I tried Away's new Softside Carry-On. It's a solid option, but I still prefer Away's hard-shell bags

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In the summer of 2024, I was standing on a street in Nashville during a family vacation when I noticed a brick-and-mortar Away store. Away consistently earns a spot in our best luggage and best carry-on guides, so I was starstruck. I hauled my boyfriend and reluctant 11-year-old brother into the store to pay my respects to a brand that I've been writing about since I started my freelance career at Business Insider Reviews.

Inside the store, I noticed two things. First, I fell in love with the adorable, but not necessarily practical Micro Everywhere Bag. Second, and most importantly, I noticed advertisements for a soft-sided luggage launch. Indeed, Away — which is best known for its hard-shell luggage in a range of bright colors — launched its "Softside" line on July 9, 2024, just days after I visited.

Upon arriving home, I knew I had to test out a piece from its launch. I settled on the Softside Bigger Carry-On. Since then, I've put the bag through a rigorous testing process and have used it during my travels, on trips back home to Kansas and downtown Toronto. Continue reading for my in-depth review of the Away Softside Bigger Carry-On, including information on durability and how it compares to Away's hard-shell models.

Design and specs

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The Softside Bigger Carry-On is made with a nylon exterior and has an expansion panel you can unzip for extra packing space. (Expanding your bag might put it over the size requirements for some airlines, though, so be sure to check your airline's size requirements before you go.)

It includes a handle, too. The exterior is water-repellant, so you can feel confident taking it with you, rain or shine. The bag also has a front pocket, which is a handy place to store your laptop or a magazine for your flight.

I always assumed that softside bags were lighter than hard-shell bags, so I was shocked when I discovered that the Softside Bigger Carry-On is actually heavier than the traditional, hard-shell Bigger Carry-On. The traditional carry-on weighs 7.9 pounds empty, while the Softside version weighs almost two pounds more, at 9.8 pounds. Consequently, I found the hard-shell version is much easier to pull, lift, and maneuver.

The Softside Bigger Carry-On also has a smaller packing capacity than the hard-shell model. It carries 38.3 liters unexpanded and 44.3 liters expanded, whereas the traditional Bigger Carry-On can hold 47.9 liters. Unexpanded, the Softside model holds less than even the Away Carry-On, which has a capacity of 39.8 liters. Subjectively, I could feel the space difference between the bags. I felt like I could pack much more into my standard Away Carry-On than the bigger Softside model.

With a length of 23 inches, the Bigger Softside Carry-On suitcase also goes above the typical 22-inch requirements of most airlines, though you'll find that's the case with Away's hard-shell Bigger Carry-On, too. If you're worried about dimensions, Away makes a standard-size Softside Carry-On. It weighs 9.2 pounds with an unexpanded capacity of 32.2 liters and an expanded capacity of 37.2 liters. It's 0.6 pounds lighter than the Softside Bigger Carry-On, so it'll be a bit more manageable to maneuver, but it does have less packing capacity, however.

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This bag, like all of Away's Softside bags, is loaded with the features we've come to view as standard in Away's bags, including a multi-stop handle, 360-degree spinning wheels, and a handle on the bottom of the bag. Inside, you'll find compression straps, a laundry bag, and pockets to organize your smaller items like socks or underwear.

The bag also comes with a TSA-approved lock that can be locked onto the zippers of your suitcase. This is different from the hard-shell Away Carry-Ons, which come with a locking system built into the bag. I prefer the built-in locks on the hard-shell bag; the small lock that comes with the Softside bag feels flimsy, and I could easily see myself forgetting it in the hotel room.

The Softside Bigger Carry-On comes in five neutral colors, from jet black to clay pink. I love a neutral color, but I do wish there was a larger color selection, like the range of bright colors for the hard-shell suitcases.

Finally, the whole thing is covered by a limited lifetime warranty. If you notice any defects that affect the usability of the suitcase — like torn fabric or broken zippers — Away will repair or replace your bag at no cost to you. Unfortunately, last year Away replaced its 100-day trial program with a 100-day return policy and will only accept unused items for return. It's unfortunate that you can't take the bag for a test run anymore, but it's still nice to have a lengthy return window.

