Since I started on my Aer journey, I’ve discovered a few things about myself. The biggest thing? It’s probably time to throw away my Away luggage.

I’ve been an Away user since they launched, and I bet the luggage I have currently comes from that time period when WeWork was ascendant and small lifestyle startups were booming. Now, however, there’s a new contender for the carry-on crown, and it’s the Aer Carry On, a $299 hardshell suitcase that does everything way better.

The Aer Travel Pack 3 Small Ultra: Tough Materials, Smart Layout

John Biggs · Oct 8

I’m very loyal when it comes to travel backpacks. I wear them into the ground, and I usually destroy them. My last pack, a Knack Series 2, was solid, but no matter how little I put in it, it always felt too heavy because of the design and pocket layout. When a Knack zipper finally gave out, I went looking for something new.

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This Carry On suitcase is built to take real travel abuse while staying easy to handle. The outer shell is made from Makrolon polycarbonate, paired with silent Hinomoto ball bearing wheels and a patent-pending triangular trolley system with four height settings for stable, smooth rolling on rough ground and tight aisles. A double-layered YKK RCW zipper works with a gapless slider and TSA-approved combination lock to keep your gear secure. Inside, there’s a nylon ripstop liner with a compression system that uses a magnetic Fidlock fastener to hold everything in place. Top and side handles include hidden attachment points for extra bags, while a concealed smart tracker pocket and a premium leather luggage tag round out the case.

The whole thing makes for an elegant package. From the hard outer shell to the handle to the wheels, this feels far more premium than the $299 price tag suggests. What I like most is the locking wheels, a feature that would have been a boon on multiple trips, especially in situations where the bag is upright on a bus or train. In fact, I’m surprised I survived so long without this locking feature. Time till tell how long the mechanism lasts but thus far it’s been fine.

Inside, you have your standard two-compartment design, one with a zippered containment area and the other with a flat flap that keeps things in place with a compression strap. The only thing I didn’t like was the aforementioned magnetic connector, simply because I wasn’t used to it. I’ve gotten better at snapping and unsnapping it over time.

I took this suitcase on a trip to Barcelona, and it performed beautifully. I was able to fit way too many clothes (and too much cheese) into this thing, and it still managed to survive being checked. The hardshell sides protected some tiny bottles of liquor I was bringing back, and the whole thing maintained stability, and the handle never seized up because things were too tight inside, something that often happens with my Away gear.

I’m also a big fan of the way Aer hides little tracker pockets in their gear. Their backpack had one, and this does too. The peace of mind it gives me does wonders.

Aer is doing a lot of good work in the travel space, and they deserve the accolades they’ve been getting. I’m excited to travel again thanks to this olive-drab suitcase, and all I need to do to move from my old stuff to this is add a little ribbon around the handle so I know which one is my bag as it falls off the baggage belt and back into my arms.