I am a staunch advocate of traveling with a carry on — no matter the trip duration, the range of clothing needed or the pairs of shoes required.
I dislike the added time it takes to check a bag, and I fear not being reunited with my luggage after a flight, especially one with multiple layovers. I also believe that I — and I alone — should be able to easily handle my suitcase on stairs, public transportation or wherever else a trip takes me.
And then I received my three-piece matching luggage set from Away, the hip luggage company that has Instagram and every travel influencer buzzing.
I believed that the hype had to do with Away’s far-and-away good looks; the hard-shell suitcases are sleek, with clean lines, and come in fun colors not often offered for suitcases, such as Blush (a pastel pink) and Sky (a bright baby blue).
Like the suitcases, Away’s branding also manages to be simple, minimalist and fun. Orders even come with a copy of Here, Away’s artsy travel magazine.
But it appears these are not the only reasons Away has so many brand evangelists. After unboxing my suitcases, I was shocked at how lightweight Away’s polycarbonate shells are, and pleased to see that all three suitcases included a TSA-approved combination lock, a laundry bag, an interior compression system and smooth-rolling 360-degree Hinomoto wheels.
Weighing only 7.8 pounds, The Bigger Carry-On — which includes an ejectable battery for phone charging — is, without a doubt, replacing my current heavier and bulkier smart suitcase. The Medium, at 9.6 pounds, is a great option for those who don’t mind checking in bags, but I was most surprised by The Large, which measures 29 by 20.5 by 12.5 inches and weighs 11.2 pounds.
Seeing how easy it was to maneuver, The Large was the first suitcase I used. Sharing it with my partner for a weekend away, we fit multiple outfits, pajamas, several pairs of shoes, hats, toiletries and both our oversize pillows.
Of course, it was for a road trip.
The Details
Away
www.awaytravel.com
