For years, I refused to check bags at the airport because I hated waiting for luggage at my final destination. And when that luggage didn’t wind its way down the carousel (on more than one occasion), I was further motivated to pack everything I needed into my carry-on. While I still check bags from time to time (scuba gear never makes it through security), I avoid handing my luggage off to airport security whenever possible.

Up until last year, my carry-on bags consisted of two options: a large backpack, or a small cloth roller bag that won some “best travel suitcase” award however many years ago. On several occasions, I wound up checking one of my fabric bags that I intended to carry on, only to retrieve a damaged bag at my destination. At one point, it was left in the rain; on another, it was ruined by a broken jar of exotic salsa. Makeup Case With Mirror

Medium and carry-on aluminum Away bags in Madeira, Portugal

To further complicate these luggage dilemmas, my mother, who suffers from both Parkinson’s and dementia, lives with me part time. Because she struggles to lift bags into the overhead bin, and she might forget them on the plane, we often check her luggage to simplify her travels. So it didn’t really come as much of a surprise when her iPad, wrapped in t-shirts and pants, arrived at its final destination with a cracked screen.

Given these unfortunate events, I decided it was time to get some serious luggage and, after careful consideration, I found that Away made exactly what I was looking for. I spent weeks scrutinizing my options, measuring potential bags at home and visiting the nearest Away store before ultimately deciding on the brand’s aluminum carry-on as it was the strongest and most attractive of the bunch. In order to cover all my bases, I opted for a full-size aluminum suitcase to accompany me on big trips and a standard carry-on model for shorter outings. Below, my review of Away’s Carry-On suitcase, and why it makes for such a capable travel companion.

Exterior dimensions: 21.5 x 13.5 x 9 inches | Interior dimensions: 19 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 10.1 pounds | Capacity: 35 liters | Materials: Aluminum, leather, plastic

After pushing, pulling, heaving and hauling my Away roller around the world, I’ve reached one conclusion: This is about as good as a carry-on gets. While I originally chose this bag for shorter personal trips, it’s become the go-to carryall for my entire family. I’ve packed it with my mom’s belongings when she visits me in New York, and I’ve appreciated that it’s small enough to fit underneath the wheelchair I use to get her through the airport. I’ve also realized that, because she isn’t able to lift the bag on her own, airline staff will happily check it for her at the gate, which saves us a little money and prevents the bag from facing airport security where it might get damaged.

Away aluminum carry-on fits neatly under an airport wheelchair

At 21.5 inches high by 13.5 inches long, Away’s aluminum Carry-On suitcase falls right in the middle of the roller bag sizing spectrum. Some styles are smaller and lighter, while others are larger and heavier. But in this veteran traveler’s opinion, it’s the perfect size because it’s big enough to fit the essentials for a trip, yet small enough to nestle into most overhead compartments, car trunks and closets. It’s worth noting that Away’s original hardshell Carry-On offers five additional liters of space (though it lacks an aluminum shell), and the brand’s even larger carry-on, the Bigger Carry-On, offers an additional eight liters of capacity over the original.

Because this roller features an aluminum shell, it’s a few pounds heavier than polycarbonate rollers, but that reinforced exterior contributes to its sturdy, solid design that protects your belongings without adding too much weight. Generally speaking, carry-on bags aren’t likely to exceed airline weight limits, but if your checked luggage tends to weigh on the heavier side, those extra pounds might lead to additional fees. I’ve had to pull out books and belongings on several occasions to reduce bag weight, so consider Away’s original Carry-On that’s three pounds lighter than the aluminum model if weight is a concern. And if you can’t go without a carry-on but some travels require even more space, consider the brand’s Carry-On Flex suitcase that offers 40 liters of space, or 47 when expanded.

Underneath, Away outfits its carry-ons with 360-degree Hinomoto wheels that are noticeably smoother than other wheels I’ve tested. As it turns out, most high-end luggage brands use these Japanese rollers, so you might as well consider them the gold standard in the space. Whether you’re walking with the suitcase at an angle or pushing it in the upright position, you’ll never notice any stickiness, squeaking or play as it rolls over sidewalks, conveyor belts and busy terminals.

The only criticism some travelers may have with Away’s Carry-On is the same one most clamshell suitcases receive: packing it full isn’t always easy. Because the suitcase unzips down the middle, you’re forced to pack the main compartment to the brim before closing the other packed side in the hopes that everything will fit. Away’s packing cubes make it easier, but those that need a single, open compartment might prefer a soft-sided alternative.

Away's built-in charger makes it easy to top off your devices on the go.

