Let’s face it: lots of baggage is cumbersome and ugly. And if you happen to’re an occasional traveler, pulling out that battered suitcase or duffel from the again of your closet will likely be simply high-quality in your annual journey again residence. Nonetheless, for others, having a extra polished look is vital. That’s the place Away is available in with The Carry-On ($275). This award-winning suitcase is smooth and refined, with easy design options and a contemporary look.
A light-weight hardshell, inside compression system, 360-degree wheels, and included laundry bag make this suitcase a minimize above the remaining. Whereas hard-sided suitcases at all times have fewer pockets than tender ones, the inside of The Carry-On is designed with group in thoughts. A clamshell opening reveals two compartments with considerate options like zippered pockets and compression straps.
I took this carry-on on a 5-day journey from California to New York and felt that it had simply sufficient area for a getaway of this size. Nonetheless, it might in all probability be too small for something longer as your solely bag. Delicate-sided suitcases do higher at maximizing each inch of an airplane’s overhead bin and usually have extra pockets, making them extra appropriate for longer journeys.
That being mentioned, I feel The Carry-On is a superb complement to a checked bag. Away additionally makes different fashions, just like the Greater Carry-On, The Carry-On Flex, and numerous checked suitcases. I extremely advocate Away’s lineup for enterprise trip-goers and people who recognize a sophisticated, minimalist look.
In brief: Away’s The Carry-On is a sensible, fashionable, and trendy suitcase for the occasional and frequent traveler alike. It’s nice for wanting polished on enterprise journeys or if you happen to’re merely searching for a high-quality, hard-sided suitcase. Even at $275, this piece of baggage is properly price the fee.
To see how the Away Carry-On stacks up in opposition to the remainder of the bags available on the market immediately, take a look at GearJunkie’s Greatest Carry-On Baggage Purchaser’s Information.
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Weight
7 lbs., 8 oz. -
Dimensions
21.7” x 14.4” x 9” -
Carry-On Linear Inches
45.1″ -
Supplies
Polycarbonate shell exterior -
Exterior Pockets
Zero -
Quantity
39.8 L
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Trendy and smooth -
Inside divider acts as a compression panel in addition to supplies an additional pocket -
TSA-approved lock on exterior
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Costly for such a easy suitcase -
No growth zipper
Away The Carry-On Suitcase: Evaluate
First Impressions Between CA and NY
You may inform immediately that Away is design-forward, evidenced by this smooth and fashionable suitcase. It’s a good departure from the flimsy plastic clamshells you normally purchase final minute at a division retailer earlier than your journey. The textured materials on the surface looks like it is going to stand up to some scuffing and scratches, irrespective of the frenzy the luggage handlers are in.
The zippers really feel high-quality, and the whole lot about this suitcase feels well-made. Most of all, I instantly cherished the compression panel that additionally serves as a divider for all sides. This genius design permits you to separate every hardshell compartment neatly with out garments bulging from mere compression straps. I might inform this was a suitcase that I’d hold and use time and time once more.
Carry-On Compliant Throughout the Board
With dimensions of 21.7” x 14.4” x 9”, or 45.1 linear inches, The Carry-On matches overhead on most main airways. Away even supplies a helpful chart that reveals its compatibility with many main nationwide and worldwide airways, which is a pleasant characteristic of its web site. A 39.8L capability is nothing to show your nostril up at both, and I might match 5 summer season outfits plus two sweaters into the suitcase’s inside.
Whereas protruding handles or wheels can usually be the distinction between carrying on or checking your bag, the Carry-On retains these exceptionally low-profile and tucks the wheels up into the bottom of the bag. On each legs of my flight to New York, I had no hassle sliding the bag into overhead bins with wiggle room to spare.
Packability
The Carry-On makes packing a breeze. Some of us will desire the clamshell design of hardshell suitcases equivalent to this one, which lets you pack gadgets on both facet and separate them into two compartments for higher group. Others would possibly desire suitcases with one zippered prime opening, permitting simpler entry to the inside with out splaying out your baggage. This can come down to non-public desire.
