away also offers other travel products, such as the Everywhere Bag, which is available in two styles and colours: water-repellent blue nylon and durable pink leather.
Overall, Away uses materials such as polycarbonate, aluminium and waterproof nylon in its luggage. These materials help to ensure that their products are durable, long-lasting and easy to use when travelling.
8 Best-Selling Away Products
Away The Large
It all starts with the limited-edition chalet collection. Every now and then you sit in the chairlift and the conversation stops mid-sentence because someone in a retro ski suit is carving down the piste.
You point it out, laugh about it, but secretly admire the look and wish you could recreate it yourself. And just to be clear: When I say you, I really mean me.
This suitcase is this retro ski suit. Away’s limited edition Chalet Collection harnesses the energy of this eye-catching look. The Large is available in a variety of bold colours and stripes and comes with a custom luggage tag.
No need to worry about losing this bright bag on the luggage carousel when you arrive in Aspen to hit the slopes. As Away’s largest suitcase, it’s a great choice for anyone who likes to pack a lot. My favourite part? Despite being so big, it’s deceptively light.
The shell of this suitcase is made from protective polycarbonate, so your belongings are safe and secure. But that’s not the only reason I think it’s a winner. With the compression system inside and the removable laundry bag, travelling in style becomes even easier.
Enjoy airport-friendly features like 360-degree swivel wheels and multiple handles to help you carry everything you’ve stuffed into the suitcase. Buy the Large for $348.
Away x Serena Williams – The Medium
If you’re shocked that world-class tennis pro Serena Williams has designed an Away collection, then I was too. Go Serena!
This medium-sized, soft suitcase is ideal for staying organised on short trips. Plain red on the outside, her favourite patterns can be found in the lining of the bag, on the luggage tag and the Away luggage monogram. I’m a big fan of Serena and her great design.
The medium soft case is made of durable and water-repellent nylon, making it much more flexible than the polycarbonate bag. Thanks to the easily accessible front pocket, you always have access to your belongings when you’re on the move. Heading to rainy old England? Pack a rain cover and umbrella that you can pull out in a jiffy.
Like all Away luggage, the Medium Soft Case has a compression system inside to help you organise your life on the go.
Plus, the built-in zip increases the capacity of the case by up to 1.75’ so you can fit all your favourite items!
Away x Serena The Medium Soft Case costs $333 and includes:
- Multi-coloured inner lining with camouflage pattern and organisation system
- Compression padding and waterproof laundry bag
- Leather luggage tag with matching camouflage pattern
- 360-degree spinner wheels
- Handle on the bottom for easy lifting
- TSA-approved combination lock
If you’re not a fan of this colourful collaboration, you don’t have to miss out on the Medium – it’s also available in more neutral and subtle colours and in a hard shell version:
The Carry-On
Keep calm and take it with you. That’s my general rule for travelling. I get completely overwhelmed at busy airports, but to avoid the long lines at baggage check-in and the short-tempered agents, I go straight to security with my carry-on and my pre-downloaded boarding pass.
The Away Carry-On fits easily into the overhead compartment of most airlines. Thanks to its small size, it’s ideal for the calculating traveller. This robust suitcase with its conscientious design is made for many adventures with its polycarbonate shell.
I love that it has classy leather details and comes with a black luggage tag, but most of all I love that it’s available in 7 colours. What can I say? I love options as much as convenience, and this bag offers both.
Stay connected without having to search for an outlet with the built-in charger. Charge your device up to 4 times.
If you are a fan of security, you can breathe a sigh of relief because the Carry-On has a TSA-approved combination lock.
Thanks to the brand-typical compression system inside and the hidden laundry bag, you can concentrate on sightseeing instead of sorting your clothes. Clever travelling for $295.
The Kids’ Carry-On
The Kids’ Carry-On is “scaled down (not downsized)” and designed so that children can become independent travellers at a young age.
I like that, but I also like the fact that I don’t have to deal with two suitcases and a child at the same time.
The hardwearing suitcase is up to all the demands of an adventure, but the great thing is that it is so light that a child can carry their own luggage.
This gives you as parents one less thing to worry about when travelling with your children (jet lag and boredom on the plane are unfortunately not things a suitcase can fix).
Just like the Away luggage for adults, the Kids’ Carry-On has a compression system inside, a laundry bag and 360-degree wheels.
They will enjoy the features and the fact that their luggage looks cool. Whether children or adults – good-looking luggage does not go unnoticed.
