Good luggage will make your travel easier. This is why they’re so important. Away and Briggs & Riley are two top names for luggage.
In a direct comparison; Away is more commercial-looking, less durable, and more affordable. Briggs & Riley is very minimal, more durable, and pricier.
If you spend a lot of time flying around, you know how important good luggage is. Sure, both Away and Briggs & Riley make good luggage but which one should you go with?
Here is a comparison to help you decide.
A Quick Summary Of The Comparison
Feature | Away | Briggs & Riley |
Build and design | Commercial-looking, lighter, and less spacious | Inconspicuous, slightly heavy, and more spacious |
Durability | Good, can get ratty | Better, maximum durability |
Price | Affordable | Less affordable |
And that’s the gist of it, keep reading below for the detailed breakdown.
Key Differences Between Away And Briggs & Riley
Let’s be honest, both brands are close in terms of overall quality. You can probably get away with any of them depending on how much you travel.
But that’s the thing, you have to know the difference between them to know which one is better for your travel routine. And there are multiple big differences between them.
The major differences between Away and Briggs & Riley are their build and design, durability, and price. These aren’t all, but these are definitely the biggest ones.
Let’s see how these differentiating factors come out in both brands.
- Build And Design
Both brands have a pretty big catalog, but their designs have a theme.
Away is more commercial-looking, slightly flashier but lighter.
It has less packing space inside.
Briggs & Riley is very minimal-looking and heavier but has more packing space inside.
Away’s luggage range is pretty impressive.
Hard shell or soft, there will always be something that’ll catch your eye. That is if you’re okay with a little flashy design.
Away luggage usually comes with contrast seams, puffered outside, or something that makes them stand out in the crowd.
The problem with Away luggage is the inside space. Their insides usually have a little less packing space available especially if you’re looking at a hard shell luggage. If you tend to overpack, Away luggage may not be your best friend.
The good part is, they’re lighter than other luggage. You’ll have no trouble carrying them around.
If Away’s product range is wide, Briggs and Riley’s is bigger. They already have a pretty extensive product lineup and they sometimes switch it up with limited-edition luggage (and other carriers). But the common theme is always minimalism.
Briggs and Riley’s luggage looks very inconspicuous. If you like to travel without drawing attention to you, they’re your best bet.
The luggage will be slightly heavier than brands like Away, but it won’t affect your ease of traveling.
The best part of Briggs & Riley is the inside space. Their luggage has lots of space inside and the soft shell luggage will even let you cover up your overpacking.
If you’re conscious of the luggage weight itself, you won’t have to take things out.
Also Read: Differences Between July And Monos Luggage.
- Durability
This is the most important department for any travel carrier. Away luggage is pretty strong, but they won’t hold up against wear well.
Briggs & Riley is the poster person when it comes to luggage durability, they can survive pretty much anything.
“You get what you pay for” is a solid truth for Away.
Their luggage will stand the standard flow of time but that’s about it.
Don’t expect it to take all kinds of airport rush and baggage pressure. And if you’re a frequent traveler, the hassle might wear them down even faster.
Briggs & Riley is the opposite. Their luggage is pretty much indestructible.
You can throw them down (don’t actually throw them down though, it will void the warranty), go on with regular airport hassle, bump them down the stairs and they’ll still be okay.
The wheels are butter smooth but sturdy enough to last you decades. Not just the wheels though, the whole luggage will barely get a dent down the long road.
And their strong point is the zippers, they practically never break. Briggs & Riley has a lifetime warranty, but chances are you’ll never have to use that.
- Price
This is what most people see when they’re comparing both brands. And yes, there is a pretty evident difference.
Away has a lower price tag compared to Briggs & Riley. Briggs & Riley has a higher price tag but also a better warranty.
Which Luggage Should You Pick?
Well, this is like a trick question. Both luggage brands are pretty close in quality. And they have their own pros and cons to make their case stronger.
This is why comparing them is a little hard, and picking one is even harder. Everything will come down to your preference and travel routine.
If you emphasize lighter luggage and don’t travel very frequently, Away luggage is a good option for you.
You won’t get to overpack much, but it will get you through the travel days and last pretty long.
And their luggage is more affordable so that’s a plus.
If you don’t mind the splurge and want something that will be around for a long time, Briggs & Riley is the best option.
They are super tough, have lots of space, and are easy to carry around.
You’ll pay a little more but you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
Also Read: Differences Between Kifaru And KUIU Packs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some questions people usually ask about Away, Briggs & Riley, and luggage in general.
Yes, Briggs & Riley is very much worth it. They’re super sturdy and easy to use.
Yes, Briggs & Riley is a luxury brand, thanks to their signature CX compression system.
There is no one answer to this; but Briggs & Riley, Samsonite, and Away are the strongest candidates.
Away luggage is light, can stand regular airport hassles and they’re super affordable.
Final Verdict
The comparison of Away and Briggs & Riley’s luggage will probably go on forever. At the end of the day, you pick the one you prefer more.
But if you want an objective choice, Briggs & Riley is the clearly better choice in this case. And if you’re looking for budget-friendly options, Away is one of the best options you’ll see.