We have an Away Road Runner and it rolls as smooth as butter--also great customer service when we had a zipper problem (mostly our fault). It is kind of small though, compared to others (for domestic travel).

Interesting, now wondering if I travel like an animal, I have NEVER used a luggage rack at a hotel!

Anonymous wrote:I got an away and it’s fine. The worst part is just that there are so many of them. Maybe put a sticker on it or a recognizable tag.

I’ve never had a problem opening it on a luggage rack. You put the suitcase perpendicular to the rack and open it like a book. No issues. Fits on any rack. I don’t understand what the pp is saying.

I’ve had the same issue as pp. It is possible to balance a clam shell on a hotel folding luggage rack, but the center of gravity isn’t in the right place and it’s precarious and takes up more space in the room, especially since you generally can’t put the rack and your suitcase in a hotel closet with the suitcase open like you can with a top zip. Many hotels have built in shelves that are made to hold luggage and I’ve found that they often don’t work with the luggage folded out. I’d end up having to put my suitcase open on the floor. YMMV, but I’ve used both and find the top zipper more convenient.

Anonymous wrote:I love my Travelpro Maxlite. I've done 10-day trips with mine, but I'm a light packer and don't mind doing laundry while I travel.

Hard or soft exterior?

I have a Monos carryon and like it.

Tumi and/or Travelpro

I love my Travelpro Maxlite. I've done 10-day trips with mine, but I'm a light packer and don't mind doing laundry while I travel.

Anonymous wrote:This is the top recommendation of the NYT Wirecutter:

https://travelpro.com/products/platinum%C2%AE-elite-21-expandable-carry-on-spinner?variant=19629281706082

I love mine. Wirecutter claims they've never had a problem with the 21" on international flights, but if you're worried about that, Travelpro also makes a smaller one:

https://travelpro.com/collections/platinum%C2%AE-elite-soft-side-collection/products/platinum%C2%AE-elite-international-expandable-carry-on-spinner?variant=19632748953698

I'll have to compare this to the Travelpro Rollmaster™ Lite 2 20-Inch Expandable Hardside Spinner. I just looked at that on in person and it was very small inside.

This is the top recommendation of the NYT Wirecutter:

https://travelpro.com/products/platinum%C2%AE-elite-21-expandable-carry-on-spinner?variant=19629281706082

I love mine. Wirecutter claims they've never had a problem with the 21" on international flights, but if you're worried about that, Travelpro also makes a smaller one:

https://travelpro.com/collections/platinum%C2%AE-elite-soft-side-collection/products/platinum%C2%AE-elite-international-expandable-carry-on-spinner?variant=19632748953698

I got an away and it’s fine. The worst part is just that there are so many of them. Maybe put a sticker on it or a recognizable tag.

I’ve never had a problem opening it on a luggage rack. You put the suitcase perpendicular to the rack and open it like a book. No issues. Fits on any rack. I don’t understand what the pp is saying.

Anonymous wrote:What’s the benefit to have the zipper on top versus the middle? It seems like you can separate the items better if the zippers in the middle with two separate compartments and also less prone to wrinkle. Thoughts?

If you put a “normal” carryon on the floor or luggage rack you can unzip the top and access everything— the top is just a thin piece of fabric which you can lift up or not. Put the Away on the floor or luggage rack and unzip it and you have to lift half your suitcase. It’s fine if you have space to unfold your suitcase in half or plan to unpack but practically speaking it has 2x the “footprint” of the other bag.

I actually like packing in the two halves— makes it easier to find things at least, and the internal compression straps help some.

Also the away is overpriced but it’s not no much in the scheme of things if they really are giving lifetime warranties.

Anonymous wrote:What’s the benefit to have the zipper on top versus the middle? It seems like you can separate the items better if the zippers in the middle with two separate compartments and also less prone to wrinkle. Thoughts?

In my experience, foldable luggage racks & other spaces in hotels that are made for luggage don’t easily accommodate clamshell (zipper in the middle) luggage after they’re folded out. It’s awkward to open them while you’re traveling to get something. It also seems to me that they don’t hold as much. I think it’s because one side usually has a cloth cover that zips and that makes it harder to compress clothes & inevitably leaves some space in the middle.

After watching reviews on line, I ordered a Brics X 21” soft side with a top zipper and I love it. It’s very light and rolls great.

One thing a travel blogger pointed out is that soft luggage gives you a little bit of margin when you’re faced with an airline luggage sizer vs. a hard shell case.

Love my Away carryon. I can easily pack a 5day 4night trip with multiple shoes (I have relatively small feet).

Mine zips in the middle and packs really well but very unstable on a luggage rack. If you want to dress out of your carry on, trunk like zip would be easier. Not a problem for me if there are enough dresser drawers to throw the packing cubes into. But that isn't a given overseas.

What’s the benefit to have the zipper on top versus the middle? It seems like you can separate the items better if the zippers in the middle with two separate compartments and also less prone to wrinkle. Thoughts?