Away The Large Review

The Away The Large is a little pricier than past high-value models I've featured, but the quality and performance it offers still make it an amazing buy — read on to find out why I love this bag.

Capacity

After hand measuring the Away The Large, I calculated it to have just a little more than 99 liters of packing volume. This isn't as much as some of the larger bags in our lineup, but it's enough for cramming in the essentials for a week or two. This better-than-average packing power earned it solid (but not outstanding) scores for this metric.

My scales showed The Large to be 11.6 pounds, one of the heavier bags I've tested. This extra weight is the result of more brawn — and I like it. Yes, when it came to packing for air travel, this equated to a less-appealing weight ratio for my stuff, as most airlines limit checked bags to 50 pounds. I didn't like that aspect, but during some recent international trips, I filled my Away with tons of shoes and clothes and still made weight. Perhaps this is why the bag's capacity is slightly lower than some others.

All scales aside, what I absolutely loved about this bag is its packing system. This clamshell suitcase offers a zipper-enclosed compartment on one side and a high-quality compression panel on the other. I've tested dozens upon dozens of bags, and I've only seen packing systems of this quality in higher-end luggage that demand two and three times the price of the Away bag — something to be considered when factoring in the Away's slightly higher price tag.

After traveling extensively with The Large for nearly two years, I became very aware of two things in terms of its capacity. First, it's slightly smaller than some of the luggage in our lineup, so it simply doesn't hold as much. This was more apparent to me when I traveled internationally for longer periods of time and wanted to pack more clothing. The second thing I liked (but also didn't like) is that this bag doesn't expand, so there's no option for making extra room for souvenirs — what you see is what you get. I didn't like this for obvious reasons. However, the more I used this bag, I actually grew to like being forced to thoughtfully consider how much I really needed to pack for each trip. Additionally, the lack of an expansion zipper leaves a smaller gap between both halves of the clamshell, resulting in a sturdier bag.

Ease of Transport

The Away earned very solid scores for its overall ease of transport. Decent double-spinner wheels, great balance, and well-placed handles played a major role in how I graded my Away during testing for this metric.

It doesn't perfectly roll straight, and its 2-inch double-spinners could be a little taller, but when it comes to all things movement, this bag really impressed me. From curbs to cobble, and staircases to shuttle buses, it's well-balanced and easy to lift, turn, pull, and heave. And, with just a little bit of correction, it stayed by my side through terminals, city streets, and rental-car garages. When it came to staying put, I found the Away to be nicely balanced, even when packed to the gills. In fact, in all of my travels, this bag has never felt unstable or tipped over when correctly packed.

The one thing I instantly noticed the first time I traveled with my The Large was its smooth, vibration-less ride. It really rolls well, but as mentioned, can stray just a little bit. The wheels handled most terrain very well, but did struggle a little on very bumpy surfaces, like cobblestone (a common problem for most four-wheeled spinners).

I loved that this bag's grab handles are spring-loaded, and when not in use, they sit flush against the outer shell. This is important because it equates to a lower likelihood of them getting damaged or torn off during the sometimes perilous journey through baggage claim. The drawback of this design is that the handles are quite tight, which makes it difficult for me to grasp and embed my fingers under them. This was particularly noticeable when attempting to retrieve my bag from a moving carousel.

Construction Quality

After simply running my hands over the Away for the first time, I could tell this hardshell was solid. Its dense polycarbonate case seems thicker than many of the bags in our lineup, and when put to the test, it proved to me time and time again that it can take a hit and keep on rolling.

Despite its tougher construction, I didn't like that the polycarbonate shell of the Away The Large doesn't have any protective bumpers (very common for hardshell bags), so the shell takes the entire brunt of all contact, including staircases and curbs. This isn't a structural problem at all — I just hated seeing such a good-looking bag take on blemishes. That said, it has a matte-like finish that hides scrapes and scratches quite well, and I can't say enough about its flair for international travel. This bag is built for the rigors of long-haul flights and not-always-gentle luggage handlers.

As for its seaworthiness, I wouldn't trust the Away to fend off a major downpour — let alone float. Without question, its dense shell fends off water like a pro, but its Achilles heel is its zipper. During some intense backyard rainstorms, I placed my Away in a lineup of other bags on our list and drenched them with hose water from all angles. Although I wasn't expecting perfection, I did discover the Away's zipper to be a little less water-resistant than I had hoped. There was no standing water inside, but most of the interior — including the paper towel I had placed — was wet.

Design and Functionality

I loved the overall versatility of this checked bag. It's easy to use, classy, and uniquely stylish. It functions well for everything from road trips to international adventures, and its understated, but classy, vibe complements both business and leisure travel.

Color options! This is one of the first things I noticed when ordering my Away The Large. Hats off to the manufacturer for giving customers the ability to find a bag that really speaks to them. In addition to tons of cool tints, I really liked that this bag came with a leather name tag, dirty clothes bag, combo TSA lock, and even a melamine foam sponge (Magic Eraser) for those occasional scrapes and scuffs. As for negatives, my notepad is still nearly empty after two years. The only thing I've noted is tough, scratchy zippers that can be a little stubborn at times. Additionally, for some, this bag's lack of an expansion zipper may be a functional drawback. Luckily, the manufacturer also offers The Large Flex.. And, combining The Large with the Away The Carry-on, makes travel a breeze.

Should You Buy the Away The Large?

The Away The Large is somewhat higher in price for a value pick, I admit. Typically, I tend to pick items that cost a little less. Indeed, this bag will set you back a bit, but I feel the trade-off in quality and performance far outweighs the extra money. From international business travel to a casual stateside road trip, if you're looking for a rock-solid performer that works well for any jaunt, swipe your card and be done. Anyone who values quality will immediately see the value of this bag.

What Other Suitcases Should You Consider?

If hardshells are your thing, but the higher price the Away requires is not, we think the Samsonite Freeform Large Spinner or the Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable 28" are excellent options. In fact, they're two of our favorite budget hardshell spinners. We also liked the price of the Amazon Basics 30" Hardside Spinner and the purchasing power available in the Showkoo Expandable Hardside Set 28" and Travelers Club Chicago 28" (both of which ship as multi-piece sets).