The Super-Affordable (and Constantly Sold Out) Carry-On I Love as Much as My Away Suitcase Now Comes in Cool New Colors

Summer travel season is here, and if you’ve been looking at flight and hotel prices lately, you know it ain’t gonna be cheap. While luggage can also cost a pretty penny, there are some budget-friendly options that won’t break the bank — or break apart during your travels. My personal favorite (and current obsession): Quince’s Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase, which has traveled with me everywhere from Boston to London to Sicily since I got it in January. Almost identical to my beloved Away Bigger Carry-On, Quince’s constantly sold out suitcase costs just a fraction of the price at $129.90 (compared to Away’s $295). Even better? The carry-on now comes in three cool new colors. Besides the original tan and black, you can now get it in dark green, blue, and navy.

Here’s why I love my Quince suitcase so much. For starters, it’s as chic as my Away carry-on, right down to the tan color of its polycarbonate shell. At 22″ H x 14.5″ W x 9″, it’s just a hair smaller than the Away, but it has the same interior measurements (21” x 14.5″) and holds the same number of outfits (6-9).

For a long weekend in Rhode Island in February, I was able to fit two pairs of jeans, two button-down shirts, a hoodie, four tees, a sleep shirt and pants, a pair of eyeglasses, a scarf, and four days’ worth of underwear and socks in one compartment. In the other, I packed toiletries, plus my nightguard, contact lens solution, an umbrella, sunglasses, and a bunch of snacks, with plenty of room to spare. For a 10-day trip to Sicily in May, I packed pretty much the same things, but upped the number of clothes (three pairs of jeans, four button-downs, five tees, etc.), and still fit everything in with ease.

While the Quince does not include a battery for charging smartphones and laptops, it does feature a removable laundry bag, an interior compression system, a TSA-approved combination lock, and, more importantly, spinner wheels that make it easy to maneuver. During my travels, it has glided smoothly across the polished floors of airports, and moved effortlessly along bumpy sidewalk pavement and cobblestone streets, taking knocks from going up and down curbs like a champ. Though the tan outer shell has occasionally picked up black scuff marks along the way, a quick cleaning with a magic eraser has made them barely visible.

I have been thrilled with the performance of the Quince Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase, and I can’t wait to take it on more adventures this summer. So far it’s turned out to be a sturdy, reliable travel companion that I’d highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a cheap carry-on that looks expensive, holds a lot of items, and packs quite a punch! It has been known to sell out previously, so make sure to get these new colors while you can.

Buy: Quince Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase, $129.90 (normally $294); Check-In Hardshell Suitcase, $179.90 (normally $345)