I remember standing at the gate in Heathrow, watching a gate agent meticulously eye the overhead bins like a hawk. Beside me, a guy was sweating, desperately trying to shove a rigid polycarbonate suitcase into a metal sizer that clearly wasn't going to budge. He lost. I didn’t. That’s the thing about the Away Softside Carry On—it has that specific, squishy "give" that hard-shell devotees pretend they don't miss until they're forced to check a bag at the last minute.
Away basically built their entire empire on the "unbreakable" hard suitcase. You know the one. It’s everywhere. But when they finally branched into soft-sided luggage, they didn’t just slap some nylon on a frame. They addressed the reality of modern travel: sometimes you need an outside pocket for your passport, and sometimes you need to overpack by exactly two sweaters.
Most people think buying a soft bag is a step backward. It feels old-school, maybe a little less "Instagrammable." Honestly? That’s a mistake. After dragging the Away Softside Carry On through cobblestone streets and crammed regional jets, the nuance of its design becomes pretty obvious.
The Flexibility Factor (and Why It Saves You Money)
Hard suitcases are fixed volumes. If the shell is 9 inches deep, it is 9 inches deep until the end of time. The Away Softside Carry On uses a high-strength nylon that actually breathes. This isn't just about packing more stuff; it’s about the "squeeze factor." When an overhead bin is nearly full, a hard shell hits a wall and stops. A softside bag can be compressed by an inch or two just by the sheer pressure of the bin door closing.
That flex is the difference between keeping your bag with you and watching it get tossed into the cargo hold.
Away uses a specific denier of nylon that feels rugged but doesn't attract lint like a magnet. I’ve noticed that cheaper soft bags look like they’ve been through a war after three flights because the fabric pils or snags. This hasn't happened here. It stays crisp. Plus, the external pockets are a godsend. You’ve got a dedicated spot for a laptop—up to 15 inches—which means you aren't unzipping your entire life in the middle of a security line just to pull out your MacBook.
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The Wheels Aren't Just Marketing
We need to talk about the 360-degree spinner wheels. Away uses Japanese Hinomoto wheels, which are basically the gold standard in the industry. They’re quiet. Like, eerily quiet. You won't be that person waking up the entire neighborhood as you roll toward your 5:00 AM Uber.
The clearance on these wheels is also slightly higher than some of the older "The Carry-On" models. This matters because it prevents the bottom of the fabric from scraping against curbs. If you’ve ever seen a soft suitcase with "road rash" on the bottom corners, it’s usually because the wheels were too small. Away fixed that.
Interior Logic and the Compression System
Inside, it’s a bit of a hybrid. You get the best part of the original Away design: the compression pad. It’s a mesh panel with straps that lets you cinch down your clothes. You can fit way more than you think.
- Pack your heavy items (shoes, denim) at the bottom near the wheels.
- Use the compression pad for your shirts and softer items.
- The mesh pocket on the underside of the lid is perfect for chargers.
- Don't forget the hidden laundry bag—it’s tucked into a tiny pocket and keeps your stinky gym socks away from your clean dinner outfits.
One thing people get wrong about the Away Softside Carry On is assuming it lacks structure. It doesn't. There’s an internal frame that keeps it upright even when it’s empty. Cheap soft luggage flops over. This stays put.
Is the Weight a Dealbreaker?
Softside bags are often heavier than their polycarbonate siblings because of the internal framing and extra zippers. The Away Softside Carry On weighs in at roughly 9 lbs. For some ultra-budget European carriers with a 7kg (15lb) limit, that’s a chunk of your allowance.
However, for domestic US travel on Delta, United, or American, weight is rarely the issue—size is. And because this bag fits the standard 22" x 14" x 9" dimensions so perfectly, you're usually golden. If you’re worried about weight, you just have to be smarter about your shoe choices. Leave the heavy boots at home or wear them on the plane.
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Real World Durability: Scuffs vs. Cracks
I’ve seen polycarbonate suitcases crack. It’s rare, but it happens under extreme cold or impact. Nylon doesn't crack. It might get a little dirty, but a bit of warm water and mild soap usually lifts most stains.
There’s also the "look" of the bag. Hard shells show every single scratch and scuff from the conveyor belt. The Away Softside Carry On hides that wear and tear much better. It maintains a professional, "I travel for a living" aesthetic longer than the shiny plastic bags do.