The Kids’ Carry On is equipped with an ejectable mobile phone battery and a combination lock, so kids won’t have to search for entertainment or lost items on their next flight. This piece is not currently available, but check with the brand for future launches.
Set of Two: The Carry-On + The Medium
No matter where you are travelling to, with this Away luggage set – one piece of hand luggage and one piece of checked luggage – you are well equipped for $490. In the world of luggage, that’s a great deal.
The smaller bag fits inside the larger one, saving storage space between trips, which I think is just brilliant.
The medium comes with two interior compartments: one for clothes and one for harder items like shoes, so you can focus on the day and not on how you’re going to prepare it.
You can put your dirty clothes in the hidden, waterproof laundry bag, so tidying your clothes and unpacking them on the other inside are two separate, simple processes.
Other features of The Medium include:
- Durable polycarbonate shell
- A removable battery that charges your mobile phone
- TSA-approved combination lock
- 360-degree spinner wheels
- Leather details
- Black leather luggage tag
- Compression system inside
- Hidden laundry bag
Set of Two: The Daily Carry-On with Pocket + The Medium
This set of two includes the Daily Carry-On with bag and the Medium for $505.
The Daily Carry-On with Bag is designed for short trips, and I like its sleek leather details and black Away luggage tag.
The 360-degree spinner wheels make it easy to get around, and you can pack for multiple purposes thanks to the compression system inside and the hidden laundry bag. The TSA-approved combination lock ensures the security of your valuables. In combination with the medium-sized suitcase, this is a winning combination.
The Weekender
Packing for short trips has taught me something: I have a lot of important things. Even if it’s just a splash here and a scribble there, I need a lot of things in my everyday life.
The versatile Weekender Duffle fits in any car boot, on the underside of the seat or in the luggage compartment.
Designed for short trips, the Weekender adapts to life on the go with a fully lined shoe compartment, a padded 15’ laptop compartment and a pocket on the back.
The removable padded shoulder strap is comfortable and the top handles have a button fastening for security. The leather base and accents add style and durability, while the interior and exterior pockets feature zip closures.
The Backpack
When I can, I prefer to travel with a rucksack. I admit that I often search for the things I need in backpacks without compartments – and that more than once I worry about a missing passport.
A well-organised, easily accessible backpack is a great addition to your travel or work day. In this part of my Away luggage review, I explored the spacious interior of the backpack, which features a padded compartment with a water-resistant zip that fits a 15-inch laptop.
The clever design also includes a passport pocket on the back of the backpack and a foldable water bottle pocket on the side of the backpack. Two things that would have been very useful for me a few years ago.
The backpack has three compartments with strategic uses. I’ll break them down for you here:
- Front zip compartment for large, flat items like books
- Middle zip compartment has a hidden zip pocket (for valuables like keys or phone)
- Large main compartment with space for clothes, shoes and other bulky items
The bag is slim, but it fits everything – more than you think! I’ve found the slimmer design useful when I’m travelling to keep essentials close at hand. The backpack costs $295 and is available in nylon in black, navy, green, asphalt, coast and sand.
Who Is Away Luggage For?
Away mainly sells its products online, but also has retail shops. Away designs suitcases, bags and accessories that are equipped with thoughtful details to make every single journey smoother. The company has set itself the goal of changing modern travel and inspiring its customers to travel.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or a beginner or anything in between, Away has something for you.
Away Luggage Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Don’t just rely on my opinion, read what the customers of Away in May 2023 have to say. I visited awaytravel.com to see what they think and posted a few reviews and comments below.
- The Carry On: 4.9/5 stars, 1,887 reviews
- The Medium: 4.9/5 stars, 1,304 reviews
- The Large: 4.9/5 stars, 979 reviews
- The Everywhere Bag: 4.9/5 stars, 469 reviews
Diving into the comments, I learnt that customers feel that Away stands by its promise. When issues arose with Away luggage, the company replaced it. As for quality, the following review of Away luggage sums things up well:
‘I love this The Large Check-in suitcase! I used it for a holiday trip and it fit so much more than I ever expected and the hard shell really makes a difference! And I loved the pocket for dirty laundry. Overall very happy with my purchase and I have recommended it to my whole family.’
On Reddit, I read that one customer noted that their carry-on bag met every criterion in an Away luggage review. Delivery was prompt and customers were happy with the quality of their products and thought the design was ‘impeccable’.
