Whether or not you want a smart suitcase is a matter of preference, but it’s nice to have the option. The inclusion of a hidden, water resistant laundry bag and leather luggage tag are nice touches as well. But with the Away, that zippered side has a mesh covering, meaning you can actually see what you’ve packed without having to dig around in your bag. For instance, a lot of bags also feature clamshell designs with one fully zipped side and one with some sort of strap to hold clothing down. Thoughtful touches like this helped push the Away into our top spot. The compression board also features a larger zip pocket that’s the perfect size for sliding your laptop into it since the board is meant to sit atop your clothing, this automatically offers extra padding for your delicate electronics. One side consists of a deep pocket covered by a full-zip divider, good for hard or bulky items the other side is topped by a removable, buckle-down compression board that helps you wring every bit of space out of the 39.8 liter bag. The case features the best internal design of the bunch - a simple yet effective system that will keep your stuff organized without overcomplicating things or clogging up valuable packing space. We also liked that the handle itself is black rather than the brushed steel color typical of most cases, as this better matches the trim and detailing on the bag.Īway really shines, however, when it comes time to actually pack it. That said, Away claims the handle is meant to be this flexible to better absorb shock, and no issues with the handle actually arose in our testing. The telescopic handle was also one of the wobbliest we tested. To be fair, Away’s top and side carry handles are a bit flat and stiff - a minor issue since the bags will typically be rolled rather than carried, but an issue nonetheless. The bag also never felt like it was going to tip over, even when fully loaded. This is due to the materials it’s constructed with: The outer shell is 100% polycarbonate, an extremely strong yet lightweight and flexible material that’s become the gold standard for hardside luggage.Īway also utilizes smooth YKK zippers, an aluminum telescopic handle and the Rolls-Royce of luggage wheels: four double Hinomoto spinners, which in our testing glided seamlessly on pavement, hardwood and grass alike. The Away Carry-On has everything you want in a suitcase: durability, thoughtful organization, smart features and chic design, all at a fair price.Īway’s offering stood up very well to our abuse, handling being kicked, jumped on and dropped down stairs with only minor scuffing and zero lasting dents. Take a look at our picks, rationale and testing process below. For those interested in lighter, expandable luggage pieces, we’ve taken a separate look at soft-shell carry-on bags.Īfter weeks of testing, we’ve settled on four cases that will serve nearly any traveler’s needs. We also only tested four-wheel spinner cases, as these are generally easier to maneuver than two-wheel cases (and any difference in packing space is negligible). New materials mean today’s hardside luggage is also often incredibly lightweight and flexible enough to pack to the brim. Now, after researching dozens of cases, we zeroed in on 12 of the most popular luggage bags with especially high praise from users and professional reviewers, and then put them through the wringer to determine the best carry-on suitcase.įor this piece, we focused exclusively on hardside (or “hard-shell”) luggage, as in our experience this has proven to be the best at actually protecting your stuff. We’ve already tested the best checked luggage for your travel plans. With tons of options to choose from, picking the right bag for your trip can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of carry-ons on the market these days, from established luggage brands and from newcomers hoping to disrupt an expensive industry with affordable, high-quality gear. Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account
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