Away Travel.
Okay, so as a girl who’s moved around the world and back again on a few occasions, I know a thing or two about international moves and packing! Moving internationally in your 20s multiple times really just looks like multiple suitcases and fitting in as much as you can before sadly having to sell/part with the rest. I think the whole travel thing was written in the stars for me, growing up my career goals were to be “a hairdresser on a cruise ship”, quite specifically, as I had an aunt that had done that and to me that seemed the obvious way I would be able to travel and see the world. I grew up receiving postcards from all over the world, dreaming of far off places I’d only ever seen through movies. For my high school graduation, my grandparents bought me my first luggage set. I remember going to pick it out, I went for this grey/purple set one was a classic, soft, two wheel roller case, the other a matching duffle bag on wheels. My first trip was the summer after graduation to Ireland and from there you could really say the rest is history! Those bags clocked a lot of miles and many moves!
Forward 8 years, I was living in NYC and new direct to consumer company Away Travel was disrupting the travel space the way no one had before! The female founded, unicorn company was taking an e-commerce approach with very few brick and mortar stores, the company was selling suitcases with a 30 day trial period, 100% refund guaranteed and a lifetime warranty. I mean how could you say no! I purchased my first Bigger Carry On in Pink, at the time it was a collaboration with Pop & Suki. With an upcoming move to Europe I bit the bullet and finished the set with both a Medium and Large black suitcase.
All you have to do is travel with them once and you’ll be hooked! For two years I told everyone I knew about them, recommended them to friends, family and my boss at the time. Anyone and everyone heard of my love for Away, I was pretty much an unofficial sales girl at that point, but when you find a good thing you let people know about it!
Fast forward another 2 years and I ended up working for Away in the London location in Seven Dials (Covent Garden) as the first Assistant Store Manager. My love for the company only grew as an employee. For good reason, the brand has an incredible culture and community. Publishing a quarterly travel magazine, giving back to charities, hosting monthly events and various in store activations. Away continually pushes the boundaries in the travel space and is definitely here to stay. What started as a very simple luggage set that reiterated in different colours, collections & collaborations has grown into many different travel products, accessories and all the things you really never knew you needed when it comes to travel!
Quick rundown of some of my favourite products (suitcases aside). Starting with the Everywhere Bag, whether as a day to day bag, travel bag, night away bag, its versatile and spacious! I have the black leather one and it’s one of my favourite things. Next product, packing cubes!! Major game changer, Away has them in all colour ways so you can get them to match or contrast your suitcase set, I tend to pack mine depending on the trip, either by clothing type or by specific outfit. It makes it so much easier to find what you’re looking for in case full of clothes! Not to be forgotten, the shoe cube! Shoe cubes keep your shoes separate, you don’t have to worry about dirty shoes in your bag or any shoe polish transferring. And finally the weekender duffle bag! I use mine nearly every weekend and it’s just the perfect size for a short getaway/city break! Separate laptop pocket and waterproof shoe compartment, outer pockets as well with key clip.
There are many similar companies now with comparable models that have entered the market. What I will say (may be biased) is that Away doesn’t just have a good product but they really embody and empower the modern traveller. Their luggage is a well worthy investment. Their customer service is second to none, if you’re a traveller it’s a well worthy purchase, that will indeed last a life time! So if you’re looking for new luggage and find yourself in the market, just know that Away Travel is a really good thing!
