Monos Luggage is one of the most popular luggage brands of 2023. If you’re looking for a new carry-on or luggage set for your upcoming spring or summer trip, you’ve probably seen the best-selling Monos Carry-On. If you’ve been thinking about whether or not to buy the sleek, good-looking carry-on, I’m here to help you decide. Last week, I went on vacation with my brand-new Monos luggage set. Now that I’m back, I’ll tell you if the Monos carry-on is really worth your money.
Monos has been called “the Apple of luggage” because of the sleek designs and high quality of its products. Like Apple products, Monos products have a high price tag, but there is a sale going on right now on Monos’ website, so that’s good news! So, before you spend a lot of money on a new set of luggage for spring break or summer vacation, I’ll tell you if Monos luggage is worth it.
What is the Monos Luggage Carry-On?
The Monos Carry-On is a sleek piece of luggage that is made to fit in the overhead bin of almost any flight. The Monos Carry-On is just the right size for a weekend trip, and it is made of high-quality materials, like aerospace-grade polyethene, that are made to last a lifetime. This sleek and useful carry-on has extra-large YKK zippers, a TSA-approved lock, and a handle with a secret button that makes it easy to use.
What We Liked About Monos Luggage?
Monos Luggage impressed us on multiple fronts, making it a standout choice for travellers. The first thing that caught our attention was its exceptional durability. The high-quality materials and robust construction ensure that it can withstand the rigours of travel, providing peace of mind on every journey. Additionally, the sleek and stylish design of Monos Luggage adds a touch of elegance to your travel gear.
It’s not just about looks, though – the thoughtfully designed compartments and organizational features offer unmatched functionality. From the smooth-rolling wheels to the secure TSA-approved locks, every detail seemed carefully crafted with the traveller’s convenience in mind. Overall, Monos Luggage is a reliable and aesthetically pleasing companion for any adventure.
Stylish, Trendy, and Durable Design
The Monos Carry-On Luggage is as fashionable as it gets. There are eight normal colours and many limited-time colours, like Purple Icing and Banana Pudding, that have a glossy finish. With this sleek-looking luggage, you’ll probably be taking pictures for Instagram in no time. As I moved through the airport, I felt like I fit in with other tourists and even stood out to them. In fact, another rider stopped me and asked what brand my luggage was.
German Makrolon polycarbonate, which is used in the aircraft industry and is light, is used to make luggage. If that big name doesn’t mean much to you, you should know that this is a very tough material that can withstand high heat and pressure. This is also in line with the quality testing done by Monos, which puts its suitcases through a series of 40 tests, including shrinkage, wheel abrasion, chemical resistance, and more, to make sure they’re ready for your trips.
Well-Designed Interior
The zipper on the Monos Carry-On Luggage starts on the side of the bag, not at the top. When you open the bag, you’ll see that one side has a zippered panel and the other side is totally open with a compression pad option.
It took me a while to get used to packing the two sides separately, but I liked being able to put my shoes, toiletry case, and a few other random things on one side while packing all of my clothes on the other. With the ballistic nylon straps, the built-in compression pad was able to shrink the height of my clothes by about three inches. This lets me pack more into the bag. And when you don’t need the compression pad, it’s easy to take off so it doesn’t get in the way.
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Perfect Carry-on Size and Weight
The Monos Carry-On baggage is a perfect size, measuring 22 by 14 by 9 inches, which is the largest size that most US airlines allow for carry-on baggage. This lets you get as much as possible into your carry-on bag without worrying about your luggage being turned away. For reference, the Away Carry-On suitcase is just 0.3 inches shorter in height and length but the same width.
The inside of both bags is 20 by 13.5 inches, though, which is the same for both. Still, the Monos Carry-On Luggage has just a little more space than the Away Carry-On. The Monos has 39.9 litres of space, while the Away has 39.8 litres.
Easy to Maneuver
The four 360-degree wheels on the suitcase made it easy to move around the airport and even on the streets of New York City. I never felt like the wheels got stuck or went in the wrong way. With this set of wheels, you can drag the bag behind you (on two wheels) or push it in front of you or to the side as you walk (using all four wheels).
Our kids, including our six- and nine-year-olds, much preferred being in charge of the Monos Carry-On Luggage because it was much easier to roll than any of our other luggage. When going on vacation with kids, it’s a big help to have bags that they can carry.
