The Best Away Luggage of 2024, According to Experts and Our Testing

Away The Carry-On

$275 at Awaytravel.com

A regular carry-on or an underseat suitcase might take runner-up as man’s best friend (after dogs, of course!) because it’s with you on all of your adventures. This durable hard shell carry-on provides stability to keep your belongings safe while fitting perfectly in the overhead bin of all major airlines (and most others too!). Trebendis says that on Delta, “your carry-on luggage must not exceed 22 by 14 by 9 inches," but you can always check the requirements for your airline at your gate (or online).

Spinner wheels make this bag easy to tote around — whether in a car trunk on a road trip or pulling it behind you down some cobblestone street abroad. And you get the added benefit of a suitcase’s worth of storage space. As with all Away bags, it’s simple, compact, and sophisticated in design, and comes in a few whimsical colors like forest green.

We tested this bag in our lab and loved its spacious interior, easy navigation and maneuverability, and overall durability — our team pushed it off a counter three times and hit it with a baseball bat and it didn’t scratch or scuff. 

Exterior Size: 21.7 x 13.7 x 9 inches | Interior Size: 20 x 13.5 inches | Capacity: 39.8 liters | Colors: 8 | Material: Polycarbonate | Features: TSA lock, laundry bag, 360-degree spinner wheels

Away The Bigger Carry-On

$295 at Awaytravel.com

For times when you want a little extra room, but don’t want to check your bag, in steps this larger carry-on. “Away’s best-selling suitcase, The Bigger Carry-On, is the perfect suitcase for any trip: it’s functional, it's stylish, and it will never let you down,” Away's chief design officer, Cuan Hanly, tells PEOPLE.

Fitting about 20 percent more than the standard carry-on, this bag has all the same features with an extra inch on all sides (internally and externally). Our tests confirmed this difference — it fit every item we had laid out to pack with room to spare. We also found it exceptionally easy to maneuver.

With two compartments to help you organize your travel clothes and accessories, this suitcase keeps everything zipped and in place so it doesn’t shift while you’re on the go. There’s even a mesh compression panel to really push everything down. It also comes with a laundry bag. This bag is an ideal size for about a week-long jaunt, and despite its larger size, doesn't feel heavy.

Exterior Size: 22.7 x 14.7 x 9.6 inches | Interior Size: 21 x 14.5 inches | Capacity: 47.9 liters | Colors: 9 | Material: Polycarbonate | Features: Laundry bag, TSA lock, 360-degree spinner wheels

Away The Carry-On Flex

$325 at Awaytravel.com

Should you need just a little more space than a standard carry-on, we recommend The Carry-On Flex. Hanly also likes the bigger version of this model. “Travelers can unzip and expand the exterior seam unlocking an additional 2.25 inches of space for souvenirs, clothes, or whatever else you may need," he says.

Our team tested this bag in our lab and liked how easily it maneuvered around. The compartments were handy for packing a lot of different clothing items, and the compression panels helped condense everything. During our durability tests, the suitcase did sustain some scratches, but those could be buffed out with the included cleaning sponge, and it didn’t suffer any dings or dents.

Exterior Size: 21.7 x 13.7 x 9 inches | Interior Size: 20 x 13.5 inches | Capacity: 46.7 liters | Colors: 5 | Material: Polycarbonate | Features: Laundry bag, TSA lock, 360-degree spinner wheels

Away The Medium

$345 at Awaytravel.com

When it comes to checked luggage, you’ll want a bag you know is secure and durable, and this bag will keep your belongings safe. With a TSA-approved lock, you'll have an extra layer of security to protect your valuables — not to mention the hard polycarbonate shell that won’t get torn up in transit between the plane and baggage claim. 

The Medium also compresses your clothes with savvy section dividers. “Luggage that comes with packing cubes, storage compartments, or anything to compress clothes will allow you to pack more and help you organize your items — so I always recommend looking for these features,” Trebendis says. 

But there’s no shortage of capacity in The Medium: We couldn’t imagine needing more space for clothes or anything else. This suitcase gives you more space than the carry-on, with easy nesting to conserve storage — it fits snugly inside Away's large checked bag.

Despite being a full-size checked bag, The Medium feels light in weight and can be easily toted around with 360-degree spinner wheels. Based on our tests, we can confirm the bag has extensive organization sections, sleek wheels, and a durable exterior (minus a few scuffs). 

