Can the Away Softside Compete With My Trusty Hard-Shell Suitcase? Here’s My Take

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I would argue that I’m the best person to make the case for Away’s hard-shell suitcases. Allow me to explain: while on my honeymoon in Greece, I watched my medium-size Away luggage plummet down a steep ferry escalator and live to tell the tale.

Alright, allow me to explain more. I was boarding a ferry departing from Athens to the island of Syros, and it was 6:30 a.m.. So, combined with the jet lag, I was not operating at full capacity. That perhaps explains why I thought it was a suitable idea to let go of my trusted suitcase as I ascended on the escalator up into the ferry. See, in my mind, I thought it would be fine resting on the step behind me. It was not fine.

The suitcase tumbled down the escalator, somehow picking up speed with each thud and clunk, much to the horror of my husband and every other person there that early morning. “There goes my perfume,” I thought as it hurtled to the bottom floor. “Well, that handle is a goner,” I assumed. And yet, nothing happened to the suitcase or its contents. My ego would never recover from the humiliation, yes, but the Away was perfectly fine.

So, you can imagine why I haven’t since strayed. But when Away recently announced the return of its soft-side luggage, I was intrigued, although admittedly not sold right away. An option for travelers who prefer soft luggage, the suitcase is made from a durable yet lightweight nylon while still maintaining the travel brand’s clean aesthetic.

Could it compare to my beloved hard-side luggage? I brought the Away Softside Medium ($295) on a recent trip to Miami to put it to the test. Here’s my honest review.

What’s the Criteria For a Good Soft-Side Luggage?

A good soft-side luggage should be easily expandable. In fact, expansion is one of the reasons travelers prefer soft-side suitcases, since they tend to allow for more wiggle room for those who picked up one too many souvenirs.

That said, soft-side luggage is more susceptible to wear and tear. I was curious to see how the suitcase would fare once it made its way back on the baggage carousel. Would it have new scuffs, stains, or rips? A good soft-side luggage should be made in a tough material that can withstand baggage handling.

What I Like About the Away Softside

The Away Softside is a great option for overpackers. Though I tend to be an efficient packer, on this particular trip, I was bringing a good deal of outfit options, and the interior compression flap helped me to squeeze in quite a bit. And on the return, I wasn’t as meticulous and tidy with my packing, so the zipper expansion was a nice option to allow for more room.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the suitcase’s durability. Though there were a few scuffs on the exterior following the trip, it wasn’t anything a simple swipe with a damp rag couldn’t fix. More importantly, all my more fragile belongings, like toiletries and hair tools, fared just fine in the journey.

One unexpected benefit: this thing really glides. Maybe it’s because I’ve had my hard-side suitcase for some time, but the Softside, with its 360-degree wheels, was zooming along with me, requiring minimal pushing.

What to Consider Before Buying the Away Softside

There are a few considerations for the Away Softside. While it’s the better option for travelers packing a good deal of clothes, I am someone who packs a lot of toiletries, and I found myself missing the hard-side luggage’s separate compartments — as in, clothes are on one side, and miscellaneous items are on the other.

With the Softside, all the contents are in one compartment. And since I didn’t fully unpack on this trip, I found it inconvenient to remove the shoes and purses each time to get to the clothing below. To avoid this issue, however, packing cubes might also be a good idea for easier accessing.

The material is also another consideration: if you travel (and check your bag) often, a hard-side suitcase might be a better option since there may be less visible wear and tear. That said, if you are generally mindful about your belongings, and don’t mind wiping down the suitcase on occasion, the Softside should be just fine.

Who the Away Softside Is Best For

The Away Softside is best for travelers who prefer soft luggage so they can pack in as many clothes and belongings as possible, utilizing the zipper expansion as needed.

Since the suitcase glides so smoothly, I also recommend the Away Softside as a carry-on option for frequent flyers navigating big terminals or rushing to make connecting flights. And, lastly, if you’re a traveler who perhaps already has a hard-shell suitcase — but would appreciate some variety — then the Softside is a great addition to your collection.

Additional Details About the Away Softside

Where Is the Away Softside Available?

The entire Away Softside range is available exclusively at the Away website or in Away stores throughout the US, UK, and Canada.

Rating

★★★★☆

Kelsey Garcia is the associate content director of PS Balance, where she oversees lifestyle coverage, from dating to parenting and financial wellness. Kelsey is passionate about travel, skin-care trends, and changes in the social media landscape. Before joining the PS team more than eight years ago as an editorial assistant, she interned at Elle and Harper’s Bazaar, among other publications.