Away Flex luggage review: I wish Away had made its hardshell suitcases expandable years ago — now they're perfect

16.11.2023 - 21:41 / insider.com

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A quick glance at our Away luggage review and our guides to the best luggage and best carry-on bags will show you that we're big fans of Away luggage. So when the direct-to-consumer startup launches a new product, it grabs our attention.

Most recently, that was the Polycarbonate Flex, Away's line of expandable hard-sided luggage that launched in 2021 in both carry-on and checked sizes. I tried the Medium Flex to see how the new features worked, and whether the expandable option meant this habitual over-packer could fit everything needed without opting for the largest suitcase possible.

Here's what you should know about the Flex line and how mine held up over the course of a cross-country trip, multiple hotel stays, and moving homes.

The Flex offers the durability of Away's original hard shell combined with a built-in exterior zipper that provides an additional 2.25" for carry-on sizes and 1.75" for checked baggage.

That's pretty cool, but it's important to note that when fully expanded, the carry-on will be too large to fit overhead and must be checked, according to airline baggage guidelines.

These Flex suitcases have all of the same smart features you've come to expect from Away, like a TSA-approved combination lock, 360° spinner wheels, an interior compression system, an underside grab handle, a hidden laundry bag, an eraser for tackling any scuffs, and a removable, washable lining. 

No matter the size you choose, these features come standard with a sleek and durable exterior that looks exactly like the original polycarbonate hard shell bag from Away, just with the addition of the expandable zipper.

In fact, all the basic measurements for every Flex bag are the same as its original counterpart, aside from the expandable feature, which adds a bit of weight.

For example, with the Medium Flex, the exterior and interior measurements are exactly the same as Away's original Medium bag, at 26" x 18.5" x 11" for the exterior and 24" x 17.5" on the inside. 

Both have a capacity of 68.8 liters, too. That is, until the Flex expandable zipper is utilized, which brings the limit to 75.5 liters. As such, the Flex weighs about a pound more, 10.8 pounds compared to 9.9 pounds for the original Medium.

So, whether you choose the Carry-On Flex, the Bigger Carry-On Flex, the Medium Flex, or the Large Flex, you'll have the same dimensions as the original, just with the option to add more room.

I used the Medium Flex as one of my checked suitcases when I moved cross country with my family. So, as you can imagine, I had a lot to pack.

I used the Flex to pack most of my daughter's belongings, which included clothes, baby towels and burp