Carry-on luggage showdown: Away vs. Rimowa
As avid travelers who sometimes live out of their luggage more than their homes, it's fair to say that TPG staffers have strong opinions about suitcases: Hardshell versus softside, backpack versus wheeled luggage and checked versus carry-on.
When the team gets together, it's fun to see all the brands in attendance, including Tumi, Briggs & Riley, Samsonite, Rimowa, Away, Calpak and Osprey, to name just a few.
Related: Keep calm and carry on: TPG shares its favorite travel carry-on bags
From the budget-friendly Amazon Basics softside carry-on spinner to the splurge-worthy Tumi Arrivé Continental dual access four-wheeled carry-on ($1,695.00), you'll see a wide variety of suitcases at TPG.
While it can be entertaining to think about all the different things your luggage brand of choice says about you, after a fun debate specifically about Away versus Rimowa, two of us (TPG director Summer Hull and senior editor Benét J .Wilson) decided to explain what we loved -- and didn't love -- about each of these specific carry-on suitcases. Here are the results.
Side by side
While each brand has a variety of suitcases in its lineup, here's a comparison of the basics of Away's Bigger Carry-On with Pocket versus the Rimowa Essential Lite Carry-On.
| Away Bigger Carry-On with Pocket | Rimowa Essential Lite Carry-On | |
|---|---|---|
Size | Exterior: 22.7 inches by 14.7 inches by 9.6 inches. | Exterior: 21.7 inches by 15.8 inches by 7.9 inches. |
Weight | 8.4 pounds. | 4.2 pounds. |
Features |
|
|
Cost | $345 | $675 |
Related: Carry-on luggage showdown: Away vs. Roam
Pros and cons of the Away carry-on
Pros:
The Away line has a tremendous number of sizes, colors and materials that help you personalize exactly what you want. The Basic Carry-On starts at $275 and comes in eight colors, or for $625 you can get a fancy aluminum edition carry-on. Then there are tweaks to the bags, such as the Away Bigger Carry-On with Pocket that we'll focus on today.
The bag is sized to fit in overhead bins of U.S. airlines, even when expanded. This model currently comes in navy and black, both of which are great at camouflaging scuffs and scratches.
The telescoping handle is comfortable to hold and the 360-degree wheels roll smoothly.
Inside, one side of the bag has a mesh zipper area to keep your clothes secure. The front pocket offers easy access to items including laptops, tablets, documents and magazines or newspapers.
Overall, it's a good price for an attractive and well-made suitcase. There's also a 100-day period to try it and return it if you don't love it; afterward, there's a limited warranty.
Related: Review of an Away carry-on bag
Cons:
While the black and navy are pretty hardy, some Away colors and styles scuff quite easily. And the limited-edition reflective colors they've produced in the past wear especially poorly.
The suitcase only has two levels on the telescoping handle, which can be an issue for some. Also, while it sounds cool, note that the USB batteries that some styles of Away bags can come with aren't especially useful as they must be removed constantly due to air travel restrictions.
The interior zipper can also be tough to shut.
Related: Is expensive luggage worth it?
Pros and cons of the Rimowa carry-on
Pros:
Rimowa bags look like they are primped, primed and ready to fly at all times. The silver aluminum model is especially stylish, but they are all very attractive bags.
But looks aren't everything, and Rimowa suitcases also come with a lifetime guarantee for all functional aspects of the bag (read: not cosmetic wear and tear).
This particular model, the Rimowa Essential Lite, is extremely lightweight with its polycarbonate shell weighing under 5 pounds. The polycarbonate is flexible and makes it easy to squeeze a little extra in and still get it to close shut (unlike the aluminum ones, which have no give at all). The wheels are a dream to maneuver on smooth surfaces, like at an airport.
It has fit in every sizer and even in small regional jet overhead bins we've tried and never let us down. There are also now handy mesh inserts on both sides of the bag, which wasn't the case on some older models.
Related: Over 400,000 miles and counting: Review of the Rimowa carry-on bag
Cons:
While there are many price points with Away bags, Rimowa prices just go up, up and, well, away. The cheapest models are still over $600, so that's a real barrier to entry and drawback to purchasing a Rimowa bag.
But even with those high price tags, there aren't really bells and whistles that come with this bag, so don't expect little extra laundry bags or USBs or anything like that.
I'd argue it doesn't need those though — it's just an awesome bag that stands on its own. But if we have to pick a real con -- it's that the wheels aren't so fabulous once you get to something like an old cobblestone street.
Related: Luggage showdown -- Away vs. Roam
Should you buy Rimowa or Away?
Before getting her Away bag in the summer of 2021, Wilson had what she describes as a mishmash of carry-ons from TJ Maxx and eBags sales.
The Away Bigger Carry-On with a pocket was the first "grown-up" suitcase she had and it didn't disappoint. She's been able to even pack for a few trips in one given all its space, such as when she went to Disney's Star Wars Galactic Cruiser Hotel and the South Beach Wine and Food Festival in one trip.
Hull got her first carry-on Rimowa about eight years ago and that very bag now has hundreds of thousands of miles logged, and is still the go-to on more trips than not. It's held up fabulously and can hold way more than it seems thanks to its flexible shell.
However, it's not cheap, and by no means is it a must-buy if you don't want to blow your budget on luggage. There are also several Away bags in Hull's family that have also held up well -- as long as you avoid the lighter or special reflective colors as those can get dinged up in a hurry.
If you really specifically want a Rimowa Essential Lite Carry-On, you're unlikely to be let down or disappointed by it.
But, if want you really want is a stylish bag that can hold a bunch at a price that doesn't rival a monthly car payment, then the Away line may have more options.
Wilson's favorite, the Away Bigger Carry-On with Pocket, costs a little more than the entry-level Away bags, but it comes with very functional bells and whistles that can keep you and your stuff more organized on the road. Just note that Benét's Away Bigger Carry-On with Pocket no longer comes in the soft side option that she has and loves.
In Away vs. Rimowa, there are no losers -- just a variety of pretty fun luggage options at different price points, though none that are what we would describe as extremely affordable.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.