Monos luggage: a look at the Carry-On Plus
We’ve been in the market for upgraded luggage for some time. Our old fabric suitcases were fraying at the seams, and besides that, they were far too large, bulky, heavy, and simply not functional. In our quest to find a high-quality replacement, we had specific criteria that had to be met. Our new suitcase:
needed to be a carry-on with two usable sides
have a hard shell exterior for durability and easy cleaning
have spinner wheels that could easily maneuver
include an interior compression board or packing cubes
and, of course, be sustainably made
Having been inundated with targeted ads from Away, we did our due diligence and extensively researched the brand to see if it lives up to the Instagram-hype. Let’s just say that our research only solidified our decision to look elsewhere. Besides, in a sea of Away, we can easily see someone mistaking another traveler’s luggage for their own.
That was when we came across Monos.
From a distance, the two brands are visually similar, but there were several key differences that made us confident in Monos as the superior choice.
ABOUT MONOS Luggage
Inspired by the Japanese term mono no aware, referencing the awareness of impermanence and finding appreciation for fleeting moments, Monos is founded with mindful travelers in mind. Based in Vancouver, Canada, simplicity is at their core and every detail counts. Billing themselves as “the Apple of suitcases”, they design premium luggage that speaks for itself, without the need to be loud or flashy. High-quality materials and components are carefully sourced. Tested to survive even the toughest travel conditions, Monos puts their products through 40 rigorous tests to ensure quality and durability.
A Review of the Monos Carry-On Plus
Monos Luggage SUSTAINABILITY
We knew it would be difficult, but it was important to us to find a sustainable luggage brand.
Monos is Climate Neutral certified, meaning they measure, offset, and reduce carbon emissions throughout every stage of their operations. But they don’t just talk the talk — on their website, Monos is transparent about how many emissions they’ve created, and how many they’ve offset using verified carbon credits (currently in the form of forestry projects). They’ve also created a Reduction Action Plan, sharing the steps they plan on or are actively taking to reduce carbon emissions from their supply chain and operations.
A partner of 1% For The Planet, a percentage of their revenue is donated to verified environmental non-profit organizations dedicated to building a healthier planet.
Finally, Monos has chosen to use packaging that is recyclable and/or reusable. Orders with multiple pieces of luggage are nestled inside each other whenever possible, to reduce the amount of packaging needed and emissions generated from shipping.
What SIZE Carry On Should I GET?
We spent far too much time comparing the pros and cons of the Monos Carry-On versus the Carry-On Plus. What it came down to, is though the Carry-On is designed to fit in the overhead bin of almost any flight, anywhere in the world (even small regional jets), it only fits 2-5 days worth of clothes. Even with our minimalist approach, we knew that could make packing for longer trips or colder climates more difficult.
In the end, we decided to purchase the Carry-On Plus in Desert Taupe. This shade is a light beige that isn’t quite as warm as depicted online, however, it’s no less beautiful! Fitting 3-7 days worth of clothes, this size is better suited towards our needs as frequent travelers.
Monos Luggage Airline COMPATIBILITY
You might be wondering if the Monos Carry-On Plus fits in overhead compartments.
The Carry-On Plus has an exterior of 23”x15”x9.5” and an interior of 21”x14.5”. The dimensions are compatible with the luggage sizers and overhead compartments of major US airlines, including Delta, United, American, and JetBlue.
Only about an inch bigger on all sides than the Carry-On, the extra space of the Monos Carry-On Plus comes at a cost — it may have to be checked every once in awhile, such as on smaller planes. While there aren’t typically weight restrictions for carry-on luggage, checked luggage usually has a limit of 50 pounds (or less — be sure to check with your airline). Weighing only 7.38 pounds, this style is extremely lightweight, making it less likely that you’ll reach or surpass the limit.
EXTERIOR of the Monos Carry-On Plus
Our order arrived in a cardboard box, and the suitcase came inside a large dust bag. We loved this detail, and have been repurposing the dust bag as a liner to our seagrass laundry hamper.
Right away we knew the quality of Monos was unmatched. “Oohing” and “aahing”, we were repeatedly impressed by the attention-to-detail. Sleek and minimalistic, the design was a far cry from what we were using previously, and the aerospace-grade, German Makrolon polycarbonate shell felt more protective than it’s fabric counterpart. This lightweight and durable material is meant to bend slightly under pressure and absorb energy from impact, without breaking or cracking. Water-resistant, it can easily be wiped down after every trip. On the side of the suitcase is a TSA-approved combination lock.