One facet of this suitcase has a big, zippered compartment that retains free gadgets in place. I like to slide packing cubes into this compartment. A panel with compression straps secures down the opposite facet, making it splendid for tightening cumbersome gadgets like sweaters and jackets. This panel additionally has a big mesh pocket, which is nice for storing small gadgets like electronics, free cables, books, and different equipment.
I cherished this compression panel for a way properly it retains every compartment separate. Different, cheaper luggage usually have criss-crossed straps that do a feeble job of holding your wool sweaters from busting out and snagging in your hairbrush. However this panel, cinched down by two straps, maximizes the bag’s whole area and makes packing a smooth and satisfying endeavor.
Whereas this minimalist bag doesn’t have many bells and whistles, the compression panel is helpful and distinctive sufficient to make it one in every of my favourite additional options. Moreover this, The Carry-On has an included laundry bag, which is tucked away inside a small zippered pouch and is a good way to maintain your dirty gadgets or a pair of sneakers separated. A TSA-approved mixture lock is one other good characteristic that gives some peace of thoughts, and truly secures each of the zipper pulls as soon as locked.
The bag has two slim carry handles, one on the facet and one on prime, in addition to an underside seize deal with, permitting for simple lifting from any angle. Its 360-degree wheels journey effortlessly via airport terminals, however are fairly small and received’t carry out nice on uneven terrain like gravel or cobblestones.
Supplies & Design
The hardshell of The Carry-On is made out of polycarbonate and is available in a number of completely different shade schemes from extra matte, impartial tones to vivid, shiny ones, permitting you to decide on a design that fits your private fashion. The polycarbonate is light-weight, with the entire suitcase weighing in at 7.5 kilos.
There is no such thing as a anti-scratch coating on this suitcase, and scratches have a tendency to indicate up extra on lighter-colored fashions. If it is a concern, take into account getting a darker shade or choosing a soft-sided suitcase as a substitute, which will likely be much less vulnerable to the bumps and scrapes of journey.
Room for Enchancment
It might be good to see a model of this distinctive suitcase with much more organizational options. Every of its present options is clearly properly thought out and intentional, permitting you to decide on your individual methodology of group and holding with the minimalist theme of the corporate. However upping the shape issue much more, with a separate sleeve for a laptop computer, an included bag or compartment for sneakers, would make this carry-on actually shine.
Different carry-ons, just like the Topo Designs International Journey Bag Curler or Thriller Ranch Mission 40L Wheelie, incorporate a superb variety of exterior pockets into its design. Whereas the smooth look of the Carry-On doesn’t fairly permit for this, there have been just a few occasions I needed for a fast pocket to stash one thing away (equivalent to an digital I didn’t wish to herald my checked bag). If pure versatility is your factor, the Carry-On will not be the very best choose.
And at last, $275 is a hefty worth for a comparatively easy suitcase such because the Carry-On. Price range rollers just like the Rockland Melbourne 20 ($120) or Dakine 42L Carry On Curler ($185) accomplish just about the entire identical luggage-toting wants, however for a superb bit much less, which means appears to be like have rather a lot to do with the worth on the Carry-On. With 10 colours out there, nonetheless, it may be definitely worth the splurge if the design appeals to you.
Away The Carry On: Conclusion
You may need already began to see the Away The Carry-On suitcase all over the place, as this bag has been rising in reputation as increasingly vacationers go for smooth, fashionable kinds and minimalist performance. Whilst you would possibly be capable to technically pack extra if you buy a soft-sided suitcase, the inside design of The Carry-On makes it straightforward to be organized and environment friendly with what you pack.
The robust hardshell exterior did admirably on my cross-country travels lately, solely gaining just a few scuff marks right here and there. The interior group is good, with sufficient pockets to partition completely different gadgets with out sacrificing valuable area, and a wise compression system that truly works.
An incredible complement to a checked bag, or excellent by itself for a 3-day enterprise journey, you received’t be upset within the fashion and performance of the Away Carry-On.