Away suitcase review: I tested The Medium and it changed the way I travel
WHEN it comes to travel, you can't beat premium luggage for that feeling of luxury – so read on for my Away suitcase review, where I see if the popular brand is worth the price tag.
Renowned for its sleek design and innovative features, Away promises to revolutionize the travel experience with its award-winning suitcases.
Each item is 'designed to last', boasting lightweight, high-performing and durable functionality – so naturally, I was eager to put one to the test for myself.
I tried out The Medium suitcase: a midsize case that Away says is suited for one to two weeks away. See how I got on below.
Away The Medium suitcase, from £275
Pros
- Lots of compartments
- 360-degree wheels
- Includes waterproof laundry bag and cleaning sponge
- Easy to clean
- Interior compression system
Cons
- Pricey
- Wheels struggled on cobbles, compared to my Antler suitcase
Rating: 4/5
Away suitcase review: quick summary
Measuring 66cm x 47cm x 28cm, The Medium is a great size for packing away all your clothes, shoes and toiletries into one easy-to-use suitcase.
I loved that there were lots of handy compartments to help make packing easier. It also comes with a waterproof laundry bag that hides inside one of the pockets until you need it — perfect if you decide to take a last-minute dip in the pool before coming home.
The polycarbonate hard shell casing is durable and easy to clean and, thanks to the leather highlights, looks classy and timeless. Plus, if you get a whole set of Away suitcases, they nest inside each other for storage, saving you lots of space when they're not in use.
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Away The Medium, from £275
Away The Medium Suitcase: full review
I took The Medium for a test drive on a long weekend, with plenty of outfit changes – including four pairs of shoes – but there was still room to bring back souvenirs.
If you’re smart about how you pack, I think it would work for a much longer trip or even for a couple to share just one case.
The key to making this suitcase great for novice packers is the layout. One half of the suitcase is separated by a zippable mesh screen, which makes the compartment ideal for holding any loose items or things you don’t want to get squashed, like hats or shoes.
The other side is completely open. You can put your clothes directly into this, or drop any packing cubes in.
There’s an adjustable mesh compression screen in the middle which you can strap down to make sure your suitcase closes properly every time. You can also store your documents – or anything that you want to keep flat – on that screen.
There's also a pocket at the base of the suitcase where you'll find a waterproof laundry bag with a zip closure. It’s attached via a snap button so you’ll never forget it, but you can also remove it for cleaning.
How easy is it to move around?
I found The Medium really easy to manoeuvre thanks to the four 360-degree wheels.
But while effortless on the smooth tiled floor at the airport, I struggled a little more on the rough paving on the way to the airport compared with my usual Antler suitcase, which has more elevated wheels.
If your usual journey doesn't involve varied terrain, then it shouldn’t be a problem – but if there are lots of cobbles where you live, then it’s worth bearing in mind that a bit more effort is needed.
Carrying your luggage over those cobbled patches is easy though.
As well as the extendable handle to pull the suitcase along, it also has easy-to-grip handles on the top and one side of the case to make picking it up easy.
Away The Medium, from £275
How to clean your Away suitcase
The Medium comes in a range of different colours. I tested Sand, which is a fairly light colour – but it hid dirt and scuff marks remarkably well, which I was surprised by.
One thing I love about Away’s suitcases is that they come with a handy little sponge that you can use to clean off any scuff marks. You simply dampen the sponge, squeeze out the excess water and then rub any marks which will magically disappear. All the instructions are included in your suitcase, including how to reset the TSA-approved combination lock.
I tried the sponge on my case and it worked. Some of the marks did need a bit more elbow grease, but now it looks as good as new.
Away The Medium Suitcase: the verdict
I loved road-testing my Away suitcase — The Medium was a great size, lightweight at 4.5kg and made packing (and repacking after the trip) really easy.
The £275 price tag is obviously quite a lot and pushes it firmly into the premium bracket, in line with brands like Samsonite.
But if you travel regularly, and style is important, it is absolutely worth the investment.
Away’s suitcases are covered by a , which includes “any functional damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, or anything else that impairs your use of the luggage”. If anything goes wrong, Away will fix or replace your case.
Where can I buy Away suitcases in the UK?
Away is an American brand based in New York but it has a for shoppers in the UK, where you'll be able to purchase all of its products.
As far as I can tell, Away suitcases are sold exclusively on the and aren't available from any other retailers.
If you want to discover more in-store, there's just one physical shop in the UK which can be found in , London.
Its award-winning designs come in a range of classic hues and more fun designs including the limited edition .
For a custom touch, Away also lets you personalize your luggage tag with up to three stamped letters for an additional £10.
How much are Away travel suitcases?
Away’s suitcases range from £220 for (its smallest suitcase, sized to fit in all overhead bins) to £600 for .
The Aluminium Edition is currently sold out, but the next most expensive option available to purchase is , which is priced at £345 and expands to give an additional 1.75" (4.45 cm) of space.
Meanwhile, The Medium – the size I tried – starts from £275 in a selection of hues and goes up to £295 for the design.
Is there an alternative to Away suitcases?
While the Away is a fab suitcase for all of the reasons I’ve described above, it is on the expensive side, so I’ve done a bit of research to find you alternatives that combine the functionality and good looks of the Away – with a more modest price tag.
One option is the from luggage stalwart, Antler, which has a capacity of 83L when fully expanded and weighs less than 4kg.
Samsonite is one of the heavyweights of the luggage world, and its – priced at £219 – does not disappoint. The polycarbonate exterior is strong and, according to the manufacturer, highly scratch-resistant.
For a more budget-friendly option, the comes in at just £49.50, is strong yet lightweight, and is ideal for holidays or short breaks.
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There's also the (£59.99) – a hard case that weighs 4.2kg and comes in a variety of colour options, including champagne, rose gold, charcoal and black.
If you're after a more in-depth look at budget suitcases, we tried out a range of styles in our best cheap suitcases roundup. Or if you're looking for something you can carry with ease, make sure you head over to our best lightweight suitcases review to discover the best lightweight suitcases weighing as little as 2.4kg.