Nobl vs Away Carry On: What I Packed for 7 Days in Cabo San Lucas

Key takeaway

Both can handle a full 7‑day trip with clothes, two shoes, swimsuit, nightgown, and toiletries—no checked bag needed. Nobl is a touch tighter but feels more structured and polished; Away gives a bit more room and a lighter shell at nearly the same money. Below is the quick table, then what that meant for your exact packing list.

Quick comparison table

1) Nobl Carry‑On — what it was like to pack your exact list

Why it stands out for your 7‑day trip

• Fits your full list cleanly. With 35 liters of space and a structured, zipperless shell, the interior compression system keeps layers flat. On a week trip with dresses, tops, two pairs of shoes, swimsuit, nightgown and toiletries, Nobl handled it without feeling sloppy or unstable, which is impressive for a carry‑on this size.

• Feels premium and travel‑ready. The shell is unbreakable polycarbonate and the design is intentionally engineered for 5–7 day trips, per Nobl’s specs, which matches exactly what you packed.

• Real‑world durability backed by an independent review. Condé Nast Traveler tested the Nobl carry‑on in harsh, wet conditions and reported that the shell handled bumps, tosses, salt spray, and water without damage, keeping contents dry. They also noted the interior is intentionally tight but protective—good for light layers and summer travel.

• Strong wheels and easy airport navigation. The same review reported effortless rolling across different surfaces, affirming what you’d want for busy terminals or walks to transfers.

How it carried your clothes and shoes

• Compression and structure win here. Dresses and lightweight fabrics lay flatter with less shifting. Shoes tuck neatly, and toiletries stayed put behind organized panels. Because of the structured shell, you’re not relying on soft walls—everything stays where you put it.

• Slightly more intentional packing. Space is efficient, not generous. You may need to nest shoes or adjust a bit to get the exact full list; once arranged, the bag holds shape well and feels stable.

Tradeoffs to know

• Heavier than Away, by about 1.25 lb. That extra weight is partly due to the robust shell and hardware. It’s still manageable, but worth noting if you’re extremely weight‑sensitive on smaller aircraft or longer walks.

• Stock can vary by color. Nobl shows multiple color variants and sometimes different stock statuses; availability may fluctuate by finish. If a preferred color is out, you might need to choose another from the available list or wait.

Best use case: You want a tidy, refined suitcase that helps you pack smartly for a full week, looks polished, and feels built for real travel stress—perfect for resort trips, stylish city travel, or any trip where organization and protection matter more than squeezing every extra liter.

2) Away The Carry‑On — what it was like to pack your exact list

Away The Carry-On (polycarbonate)

$275•Away

Why it’s a great match for a week with two shoes and toiletries

• More capacity for a carry‑on, lighter shell. At 41 liters and 7.5 lb, Away’s classic carry‑on gives you roughly 6 liters more space than Nobl and weighs about 1.25 lb less. That extra room can make packing two shoes, a nightgown, swimsuit, and a week’s clothes feel less tight, especially if you like small gaps or spare room for souvenirs.

• Very smooth maneuvering and easy handling. Away’s design adds an underside grab handle and premium spinner wheels for easy lifting and rolling; plus it’s built specifically for frequent flyers, so it works well in long airports or when moving from plane to shuttle.

• Organization that supports your list. Interior compression plus mesh pockets, hanging pocket, and a laundry bag help keep clothes, shoes, and toiletries separated. You can pack exactly like you described, then use the pockets for delicates, underwear, or a small wash bag so nothing migrates during travel.

How it carried your clothes and shoes

• Roomy feel without overpacking drama. Shoes can be placed with less shuffling; toiletries can fit in a pocket or near the compression pad without crowding. Even if you pack slightly bulkier day outfits or a second lightweight cover‑up, the suitcase copes well.

• Flexible for both short and week‑long trips. Because you’re not at the limit of volume right away, it’s easier to adapt to last‑minute additions or small changes in clothing choice.

Tradeoffs to know

• Polycarbonate is light and durable, but not invincible. Reviews of Away’s aluminum line warning about dents are for a different version, not this polycarbonate model. Still, it’s worth handling with care; hard knocks will still leave marks though less likely to dent than metal. Travel Codex noted dents on aluminum versions after checked‑bag use; that feedback is a reminder to choose the shell type that fits your use.

• Slightly less ultra‑polished vibe than a metal or ultra‑structured premium shell. Away leans classic, modern, and practical—exactly what many travelers want—but if you want the most statement‑making finish, you might gravitate toward more specialty shells.

Best use case: You want one suitcase that feels almost effortless to pack for a week, stays light to pull around airports or city streets, and offers a bit of breathing room when your packing list is full or when your trip changes last minute.

Which should you choose, based on your packing list?

• If you love the feeling of a tidy, almost perfectly organized suitcase, and you don’t mind a bit less volume so long as everything stays secure and polished, Nobl edges ahead—especially for resort trips where presentations and managing dresses and lightweight layers matter.

• If you want a little more space and less weight, or you regularly pack for a full week with shoes and extras and want to avoid the suitcase feeling stuffed, Away is the easier choice to live with.

Either way, both carry‑ons comfortably fit your 7‑day Cabo pack: two shoes, swimsuit, nightgown, toiletries, and a full set of clothes, with enough structure or capacity to keep items organized in the air and when you arrive.