The wheels on the Monos are also very quiet, which is great if you want a bag that doesn’t sound like a freight train is coming down the jetbridge.
Water-Resistant
When we got home from a trip one time, our checked bag and the clothes inside it were all wet because of a rainstorm. Even though our clothes were going straight into the washing machine, this could have been a problem if it happened on the way to where we were going on vacation. This made me wonder how the Monos Carry-On Luggage would do in the rain since it was a carry-on for this trip and wasn’t checked.
To see how the Monos Carry-On Luggage would work in this situation, I put clothes in it and took a shower. I did the same test with my Samsonite soft-shell bag right after that. After putting each piece of luggage in the shower for one minute, the effects were very different, and the Monos were the clear winner.
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Top Features Monos Luggage
Monos Luggage boasts an array of top-notch features that make it stand out as a reliable and stylish travel companion:
- Durable Construction: Monos Luggage is crafted from high-quality materials, such as polycarbonate shells and reinforced corners, ensuring exceptional durability and protection for your belongings during travel.
- Smart Organization: The luggage comes with well-designed interiors featuring multiple compartments and pockets to keep your items neatly organized. This ensures easy access to your essentials and helps prevent wrinkles or damage to your clothes.
- Built-in Compression System: Many Monos Luggage models incorporate a built-in compression pad that allows you to compress your clothes, creating more space and keeping everything in place during your journey.
- Smooth-Rolling Wheels: Equipped with smooth-rolling wheels, Monos Luggage offers effortless manoeuvrability, making it easy to navigate through crowded airports or busy city streets.
- TSA-Approved Lock: Monos Luggage often includes a TSA-approved lock, adding an extra layer of security to protect your belongings while complying with airline regulations.
- Stylish Design: With a focus on minimalist aesthetics and sleek design, Monos Luggage stands out with its modern and elegant appearance, making it a fashionable accessory for your travels.
- Comfortable Handles: The luggage features comfortable and ergonomically designed handles, making it easy to lift, carry, and manoeuvre, reducing strain on your wrists and shoulders.
- Spacious Capacity: Monos Luggage comes in various sizes, including carry-ons and check-ins, providing ample space to pack everything you need for both short trips and longer journeys.
- Water-Resistant Materials: Some models are designed with water-resistant materials, ensuring that your belongings stay dry and protected in case of unexpected rain or spills.
- Quality Craftsmanship: Monos Luggage exhibits excellent craftsmanship, with attention to detail in every aspect of its design and functionality, promising a reliable and long-lasting travel companion.
These top features collectively make Monos Luggage an attractive choice for travellers seeking a blend of durability, organization, and style to enhance their travel experiences.
Monos Carry-on Luggage Options
There are a few different carry-ons to choose from at Monos. I have the standard carry-on and love it for how I travel, but other people may want to use the extra room or features of the Monos carry-on Plus or the Monos carry-on Pro.
Monos Carry-On
The Monos Carry-On has an easy-to-use telescopic handle, a lot of zippered pockets and sections, and a lock that is simple to use. It has a polycarbonate hard shell that is very strong and a locking method that is approved by the TSA. Monos has a 100-day trial period and a guarantee that lasts for life.
This carry-on bag is smaller than the other one I have. It’s 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches tall. I usually just go away for the weekend, so this size was perfect for my recent four-day trip. I like that it’s smaller and lighter because that makes it easier to roll and lift into an overhead bin or the car. But if you usually go on longer trips, you might want to upgrade to the Monos carry-on Plus.
Monos Carry-On Plus
The Monos Carry-On Plus has all the same great features as the normal carry-on, but it is bigger. It’s 23 inches tall, 15 inches wide, and 9.5 inches deep, which gives you more room to pack for longer trips.
You can choose from 10 colours and prints for your carry-on, including two that are a mix of metal and polycarbonate.
Monos Carry-On Pro
The “pro” form of the Monos carry-on may be better for business travellers because it has a padded pocket to protect computers and other devices.
Monos Carry-On Pro Plus
Enjoy the “Pro” model’s extra gadget protection in a bigger size. But before you buy this type, you should know that it might not fit in the overhead bin of smaller planes.