Exterior Size: 26 x 18.5 x 11 inches | Interior Size: 24 x 17.5 inches | Capacity: 68.8 liters | Colors: 8 | Material: Polycarbonate | Features: Laundry bag, TSA lock, 360-degree wheels

Away The Medium Flex

$395 at Awaytravel.com

With most of the same qualities as The Medium, The Medium Flex just offers a little extra space. It basically has a zippered expander that creates around seven extra liters of capacity (an extra inch all the way around). We loved its huge compartments, divider, lightweight feel, and highly mobile 360-spinner wheels.

The suitcase ran smoothly over most floor types — it only slightly stuck when transferring from hard floors to carpet. Made with the same polycarbonate as the other suitcases, this bag was barely scuffed despite rough handling (being thrown off a counter).

Exterior Size: 26 x 18.5 x 11 inches | Interior Size: 24 x 17.5 inches | Capacity: 75.7 L | Colors: 8 | Material: Polycarbonate | Features: Laundry bag, TSA lock, 360-degree wheels

Away The Large

$395 at Awaytravel.com

If you’re going on a longer adventure, this large suitcase has just enough space to keep two (ish!) weeks’ worth of clothes. We found this bag massive and only filled half of it with a huge amount of clothes and cosmetics. With all the same features as its counterparts, this suitcase is durable, well-designed for ease of use, and can be personalized on the luggage or the tag with your initials.

Although it's spacious, this suitcase isn’t heavy (weighing in at just 11 pounds) so it’s not burdensome to drag around on your next trip. Our test showed that it’s actually very mobile despite its size. It’s a suitcase that will give you years of use with minimal signs of wear. It barely scratched despite our team throwing it off a counter three times. Should it scratch in transit, you can simply buff it out with the sponge that’s included with every suitcase.

We have tested this bag in real-world travel scenarios and found it to be extremely durable and effective. It moves next to you with ease as you maneuver through airports and it’s easy to buff out any nicks that occur during transport.

Exterior Size: 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches | Interior Size: 27 x 19.5 inches | Capacity: 99.2 liters | Colors: 9 | Material: Polycarbonate | Features: Laundry bag, TSA lock, 360-degree wheels

Away The Large Flex

$425 at Awaytravel.com

Similar to The Medium Flex, The Large Flex suitcase is a doppelgänger of its original model but with a little more capacity. Our tests found it to be super spacious thanks to the expander, which offered two extra inches of room. Should you be traveling with bulky items like a puffer jacket, there are compression straps to make sure everything fits snugly. Despite its large size, this suitcase is surprisingly lightweight and easy to maneuver. Whether rolling the suitcase upright or at a 45-degree angle, we found it moved effortlessly.

Exterior Size: 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches | Interior Size: 27 x 19.5 inches | Capacity: 107.8 liters | Colors: 5 | Material: Polycarbonate | Features: Laundry bag, TSA lock, 360-degree wheels

Away The Everywhere Bag

$195 at Awaytravel.com

This reliable bag is made with water-resistant nylon and sleek leather trim, The Everywhere Bag will look good on your arm in any outfit, weather, or locale. It’s the perfect bag for overnights and short trips, with the capacity for several outfits and essentials. It even comes with a laptop pocket and small sections to keep your “everything” organized. 

“With the full wraparound zip opening, there’s no question why this is Away’s best-selling personal item,” says Hanly. With standard straps, an over-the-shoulder strap, and a trolley sleeve to slide over your suitcase handle, you can wear and carry it in several ways.

We appreciated the extensive organization of this bag, which would work as a weekender or a duffel bag. It fits enough clothes for four to five days of travel, has a comfortable shoulder strap (though not padded), and it weathered various durability tests without any scratches. With its simple and sophisticated design and useful features, this bag is a must.

Exterior Size: 16.3 x 10.2 x 7.3 inches | Interior Size: Not listed | Capacity: 20 liters | Colors: 5 | Material: Water-resistant nylon, leather trim | Features: Removable strap, interior organization system, laptop pocket

Away The Outdoor Duffle 40L

$150 at Awaytravel.com

Away's Outdoor collection "features a variety of versatile outdoor bags and accessories designed for any and all types of travel, whether it's a picnic in the park, a weekend cabin getaway, or a hike through a national park.” says Hanly. And it’s always a good idea to have a duffel in your closet so you can make a quick weekend escape. This duffel will take you far and look good while doing it. Made with 100 percent recycled materials, this bag is sturdy, spacious, and available in three bold colors. 