Black vegan leather (plastic) accents the exterior. We try to use as little as plastic as possible, and generally prefer natural materials or genuine leather sourced as a byproduct of the meat industry. So while we aren’t big fans of vegan leather, we appreciate Monos’ cruelty-free commitment and recognize that to others, sustainability may mean using no animal-derived materials whatsoever.
Wobbly handles are a common complaint from a popular competitor, but Monos’ handle is sturdy, with four adjustable heights. Instead of the usual plastic or cast zinc, they use high-grade aluminum, and the handle release button sits on the underside, where it’s more ergonomic and functional.
A certain upgrade from other luggage brands, top-of-the-line Hinomoto Lisof Silent Run 360° wheels are smooth and quiet. Easily maneuverable, they effortlessly glide on hard surfaces. Whereas our old suitcases would have to drag behind us at an angle, this one moves like butter in nearly any direction. Even on uneven terrain (read: cobblestone streets) the wheels never broke off. Rolling the suitcase while empty, the feather-like weight makes it feel delicate, however, once packed, it’s very well-balanced and doesn’t feel as if it will tip over.
Another detail that immediately caught our eye was the clean construction of the color-coordinated YKK reverse coil zippers. On a competitors suitcase, the threads along the zipper are exposed on the exterior, whereas Monos’ stitching is hidden (a detail that could have easily been overlooked) making us more confident it will hold up over time. Far from flimsy, the zippers glide easily, revealing two equally-sized compartments similar to a clamshell.
INTERIOR of the Monos Carry-On Plus
Opening the suitcase reveals a light grey interior lining made of anti-bacterial, 350 denier polyester. The inside is extremely spacious.
On the left you’ll find a zippered compartment, which allows you to fully enclose the contents for safe-keeping. In addition to holding clothing, this side is ideal for loose items like shoes or a blow dryer. The zipped mesh pocket is handy for storing intimates or swimsuits, or flat items like books or documents.
Having spent the last decade as service-based entrepreneurs, providing a positive (and memorable!) customer experience has always been incredibly important to us, and we love seeing other brands go the extra mile to do the same. Unzip the left cover, and you’ll find thoughtful accessories from Monos, including an anti-microbial laundry bag and two shoe bags of the same material, a vegan leather luggage tag, and a magic eraser to easily remove scuffs acquired throughout your travels.
The right side of the suitcase is open, and features a compression pad held down by two straps with high-quality latches. This board can be removed, but we find it a useful tool for securing our clothing, or (if you tend to overpack) to help stow a larger amount of clothing. Built into the compression pad is a second mesh pocket. It’s supportive back makes this a good place to store your laptop. A small bag perfectly sized for toiletries (contact case, toothbrush/toothpaste, etc) is sewn in towards the spine. This side is also where the telescopic handle rests when lowered, and the outline is visible behind the lining. This isn’t a problem unless you over-stuffed your suitcase, in which case it may not extend as easily.
HOW DOES MONOS Luggage HOLD UP OVER TIME?
Monos’ suitcases do scuff pretty easily. On our lighter-hued luggage, it’s especially noticeable, as they show up black. Some of these marks can be removed by using the included eraser and buffing out. For hard-to-remove scuffs, Monos recommends using rubbing alcohol. If it still doesn’t come off, the scuff is likely a scratch that caused cosmetic damage to the luggage itself. As much as we’d like it to stay pristine, we expect wear and tear to alter the appearance over time.
Aside from that, the suitcase itself is very resilient. We’ve had no issues traveling with it, and can see it lasting us many, many miles! We’ll be sure to update this review if anything noteworthy comes up.
Monos Luggage LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Monos offers a 100 day trial to make sure you love you suitcase (size, color, etc). It’s a little misleading, since you can’t actually travel with your suitcase during this time. After 100 days have passed, they back their luggage by a Limited Lifetime Warranty, which covers cracks to the hard casing, damage to wheels or handles that impair function, or zippers that cannot open or close. If one of these items breaks, they’ll fix or replace your luggage.
PRICE of Monos Travel and Luggage
At the time of writing this, Monos suitcases range from $275 to $425. While pricey (they are, after all, luxury luggage), if you wait for a sale you can score a really good deal! We bought our Carry-On Plus during a site-wide sale, which dropped the price from $300 to $240. During our research, we learned Monos lets you stack coupons, meaning you can use a coupon code on top of the sale price. By using an affiliate link we came across, an additional $25 was taken off, bringing our total to only $215 including free shipping — a savings of $85!
Honestly, we’re shocked at the quality for that price. Not only do we fully believe Monos is worth every penny, but we’re confident in recommending them knowing full well that our reputation as travel experts is on the line!
