I just finished a 3 month trek through Europe with the smaller Away carry on in black. Five countries, all types of surfaces--airport and train station floors, carpeting, streets, etc--and numerous types of transportation. It was my first carry on size spinner.

The bag was able to hold a good amount of items thanks to the compression system which surprised my by working as well as it did. It weighed about 22 pounds during my travels. I also had a Tom Bihn Pilot riding on top. I can't tell you whether or not it holds a suit well because I don't travel with one.

The bag rolled easily on smooth surfaces although on some rougher pavement streets and carpeting it was easier to pull it like a two wheeler. This was also true for walking uphill.

The telescoping handle does seem a little loose but it gave me no problems.

The bag got gate checked a few times and was put in the underneath storage area of a coach a handful of times--once even at the bottom of a pile of bags. No damage at all. Size was never an issue on any flight both in the U.S. and Europe.

Without the outside pocket, I just put whatever I might need to get out in the Pilot. If you are traveling with just the Away and nothing else then it might be a problem.

The battery came in handy although previously I just carried a backup battery in my Pilot. With the Away it had it's own place. (Delta also asked me to remove it from its case although on their website they said I could then put it in the bag. This makes no sense.)

I'm going to keep using it until I can find something as sturdy but lighter.

One last thing, I put off buying this bag because there was too much hype. Too many 12 year olds gushing online over this bag like is was the second coming. But the size was what I was looking for. I still hesitated until Away opened up a store while I was in London last summer. I went in and spent time going over the bag. It convinced me to give it a try especially since I had 100 days return window. If I was unhappy it would definitely go back.

If you are looking for cheap luggage go to a discount store. If you want and can afford Briggs & Riley, Tumi or Rimowa, go for it. But if you want a decent bag at a middle price, give this a try. It will really cost you nothing to do so. (That is not a sales come on. Whether or not you buy the bag means no difference to me.)