In this article, we’ll share our favorite alternatives to Away Luggage.
From its social media presence to celeb endorsements, luggage brand Away has really taken off. Their suitcases and travel bags are instantly recognizable thanks to their sleek, clean aesthetic, shell design, and palettes that include neutrals and metallics.
Style aside, Away does indeed build premium and functional luggage. They’re known for their 360-degree wheels, durable and lightweight constructions, and TSA-accepted locks. Plus, they have those zippered mesh seals that help prevent overstuffing, so you don’t have to sit on your suitcase just to get it closed.
Quick Take
Here are our top two recommendations from the list:
Coolife is an effective budget option and they make modern-looking suitcases. The expandable polypropylene suitcase set boasts streamlined design, horizontal lines, and sturdy look and build.
Read on for more info and the complete list…
15 Alternatives to Away Luggage for Any Budget
Away isn’t cheap (the famous aluminum carry-on will set you back well over $600). Many of the brands below are budget alternatives. Additionally, anytime you’re looking to invest in premium gear, it’s always good to know what else is out there!
We’ve rounded up 15 alternative luggage brands here that feature some or all of these excellent qualities.
Carl Friedrik
With a brand focus on premium leather accessories, Carl Friedrik’s luggage collection has a similarly sturdy and modern look as Away’s line, but each bag features Vachetta leather detailing.
Vachetta is Italian leather, often used in luxury bags like Vuitton and Coach, that will patinate over the years. I think this detailing adds a touch of elegance that doesn’t compromise the overall utilitarian look.
The luggage line is made from polycarbonate, which is light yet strong. In fact, though polycarbonate bags are typically more affordable than Away’s aluminum line, they’re less likely to dent.
These bags boast quiet 360-degree spinner wheels and a zipperless aluminum frame for extra durability around the seal.
Carl Friedrik is definitely on the same level as Away when it comes to quality and style. Unlike Away though, Friedrik distinctly blends modern-day functionality and vintage sophistication for a more gentlemanly aesthetic.
ULISSE B/Y Bric’s
The luggage line from ULISSE B/Y Bric’s sports an urbane and fashionable style, with a fun and matte look — a bit like Away’s technicolor luggage. They come in youthful colors like sky blue, pink, and mango, along with more neutral shades like gray and black.
Also, the etched line design on the shell is more complex than the signature horizontal lines on Away bags, with overlapping figuration that add a bit of pizazz. It was inspired by intersecting city roads.
The layout doesn’t go overboard, though, since it’s visually balanced out by the matte monochrome design.
The luggage is made out of polypropylene, which may not be as durable as polycarbonate, but is lighter, looks similar, and is strong enough for the average airplane cargo area. Other features include an expandable zipper, a USB port, and a much lower price point than Away.
The 40-liter capacity spinner is $179 compared to Away’s cheapest equivalent, which is $275.
Level 8
Tech-forward and chic, Level 8 luggage flaunt an almost military-level quality, both in build and visuals.
Their bags are often equipped with German Makrolon polycarbonate shells, which are extra robust, lightweight, and impact-resistant even at low temperatures.
The look is super unique, matte but with a peculiarly glass-like finish. Other Level 8 bags have finely-crafted Bayer Makrolon shells, which are aero-space grade.
Level 8’s laptop compartments are cleverly designed, with a secure pocket in its own section right at the front, in between the shell and the main compartment. It’s like a dedicated business center built into the bag, which makes Level 8 luggage perfect for professional travelers.
They offer a few cool designs, including the Away-esque Road Runner bags, and the extra distinct Glitter bags. The Glitter line sounds extra, but the shade and matteness of the black colorway temper the glitter without taking the panache away.
Calpak
Calpak has a cool range of luggage sublines, and the Jen Atkin line is reminiscent of Away’s popular metallic bags, despite not actually being metallic. They’re made from polycarbonate, which is why they’re slightly more affordable, lighter, and less resistant to scratches.
Calpak adds polished texturing to the surface of the polycarbonate, which gives it this sort of brushed stainless steel effect. On top of that, the aluminum framing adds further sheen, particularly evident in the gold colorway.
Calpak also offers the Hue subline, which has a matte and minimalist look, and the Astyll subline, which has a marbled surface. They all come with a hard-sided construction, 360 wheels, and TSA-approved locks.
Samsonite
A brand that needs no introduction, Samsonite is known for having a huge range, a bang-for-buck core line, and staying up to date with luggage technology, having even patented a few. In a way, they’re like the Seiko of luggage brands.
