Then there’s the Infinite Height Trolley handle, which offers five times more stopping points than before—a more personalized experience for travelers of varying heights. Hooks in the trolley handle might seem like a simple design touch, but they’re handy for holding a jacket, purse, or bag of airport fast food (each hook can hold up to 11 pounds, but Away has stress-tested it up to 40 pounds).
Other improvements include redesigned interior covers that open outward to give better access, more pockets for small items, a pouch for a Bluetooth tracker, and accessories to help keep the luggage looking clean. The compression system, a signature Away feature, remains the same.
Personalization is a key selling feature. In addition to the standard colors, the Series 3 comes in purple (Electric Iris), chocolate, and chartreuse. The handles and wheels are removable and can be customized in different styles (also handy for repairs). There’s also a D-ring to attach accessories like luggage tags and charms, if that’s your thing. For many people, it will be.
The Series 3 Classic style is available in carry-on, bigger carry-on, medium, large, and trunk sizes. The expandable Flex style is available in the same sizes except trunk.
Away also unveiled the Signature Bags collection, which includes a tote, weekender, commuter backpack, duffle, and underseat bags. An evolution of Away’s Everywhere series, the durable nylon is now lighter and softer, Amidi says, with updated hardware like zippers—including a reverse coil zipper in the laptop compartment for better protection—hidden pockets for easy access to often-used items, and a water bottle pocket. The laptop compartment has moved to the outside of the bag, allowing quick access during airport security checks, for example.
Overall, Away’s new luggage doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking. Many of these features are available in bags from other companies, and in some ways, it feels like Away is playing catch-up. But Away is leveraging its strength with a well-regarded product that already works, with a few tweaks to make it better. It’s this, not batteries, that has made it a cult favorite among travelers.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.
