A Soft-Sided Suitcase Lover Tries Away’s Softside Carry-on
I enjoy a soft-sided suitcase. I enjoy overstuffing it, because I am constitutionally unable to pack light. I enjoy a trunk-like opening, which takes up less space than a hard-sided suitcase’s splayed clamshell design. And I especially enjoy outer pockets for quick access to my airport read, granola bar, and the pair of socks that, at the very last minute, I decide I actually, definitely need. I do not enjoy looking like a business traveler from the early 2000s. Because while soft-sided suitcases are known for their functionality and durability, they are not known for their style. Even our beloved pick for the best soft-sided suitcase, the TravelPro Platinum Elite Carry-On, is nondescript, a word that pretty much sums up the soft-sided suitcase aesthetic. From luggage to footwear, this is the dream I chase: functional coolness. That’s why I was thrilled when suitcase style-icon Away released a new line of soft-sided suitcases. After all, even we at Wirecutter—always skeptical of a...