Away vs. Béis: Here’s How the Luggage Brands Compare for Your Travels
Updated: Apr. 18, 2024
Have your eye on new luggage but don't know which carry-on to go with? We put popular Away vs. Béis options to the test.
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Friends, family and even complete strangers on Instagram often ask my advice about choosing the best luggage brands. It just comes with the territory when you spend upwards of 90 days a year exploring the world as a travel writer. Plus, a big part of my job is testing products and giving my honest review. The two brands I get asked about the most? Away vs. Béis: the most popular social media darlings these days.
I’ve spent plenty of time moving through airports, cobblestone streets, carpeted hotel hallways, inclement weather and public transportation with my Away and Béis bags, and I love them both for different reasons. I use them both equally often, so read on to see which brand is best for your travel needs, style and budget.
What’s the difference between Away vs. Béis?
Both brands are female-founded and specialize in lightweight, hard-shell luggage made of durable polycarbonate. They both favor neutral and subdued colors, with a few brighter hues thrown into the mix. They both prioritize such features as Transportation Security Administration (TSA)-approved locks, interior compression straps and 360-degree wheels to help make traveling safer and easier.
Away debuted in 2015 in New York when Jen Rubio and Steph Korey founded the brand. It quickly became known for its signature product, the popular The Carry-On bag. The pair met while working at Warby Parker, one of the best places to buy glasses online. Away is the more luxurious of the two luggage brands, possibly because it’s been around a bit longer and has a slightly higher price point.
Béis launched a few years later, in late 2018, as the brainchild of actor and entrepreneur Shay Mitchell. This brand, which has a viral presence on TikTok and is a bit more affordably priced, is best known for its Weekender bag but has plenty of excellent luggage and accessories, too.
To keep things fair, I packed the same exact things—one hair dryer, one travel adapter, one toiletry bag, one makeup bag, one packing cube of undergarments, two pairs of flat sandals, one pair of wedge sandals, one bathing suit, four pairs of pants, four short sleeve tops, one denim jacket, one cardigan, and two dresses—in both the Away The Bigger Carry-On and the Béis The Carry-On Roller so you could how they were able to fit in. Both suitcases even had room to spare. Now, let’s dive in to the Away vs. Béis argument.
All about Away luggage
Away luggage is the type of aspirational luggage I dreamt about for several years before finally getting my hands on a bag of my own. Not long after I got The Bigger Carry-On, I also ordered The Medium Flex for my longer trips. I’d seen it for years in airports and Instagram ads, and its sleek lines and sophisticated color palette drew me right in. I love how easily the wheels traverse any surface encountered, how lightweight the bag is before adding my contents and how it effortlessly holds up to all my adventures.
These hardshell suitcases are rigorously tested for durability while still being lightweight. Featuring easy-grip handles and interior organization, Away luggage has a variety of sizes, colors and styles for all types of travel destinations. Colors range from black to multi and metallic. Away offers iconic suitcases, travel bags and backpacks and perfect-fit packing accessories.
The brand has three collections: Classic, Flex and Aluminum. The Classic collection features the best-selling hardshell suitcases while the Flex collection offers a range of expandable luggage for extra space. The Aluminum collection is more sleek with upgraded security features. All collections include the brand’s Carry-On, Bigger Carry-On, Medium and Large luggage, but the Classic collection also has the Trunk, which is the biggest hardshell suitcase available.
Aside from the suitcases, Away offers duffels, backpacks, totes and crossbody bags. You can shop the bags by size or features, like attachable sleeves and laptop-friendly compartments. Other accessories include packing organizers, toiletry bags, tags and charms. One of the brand’s newest arrivals is a limited-edition Soundwave collection, featuring a musically inspired print available in Bigger Carry-On and Medium suitcase options.
Pros
- Lightweight, impact-resistant polycarbonate
- Interior compression system
- 360-degree spinner wheels
- Leather details, including a leather luggage tag
- Hidden laundry bag
- Luggage sets designed to nest inside each other for space-saving
- Add a USB charger (additional fee)
- Personalize bags and luggage tags with up to three letters (additional fee)
- 100-day worry-free return policy (unless personalized)
Cons
- Must spend at least $100 for free shipping
- Internal organizational compartments, like packing cubes, are sold separately
All about Béis luggage
After seeing what felt like my 100th TikTok video of happy travelers using their Béis The Carry-On Roller and The Mini Weekender, I just had to see what all the fuss was about. I was preparing for disappointment, thinking nothing could compare with my Away bags—I was wrong.
I was immediately impressed by the additional features in my Carry-On, including more organizational compartments, a padded handle to help make my grip more comfortable, the retractable bag attach strap for when I don’t want to carry my purse and the weight-limit indicator so I never risk going over the 50-pound max on most airlines.