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Top 10 Monos Luggage
Here are the “Top 10 Monos Luggage” that have captured the hearts of travellers worldwide:
- Monos Carry-On Pro: This sleek and durable carry-on offers smart organization, a built-in compression pad, and a removable laundry bag, making it perfect for business trips and weekend getaways.
- Monos Check-In: Ideal for longer trips, this spacious check-in luggage combines functionality with elegance, featuring a sturdy polycarbonate shell and a thoughtfully designed interior.
- Monos Backpack Pro: A versatile and stylish backpack that seamlessly transitions from work to travel, offering a dedicated laptop compartment, anti-theft zippers, and an ergonomic design.
- Monos Passport Wallet: Keep your essentials organized and secure with this slim passport wallet, crafted from premium leather and designed to hold your cards, passport, and cash in one place.
- Monos Dopp Kit: Travel in style with this premium Dopp kit that keeps your toiletries organized, featuring water-resistant materials and a convenient hanging hook.
- Monos Holdall: This spacious and rugged holdall bag is perfect for weekend adventures or gym sessions, with multiple pockets and a comfortable carry handle.
- Monos Luggage Tag: Easily identify your luggage with this stylish and durable luggage tag, available in various colours to suit your preference.
- Monos Packing Cubes: Maximize packing efficiency with these lightweight and durable packing cubes, keeping your clothes and accessories neatly organized.
- Monos Laptop Sleeve: Protect your laptop in transit with this sleek and padded laptop sleeve, designed to fit most laptops securely.
- Monos Compression Packing Bags: These space-saving compression bags allow you to pack more efficiently, reducing the volume of your clothing and saving precious suitcase space.
No matter the journey, Monos Luggage offers a combination of quality, style, and functionality to enhance every travel experience.
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Pros and Cons of Monos Luggage
Pros
- Only 7 pounds and easy to lift into the overhead compartment
- Outside is water-resistant
- The antimicrobial coating is on the inside.
- Comes with laundry and shoe bags inside.
- A compression pad pushes down on clothes. It comes in different colours and shapes.
- 360-degree wheels
- Polycarbonate is used to make the shell.
- There are four ways to change the height of the handle.
- Separate lock to protect items
- High-quality locks made by YKK
- Guarantee for life
- Certified climate-neutral financing is out there.
Cons
- Pricey
- Online colours may appear differently in person
- May scuff slightly in corners
Conclusion
Overall, I’m happy with my Monos bag, but there are some bad things about it: It gets dirty quickly, especially if it’s a light colour, and I’ve found that if it’s too full, the handle is hard to pull up. But that’s only if I go too far. I wish you could take a trip with their 100-day return policy. Even though it’s not the lightest carry-on bag available, it’s lighter than most others. (If you want ultra-lightweight luggage, you can read my review of Delsey and Samsonite in Ultra Lightweight: Delsey vs. Samsonite.)
If you want to know how Away’s Carry-On bag compares to other luggage makers that sell directly, I can tell you. My son has an Away bag and really likes it. I’ve used it on a couple of trips. At first glance, they look the same, but I think the quality of the Monos is better and I like how it looks. Also, if money is tight, Monos seem to sell better.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Monos Luggage
Is Monos a Canadian company?
Monos is a Canadian travel and lifestyle brand that sells classic, high-quality items for the discerning traveller. Our name comes from a Japanese idea called “mono no aware,” which means to deeply appreciate the beauty of passing moments.
Is Monos a carry-on airline?
The Monos Carry-On baggage is a perfect size, measuring 22 by 14 by 9 inches, which is the largest size that most US airlines allow for carry-on baggage. This lets you get as much as possible into your carry-on bag without worrying about your luggage being turned away.
How much does a Monos carry-on pro weight?
7.8 pounds in weight. It can hold 36 litres.
How durable is Monos luggage?
The Monos carry-on doesn’t feel as heavy as luggage from many other brands, but it is surprisingly strong. The polycarbonate shell protected the suitcase and its belongings from scratches and other damage when it was bumped and dropped.
Is Monos luggage waterproof?
Can rain get into Monos suitcases? Both the outside and the inside of Monos bags are made to last. Aluminium and polycarbonate are used to make their bags. They are not waterproof, but they can handle some water.
