Away has become a popular luggage company with bags that are easy to spot in every corner of an airport. It's similar to the iPhone of carry-on bags in that it's simple, stylish and priced in a way that walks that line of exclusivity while also feeling affordable for many frequent travelers. It's not likely that Away's popularity will be hurt by the fact that it occasionally changes its colors for its bags.

Two child-size bags and one adult carry-on size from a limited-edition collection inspired by the northern lights have been purchased by me. When I received my northern lights Away bag, it was beautiful, but it hasn't held up very well.

I was happy with my purchase. I wanted to give away another chance because I thought my issue might be a result of a quirk tied to the plastic coating on the northern lights bag. I tried out The Bigger Carry-On in the coast color which Away provided for testing.

Here's what I've learned about the Away carry-on option, and what I think about the brand's bags.

There is a limited time sale on Away bags.

Away The Bigger Carry-On. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

What you should look for in a carry-on bag

There are a few things in common between the best carry on bags. Not only are they easy to roll on smooth airport surfaces, but also on some imperfect surfaces.

If you want to physically close and open your carry-on luggage, there should be some sort of compartment to keep your belongings separate. No one wants all the items that were carefully packed exploding all over the place.

Strong zips. (Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)

ISABELLE RAPHAEL/THE POINTS GUY

The best carry-on bags don't waste a lot of weight on the bag itself and fit in airline overhead bins so you have as much packing space as possible. They are built to hold up to the harsh realities of frequently flying without becoming the ugly duckling at the baggage carousel.

Keep calm and carry your luggage.

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Why we like Away's The Bigger Carry-On

I'm a fan of this carry-on after a few months of use.

While I still love my Rimowa carry-on bags that I've used for almost a decade, there is no doubt that the Away bag is more functional in a few ways.

The mesh laundry compartment on one side of the bag is very useful for keeping things in place. The other side of the bag can be used to pack cubes and other items, making it easy to pack and unpack.

There is a purchase link for Away The Bigger Carry-on.

Fits around 5 days of clothes and accessories. (Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)

ISABELLE RAPHAEL/THE POINTS GUY

Even if you have overpacked and are leaning on the suitcase to zip it up, the zippers are strong and easy to move.

TSA-approved lock. (Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)

ISABELLE RAPHAEL/THE POINTS GUY

The spinner wheels have made moving through the airport a lot easier.

There's no question the Away bag is easy to maneuver and some of this perceived rolling improvement over what I've been using may be the function of the Away bag.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

I like the slightly larger size of Away's standard carry-on bag because I like drinking cup after cup of yucky airplane coffee rather than checking a bag. You don't have to check a bag when you add in an extra set or two of clothes with the Bigger Carry-On. The extra room makes a difference when packing.

There is a carry-on luggage clash.

Things to know about The Bigger Carry-On from Away

It is possible for this bag to be thrown in and out of a cab and dragged off a carousel, but be prepared for some scratches on the shell. You can see how we tried to destroy that bag at the end of the "Kids Away Luggage review video" if you jump to the 3 minute mark.

Striking marks can be seen on the material even with normal wear. After a few flights and a train trip, I found some in my bag.

The Point's Gully is named after Summer HULL.

I've found that this coast color is popular, as I've been in a few situations where people have had the same bag. If you don't have a clear idea of the bag's identity, you're at risk of bag mix-ups, so consider getting a colorful luggage tag or an Apple AirTag, just in case. Pick a non-traditional color that more people won't have.

You can add a battery to the bag for $20 if you choose. I don't like the feature as I'm not organized enough to remember to charge my bag's battery pack, so the one that came with my test bag was slightly wasted on me. I decided to remove the battery from the bag and leave it at home instead of keeping it in the bag when I travel.

USB plugs on the ejectable battery that can charge any phone up to 5x. (Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)

ISABELLE RAPHAEL/THE POINTS GUY

There are 15 packing hacks for traveling with just a carry on.

How Away's carry-on measures up

The Bigger Carry-On from Away is available in 13 colors and is sized to fit in the overhead bin on most airlines.

The Away bag has a number of features.

  • Durable polycarbonate shell.
  • Leather detailing, including a black leather luggage tag.
  • TSA-approved combination lock for extra safety.
  • 360-degree spinner wheels that ensure a smooth ride.
  • Interior compression system.
  • Hidden laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate.

I've been trying out the Bigger Carry-On and it has a few different dimensions.

  • Exterior: 22.7 by 14.7 by 9.6 inches.
  • Interior: 21 by 14.5 inches.
  • Weight: 7.4 pounds.
  • Capacity: 47.9 liters.

SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines all have maximum carry-on sizes of 22 by 14 by 9 inches, which is a hair larger than this bag on all sides.

On most flights, a bag that is a fraction of an inch over will fit in the sizer and overhead bin, but there is a chance that you will need to gate-check your bag.

Southwest Airlines has a maximum carry-on size of 24 inches by 16 inches by 10 inches, which is in line with the carrier's dimensions.

Away The Carry-On vs. Away The Bigger Carry-On

Both The Carry-On from Away and The Bigger Carry-On from Away have different prices and sizes.

The standard bag is about $20 cheaper than the Bigger one. The Bigger version of the Away Carry-On is larger than the maximum carry-on size for all major U.S. airlines. It isn't likely to cause issues most of the time in the U.S., but it may be a problem when flying internationally.

The extra capacity in The Bigger Carry-On is worth it to someone who loads their carry-on to the max. If you don't need every square inch in your carry-on, you can get The Carry-On, which will save you money and keep you within the airline carry-on size limits.

Away The Carry-On. ISABELLE RAPHAEL/THE POINTS GUY

Which is the better bag?

Overall impression

The suitcase looks good even though it has scratches. The bag rolls well in most uses and the Bigger version has more space to spare. I love the side of the bag that has a zip that makes it easy to organize.

You can return the bag with no questions asked during the 100 day trial period. It's possible that you need to take a look at a new piece of luggage to see if it's right for you.

There are more tips on how to find the right travel gear.

The additional reporting was done by the person.