When you buy luggage, you should hopefully be buying it for life. You need something that can survive a month on the road, stay under strict airline weight limits, and take a beating from baggage handlers—without making a bad first impression when you roll it up to your luxury hotel. Away, Quince, and Carl Friedrik all make suitcases that look good in photos, but can they handle real-world travel?
After living out of the Away The Medium, the Quince Expandable Large, and the Carl Friedrik Check-In on various long-haul trips, I’ve found the one that’s worth buying.
Here is how these three suitcases compare based on my real-world testing.
| Suitcase | Away The Medium | Quince Expandable Large | Carl Friedrik Check-In |
| Weight | 10.4 lbs | 10.2 lbs | 11.7 lbs |
| Capacity | 72 L | Up to 115 L (Expanded) | 70 L |
| Size | 26″ x 18.5″ x 11″ | 28.7″ H x 20.9″ W x 13″ D | 27 x 17.8 x 11.2 |
| Price | $345 | $219 | $795 |
| Closure | Zipper | Zipper (Expandable) | Aluminum Lock Clasps |
The Best Value Checked Bag
If you want the “Away look” without the Away price tag, Quince is the clear winner.
My Testing Notes: I took this bag on a month-long trip and was shocked by its capacity. Even on Jetstar—an airline notorious for stingy luggage allowances—this bag stayed comfortably within the size limits.
- The Standout Feature: The expansion. When unzipped, it adds nearly two inches of depth, making it the most versatile bag of the three for chronic over-packers.
- The Build: It features a durable polycarbonate shell and high-end touches like a compression panel and a removable laundry bag.
- The Trade-off: Like most light-colored hardshells, the lighter colors show scuffs easily (though it does come with a magic-eraser-style sponge to buff them out).
The Best Size Checked Bag: Away The Medium
The Away Medium is the “just right” suitcase. I lived out of this bag for a month, hauling it across planes, boats, and public transportation.
My Testing Notes: At 10.4 lbs, it’s remarkably easy to maneuver even when packed to the brim. It fit perfectly into smaller hotel rooms where a larger suitcase would have been a trip hazard.
- The Standout Feature: Organization. Unlike many bags that only have pockets on one side, Away’s compression boards have multiple pockets on both sides. It prevents your gear from becoming a “black hole.”
- The Build: The 100% polycarbonate shell is flexible enough to accommodate that “one last souvenir” but strong enough to keep everything intact.
- The Secret Weapon: The underside grab handle. It sounds small, but it makes hefting a 40lb bag onto an airline scale significantly easier.
The Luxury Investment: Carl Friedrik Check-In
If “Succession-core” was a suitcase, this would be it. Carl Friedrik eschews zippers for a heavy-duty aluminum frame and lockable clasps.
My Testing Notes: After multiple flights, the shell emerged without a single scratch or dent. The click of the TSA-approved locks snapping shut is incredibly satisfying and feels far more secure than a standard zipper.
- The Standout Feature: The closure system. Because there are no zippers, you never have to worry about a track splitting or a zipper getting stuck mid-trip.
- The Build: It uses aerospace-grade aluminum and Hinomoto wheels that glide silently even on rougher surfaces. It feels virtually indestructible.
- The Trade-off: It is the heaviest of the three at 11.7 lbs and the most expensive. This is a “buy it for life” piece for the traveler who values aesthetics and durability above all else.
The Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
- Buy the Quince Expandable Large if: You want maximum space for the lowest price. It’s perfect for long trips where you need the extra room.
- Buy the Away Medium if: You want the best organization and a lightweight build. It is the most practical choice for the average 1-2 week vacation.
- Buy the Carl Friedrik Check-In if: You’re tired of replacing suitcases every three years. It’s a statement piece that performs as well as it looks.
Read my full individual reviews for more details:
