Baby & Family · Head-to-head
Away The Kids' Carry-On vs JanSport Driver 8 Rolling Backpack
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Kids' Luggage: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
Away is the only case here with a plainly stated 100 percent polycarbonate shell and coverage written to include rough travel, not just factory defects. The JanSport holds more, weighs less, and costs less, which makes it the better buy for a child old enough to carry a backpack.
Away The Kids' Carry-On
Buy itA properly built kid-sized carry-on that clears every major airline size rule and comes with repair support that covers airline damage.
- Away states the shell is 100 percent polycarbonate rather than a vague composite.
- At 19.1 by 12.8 by 8.9 inches with the wheels, it sits inside the 22 by 14 by 9 inch limit Delta publishes with room on every axis.
- The trolley handle has two height settings, so a small child rolls it low and an adult can extend it to match a full-size case.
- 6.4 pounds empty is the second heaviest here before you pack anything.
- 26 litres is 10 litres less than the soft JanSport for a lot more money.
- After the first five years, Away describes ongoing repairs as complimentary in Away stores, which is worth less if you do not live near one.
JanSport Driver 8 Rolling Backpack
Buy itA 36 litre wheeled backpack that doubles as a school bag and still fits the overhead bin, backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
- 36 litres in a 20 by 14 by 8 inch body is the most usable space in this group.
- 4 pounds 7 ounces empty, and the shoulder straps tuck away so a child can carry it up stairs when the wheels are useless.
- JanSport warrants it for the lifetime of the product against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship.
- JanSport states that if a major component such as a handle, wheel or zipper fails through extended use, it may treat the product as having reached the end of its life cycle.
- The warranty is available only in the United States and Canada and only for products bought from authorised dealers.
- A soft 600 denier polyester body offers no crush protection, so anything fragile needs padding.
Side by side
The 8 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Away The Kids' Carry-On Our pick | JanSport Driver 8 Rolling Backpack | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | A family buying one case that has to survive from about age six until the child is a teenager. | A child roughly eight and up who wants one bag for school, sleepovers and flights. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
| Format | Hardside kid-sized carry-on | Soft wheeled backpack |
| Exterior size (with wheels) | 19.1 x 12.8 x 8.9 in | 20 x 14 x 8 in |
| Against a 22 x 14 x 9 in limit | Clears it, 40.8 linear in | Clears it, exactly 14 in on one axis |
| Empty weight | 6.4 lb | 4 lb 7 oz |
| Stated capacity | 26 L | 36 L |
| Shell or fabric as stated | 100% polycarbonate | 100% recycled 600D polyester |
| Ride-on rating | Not a ride-on | Not a ride-on |
| Warranty as published | Repair for life; 5 years free repairs plus one replacement, covers airline mishandling | Limited lifetime on defects; wear-out of handle or wheel may end coverage |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Away The Kids' Carry-On if
a family buying one case that has to survive from about age six until the child is a teenager.
Know before buying: 6.4 pounds empty is the second heaviest here before you pack anything.
Pick the JanSport Driver 8 Rolling Backpack if
a child roughly eight and up who wants one bag for school, sleepovers and flights.
Know before buying: janSport states that if a major component such as a handle, wheel or zipper fails through extended use, it may treat the product as having reached the end of its life cycle.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Away The Kids' Carry-On - A properly built kid-sized carry-on that clears every major airline size rule and comes with repair support that covers airline damage. Choose the JanSport Driver 8 Rolling Backpack instead if a child roughly eight and up who wants one bag for school, sleepovers and flights.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Kids' Luggage: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).