Though it has space for three to four days of clothes, it has several organization sections. And despite being wheel-less, the Outdoor Duffle is super lightweight, so carrying it on a trip shouldn’t be too daunting. We just wished there were even more compartments for organization. That said, we really appreciated its ability to transform from a duffel to a backpack depending on which straps you use to carry it.

“Outdoor products have historically been predominantly utilitarian, valuing functionality over aesthetics, so we were excited to create something that was not only incredibly functional but also beautifully designed,” says Hanly. When you consider the sustainable materials and reasonable price (comparatively), this bag is a solid choice for a long weekend.

Exterior Size: 12.2 x 21.7 x 9.8 inches | Interior Size: Not listed | Capacity: 40 liters | Colors: 3 | Material: Recycled polyester, recycled materials for zippers, mesh, and webbing | Features: Internal pockets and sections, detachable strap

Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack

$195 at Awaytravel.com

Backpacks are one of the easiest bags to carry thanks to the double shoulder straps that help offset the weight. This stylish option is sleek on the outside and nuanced within, featuring an array of pockets and small sections for organizing — including a laptop pouch that can fit up to a 15-inch screen. We appreciated how much the inner compartments could fit, and we thought the straps were comfortable despite not being padded. The material also seemed quite durable. Plus, you can open the bag really wide so you can see everything you’re packing clearly.

It’s lightweight so you can carry it for small adventures like hiking or visiting tourist attractions, or for longer trips. “The Everywhere Zip Backpack is one of my favorite bags to commute with,” says Hanly. “The breathable mesh back panel and padded shoulder straps are designed with extra comfort in mind, which I greatly appreciate when biking to the office.” 

This backpack even has a trolley sleeve so you can slide it over your suitcase handle to transport it if you overpacked slightly (been there, done that!). “If you plan to carry on a personal item along with your luggage, I always look for bags with a trolley sleeve to make the walk through the airport easier,” says Trebendis. “Smaller pockets on the outside of those bags for things like noise-canceling headphones, charger cables, and books allow those items to be easily accessible when you make it to your seat.” And, the strap on top doubles as a handle or a place to affix your luggage tag.

Exterior Size: 12 x 5.9 x 17.7 inches | Interior Size: Not listed | Capacity: 20 liters | Colors: 4 | Material: Water-resistant nylon, leather, mesh | Features: Internal sections, laptop pocket, hidden pockets, trolley sleeve

Away The Outdoor Convertible Backpack 45L

$220 at Awaytravel.com

If you're looking for a great travel backpack, this is a packer’s dream bag. It’s surprisingly spacious and had room left over even after we packed a huge pile of clothes. It has multiple compartments so you can keep everything organized and comes with compression straps so everything can be condensed for maximum capacity. Even when the bag was full, we felt comfortable walking around with it for a while without shoulder or back pain.

We were a little thrown by the side zipper because a few items fell out when the bag was opened. It did hold up to a 15-inch laptop and protected it extremely well. We shoved the bag off a counter three times and the laptop didn’t have any dings or damage. If you’re short in stature, the back might seem a little long, but it’s cushioned across your shoulders and comfortable to wear. Between the high quality and the seemingly endless capacity — this bag was dubbed the “Mary Poppins bag” during our test — the Outdoor Convertible Backpack is the perfect companion for any adventurer. 

Exterior Size: 21.7 x 13.6 x 9.5 inches | Interior Size: Not listed | Capacity: 45 liters | Colors: 3 | Material: Water-resistant nylon, leather, mesh | Features: Internal sections, 15-inch laptop pocket, removable shoulder strap, hidden pockets

Away The Packable Carryall

$75 at Awaytravel.com

While most Away bags lean toward neutral colors, the Packable Carryall makes a statement with whimsical options including bright orange, teal, and royal blue, as well as muted options such as black and navy. The entire bag is made from 100 percent recycled nylon, so it’s lightweight, water-resistant, and quite durable. 

