Away’s Weekender Bag Review: This Bag Replaced My Carry-On

I love the pace of my work and the places I get to see. Naturally, this a job where hardworking travel bags aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re basically a work outfit requirement. And Away’s new Featherlight Weekender—an under-$150, over-the-shoulder style—is the one I’ve found up to the task.
(Image credit: Away)
This much hype for a weekender bag might sound surprising. I, like many other women racking up their Delta SkyMiles, know Away for its candy-colored signature carry-ons, after all. But this bag has built-in organization and washable material on its side. Not to mention, it’s lighter than a wheel-on bag despite having equal storage space.
As I was hauling the bag up into the overhead compartment for the first time, on that reporting trip to Salt Lake City, it’s the weight I appreciated first. Despite packing my usual overnight work travel uniform of a few nice sweaters, La Ligne pants, Manolo heels, and my beauty kit, it felt way lighter than heaving a normal carry-on into the storage area. I loved how easily I could tuck my curling iron into the side pockets; ditto for the retainers I’m always at risk of misplacing.
My dog, Dolly, jumped into the car over Easter weekend to sniff out my Away bags. Don’t worry: She didn’t actually ride in the trunk with my luggage.
(Image credit: Halie LeSavage)
By the time I was packing the same Away bag for an overnight retreat upstate, I knew I’d found my holy grail travel accessory for short trips (even when they’re not on the weekends). It’s spacious enough to carry at least three outfits without feeling crammed; everything stays neat and organized with the separate shoe compartment; it easily slots into car trunks, train luggage areas, and plane bag storage—even the time I was in the final boarding group for a flight to a wedding. I know some trips will eventually require more outfits than my 48-hour work travels: When I have a longer itinerary, I can perch it on top of a roller bag, stress-free.
I’ll fill my packing cubes with swimsuits and cover-ups instead of corporate blazers and trousers when I finally set my OOO email alert for summer vacation in a few weeks. But just like on my work trips, all that clothing will stack neatly into the same Away bag.
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