Most years, generally around when I get my tax return, I treat myself to a “splurge” item. This year, that item was the Dyson Airwrap™ styler (which, FYI, I would highly recommend), but last year, it was an Away bag.
Many of you have heard of Away and seen it around airports. After all, their signature shell is hard to miss. But is it really worth it to get an Away bag? After doing a lot of research (and mourning the official “death” of the carry-on that took me on my study abroad to Paris), I purchased the Bigger Carry-On in “Coast” with the ejectable battery. I then promptly packed up my new bag and took it to Copenhagen, Hamburg and London on our “spring break” trip.
Since then, my Away bag has come on several trips with me, both domestic and international. While I didn’t get to take it out as much as I had hoped this year, I can still tell you that it was worth it. Here’s why:
- It’s lightweight. Why waste your precious, airline-imposted weight limit on your actual suitcase when you could pack another pair of shoes? The Away is really light – 8.4 pounds – while providing plenty of space for everything I need to pack. I have had no issues carrying it around, maneuvering it on to trains, or popping it into the overhead bin on my own. On that note…
- It fits in the overhead bin. Team carry-on! I admit, I was skeptical because it is the bigger carry-on, but not only does this bag pop easily into the overhead bin on most major airlines, it also fits into their size check bin within the airport. I actually checked when I was waiting in line at Heathrow. I wouldn’t try to sneak it past some budget airlines, but I have had no issues with it on American, Delta and Southwest.
- Its wheels rotate 360°. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this, but I am a convert. Because of these wheels, it’s easy to keep my Away bag close to me when in crowded places, like the airport. It also handles being pulled down cobblestone streets better than I could have expected – something that could not be said for my last carry-on luggage.
- It keeps things organized. As a big fan of pockets, I worried that I would miss the external pouches that soft-sided bags offer. However, my Away bag makes it easy for me to sort into both sides of the hard shell, thanks to the large zipper pocket. It also comes with a separate laundry bag and a great compression system to make sure I can fit everything into the right spot.
- It charges my phone. I did not expect that the external battery would be one of my favorite parts of the Away bag, but it is. This battery packs a punch and can keep you charged through the longest of flights. I like to pop it out of my suitcase and carry it on my person while traveling, just in case I need to charge my phone while I’m out and about. Remember to remove it before placing your bag in the overhead!
While the Bigger Carry-On is currently the only Away bag I own, they have all sorts of bags for every type of traveler. I recommend checking out their gift guide to help you narrow down your options, and then read the reviews for the specific products you’re interested in. Bonus: if you use my link, you can get $20 off most of the Away suitcases and bags. 😉
As much as my coats have been a great travel investment, my Away bag has truly changed the way I travel for the better. Happy shopping!