Away helped popularize the direct-to-consumer hardside suitcase, but it's no longer the only option in that category — and for some travelers, it's not even the best one. Common reasons people look for an Away alternative: a lower price point at a similar quality tier, a distinctive aesthetic instead of Away's minimalist neutrals, or features Away doesn't offer (integrated compression, front-pocket organization, or a more generous warranty). This page covers hardside suitcase alternatives specifically — if you're comparing Away's other product lines, see our Away Everywhere Bag alternatives or Carl Friedrik vs Away passport holder comparisons instead. And if you're not sure you even need a hardside suitcase over a carry-on, our carry-on vs checked luggage guide covers that decision first. Below are seven well-tested alternatives across budget, premium, and specialist use cases.
Best Away Alternatives at a Glance
Alternative
Best For
Price
Standout Feature
Monos
Away look-alike for less
$225–$295
Closest match to Away at a lower price
Béis
Lifestyle-brand shoppers
$198–$278
Broader ecosystem of coordinating bags
CALPAK
Color/pattern variety
$195–$295
Widest color selection
July
Tech-integrated travelers
$225–$325
Integrated tracker slot
Solgaard
Eco-conscious travelers
$275–$395
Recycled materials, built-in compression
Samsonite Freeform
Long-term reliability
$180–$280
Largest global service network
Arlo Skye
Premium upgrade buyers
$295–$425
Most polished interior finish
Why Look for an Away Alternative?
Away built the modern DTC hardside category, but competitors have since matched or exceeded it on specific dimensions — price (Monos, Samsonite), color variety (CALPAK), sustainability (Solgaard), or interior polish (Arlo Skye). None of these are strictly 'better' across the board; each wins on a different axis.
Price: Monos and Samsonite typically undercut Away at a comparable quality tier
Style variety: CALPAK and Béis offer more colors, patterns, and lifestyle-adjacent products
Sustainability: Solgaard's recycled-plastic construction goes further than Away's materials story
Premium finish: Arlo Skye's interior and hardware details are a step above Away's base lineup
The Best Away Alternative for Most Travelers: Monos
If you like Away's minimalist look and simple hardside functionality but want to pay less, Monos is the most direct substitute — nearly identical construction and warranty terms at a typically lower price.
The Best Away Alternative for a Bigger Budget: Arlo Skye
Travelers who want to spend more for a more refined interior and hardware finish than Away's base lineup should look at Arlo Skye, which positions itself explicitly as the premium upgrade in this category.
Each Alternative, In Depth
1
Monos
Best for: Travelers who want a nearly identical hardside experience for less
~$225–$295 depending on size
Monos is often described as the most direct Away competitor — polycarbonate hardside shells, a similarly minimalist aesthetic, and a comparable lifetime warranty, typically at a slightly lower price point than Away's equivalent sizes. The interior compression system and 360-degree spinner wheels are on par with Away's, making it a low-risk switch for anyone who likes Away's look but wants to pay less.
Pros
Nearly identical aesthetic and build quality to Away
Typically priced a bit lower than Away's equivalent sizes
Lifetime warranty comparable to Away's
Cons
Less brand recognition than Away
Fewer retail/showroom locations to try before buying
Color and size range is narrower than Away's lineup
2
Béis
Best for: Travelers who want a softer, more lifestyle-oriented aesthetic
~$198–$278 depending on size
Béis (founded by Shay Mitchell) leans into a softer, more "everyday lifestyle" look than Away's clean minimalism, with a broader range of bag types beyond hardside luggage — weekender bags, backpacks, and structured totes that coordinate with its suitcases. It's a strong pick for travelers who want their luggage to double as a broader travel-accessory ecosystem rather than just a hardside case.
Hardside shells are generally considered less durable than Away's
Less focus on pure hardside travel-case engineering
Wheel and zipper quality reviews are more mixed than Away's
3
CALPAK
Best for: Travelers who want more color and pattern options than Away offers
~$195–$295 depending on collection and size
CALPAK offers a significantly wider range of colors, patterns, and finishes than Away's largely neutral palette, while staying in a similar price tier. Its hardside cases include front-pocket or compression features on some models — a functional addition Away's core lineup lacks — making it a good pick for travelers who want more storage flexibility along with more visual variety.
Pros
Widest color and pattern selection of any option here
Some models include front-pocket or compression features Away lacks
Similar price tier to Away
Cons
Quality can vary more across CALPAK's wide product range
Less minimalist aesthetic if you prefer Away's neutral look
Warranty terms vary by collection
4
July
Best for: Travelers who want integrated tech features Away's core lineup lacks
~$225–$325 depending on size
July (an Australian brand with a growing US presence) builds in features like an integrated luggage tracker slot and a more structured, wide-opening interior on some models — details that go slightly beyond what Away's base lineup offers. Build quality is frequently compared favorably to Away's, with a similar minimalist design language.
