Is it really worth spending £345 on a suitcase? Here’s my honest verdict

In a new series So, Is It Worth It? our travel experts put products and experiences to the test to see if they’re really worth your money. This week, we’re getting up close and personal with a luxury suitcase.

Any Londoner knows that travelling with a suitcase on the Tube during rush hour is enough to get you exiled from the city, Napoleon style.

So it was with my head hung in shame that I did exactly this, on a recent schlep across the capital to Heathrow.

The only saving grace was that said suitcase was from chic US luggage brand, Away — if I was going to be annoying, at least I’d be doing it in style.

Away counts the likes of Harry Styles, Kristen Bell and Meghan Markle as fans. In fact, The Duchess of Sussex famously gifted each of her friends a case after that New York baby shower in 2019.

But these A-list credentials come with a hefty price tag. The Large Flex suitcase that I had in tow comes in at £345, hundreds more than I have ever spent on luggage.

Compared to budget favourite Tripp, which sells its most expensive expandable large case for £79.50, it’s quite a difference.

More than four times as much, in fact.

But can it ever be worth spending the same amount on your suitcase as your flight?

Here are my honest thoughts…

The background: I am not a light packer. Despite being a fairly frequent flyer, I find the whole process incredibly stressful, and end up awkwardly balancing my case on the bathroom scales, praying it’s come in underweight.

As such, roomy luggage is a non-negotiable, but as I often travel alone, it needs to be lightweight so that I can actually lift it (or pray that a stressed commuter takes pity on me and offers to help).

In my book, organisation is also key. I like little compartments and secret laundry bags so I know where everything is.

How much suitcase do you actually get for your money? This certainly wouldn’t get past Ryanair’s carry-on allowance.

The stats are impressive, with measurements of 73.6cm x 52.1cm x 31.8cm. When expanded, you’ve got 104 litres of space to play with.

The downside, though, is that the entire hard-shelled case weighs 5.7kg, and that’s with absolutely nothing in it at all.

So, if you were flying EasyJet, for example, and had paid to travel with a standard 23kg bag, you’re already down to 17kg by taking this with you.

I definitely noticed the weight of the bag when packing, as despite feeling like I’d streamlined my wardrobe, I struggled to stick to my weight limit.

Any stand-out features? Although it’s heavy, this case is a smooth drive.

I didn’t feel like I was getting in a workout while pushing it along. In fact, the 360 spinner wheels meant it all felt pretty effortless, regardless of surface.

It’s also nice and quiet (‘whisper-quiet’, according to Away), so you don’t have to cringe on a deathly-silent train platform as your case announces your arrival before anyone has even seen you.

And, for my fellow overpackers, as well as the two regular handles at the top and side of the case, there’s a grab handle at the bottom, which helps with the heavy lifting.

Does anything set it apart from a bog-standard suitcase? The whole thing feels more sturdy than a typical case.

You’re not worried about the handle snapping off in your hand, the zips breaking or the wheels falling off. It would be a tough opponent even against the most aggressive of baggage handlers.

You get decent storage options inside, too, with zip-up pockets that separate the two sides of the case, as well as a laundry bag.

There’s also a compression mat with storage pockets. This is a common feature of more upmarket luggage (the idea is that it flattens all your items down), but I always take it out, as it seems to take up more space than it saves.

Plus, with the expandable zips giving you extra room, you don’t really need it.

And, it just looks more expensive than other lower-priced options. There’s no shiny, plastic finish, or garish brand names screaming out at you. Plus, you won’t miss it at baggage reclaim, as it comes in a variety of colours, from more muted olive green and navy blue options, to the hue I chose: cherry red.

Okay, let’s be real. Is it worth the money? There’s no denying the case looks stylish, and it also comes with a lifetime warranty, so it’s durable, at least in theory (Tripp cases have a five-year guarantee).

However, I struggle to see why it’s so much more expensive than other luggage on the market.

If you’re only travelling a few times a year — and can see past a brand name — you’re better off opting for a more affordable choice.

If you’re a frequent long-haul flyer, the cost per trip (or distance travelled) makes it worth it.

If you want a reliable, easy-to-manoeuvre case with all the bells and whistles, this is for you.

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