AWAY Luggage Review: The Suitcases, Bags & Packing Cubes I Recommend | Jo-Lynne Shane

Why I Chose AWAY Luggage

Over the years, I’ve tested a handful of popular luggage brands—Delsey, Calpak, Travelpro, Samsonite, and more—but I kept coming back to AWAY. Their luggage hits the sweet spot between form and function: it looks sleek and polished, but it’s also thoughtfully designed and built to last. Every piece I’ve tried—from their carry-ons to their travel bags—feels well-made, durable, and practical.

What really won me over, though, is how everything works together as a system. The sizing is consistent, the bags stack easily, and the thoughtful features—like compression panels, hidden laundry bags, and smooth spinner wheels—just make packing and travel days easier. Each suitcase also comes with a few nice extras: a coordinating leather luggage tag and even a magic eraser to help clean off scuffs (especially helpful if you opt for one of the lighter colors).

In addition to their suitcases, AWAY has a collection of totes and backpacks that coordinate perfectly as personal items—so everything looks cohesive when you’re on the move. They’re thoughtfully designed with smart compartments and organizational features that make it easy to keep everything in its place.

Suffice it to say, at this point, AWAY luggage is my go-to for just about every trip. Here’s how it breaks down:

AWAY The Bigger Carry-On

I added The Bigger Carry-On to my lineup last fall, and it was a total game changer. It holds so much more than you’d expect, and it still fits in standard overhead bins.

AWAY The Everywhere Bag in Sand // AWAY The Bigger Carry-On in Jet Black // aviator bomber // MOTHER Roller (29) // Veronica Beard boots in Espresso

This photo is from a trip I took to Nashville last fall to meet up with some of my fellow influencer friends. I went a day early to spend time with my daughter at Belmont University. We had a lot of fun plans—and I wanted options! I never would’ve imagined doing a trip like that carry-on only, but the Bigger Carry-On made it possible. I didn’t feel like I had to sacrifice anything.

Thanks to this bag (and the success of that trip), I now do everything I can to travel carry-on only—even for longer getaways.

Checked Luggage

These days, I do my best to avoid checking bags, but sometimes a bigger suitcase is a necessity, and AWAY has a great option for that too. It was actually a checked bag that started me down the AWAY luggage path! After seeing how well it performed (and how sharp it looked rolling through the airport), I wanted to try more. That bag ended up being the first piece in what has become a full AWAY travel system.

AWAY The Medium

When I need to check a bag, AWAY’s The Medium is the one I reach for. It’s lightweight for its size, holds a ton, and pairs seamlessly with my other AWAY pieces. I can pack it full—including toiletries, styling tools, and even my Dyson hair dryer—and it still never goes over the 50-lb airline weight limit. It’s definitely a beast when fully packed, but it’s manageable.

AWAY The Medium in Sand // AWAY The Everywhere Bag in Sand // Z Supply tank (M) // EVEREVE utility jacket (M) // Athleta cargo pants in Aspen Olive (6) // On Cloud sneakers (9)

This picture is from my recent trip to Florida with Paul. We were gone for 10 days, and it was a direct flight, so I went ahead and packed my larger suitcase so I could bring all the options.

I’ve never even considered getting the The Large. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to lift it off the baggage carousel if it were packed to capacity—and I know it would go over the 50-lb weight limit almost every time. Instead, I prefer to check The Medium and pair it with The Bigger Carry-On when I need extra space. Not only is it easier to manage two smaller suitcases than one oversized one, but I also like keeping a carry-on with me to support my personal item and to be sure I have my essentials if my checked bag gets delayed.

AWAY also makes a few other checked bags, including The Medium Flex, The Large Flex, and The Trunk, each with slightly different capacities and layouts. You can compare all of their checked luggage here if you’re curious about those options.

Travel Bags & Backpacks

Okay, so let’s talk personal bags! AWAY makes a wide variety of travel bags, backpacks, and even diaper bags—all with their signature sleek design and thoughtfully designed interiors.

AWAY The Everywhere Bag

The Everywhere Bag is the one I’ve had the longest and used the most. It’s compact, chic, and keeps everything neatly contained, but it does have a few drawbacks… we’ll get to that in a sec.

AWAY The Bigger Carry-On in Jet Black // AWAY The Everywhere Bag in Sand // similar trench // stripe sweater // Pistola Kinsley Flare (29) // Paul Green Hadley (8)

Inside, it has a few organizational pockets and a padded laptop sleeve that fits even my 16″ MacBook Pro (though I usually travel with my lighter MacBook Air these days). I love that it slides securely over a suitcase handle thanks to the trolley sleeve, and the exterior zip pocket is perfect for quick-access essentials like my ID and phone when I’m going through security.

Here’s what I typically fit inside:

shop my go-to travel essentials

As for the drawbacks… one side tends to slouch when the bag isn’t packed full, which makes the exterior pocket a little harder to access. The lack of structure can be frustrating—especially when I’m trying to grab something quickly. Also, the top handles often flop over the zipper, so I usually have to hold them out of the way to get into the bag. These are minor annoyances, but worth pointing out for a brand that usually nails the details.