Pros
Integrated tracker slot on select models
Comparable minimalist aesthetic to Away
Well-reviewed wheel and zipper durability
Cons
Smaller US retail footprint than Away
Fewer size options than Away's full lineup
Newer brand with a shorter US track record
5
Solgaard
Best for: Eco-conscious travelers who want recycled materials and built-in organization
~$275–$395 depending on size
Solgaard builds its cases from recycled ocean-bound plastic and adds functional extras like an integrated compression system and dedicated laundry/shoe compartments — features Away's core hardside lineup doesn't include. It's a strong pick for travelers who want sustainability credentials alongside genuinely useful packing features, not just a style alternative.
Pros
Made from recycled ocean-bound plastic
Built-in compression and dedicated laundry/shoe compartment
Distinctive sustainability story
Cons
Smaller brand with less mainstream recognition than Away
Fewer showroom/return-in-person options
Price is comparable to or slightly above Away, not cheaper
6
Samsonite Freeform
Best for: Travelers who want a longer-established brand and wider warranty/service network
~$180–$280 depending on size
Samsonite has been making luggage for over a century, and its Freeform line offers a hardside spinner experience comparable to Away's at a similar or lower price, backed by a much larger global service and repair network. It lacks Away's specific DTC-brand cachet, but for travelers who prioritize company longevity and widespread service availability, Samsonite is a safer long-term bet.
Pros
Over 100 years of luggage manufacturing experience
Larger global warranty/repair service network than Away
Comparable or lower price than Away's equivalent sizes
Cons
Less minimalist, trend-forward aesthetic than Away
No integrated tech features (tracker slot, USB port) on base models
Less of a lifestyle-brand following than Away
7
Arlo Skye
Best for: Travelers who want a premium build with a more polished interior finish
~$295–$425 depending on size
Arlo Skye targets the same premium DTC hardside space as Away but focuses on a more polished interior finish — including a genuinely useful compression system and higher-end trim details (metal hardware, refined zipper pulls). It's typically priced a bit above Away's equivalent sizes, positioning it as the upgrade pick rather than the budget one.
Pros
More polished interior finish and hardware than Away
Effective built-in compression system
Distinctive premium aesthetic
Cons
Usually priced above Away's equivalent sizes
Smaller brand with less mainstream recognition
Fewer retail locations to try in person
Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Best overall Away alternative for price and similarity: Monos. Best for lifestyle/ecosystem shoppers: Béis. Best for color and pattern variety: CALPAK. Best for eco-conscious travelers: Solgaard. Best for long-term service reliability: Samsonite Freeform. Best premium upgrade: Arlo Skye.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best alternative to Away luggage?
Monos is generally considered the closest direct alternative to Away — a nearly identical hardside build and minimalist aesthetic, typically at a lower price. For more color and pattern variety, CALPAK is a strong pick; for a broader lifestyle-brand ecosystem of coordinating bags, Béis is a popular choice.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Away luggage?
Yes — Samsonite's Freeform line and Monos both typically run at or below Away's price points for a comparable hardside spinner experience. Samsonite also brings a much larger global service and repair network from over a century in the luggage business.
What is a more sustainable alternative to Away luggage?
Solgaard is the strongest sustainability-focused alternative — its cases are built from recycled ocean-bound plastic and include functional extras like built-in compression and dedicated laundry/shoe compartments that go beyond Away's core lineup.
Is Monos as good as Away?
Most reviewers consider Monos comparable in build quality and warranty terms to Away, with a similarly minimalist aesthetic — typically at a slightly lower price. The main trade-off is brand recognition and retail footprint: Away has more physical stores and broader name recognition, while Monos is primarily an online-first brand.
What luggage brand is more premium than Away?
Arlo Skye positions itself above Away on interior finish and hardware details — including a more effective built-in compression system and higher-end trim — typically at a price above Away's equivalent sizes. It's the right pick for travelers who want to spend more for a more polished result rather than save money.
Which of these alternatives is carry-on sized versus checked-bag only?
All seven alternatives above are sold across multiple sizes, from carry-on to large checked, the same way Away itself is — but this comparison covers build quality and price tier, not a guaranteed matching size. Check the exact dimensions of the size you're considering against your airline's carry-on limits before buying based on the comparisons above.
How much does each of these alternatives weigh empty, and does that matter for the airline weight limit?
None of the alternatives above list an empty bag weight here, which matters because on most US airlines your empty suitcase weight counts against the 50 lb (23 kg) checked-bag limit before you've packed anything. Away's own bags run about 10.4 lbs empty for comparison — check the specific empty weight of whichever alternative you're considering, especially if you tend to pack heavy, since a heavier empty shell leaves less room under the airline limit.
How much does Away's own luggage cost, so I can judge these alternatives against it?
See our Away vs Samsonite comparison for Away's actual pricing by size, laid out directly against a competitor rather than in isolation.