While I did come across some negative comments about problems contacting customer service and slow shipping, overall this brand seems to be loved by thousands, and that’s probably why it has sold over 300,000 bags to date.
Is Away Luggage Worth It?
It’s easy to fall in love with the look of something. As I was writing this review of the Away luggage, the details made me realise that Away is more than just looks, and for me, it’s totally worth it.
Away luggage takes care of the details of travelling – charging your mobile phone on the go, safe storage of items, models for small children, ambitious skiers or focused business people alike.
I really appreciate the fact that Away takes customers’ needs into account during development. Away’s cases and bags are designed with smart and consistent features and address the most common issues to eliminate them.
Away offers high-quality technical luggage with details at a mid-range price. And since I know a thing or two about baggage claim, that’s something I appreciate about this brand – I feel like they really care about their customers.
Away offers a 100-day trial period to seal the deal, and overall I think Away makes brilliant, durable and beautiful luggage that won’t break the budget. What more could you ask for?
Away Promotions & Discounts
While combing through the brand website for this Away luggage review, I noticed that while there is no Away luggage code, there is a refer a friend offer. You can also sign up for the mailing list to be notified of the latest news.
Where To Buy Away Luggage
Online
Away products can be purchased on the Away website and via the Away Luggage Amazon page.
Retail
Do you live in or near NYC? Visit the travel boutique on Bond Street. Luckily, I found out that there is more than one Away Luggage location.
Alternatives
Away Luggage is a popular travel gear brand that offers various types of suitcases, carry-on luggage and other travel accessories. If you’re looking for similar brands or alternatives to Away Luggage, here are some options to consider:
1.CALPAK Torrino II: This expandable carry-on suitcase is another great alternative to Away Luggage. It features a TSA-approved lock, double spinner wheels and multiple compartments for organisation. The 20-inch suitcase costs $165.
2.Samsonite: This well-known luggage brand offers a wide selection of suitcases in different price ranges. Samsonite suitcases are known for their durability and quality, making them a good alternative to Away Luggage. Prices range from $120 to $800 depending on the type of suitcase.
FAQ
Luggage sizes
I know it can be difficult to determine the size of a suitcase from a picture. That’s why I’ve included a size chart in this Away luggage review to make things easier – I think I’ve taken inspiration from the brand:
Away shipping policy
Away ships anywhere in Canada, the USA and the UK. Away’s goal is to ship worldwide. So if you live outside of these areas, be sure to stay tuned!
To let Away know you want your country on their radar, tweet (@away) or email help.ca@awaytravel.com. Away offers free shipping to the US and Canada, with the exception of PO boxes. Otherwise, shipping costs range from $15 to $50, depending on the shipping method and item.
How long does shipping take?
- Orders are shipped from the Away warehouse within 1 business day.
- The duration of the shipping process depends on the shipping method
- Free shipping takes 1-7 business days, depending on location.
- Personalised items take longer to deliver
- Items are not shipped on weekends or public holidays
Away Luggage Return Policy
If your Away product does not meet your requirements, you can return it within 100 days of purchase (no hidden conditions!). To do this, fill in the online form. Quick note: Away will not cover shipping costs for orders returned from Canada.
Personalised items are made to order, therefore the 100 day trial period does not apply. These items cannot be returned or exchanged, but the other regular guarantees apply.
The 100-day trial period will not be extended if you exchange your item for a new one. Instead, the remaining 100-day period applies to the exchanged item, which I think is fair.
To make a return, fill out the form on the returns page and the Away team will contact you to take the next steps. Shipping costs are non-refundable.
Away Luggage Lock Reset
My aim (as well as the brand’s) is to be as helpful as possible in this Away luggage review, and that means giving you all sorts of details about the luggage.
This section is all about the locks – because they’re what separate you from your belongings when you’re travelling. Here’s what to do if you need to reset your lock:
- Set the dials to 0-0-0
- Press the reset button with a pointed object, e.g. a pen, until you hear a click.
- Rotate the digits to your preferred combination
- Press the round button in the centre of the lock and the reset button will pop out again. When the lock opens, your combination is set.
- Turn the digits to your combination.
100-day trial
Away knows that the best way to test your luggage is to try it out. That’s why every Away product comes with a 100-day trial (unless the product has been personalised).
You can live with your suitcase for 100 days to make sure it meets your needs and requirements. If it doesn’t feel right, you can return it for a refund or exchange.
