Quince vs. Away: Which brand should you buy? [2026]
Quince focuses on offering affordable, high-quality, and timeless wardrobe staples like cashmere sweaters and silk blouses using a direct-to-consumer model. Meanwhile, Away is a premium lifestyle brand that specializes in innovative, durable, and stylish luggage designed for the modern traveler.
Let's compare everything you need to know about these two distinct brands to help you decide which one is right for your needs.
Quince: The Affordable Luxury Essentials Brand
Quince is a direct-to-consumer brand that offers luxury-quality essentials without the high retail markup. Their business model is built on radical price transparency, premium materials, and timeless design. The brand targets customers who desire well-made, versatile pieces for their wardrobe and home but are conscious of budget and sustainability.
- Product mix: Timeless apparel including Mongolian cashmere sweaters, 100% washable mulberry silk tops, and organic cotton basics. The selection also includes accessories, jewelry, and home goods like bedding and decor.
- Price point: Very accessible for the materials offered. Expect to find Italian cashmere sweaters around $80, silk blouses for about $50, and quality t-shirts under $30.
- Quality &, Materials: Focuses on premium, responsibly sourced materials. Reviews often praise the comfort, softness, and durability of the fabrics, making them excellent value for everyday wear.
- Sizing/Fit: Quince clothing generally fits true to size. The website provides detailed sizing charts for each product category to help ensure an accurate fit.
- Return policy: Famous for its generous 365-day return and exchange window, Quince offers one of the most customer-friendly policies in the industry.
- Sustainability: The brand is transparent about its supply chain and prioritizes organic and recycled materials with sustainable manufacturing practices.
Quince is the ideal choice for building a sophisticated, minimalist wardrobe with high-end materials on a practical budget.
Shop Quince: quince.com
Away: The Premium Travel Lifestyle Brand
Away established itself as a leader in the travel space by combining sleek, minimalist design with smart, functional features. The brand appeals to style-conscious globetrotters who want luggage that is both durable and looks great. Their products are designed to solve real travel problems, from dead phone batteries to disorganized packing.
- Product mix: Best known for their hard-shell polycarbonate suitcases available in various sizes from carry-on to large checked bags. Away also offers soft-sided luggage, backpacks, weekend bags, and a wide array of travel organizers and accessories.
- Price point: Positioned in the premium segment. Luggage typically ranges from $195 to $495, reflecting the quality construction, features, and brand reputation.
- Quality &, Materials: Uses durable materials like polycarbonate and aluminum for luggage shells, with smooth-rolling Hinomoto wheels and premium zippers. Construction is lightweight but built to withstand the rigors of frequent travel.
- Technology/Innovation: Many carry-on models once included an ejectable battery to charge devices on the go (this feature has been phased out in newer models but was core to their initial fame). Other mainstays include TSA-approved locks and interior compression systems.
- Return policy: Offers a 100-day trial for any suitcase. Furthermore, Away stands behind its products with a limited lifetime warranty that covers functional damage to the shell, wheels, handles, and zippers.
Away offers a thoughtfully designed ecosystem of travel gear for those who see their luggage as a long-term investment in smoother journeys.
Shop Away: awaytravel.com
Quince vs. Away Comparison
Price Comparison
There is a stark price contrast between the two brands because they operate in completely different product categories. Quince's entire model is built on affordability, with most of its high-quality clothing and accessories priced under $100. This makes building a versatile wardrobe exceptionally cost-effective.
On the other hand, Away sells premium travel gear, and its products are priced accordingly. A standard carry-on suitcase typically starts around $275, while checked bags can exceed $400. While more expensive, the price reflects a long-term investment in durable luggage designed for heavy use and backed by a strong warranty.
Quality & Materials
Both brands prioritize quality materials, but tailored to their specific products. Quince focuses on fabric quality and feel, using materials like 100% Mongolian cashmere, organic cotton, and mulberry silk that are known for softness and comfort. Their pieces are designed for regular wear and are surprisingly durable for their price point.
Away obsesses over durability and resilience. Their signature luggage is made from a tough polycarbonate shell that flexes on impact rather than cracking. They use premium components like Japanese Hinomoto wheels for a smooth, silent glide and YKK zippers for reliability. Quince's value is in everyday comfort, while Away's is in travel-proof endurance.
Product Selection & Style
Quince offers a broad catalog of minimalist, timeless essentials for men's and women's fashion, as well as home goods. Their aesthetic is clean and classic, focusing on versatile pieces that won't go out of style. The collection is designed for creating a cohesive, elegant wardrobe from basics to outerwear.
Away's selection is highly focused on travel. Their core products are suitcases, but they've expanded to include everything a modern traveler needs: backpacks, duffels, packing cubes, and totes. The style is modern, sleek, and uniform, with a consistent color palette that allows travelers to build a matching set of travel gear.
Shopping Experience & Returns
Both brands operate primarily online with user-friendly websites. However, their post-purchase policies are key differentiators. Quince offers an unprecedented 365-day return window, giving customers an entire year to decide if they love a product. This demonstrates incredible confidence in their quality and builds significant trust.
Away offers a 100-day trial on their luggage, encouraging customers to take a trip with their new bag. More importantly, their limited lifetime warranty on luggage provides peace of mind for buyers, as it covers major functional damage for as long as they own the suitcase.
Which One Should You Choose?
These brands serve completely different purposes, so the right choice depends entirely on what you're shopping for.
Choose Quince if:
- You want to purchase luxury materials like cashmere or silk without the traditional retail price.
- You are building a minimalist, timeless wardrobe with high-quality, sustainable basics.
- You value an extremely generous return policy of 365 days.
- You're shopping for apparel, jewelry, or home goods for daily life.
Choose Away if:
- You are a frequent traveler in need of durable, stylish, and functional luggage.
- You are looking for a complete system of matching travel bags and accessories.
- You want a long-term investment backed by a powerful limited lifetime warranty.
- You appreciate smart design features that make packing and traveling easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Quince or Away cheaper?
Quince is significantly cheaper. Its products are mostly everyday clothing and accessories priced under $100. Away sells premium luggage starting at over $200. The brands aren't direct competitors, so the price difference reflects their different product markets.
Which brand is better for travel?
Away is the clear winner for travel. Their entire brand is dedicated to creating high-quality, durable luggage and travel accessories designed to make journeys smoother.
What is Quince best known for?
Quince is best known for making luxury essentials accessible. Popular items include its $50 Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater, Washable Silk Blouses, and organic cotton basics, all at a fraction of the cost of traditional luxury brands.
What is Away best known for?
Away is best known for its iconic hard-shell polycarbonate suitcases, like "The Carry-On" and "The Bigger Carry-On." Their reputation is built on sleek design, smart features, and remarkable durability.
Does Away's luggage still have battery chargers?
No. Away has phased out the ejectable battery pack feature in its newer carry-on models due to evolving airline regulations and a shift in product design. Their current focus is on other features like interior compression and durable materials.
What is Away's warranty policy?
Away provides a limited lifetime warranty that covers any functional damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, and anything else that might impair your use of the luggage. It does not cover cosmetic damage like scratches or dents.
How good is Quince's 365-day return policy?
It's one of the best in the retail industry. Quince allows you to return items for a full refund within 365 days of purchase, provided they are in unworn and saleable condition. This policy gives customers ultimate flexibility and confidence when shopping.
Where can you buy Quince and Away products?
Quince products are sold exclusively on their website, following a direct-to-consumer model. Away is also primarily a direct-to-consumer brand but operates several physical retail stores in major cities where you can see the products in person.