Béis offers a variety of luggage options, weekenders, totes and accessories. The brand’s durable, hard-shell luggage includes The Carry-On and The Check-In (medium and large options), which you can bundle in different colors. The Slate, Maple and Olive collections feature the popular Mini Weekender, The Weekender, The Carry-On Roller, The Check-In Roller and accessories like a cosmetic pouch set, a passport and luggage tag set, a dopp kit and a cosmetic case.
The brand recently added new items to its collection for kids, including the fun-size Mini Roller in Atlas Pink and Slate. The Mini Roller is packed with removable fanny packs, padded tablet pockets and the brand’s signature 360-degree wheels, adjustable, cushioned trolley handle and TSA-approved locks.
Additionally, polycarbonate luggage purchased directly from the Béis website is covered by a limited warranty for cracks in the shells, broken wheels and handles, broken zippers and rips in the fabric. Béis also offers a rewards program where you get 20 points for signing up and earn points every time you shop. Earn points by following the brand on social media and get rewarded with free shipping, early preview access, VIP event access and inclusion in a design focus group. Different products offer different points, so The Dopp Kit gives you 480 points while The Carry-On Roller gives you 2,180 points.
Pros
- Expandable for an additional 2 inches of space
- Weight-limit indicator
- Retractable bag attach strap holds up to 15 pounds
- Padded handle for increased comfort
- Interior compression system
- Save up to 15% when you build a bundled set
- Slightly more affordable
- 360-degree spinner wheels
- TSA-approved locks
- Butterfly opening
- Stain-resistant polycarbonate
Cons
- Must spend at least $150 for free shipping
- Return products within 45 days, but there’s a $10 handling fee
FAQ
Does Away offer a lifetime warranty?
Away offers a limited lifetime warranty on all suitcases that covers functional damage to the wheels, handles, zippers and shell. If something breaks, Away provides a repair kit or replacement. Away bags and accessories are covered by a limited one-year warranty. For Away luggage with batteries, the battery is covered by a two-year warranty.
Do Away suitcases fit inside each other?
Yes, any Away Carry-Ons fit inside of the Medium, Large or Trunk luggage for easy storage. Any smaller size suitcase can nest inside of a larger Away suitcase.
Can The Weekender bag fit under airplane seat?
Yes, the Béis Weekender is an ideal fit as underseat luggage on most airlines.
Is Away more expensive than Béis?
Yes, it’s a bit more expensive. When determining if you’re going to purchase Away vs. Béis, budget is definitely a consideration to keep in mind. For instance, the Away Bigger Carry-On Suitcase starts at $295, and the similarly sized Carry-On Roller from Béis is $218. When looking at their larger bags, the Béis Medium Check-In Roller is $308 while the similarly sized Away Medium Flex is $395.
How reliable is Away vs. Béis luggage?
In my experience, they are both equally reliable in terms of durability in the shell, handle and wheels. Neither one has ever let me down in terms of the TSA locks, compression straps or zippers. In fact, both brands pass all seven of the signs of a well-made piece of luggage with flying colors.
How long does luggage last?
This answer really depends on how often you travel, how often you check your bag (where it’s more likely to sustain damage) and how you treat it while on the road. Even with my demanding travel schedule, both brands held up well for a couple of years and show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. They both show some scuff marks on the shell, which is truly unavoidable with hard-sided luggage.
For added peace of mind about your purchase, know that Away comes with a guaranteed limited lifetime warranty that covers any functional damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers or anything else that impairs your use of the luggage. Béis also offers a limited warranty that covers issues with the shell, wheels, handles, zippers or rips/tears in the fabric beyond normal wear and tear.
The bottom line
I can say, without hesitation, that you can’t go wrong with either brand in the Away vs. Béis argument. Both are durable, chic and on-trend. When deciding between Away vs. Béis, let each bag’s features, colorways and price tag be your guide to the best selection.
If you prefer more bells and whistles, Béis bags offer a few extra features that come in awfully handy at a lower cost. And if you’re in the market for simple sophistication with personalized details and smart features, Away is the stand-out choice.
Where to buy Away luggage
VIA MERCHANT
Product Comparison
Away
Want to get away? The Away suitcases, bags and accessories are built for modern travel.
Buy Away luggage in real life, at one of 14 brick-and-mortar stores—locations range from Austin to Toronto. Products are also available on the brand’s website, and ship to the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Where to buy Béis luggage
VIA MERCHANT
Product Comparison
Béis
Looking for the ultimate travel essential? Béis offers various features to make your trip convenient.
Béis products are available on the brand’s website, Revolve and Nordstrom.
Originally Published: August 07, 2023