Whether you’re looking for a wheeled duffel or an oversized suitcase, Samsonite will have it on offer. You can find a no-frills soft-shell or a high-tech bag with USB charger pockets.
You can also find bags with their GeoTrakR technology, which allows you to see where your luggage is in real-time. They even have a proprietary material, Curve, that’s extra light and strong.
Their hard-sided luggage lines, of which there are many, look most like the signature Away bags. The C-Lite Spinners are beautifully textured, and feature etched lines, just like an Away piece, but remixed to form a vertical seashell-like pattern.
Olympia
If what you like about Away is its simple, functional, and signature shell look, but want something a touch snazzier, Olympia’s hard-sided luggage collections have a range of offerings. They’re in the same price bracket as Away, and are equally as well-built.
Made from ABS food-safe plastic, Olympia suitcases and travel bags have tremendous stress and chemical resistance. Their carry-ons even have a patented hidden expandable compartment inside.
The plastic construction is strong, and also allows for some unique surface designs.
The brushed surface of the Aerolites offers visual intrigue that conveniently camouflages scratches. Meanwhile, the Stardust bags each have a faux leather trim similar to Carl Friedrik luggage, and the Denmark carry-ons come in six bright shades.
The super shiny Matrix subline and the Phoenix subline are Olympia’s polycarbonate line, each with much more eye-catching etchings than Away’s bags has.
Mark and Graham
The go-to baggage brand for monogramming, Mark and Graham luggage harkens back to the jet-set glamor of travel’s golden age.
The hard-shell versions have leather detailing, while the vegan leather options are still soft, durable, and super easy to clean and maintain.
The monograms come in a bunch of classic styles, from the single letter monogram to the signature three-letter diamond shape, in a range of fonts. Interiors have several efficiently organized sections with an Ivy League-esque navy stripe design.
All of the pieces are sturdily built and come at a lower price point than Away luggage. They have easy telescoping handles, perfectly accented to match the bag’s body and spinner wheels. Their Terminal 1 Collection even comes with a lifetime warranty.
Paravel
Paravel is famous for its high-functioning eco-friendly luggage with an adventure-ready aesthetic. They also make matching totes that you can use to level up your beach or grocery game.
Their bags are made of recycled polycarbonate and are equipped with recycled zippers and a lining made from upcycled plastic water bottles. In fact, Paravel has upcycled 4.7 million plastic water bottles.
They’ve implemented a carbon-neutral shipping program and planted over 170,000 trees through restoration projects.
The stylish design is thoughtful and includes sharp and soft turns with black or tan accents made of leather (vegan, naturally).
Also recycled, the aluminum handle, which matches the four silver-toned accents on the top of the bag, is durably air-craft grade. Paravel is one brand that approaches form and function in a non-mutually exclusive way.
And at $350 for the carry-on, Paravel’s prices are similar to the mid-level Away pieces.
Victorinox
We know Victorinox because of their tough-as-nails watches and their convenient and functional multi-tools. Unsurprisingly, their luggage line has both of these qualities.
They have a pretty good range of travel bags, but their hard-sided options are definitely the best contenders when it comes to Away alternatives.
The Lexicon hard-sides are technical-forward bags made with military-level molding technology. The extra recessed wheels will help you move more smoothly, even over cracks and bumps. I think that the black polycarbonate shell has an authoritative tone to it like it’s the kind of luggage Batman would use.
Meanwhile, the Airox hard-sides are brighter, lighter, and have a shinier surface, which not only adds to the style factor but makes it easier to spot at baggage claim.
Each bag has a grilled surface for extra protection and sheen and comes in three colors. The butterfly opening system with two divider walls is worth noting. It just makes packing, organizing, and unpacking way more convenient.
Delsey Paris
Often considered the affordable go-to Away alternative brand, Desley Paris creates comprehensively-built luggage in modern styles.
Their bags are built with premium materials like 100% polycarbonate shells for strength and lightness, come with TSA-approved locks, and feature double wheels for easy maneuvering.
The Helium Aero designs are often compared to Away luggage because of their hard shell and etched lines. Still, the vertical grouped-line design is distinctly Delsey.
They come in 13 brushed metal colors, matte or shiny, and have an expandable main compartment with a lined two-compartment interior. The tie-down straps are a nice touch, especially for any technology you might be traveling with.
Coolife
Coolife is an effective budget option and is absolutely easy to find on Amazon.
They make modern-looking suitcases and travel bags, with all the fixings. We’re talking TSA locks and 100% aluminum telescoping handles.
The expandable polypropylene versions are similar to Away luggage because of their streamlined design, horizontal lines, and sturdy look and build. They come in five colors, including bright orange and an aquamarine-like shade called lake blue. They’re also durable, eco-friendly, and not easily scratched.
Coolife has other comparably fashionable options, including the high-shine retro-futuristic PC-and-ABS luggage range (which looks like something out of Star Trek), and the distinct and sleek asymmetrical design set.
Traveler’s Choice
Design-forward Traveler’s Choice boasts several awards, including the Red Dot Design of the Year and the Travel Goods Show’s Innovation Award.
Their Bell Weather Spinners are particularly sophisticated and eye-catching.
The creative vertical etchings overlaid with an organic-looking texturing create excellent lightplay on the metallic surface. The protective accents on the top corners are tonal, which displays nice attention to detail.
Some of Traveler’s Choice’s innovations include burst-resistant zippers to promote anti-theft, spherical wheels inspired by airplanes and lunar rovers, and the industry’s only hardside and softshell hybrid garment bag.
I especially love the ergonomic and stress-resistant handles, which make lugging suitcases up and down the stairs less taxing!
Alma Luggage by Kensie
Kensie Alma Luggage combines elegant and robust aesthetics, seen especially in the sleek accordion-designed travel bags. They’re certainly hearty-looking but still modern, polished, and chic.
Most sellers categorize this bag as being for women, but there’s nothing traditionally feminine about the design, though it does come in colors like baby pink and light mint. A lot of the colorways come with rose gold-tinted hardware, which is more fun than the average silver-toned but not overstated.
Looks aside, Alma’s pieces are truly functional travel bags. They’re made of polycarbonate, feature a TSA locking system, and are fully equipped with spinner wheels for smooth mobility.
Merax
With its soft turns and hard indentations, Merax luggage pieces look like super stylish, extra-large coolers. If you like that futuristic igloo look, these bags have it down.
This is especially prevalent in the silver-blue colorway, which has that blocky but sleek and icy aesthetic. Other colors include red, blue, green, purple, and black-gray, which has gunmetal vibes.
They’re made with durable ABS hardshell, which is excellent for high-impact resistance, and telescoping adjustable handles — they have convenient side handles too!
Merax bags are super spacious inside. The interior is fully lined, with tie-down straps and zippered dividers, so everything stays in place. Plus, their expandability can increase the depth of capacity by a whopping 20%.
Herschel
Herschel is another high-quality brand that builds design-focused hard-shell luggage at a lower price point than Away.
They’re made with polycarbonate shells, TSA-approved combination zippers, and multi-directional dual polyurethane wheels, which are oil-resistant and abrasion-resistant.
This is useful since nothing is worse than beat-up wheels that just won’t roll anymore.
Herschel luggage also has a modern signature look, with embossed lines and an embossed rubber diamond on the front.
They come in a few colorways, including youthful and fashion-forward options. There’s a cloudburst neon colorway, which is loud and playful, and a fun night camo, which is more understated, among several others.
FAQs About Away Luggage
Have questions about Away luggage, here are a few answers:
Is Away luggage a good brand?
Yes. Recognizability aside, Away luggage is highly functional, TSA-friendly, and durable, thanks to that high-quality shell design.
What can I buy instead of Away Luggage?
Anything on this list! If you’re looking for a budget option, there’s Coolife.
If you’re looking for something of equal quality and style, Carl Friedrik is a good choice.
It depends on your priorities and what specific qualities you like (or don’t like) about Away.
Is Paravel better than Away?
They’re on par with Away’s mid-level lines, both in quality and price. Whether or not the style differences make them better is obviously subjective, but Paravel gets extra points for their focus on sustainability.
Which Luggage Brand Is for You?
A lot of the more affordable brands make their luggage out of ABS, rather than polycarbonate. ABS may not be as durable, but it’s definitely strong enough for most travelers.
Still, whether it’s in comparable build or style, there are several Away alternative options in a range of price points.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
Is there a reason you didn’t list any soft shell luggage? I could use some soft shell luggage. Hard shells feel cheap to me, and the wire cutter says soft shells always last longer.
We assumed anyone looking for alternatives to Away wanted the hard shell look that the brand is known for.
I have both types. I kind of like the feel of hard shell better, but soft is easier to cram into a crowded vehicle.