What it's like to use

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I've used the Away Softside Bigger Carry-On on three different trips so far. While the product description says you can pack for a four- to seven-day trip, I've found that the capacity is enough for about five days at most. Saying that this bag can fit a week's worth of clothes, toiletries, and shoes is definitely a stretch.

In the main section of the bag, I was able to pack jeans, leggings, shirts, a dress, and a flannel. I put my underwear, bras, socks, and swimsuit in the middle mesh compartment on the compression panel. I had difficulty fitting anything into the mesh compartment on the lid, since it added bulk when I zipped up the suitcase. I unceremoniously shoved my toiletry bag in the side of the main compartment before I was fully convinced that nothing else was fitting in this bag. Since there is only one main compartment, there isn't much space for awkwardly shaped items, especially shoes. I wasn't able to fit sneakers or heels into this bag, which was a bummer. On future trips, I ended up putting all of my toiletries into my Away Everywhere Bag to make room for shoes.

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With only one compartment, there's not a lot of space for organization, either. I appreciate that the traditional Away Carry-On has two compartments, so I can keep my belongings organized. I usually put my clothes on one side and my shoes, makeup, and purse on the other. Like the hard-shell bag, the Softside luggage has a built-in compression panel, but I found it didn't make much of a difference in packing capacity in the bag.

The front pocket, while nice, also doesn't add much to the bag. The space is too thin to fit anything more than a very slim paperback book or laptop, but it doesn't offer much padding so I personally wouldn't trust it to protect any electronics. The included TSA-approved lock is also much flimsier than the built-in locks you usually find in carry-on luggage.

When testing for durability, I toss suitcases around on concrete and note any dents, scratches, or damage to the contents. Not only is this definitely wildly entertaining for my neighbors, it also replicates the way a bag is thrown around when checked at the airport.

What the bag lacks in packing space, it makes up for in durability. The wheels, handles, and zippers are hard and sturdy. With softside suitcases, I always get worried that a snag on the fabric will cause a tear in the suitcase. I was pleasantly surprised to discover just how strong the exterior nylon is. After months of use, there are no signs of durability issues like scratches, rips, or tears. I'm confident that the Softside Bigger Carry-On will hold up for years. Comparitively, the Softside model is not as susceptible to cosmetic durability issues as the hard-shell version. Even though the hard-shell model is still durable, it's not uncommon to see scratches and scuffs on its shell.

As I mentioned previously, this is a hefty suitcase. Its weight means that it can be unwieldy to maneuver. It definitely takes a little extra effort to pull the suitcase on its wheels or lift it into an overhead bin, especially if you have it expanded and filled to the brim. After pulling it across streets and salted sidewalks in Toronto, I was huffing and puffing by the time we made it to the hotel. It also struggles in tight spaces or around sharp corners, so it's not the best pick for busy city traveling.

What makes it stand out

The Softside line is a new endeavor for Away, but it still includes the little design touches that set the brand apart from others. The materials are high-quality and durable, and there's thoughtful extras like a laundry bag and interior mesh pockets. And, if you really care about a durable bag, the Softside Bigger Carry-On is resistant to scratches, scuffs, rips, and tears.

The cons

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I wasn't impressed by this bag's packing capabilities. Not only was the carrying capacity smaller than other carry-ons, including Away's hard-shell bags, but the single-compartment design really hindered interior organization. The compression straps didn't make much space, either.

This is a heavy bag, which makes it difficult to maneuver. Given that you'll be pulling this suitcase behind you in the airport, lifting it into overhead bins, and navigating tight subway cars, this poses an issue. It's definitely not the best pick for smaller or older people, who may have trouble pulling or lifting the bag. Plus, it could be a problem if you travel on an international airline that has a weight limit on carry-ons.

When fully expanded, this suitcase might be too large to serve as a carry-on on some airlines. You'll want to review your airline policies thoroughly if you plan to use this bag, since there's little worse than a surprise baggage fee.

The bottom line

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If you're looking for a durable, softside suitcase for short trips, Away's Softside Bigger Carry-On is a good option. If you're just looking for a quality carry-on, though, I would still recommend Away's hard-shell line over this bag. The traditional Carry-On and Bigger Carry-On are both superior in packing space and maneuverability.