When it comes to features, the Away carry-on suitcase has them in spades. From standard features like TSA-approved locks and handsome luggage tags to customizable add-ons like monograms, limited-edition prints and an ejectable USB charger (a $20 option), Away goes above and beyond to outdo the carry-on competition.

Inside the suitcase, Away offers a handy compression sleeve on one side that cinches down to compress your clothes and save space. On the other side you’ll find a dedicated organization sleeve that straps over belongings to prevent random items from bouncing around. Both sleeves feature zippered mesh pockets that are convenient for stashing smaller items like toiletries, or flat items like magazines and notebooks. There’s also a removable laundry bag so you don’t wind up mixing clean and dirty clothes during the trip.

And then there are the features you simply won’t see unless you look hard enough. For instance, the leather-trimmed handles contain a spring that allows them to slowly release against the shell. The dual-combination locks eliminate exterior zippers (this is only true of the aluminum suitcase—the original carry-on uses zippers), so your carry-on opens more like a briefcase. And every mark or ding the aluminum shell bears over time isn’t really damage, but a lasting memory of your travels. Outfitting what amounts to a box with wheels isn’t easy, but Away does well to provide travel-ready essentials.

Away’s aluminum luggage is the first collection I’ve ever owned that allows me to travel in complete confidence. Certainly, there are cheaper hardshell suitcases on the market but some designs are flimsy, others use cheap zippers, and I worry most budget-minded models will pop open when tossed around by baggage handlers. These aluminum suitcases, on the other hand, are incredibly sturdy, so I’ve packed many delicate items without wondering if they’ll wind up damaged.

While this carry-on suitcase is small enough to fit in most overhead bins, I’ve also checked it on numerous occasions, and I’ve done the same with the larger Away suitcase I own. From bottles of hot sauce in El Salvador that wouldn’t pass through security to delicate Christmas gifts for family and friends, the hard sides of the aluminum suitcase have dutifully protected any and all contents.

After employing my Away luggage on a number of trips, it began to show signs of obvious wear. When consulting my airline to discuss their damaged bag policy, I was told any damage was a result of “normal wear and tear,” even though my suitcase lost a chunk of leather in the midst of travel. Fortunately, Away has a generous limited lifetime warranty that covers serious travel-induced damage, so they happily replaced my bag as it wasn’t repairable. Your mileage may vary in this regard, but Away is definitely ready to stand behind its products.

Compression sleeves and organizing pockets make it easy to pack the Away Carry-On .

Admittedly, the aluminum luggage collection I own isn’t cheap. In fact, it’s double the price of many other hardshell suitcases, but as is often the case, you get what you pay for. Personally, I think my rose aluminum suitcases are the most beautiful pieces of luggage I’ve ever seen at the airport, so I feel proud wheeling them through terminals and hotels. But more importantly, I feel confident knowing my belongings are safe, and I appreciate how the expertly-crafted luggage has made travel my travel experience just a little less stressful. If you can afford Away’s aluminum carry-on luggage, I’d highly recommend it. And if you’re looking for luggage that doesn’t cost as much as a roundtrip flight, the brand’s original hardshell carry-on makes for a great investment, and it often goes on sale.

I've been a reporter at Forbes since 2016. Before that, I spent a year on the road—driving for Uber in Cleveland, volcano climbing in Guatemala, cattle farming in Uruguay, and lots of stuff in between. I graduated from Tufts University with a dual degree in international relations and Arabic. Feel free to reach out at nkirsch@forbes.com with any story ideas or tips, or follow me on Twitter @Noah_Kirsch.

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I’m a digital media executive recognized for building engaging content experiences that delight and inspire audiences. As Chief Product Officer of Forbes, I lead a team of world-class product managers, designers, e-commerce leaders, and other experts focused on building the products that shape the Forbes brand across the web, mobile, social, and emerging platforms.

New England raised and Oregon-based, I'm a twenty-something editor with a penchant for gear. Upon receiving a degree from the University of Massachusetts, I packed my car on a whim and made for the west coast. Like a rebel without a cause, I drove until I found myself in Oregon, a place where towering pines and peaks looked nothing like the old forests back home. It's here that I began my career as a freelance writer, contributing gear-related stories to REI Co-op, Backpacker, GearJunkie, Field Mag and others. Years later, I began working as a copywriter for Backcountry.com before jumping headfirst into the world of product journalism where I find myself today.

A jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none type, I've made a few wonderful memories between then and now. I've surfed the frigid waters of the Oregon coast, stumbled my way through the Sierras, skied the Canadian Rockies and backpacked the Alps. These days, I'm messing about with films cameras, appreciating long drives in my old 4Runner and jumping at every chance I get to see something new.