Is this a terrible time for a suitcase review? Well, yes, but also no – hear me out. I wrote this review months ago – right before COVID hit – and have been sitting on it ever since, waiting for an opportune moment. While writing about air travel and luggage still feels weird, there is one big difference: Away is having a huge sitewide sale until 9/15/20, with prices marked at 15-50% off. This is a big deal, as the brand has never done this. Google has informed me that interest in my previous reviews has surged, so now seems to be the right time after all. And if you miss this sale, my referral link will get you $20 off your first purchase (you’ll see the discount at checkout).
Now, on to the review. Like my previous reviews, this is a product I purchased myself, and is not sponsored in any way.
Overview
Social media’s favorite suitcase company has had an interesting few months. First, they got a lot of bad press over some pretty serious reports of a toxic workplace and questionable behavior from the CEO. The founder then stepped down, and almost immediately changed her mind. She then was shown the door a couple months later and stepped down again, all while a global pandemic crushed suitcase sales and the company’s revenue fell by 90% nearly overnight. So with this context, an unprecedented sale makes a bit more sense.
With all that said, here is a full review of Away’s top-of-the-line product – the Aluminum Edition suitcase (I have the bigger carryon in aluminum shown here, and am comparing it to my standard carryon – thus the slight size difference). First, some quick stats – when comparing the two standard carryon sizes, the aluminum is about 32% heavier (10.7 lbs from 8.1 lbs), a smidge (12%) smaller, and, of course, over twice the price at MSRP. So what is the advantage of the aluminum version, then?
The most important thing to note is that this is more than just a material upgrade over the standard polycarbonate version – to me this isn’t immediately clear from the product pages. There are several other significant upgrades that make for a notably different product, and I think these upgrades are a strong justification for the increased price. Let’s take a look:
Aluminum vs. Polycarbonate
The material change is the most significant difference, of course. Besides looking way cooler (and being an obvious nod to classics like Rimowa), the aluminum doesn’t have any “flex” like the polycarbonate version. It’s quite rigid – as you would expect from solid metal – so any attempts to overstuff this suitcase will be futile. It’s also heavier, clocking in at nearly 11 lbs for the standard carryon, a considerable 30%+ increase that you can notice right away. The aluminum is significantly more durable of course, and unlike my polycarbonate versions I haven’t had any issues with anything breaking. It is also constructed with rivets, which look sweet (in my opinion) and presumably add to the overall strength as well.
The aluminum will scratch, ding and dent – even more than the polycarbonate – so it’s important that you’re ok with this. These photos show the suitcase when brand new, but don’t expect it to stay like this for long. Personally, I think this is a feature and not a bug and should be embraced; a well-worn suitcase is a sign of a life well-traveled.
Suitcase Closure
While the classic version has a fairly standard zipper like you would expect, the aluminum edition has something totally different – locking latches. Zippers are notoriously finicky, and these over-engineered clasps feel and sound like you’re opening up a box of alien remains at Area 51. Each latch has a button that will pop it open, along with the standard luggage lock. These latches are paired with an airtight seal and some pretty sizable hinges on the opposite side, making this suitcase feel significantly sturdier and more rugged. This closure style makes sense with the rigidity of the aluminum, because it simply wouldn’t work with the flexible polycarbonate. I definitely prefer the latches over the zipper and feel that this is a big upgrade that goes largely unnoticed.
Handles
The handles on the classic version are what we’ve come to expect on luggage – normal-looking plastic things that kindof sit on the top and flex a bit as you use them. The handles on the aluminum version share no similarity to this whatsoever. They are beautiful, leather-lined, slow-release handles, which look and feel luxurious and put their plastic counterparts to shame. The leather lining itself isn’t anything impressive, but the overall impact of the upgraded handles is significant. They are more pleasant to use and look wonderful as well. This is another upgrade that is only feasible due to the rigidity of the aluminum exterior.
Interior Layout
The interior of the Aluminum edition is slightly different – whereas the classic version has a basic zipper compartment opposite of the “compression system,” the aluminum has a multi-zipper piece that attaches with two hooks. This gives you several pockets here, which I find quite useful. I did mention this as a room for improvement on the classic version in my first review, so it was good to see some small changes in this regard.
Aesthetics
Let’s be honest, the main reason most people are even considering the Aluminum Edition is because it looks so much cooler. I think that’s a perfectly valid reason, and for many that’s enough to justify the significant cost increase and the reduced weight and volume performance. In a world where Away carryons have become ubiquitous, the upgraded version is a pretty sweet flex over your other economy class compatriots, and will get noticed for sure. It does look so luxurious, though, that I would avoid checking it and make sure to lock it – bags like these are more likely to be targeted by criminals because of how they look.
Conclusion
Beyond these differences, the two suitcases share many similarities – optional battery pack, four spinner wheels, etc. Overall, the Aluminum Edition is a significant upgrade over the original in terms of design and materials, though there are sacrifices in weight, volume, and price. The $475+ price tag is significant and the upgrades won’t make it “twice as good.” But if you care about the things outlined here, then I think you’ll be happier with this one. Is it a better suitcase? Absolutely. Is it worth the higher price? Well, that’s up to you. I will say that the current 15-50% off pricing definitely makes for a stronger case, and my referral link will get you $20 off your first purchase if you aren’t able to pull the trigger by 9/15/20.
Like with all the Away suitcases, I do wish the Aluminum Edition had a wheel lock so that it was easier to maneuver. But I don’t think that’s an update we’ll be seeing any time soon. Overall, it’s a solid and attractive product that will be an excellent travel companion, whenever we can begin that again. Until that time, I’ll keep mine stored under my bed while dreaming up vacation ideas for the future. When the time comes, I’ll be ready.