“I always throw one of Away’s packable bags in my suitcase so I am prepared for any adventure that may come my way,” says Hanly. “With a large chamber, this bag can hold a weekend’s worth of clothes and shoes, and has pockets for accessories like sunglasses, jewelry pouches, or small wallets.” This an ideal carryall for a fun weekend away — and when you’re unpacked, it folds up and can be stored in a small zippered pouch to conserve space.

Exterior Size: 15 x 19.7 x 9 inches | Interior Size: Not listed | Capacity: 43 liters | Colors: 5 | Material: Water-resistant recycled nylon | Features: Can be folded in on itself for storage, internal organization, trolley sleeve

Away The Small Toiletry Bag

$55 at Awaytravel.com

Away also offers small organizers and accessory bags that fit perfectly in its larger travel bags — such as this toiletry bag. Available in four colors for different aesthetics, this bag is actually designed to mimic the look and system of the Away suitcases with two side sections (one plastic, one zippered mesh) that you can organize and close up to keep everything in place. 

This bag is super durable and easily washable. It even comes with a cute handle on top to replicate the design of a suitcase, but mini! And there’s an exterior pocket so you can store anything flat that you might need to grab in a hurry (makeup wipes! menstrual products! medications!).

Between the clear and mesh storage, there are various types of pockets to store and transport different types of cosmetics. The material is also waterproof which is an added benefit, especially since it will be spending a lot of time in the bathroom.

Exterior Size: 8.3 x 3.15 x 5.5 inches | Interior Size: Not listed | Capacity: 2.3 liters | Colors: 4 | Material: Water-resistant nylon | Features: Mesh interior pocket

Away The Pet Carrier

$225 at Awaytravel.com

This carrier has so many thoughtful details, it could only have been designed by someone who has and loves an animal. Seemingly simple at first glance, this bag is actually packed with features to help you and your pet when traveling. Transit can cause anxiety for many pets, so this carrier is equipped with a safety collar clip just in case they try to escape when you open it. There’s removable sherpa bedding to provide comfort and a water-resistant lining to account for accidents. The carrier can also be strapped into a car with a seatbelt for additional safety on road trips. This bag is airplane-compliant and should fit under most airplane seats, so your travel buddy can rest comfortably at your feet.

There’s plenty of ventilation with three mesh panels on different sides of the carrier, as well as a retractable privacy screen. You can easily access your pet through a two-way zipper top opening and two side openings. Plus, there’s plenty of storage for accessories and pet gear, such as a side zipper pocket with sleeves (perfect for storing treats!) and even a side pocket with drainage holes so you can store a collapsible water bowl without getting the bag all wet.

We also tested this pet carrier in a real-world setting and loved how well it fit under an airplane seat while remaining comfortable and spacious for a small dog (a Chihuahua mix) and still leaving enough legroom for us. This carrier fits animals up to 18 pounds.

Exterior Size: 18.7 x 10.8 x 10.75 inches | Interior Size: Not listed | Capacity: 18 pounds | Colors: 2 | Material: Nylon, leather | Features: Certified by Center for Pet Safety, includes removable sherpa bedding, water-resistant lining, and more

Away The Insider Packing Cubes

$45 at Awaytravel.com

Packing cubes are an organizer’s dream system to keep everything in its place while traveling. This set of four is especially useful because each cube comes in a different size to accommodate a multitude of products and clothes you might be traveling with. The best way to pack these (especially in an Away suitcase) is to put two packing cubes on each side of the luggage.

We tested these packing cubes in our lab and they were effective, but we wouldn’t recommend you pack liquid cosmetics in them since the mesh openings will not prevent spills from getting to your clothes. That said, the cubes themselves are made with water-resistant nylon so if they get wet they will dry quickly. You can fit a decent amount of clothing in these cubes, so whether you want to store socks and undergarments in one and blouses or shoes in another, there are endless ways to organize your things.

Exterior Size: 10 x 4.1 x 8.25 inches, 10 x 4.1 x 4.3 inches, 13 x 4.1 x 10 inches, and 13 x 4.1 x 6.9 inches | Interior Size: Not listed | Capacity: Not listed | Colors: 7 | Material: Nylon | Features: Set of four in various sizes, mesh panels, water-resistant, can be stored flat