What's New with Away Series 3
Away didn't reinvent the suitcase for Series 3—it evolved it. After a decade of watching how people actually travel, Away applied that experience to the moments that matter most: how a suitcase rolls, stops, handles, carries, and packs. Here's everything that's new, feature by feature.
The Same Away Foundation, Thoughtfully Evolved
Away Series 3 builds on the quality, construction, and design that travelers have come to know from Away. Rather than starting from scratch, Away kept the core of the suitcase intact and focused its latest generation of engineering on the details that could make the travel experience better—from how the suitcase moves and stays in place to how it handles, carries, and packs.
Series 3 isn't starting from scratch. It keeps the elements travelers already trust:
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Signature ShockShield™ Shell: The same durable, lightweight 100% polycarbonate construction
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Patented CompressMore™ System: Away’s signature compression system, carried forward with an evolved interior orientation that makes it easier to interact with while packing
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TSA-Accepted Combination Lock: Built-in security that remains part of the Away suitcase experience
What's different is everything built around that foundation.
The result: the Away suitcase travelers already know, thoughtfully evolved.
Motion System: Smoother Rolling, More Control
WhisperGlide™ 360° Wheels
The Original used double-bearing wheels. Series 3 adds a third “thrust” bearing in the wheel fork, plus anti-friction technology, for a smoother, quieter roll. In testing, engineers lowered wheel hardness from 70 to 65 degrees specifically to reduce noise. The wheels have been validated through 54,000 steps of wear testing, along with decibel, mileage, and drop testing.
StopLock™ Brakes
This is new to Series 3. The Original had no integrated braking system—Series 3 adds a rear-wheel brake that prevents the suitcase from spinning or rolling away once engaged. A visible lock icon shows brake status at a glance. (Note: brakes should not be engaged when checking the bag at the airport.)
Infinite Height Trolley
The Original's trolley had multiple fixed positions. Series 3's redesigned trolley extends to 105 cm and offers 5x more stopping positions, so travelers can dial in a handle height that actually fits them.
Capacity System: Pack Smarter, Carry More
Outward-Opening Interior
The Original's interior opened in the original orientation. Series 3 flips both sides to open outward, so the compression pad and zip-around panel stay out of the way while you pack — full visibility, less flipping things back and forth.
Handsfree Hideaway Hooks
New to Series 3. Two retractable hooks integrated into the trolley poles give you somewhere to hang a jacket, tote, or duty-free bag—up to 22 lbs total (11 lbs per hook)—without using packing space or your hands. They tuck flush into the poles when not in use.
Metal D-Ring
New to Series 3. A metal D-ring on the top handle for luggage tags, charms, or keychains—the Original didn't have a dedicated attachment point here.
Protection & Organization Upgrades
Five Interior Zippers
Series 3 moves from three to five interior zippers for added durability, validated with zipper puller twist, pull, and crosswise chain strength testing.
Built-In Bluetooth Tracker Pocket
New to Series 3: a dedicated pocket inside the interior hanging zip pocket for a bluetooth tracker. The Original had no dedicated tracker storage.
Keep-It-Clean Kit
Upgraded organization: a drawstring laundry bag plus water-repellent WipeClean pouches (one in carry-on sizes, two in checked sizes).
Refined Hardware
Chrome and metallic detailing across the wheels and D-ring for a more elevated finish versus the Original's existing detailing.
Everything That's New, at a Glance
| Series 3 | Original | |
|---|---|---|
| StopLock™ Wheel Brakes | ✓ | ✕ |
| Infinite Height Trolley | ✓ | 3-stop trolley |
| Handsfree Hideaway Hooks | ✓ | ✕ |
| WhisperGlide™ 360° Wheels | ✓ | Standard 360° Wheels |
| Bluetooth Tracker Pocket | ✓ | ✕ |
| Expandable Flex | ✓ | ✓ |
| ShockShield™ Shell | ✓ | ✓ |
| Patented CompressMore™ System | ✓ | ✓ |
Is the Upgrade Worth It?
The value of Series 3 isn't any single feature—it's cumulative. Every touchpoint of the travel experience got a look: how the suitcase moves, how it stays put, how it fits your hand, how you carry the extra things, and how you pack. If you've ever chased a suitcase across a terminal, wrestled an uncomfortable handle, or run out of hands at the gate, those are the exact moments Series 3 was built around.
FAQ
Is Series 3 a completely new suitcase?
No. Series 3 builds on the existing Away suitcase architecture rather than starting over. The team kept what already worked for travelers and focused new engineering on the areas with the most room to improve.
How different is Series 3 from the Original?
The Original remains a well-built suitcase around the fundamentals—quality, protection, thoughtful design. Series 3 takes that same foundation and evolves it based on years of Away's product testing and traveler feedback.
What will I actually notice while traveling?
A smoother, quieter roll. A suitcase that stays where you leave it. A handle height that actually fits you. Somewhere to hang the one more thing you're always carrying. And full visibility while you pack.