Because of that, I was especially interested in trying out a couple of their backpack options to compare…

AWAY The Everywhere Zip Backpack

The Everywhere Zip Backpack was the one I was most interested in trying, as it came highly recommended by several of you. It has the same sleek, sophisticated look as the Everywhere Bag, and it’s made from the same water-repellent nylon with leather trim. It’s very streamlined, and unlike the Everywhere Bag, this backpack stands up easily on its own—no slouching!

AWAY The Everywhere Zip Backpack in Jet Black // AWAY The Bigger Carry-On Flex in Jet Black // SPANX sweatshirt (S) // SPANX pants (M) // New Balance 327 (9)

It also features a full wraparound zip opening for easy access to the interior, a separate padded laptop sleeve that fits up to a 16″ laptop, a trolley sleeve, and a simple exterior zip pocket that’s perfect for a smartphone or card case.

My only caveat here is that the straps are rather stiff, and when I prop it on top of my suitcase, they either rest over the handle (which looks nicer, but makes it harder to hold onto) or they sit off to the side and stick out awkwardly on each side.

Even though it feels a little heavy when packed, it’s still manageable to wear on my back. I’d usually use the trolley sleeve and attach it to my carry-on, but the backpack option would be nice to have if I ever want to check the Medium and skip bringing a second carry-on suitcase. (Sorry, I totally forgot to get a picture wearing it on my back!)

AWAY Large Featherweight Backpack

I also ordered the Large Featherweight Backpack at the same time as the Everywhere Zip Backpack, planning to choose one and return the other but to be honest, I wasn’t expecting to like it.

From a style perspective, I wasn’t drawn to this one at all. It looks more like something I’d buy my son for high school or college than a polished, travel-ready member of the AWAY luggage lineup. It’s very plain, with no trim or leather detailing, and the bulky front pocket makes it feel more like a school backpack than a stylish travel bag… am I right?

But then… it totally won me over.

The fabric on this backpack is soft and flexible, but it still feels substantial and high quality. And the exterior pockets—the very thing that detracts from the minimalist aesthetic—ended up being my favorite part. They’re super functional, with a perfectly sized passport pocket, two slip pockets for a phone and card holder, and an extra zip pocket to corral smaller items.

I was able to stash my eye mask, compression socks, portable charger, and EarPods—all the little things I need during an overnight flight—right in the front pockets, without even opening the main compartment.

It also has two external water bottle holders, which makes it ideal for sightseeing or using as a daytime bag once I arrive. (I wish I’d brought one along as a prop for these photos… and yes, I forgot to put it on my back for a picture—but I think you can visualize that!)

Beyond all of that—it holds more than either the Everywhere Bag or the Everywhere Backpack.

A packing test sealed the deal.

I started by packing everything I wanted to bring for my England trip into the Everywhere Bag. It all fit, but just barely. I moved everything into the Everywhere Zip Backpack—same story. It worked, but there wasn’t much wiggle room. Then I packed everything into the Featherweight Backpack… and it fit with room to spare. I could even roll up a change of clothes and tuck it into the bottom!

AWAY Large Featherlight Backpack in Jet Black // AWAY The Bigger Carry-On Flex in Jet Black // SPANX sweatshirt (S) // Z Supply Elin Stripe Rib Tank (M) // SPANX pants (M) // New Balance 327 (9)

It’s also noticeably more comfortable to wear on the back than the Everywhere Zip Backpack. Plus, the straps are softer and don’t stick out awkwardly when the bag is sitting on top of my suitcase.

All that to say, the AWAY Large Featherweight Backpack may not be the most stylish option, but it’s incredibly functional, roomy, and comfortable. I’m so glad I gave it a try.

AWAY The Insider Packing Cubes

I know this post is getting long, but I want to be sure to mention the AWAY Packing Cubes! I used to struggle with packing cubes—mainly because I never quite figured out how to make them fit together efficiently in my suitcase. That changed once I tried The Insider Packing Cubes. They’re specifically designed to fit into AWAY luggage, which takes the guesswork out of how to arrange everything. Once I saw how they were intended to work (shoutout to the demo videos on AWAY’s website), it finally clicked.

These aren’t compression cubes—they’re more about organization than space-saving. But because the suitcases themselves have a built-in compression system, I don’t feel like I’m missing anything. The cubes are sleek, well-made, and easy to fill. I have two sets now, and I use different combinations depending on the trip. I like being able to separate my clothes by type—tops in one, pajamas in another, etc.—and it makes unpacking so much easier when I reach my destination. I just pull them out and place them directly in the hotel drawer. Done.

At this point, I never travel without them. They’re one of those little upgrades that ends up making a big difference in how smoothly everything goes.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering investing in AWAY luggage, I can confidently say—it’s been worth it for me. The pieces are thoughtfully designed, durable, and easy to use, and I love how well they work together. From the compression panels and interior compartments to the little extras (like the hidden laundry bag, matching luggage tag, and included magic eraser), the attention to detail really shows.

One practical tip: AWAY luggage is everywhere these days, so if you want to spot yours easily at baggage claim, go with a fun or less common color.

If you’re just getting started, I recommend beginning with The Bigger Carry-On or The Medium, depending on your packing habits—and definitely grab the packing cubes. They’ve become a must-have for keeping things organized and maximizing space.

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