Carry-on luggage showdown: Away vs. Roam

I am of an age where I have lived through the evolution of luggage. When I took my first flight, at age 6, from New York (JFK) to London (LHR) in 1971, our family had a set of olive Samsonite luggage with old-school locks -- and no wheels in sight. Yes, you actually had to carry your suitcase back in the day.

My mother's carry-on was a matching Samsonite makeup case and her purse. There was no such thing as rollaboards or the large totes that are so common these days.

Related: Keep calm and carry on: Our 13 favorite travel carry-ons

As someone who refuses to check a bag, I need a carry-on that can haul all my stuff for trips of up to a week. I decided to buy myself Away's soft-side Expandable Bigger Carry-On with Pocket suitcase in black for my birthday after seeing so many versions of Away suitcases at a TPG managers meeting in June.

But there are myriad carry-on suitcases ranging from under $100 (the Amazon Basics 21-Inch Hardside Spinner) to more than $1,000 (the Rimowa Original Cabin), depending on the brand. And competition in the market is fierce. So with decades of travel and luggage experience under my heels, here are my thoughts about products from two of the hottest brands on the market. -- Away and Roam.

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Carried away by Roam

Roam, launched in 2019 by the founder of and an executive at Tumi, touts that it assembles suitcases by hand in its U.S. factory and can ship it in as little as one business day. It also brought a twist to the luggage game -- customization.

It allows you to fully customize your suitcase by choosing the colors of the front and back shell, the trim, the zipper, the binding, the wheels and the carry-on handle. The website walks you through the steps and it's pretty easy. If customization isn't for you, there's a gallery with 16 versions of the suitcases.

In October, I was contacted by Roam to test out its hard-side Jaunt XL Expandable - Extra Capacity Carry-on. I customized my suitcase, above, and put it through its paces during a TPG retreat in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Related: Is expensive luggage worth it?

Side by side

Because I'm a big fan of soft-side luggage (as it provides room to stuff it to the gills), my Away bag has that feature. However, it's no longer available for sale in that configuration.

Related: Here’s why we love this cult-favorite carry-on

An Away spokesperson noted that its new expandable Polycarbonate Flex, launched this summer, will replace its soft-side collection moving forward. The Polycarbonate Flex was the brand’s first-ever expandable hard-side offering, designed for those who prefer the durability of Away’s polycarbonate shell while maximizing space with the added expandability feature. "We've been sold out since launch in August but will be restocking (and offering more colors!) this coming year," she added.

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(Photo by Benét J. Wilson/The Points Guy)

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Here's a comparison with Away's version of the polycarbonate shell.

Related: What your luggage brand says about you

Pros and cons: Away

Pros

• Choice of polycarbonate shell or aluminum.
• Fits in overhead bins even when expanded.
• Offers USB charger for $20.
• Black version hides a multitude of travel sins, including scuffs and scratches.
• Locks are on top of the suitcase.
• Handles are comfortable to hold.
• Front pocket offers easy access to laptops and documents.
• Wheels roll smoothly.
• Monogrammed luggage tag for $25.
• Top corner guards offer extra protection.
• Solid price.

Cons

• Only one side offers interior compression.
• Hard to grip zipper at the bottom of the suitcase to store dirty laundry.
• Only two levels on the telescoping handle.
• Some colors and styles scuff quite easily.

Pros and cons: Roam

Pros

• Ability to customize with really cool color combinations.
• Both sides of the suitcase have interior compression.
• Four levels on the telescoping handle.
• Easily fit six packing cubes.
• Fits in overhead bins even when expanded.
• Feels really light.
• Offers $50 Amazon gift card when you refer a friend.
• Receive a free shoe-and-laundry-bag set when you write a review.

Cons

• Higher price.
• Didn't like the luggage lock located on the side.
• Handles weren't soft.
• Wheels don't always run smoothly.
• Hard to grip zipper at the bottom of the suitcase to store dirty laundry.
• Lighter colors show scuff marks.
• Outer shell felt fragile to me.

Bottom line

Both carry-ons are solid options for travelers. Being on #TeamSoftSide, I wish Away still had that option and that Roam would offer it, too.

That being said, the bag you choose really depends on the type of traveler you are and how you use it. I found the Away bag was within my budget and has most of the features I want in a carry-on. But if you want to travel in a bit more style -- and don't mind paying for it -- the Roam bag might be the one for you.

Related: Over 400,000 miles and counting: Review of the Rimowa carry-on bag