- The Zippers: They use YKK zippers, which are the industry benchmark. They don't catch, even when you're straining the seams.
- The Handle: It has four height settings. If you’re short or exceptionally tall, you’ll find a comfortable spot. It doesn't feel "wobbly" like the handles on some budget brands.
- The Grab Handles: There are handles on the top, side, and bottom. That bottom grab handle is a tiny detail that makes a massive difference when you’re pulling the bag out of an overhead bin.
Common Misconceptions About Soft Luggage
A lot of travelers think soft luggage isn't waterproof. While you shouldn't throw the Away Softside Carry On into a swimming pool, the tight weave of the nylon is surprisingly water-resistant. A quick dash through a rainy parking lot won't soak your clothes.
Another myth: "Soft bags get squashed and break what's inside."
Look, if you’re packing delicate glass ornaments in a carry-on, you’re playing a dangerous game regardless of the shell. But for normal electronics and toiletries, the padded nature of the softside actually provides a bit of a buffer. It’s like a puffer jacket for your stuff.
What’s Missing?
It’s not perfect. No bag is. The Away Softside Carry On doesn't come with the built-in battery anymore (regulatory changes made those a headache anyway). And if you really, truly love the "clamshell" opening where the bag splits exactly in half, this might annoy you. It’s a "lid-open" style, meaning the main compartment is deep and the lid is thin.
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Personally, I prefer the lid-open style. It’s easier to live out of in a cramped hotel room because you don't need a massive luggage rack to lay the whole thing flat. You just flip the lid up against the wall.
Comparison: Softside vs. The Aluminum Edition
If you’re debating between the Softside and Away’s high-end Aluminum line, think about your back. Aluminum looks cool—very James Bond—but it’s heavy and has zero give. The Away Softside Carry On is for the pragmatic traveler. It’s for the person who wants to be able to shove a souvenir in at the last minute without a physical struggle.
The price point is also a factor. It sits comfortably in the middle of the Away lineup. It’s an investment, sure, but the lifetime warranty Away offers is legitimate. If a wheel pops off or the handle jams in three years, they actually fix it. That's why people pay the premium.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Away Softside
To truly maximize this bag, you need to stop packing it like a box and start packing it like an organism. Use the external pockets for things you need instant access to: your Kindle, your liquids bag (TSA will thank you), and your charging cables.
Because the front is flexible, you can actually overstuff the main compartment a bit and the front pocket will still accommodate a slim laptop. Just don't go overboard, or you'll create a "bulge" that might make it tricky to slide into the sizer if you're flying a picky airline like Ryanair or Frontier.
Strategic Packing Steps
- Roll, don't fold: This is basic, but in a softside bag, rolled clothes create a structural base that prevents the bag from sagging.
- Utilize the corners: Soft bags have slightly "rounder" corners internally than hard shells. Tuck your socks and underwear into those gaps.
- The "Weight Distribution" rule: Always keep the heaviest items near the wheels. If you put heavy stuff at the top of a softside bag, it can become "tippy" when you let go of the handle.
- Check the zippers: Before you head out, make sure the expansion zipper (if your specific model has one) is closed. You want to start your trip at the smallest possible footprint.
The Away Softside Carry On represents a shift in travel philosophy. It’s moving away from the "armored" look back toward something functional, tactile, and forgiving. It’s the bag for the traveler who knows that travel is messy and unpredictable. It’s for the person who wants a suitcase that works with them, not against them.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re ready to make the switch, start by measuring your most-frequently flown airline's sizer requirements. Compare those to the 22" x 14" x 9" specs of the Away Softside Carry On. Most US travelers will find this is a "set it and forget it" purchase that fits 99% of domestic bins.
When your bag arrives, test the compression pad immediately. It’s the "secret sauce" of the Away ecosystem. Try packing for a four-day trip and see how much the pad can actually cinch down. You’ll likely find you have enough room left over for an extra pair of shoes or that inevitable airport bookstore purchase.
Finally, keep a small microfiber cloth in the interior mesh pocket. While the nylon is durable, a quick wipe-down after a trip through a dusty terminal will keep the bag looking brand new for years. It's a small habit that preserves the "human-quality" investment you've made in your gear.