This Quince carry-on is my go-to travel bag &mdash; it looks like Away luggage, but costs over $100 less

When our team came together to test out all the best carry-on bags, I felt like the most qualified person to test out some Quince luggage. After all, I've tried almost everything else the brand makes — leather handbags, fine jewelry, suede loafers, you name it.

As I've told in our Quince review, I don't love all of its dupes. However, this hardshell unit is a prime example of a great Quince product. It passes for a luxury brand suitcase, costs much less, and functions just the same. I got it right before I flew to Las Vegas in 2024 and haven't used another suitcase since.

The design is similar to the fancy Away luggage I see pulled around by much more experienced travelers than myself. Over the last year, I've only been riding the Amtrak between New York City and New England. So for about $130, I can't ask for much better.

Maneuvering it through the subway is easy

Before I got the Quince carry-on, I was using a two-wheeled suitcase for way too long. The 360° turn on its wheels really makes a huge difference. I can spin it around people getting on and off the subway and they glide down narrow, carpeted train hallways. I also like that the aluminum telescopic handle locks into a halfway position when I need to carry it up the platform stairs.

It can fit a week's worth of outfits

My roommate used this exact Quince carry-on on a weeklong trip to Paris, and it fit absolutely everything he needed. I tend to overpack though — the 21-inch suitcase will fit me about six days' worth of casual clothing, shoes, and toiletries. Anything extra goes in my travel backpack.

Open suitcase lying on a wooden floor, packed with rolled clothes on one side secured by straps and other items in a mesh compartment on the opposite side.

The compartments inside help keep everything organized. On one side is a space for shoes and bulky items. On the other, there's room for clothing that can be packed down with compression straps. There's also a detachable laundry bag and a mesh insert where I store my underwear and socks.

How it holds up after a year

When I first obtained this suitcase, I tossed it down a cement driveway five times to give it the airport treatment. The shell did sustain some scuff marks, but there was no damage otherwise.

All the metal and plastic accents have held up well, too. In our household, the true test of an item's durability is whether it can survive our cat's chewing habit. So far, his tiny fangs haven't put a dent in it.

Split image showing a cat climbing into an open suitcase (left) and a person pulling the same dark green carry-on suitcase by its handle while walking on a sidewalk (right).

What I like about this hardshell's exterior is that the polycarbonate is lightweight and slightly flexible, so even when it's full to the brim, it caves in just enough that I can zip it completely closed. But it has never warped on me, so I'm confident it'll maintain its shape.

It looks a bit worn after a year of hard use, but I'm not precious about buffing the scratches out. If you prefer to keep yours looking pristine, you can use the foam eraser Quince includes with the suitcase, or shield it with a luggage cover.

Cons to consider

Quince doesn't clearly outline the terms of the "limited lifetime warranty" that comes with its luggage. The brand also has a too-good-to-be-true return policy. If you need to send it back within the 365-day grace period, make sure your payment method (whether that's PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay) adheres to the same default refund period as Quince. Otherwise, you'll be stuck with a store credit instead of getting your money back.

Quince makes a similar version of this suitcase with a front pocket, which I also tested. While I personally liked the addition, the pocket does cut into the interior packing space and I think most people will find it isn't worth the trade-off.

The bottom line

Dark green hard-shell carry-on suitcase with extended handle, standing upright on outdoor concrete steps in front of a wooden door.

After spending a year traveling with the Quince hardshell suitcase, I can say it's served me well. As a city dweller, the maneuverability comes into clutch each time I take it on the train, and the exterior can handle rough-and-tumble traveling. It's merely a bonus that it looks like a stylish, luxury-grade suitcase.

Shop all Quince luggage here.

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