Introduction
Train travel offers a unique blend of romance and efficiency, but wrestling bulky luggage through cramped aisles and balancing it on moving cars can spoil the experience. With Amtrak’s recent push to refresh its brand and services, a new partnership with Away has produced a set of sleek suitcases purpose-built for rail journeys. This guide walks you through the key features that make these bags stand out—and shows you how to choose luggage that makes your next train trip smoother, not more stressful.
What You Need
- A realistic budget: Away’s Topside collection ranges from $375 to $475 for three sizes.
- Knowledge of your typical train itinerary: Consider whether you’ll use sleeper cars, crowded corridors, or overhead racks.
- A clear packing strategy: Decide if you prefer traditional horizontal packing or vertical, modular systems.
- Willingness to test new features: Wheel brakes and front zippers may be unfamiliar but can transform your experience.
- A tape measure: Check the dimensions of your train’s luggage racks to ensure a compact fit.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Prioritize a Wheel Brake to Stop Rollaways
One of the most common frustrations on a train is watching your suitcase drift away the moment you let go. Away’s Topside collection solves this with a wheel brake that locks both the wheels and the fork, eliminating the shifting you get with many other systems. The brake switch sits on top of the suitcase—where the old battery pack used to be—making it easy to flick on or off without bending down. For travelers, this means you can stand confidently in a corridor while waiting to disembark or balance on a crowded subway platform without chasing your bag. When testing luggage, always simulate a slight slope to see if the brake holds securely.
Step 2: Look for Vertical Access to Grab Items in Tight Spaces
Traditional suitcases force you to lay them flat on the floor to unzip—an almost impossible task in a narrow aisle. Away’s Topside bags feature a vertical opening on the front, allowing you to dip into the main compartment while the suitcase remains upright. The lid includes an interior laptop sleeve and small storage pockets, perfect for retrieving your tablet or headphones mid-journey. When evaluating a bag, check that the zipper runs smoothly along the front and that the opening is wide enough for quick access. This feature alone can save you from awkward contortions in a crowded train car.
Step 3: Choose a Compact Footprint That Maximizes Depth
Rolling a bulky suitcase down a train aisle or fitting it into a luggage rack requires minimal width. Away’s design team focused on maximizing internal capacity while keeping the outer dimensions as small as possible. They achieved this by creating a deeper main compartment compared to the typical 50/50 split case. Instead of a shallow top lid, the bag uses a deeper base that allows more vertical packing space. When shopping, pay attention to the ratio of depth to height. A suitcase that stands taller but stays narrower will navigate narrow aisles far better than a wide, flat one. Measure the rack dimensions on your common routes to ensure a snug fit.
Step 4: Consider a Modular “Closet” System for Sleeper Cars
Living out of an open suitcase in a tiny sleeper compartment is a recipe for clutter. Away also developed a separate “closet” system of inserts that pack vertically inside the bag and can be removed and hung up using hooks. These organizers include compartments for clothes, toiletries, and small items, letting you unpack instantly without emptying everything onto a bed. This is ideal for overnight trains where space is at a premium. Look for a luggage brand that offers compatible packing cubes or insert systems, and test how easily they attach and detach. The goal is to reduce the time you spend rummaging and increase the time you enjoy the passing scenery.
Tips for Success
- Practice using the brake before your trip. Get comfortable with the switch location so you can engage it without looking.
- Pack heavier items at the bottom of a vertically accessed suitcase to keep it stable while upright.
- Check Amtrak’s partnership offerings: Away and Amtrak collaborated on marketing, so you may find special bundles or discounts through the rail carrier.
- Combine vertical access with a wheel brake for the ultimate stress-free experience: you can stop, unzip, grab a snack, and close up without ever leaving the aisle.
- Remember that compact doesn’t mean cramped. Use packing cubes to maximize every inch of that deeper main compartment.
- Test the luggage in a crowded setting (like a local subway) before taking it on a long train ride to build confidence.
By following these steps and considering the features that matter most for rail travel, you can transform your daily commute or cross-country adventure into a smoother, more enjoyable journey. Away’s Topside collection shows what’s possible when luggage designers listen to the real challenges of train passengers—but your perfect bag may be just one brake test away.