Traveling to over 90 countries has taught us the value of durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing luggage.
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Over the years, we’ve cycled through numerous luggage brands and styles, each with their own strengths and shortcomings. Finding the right balance between style and practicality has often felt like a challenge, but we’re always on the lookout for pieces that fit seamlessly into our travel routines.
When Monos offered to send us a few luggage pieces to test and review, we were keen to jump on the opportunity. We’ve been drawn to Monos for some time due to their strong focus on sustainability and minimalist design, which aligns with our values at DrinkTeaTravel.com. Testing their luggage felt like the perfect opportunity to see if their reputation for quality and eco-conscious craftsmanship held up in real-world travel scenarios.
We haven’t traveled with our new pieces yet, but our initial impressions leave us optimistic about their performance. This Monos luggage pieces review will break down our first impressions and highlight why these pieces might be perfect for your next trip.
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About Monos
Monos is a Canadian luggage brand that has recently gained momentum and recognition for its minimalist design, durability and high-quality craftsmanship. But in our mind, what sets Monos apart, beyond its sleek aesthetics, is its commitment to sustainability.
The brand emphasizes using eco-conscious materials, from the polycarbonate shell to the recycled zippers and packaging. Monos is also Climate Neutral Certified, meaning they offset their entire carbon footprint. This aligns perfectly with our sustainable travel ethos, making Monos a brand we can stand behind.
If you’re looking to buy Monos luggage or accessories, the brand offers a variety of thoughtfully designed pieces, including Monos carry-on bags, checked luggage, weekender bags and the ever-so-popular metro backpack.
Monos Products
Monos offers a range of premium luggage designed to meet the needs of modern travelers. Their lineup includes carry-on luggage, checked luggage, weekender bags, backpacks, and travel accessories like packing cubes and garment organizers.
For this review, we chose to test the Expandable Check-In Medium and Carry-On Pro, accompanied by a six-pack of packing cubes. After years of traveling full time, we found these to be the most useful luggage size and most versatile as well – suitable for everything from a long weekend trip or a 2-4 month adventure.
Monos Expandable Check In Medium
The Expandable Check-In Medium is designed for longer trips. Its adjustable zipper allows for 15% more packing space. The shell is crafted from aerospace-grade polycarbonate, offering exceptional durability without unnecessary weight.
It is said to be dent-resistant, impact-friendly and virtually unbreakable.
It features a TSA-approved lock, an adjustable telescopic handle with four height settings, and ultra-quiet 360° spinner wheels. Inside, the bag features an anti-microbial lining made from 100% recycled polyester. There’s a compression pad, a zippered compartment, and an anti-microbial, silver ion-coated laundry bag, two shoe bags, plus vegan leather luggage tag.
This Monos suitcase also came with a convenient luggage cover to keep the suitcase dust-free when not in use.
Pros
- Expandable Design: The extra packing space is a game-changer, especially for longer trips when bringing back souvenirs or extra gear. This is especially useful for trips involving diverse climates (which we are frequently on) where bulkier clothing may be necessary.
- Durability: The materials feel robust and well-made, similar to other high-end luggage brands we’ve used. Although we haven’t traveled with our Monos luggage yet, the shell’s rigidity gives us confidence that it can handle the inevitable rough handling during flights.
- Smooth Ride: The wheels glide effortlessly, even on uneven surfaces, which is a significant benefit when navigating cobblestone streets in Europe, uneven sidewalks in North America or busy airports around the world.
- Aesthetic Appeal: We chose the Stormy Grey colour for our luggage, as many of their other more popular colours were already sold out. The grey may not be the most exciting colour, but it is sophisticated and timeless. It stands out in a subtle, elegant way – not flashy but noticeable.
Cons
- Weight: With a capacity of 63L (76L when fully expanded) and a weight of 10.1lb, the suitcase is not the lightest on the market. For most travelers, this won’t matter, but it can pose challenges for us. When expanded and fully packed, it can get heavy, pushing airline weight limits, especially when using budget airlines with stricter weight restrictions (under 44lbs or 20kgs)
- Price: At $385 USD, this luggage is an investment. While the quality justifies the price, it may not suit budget travelers or those who travel just once or twice a year.
Why We Like It
The Expandable Check-In Medium is perfect for those trips when you need flexibility and space without sacrificing style. This piece will perform well on longer trips or those requiring more gear, such as skiing or hiking adventures.
Its durability promise and a limited lifetime warranty – if any part of your Expandable Check-In Medium suitcase ever breaks, Monos will fix or replace it – makes it a good long-term investment for any traveler.
Monos Carry On Pro
The Carry-On Pro is designed for seamless travel, featuring an exterior zippered front pocket that can hold a laptop (up to 16”) and travel essentials.
Like the Check-In, it’s made of aerospace-grade polycarbonate and comes with a TSA lock, 360° spinner wheels, and an anti-microbial lining. The carry on size fits easily into overhead bins on all major airlines.
Pros
- Laptop Compartment: The easy-access front pocket makes going through security faster and more organized. This compartment is wll organized with six interior pockets that can fit a 16″ laptop, tablets, or magazines as well as a phone, passport, and other small travel essentials.
- Compact Yet Spacious: It fits in most overhead bins, even on smaller aircraft, but still offers ample interior packing space for a weekend trip. On test packing runs, we found it could easily hold 3-4 days’ worth of clothing and essentials.
- Build Quality: The same durable construction as the Check-In Medium means it’s ready for rough handling. It feels like it can handle the bumps and scrapes of frequent travel.
- Silent Wheels: They are remarkably quiet, even when rolling over tile or concrete. Compared to other carry on models we’ve owned, this level of quietness stood out immediately.
Cons
- Limited Expansion: Unlike the Check-In, the Carry-On Pro isn’t expandable. Monos does have an expandable Carry On Suitcase, but it doesn’t come with a laptop compartment, which for us was more important. If you’re an over-packer, space might feel tight, particularly for longer weekend getaways.
- Heavier Base Weight: At 7.8lbs, the Carry-On Pro is slightly heavier than standard carry-ons. While this suggests better durability, it could make a difference when every pound counts.
Why We Like It
The Carry-On Pro feels like the ultimate companion for short trips. The laptop compartment adds a layer of practicality that we didn’t realize we were missing. It’s stylish, sleek, and incredibly functional for modern travelers who need efficiency.
We can see it being particularly useful for business trips or shorter city breaks where a mix of tech and personal items is required. If you’re considering Monos carry on bags, this model stands out for its combination of style and function.
Packing Cubes (Set of 6)
We swear by packing cubes and love a tidy packing cubes set that fits perfectly inside our luggage, so adding this set of 6 packing cubes from Monos was a must for us.
Monos’ packing cubes are made from recycled polyester – a big tick for our focus on sustainability – even when it comes to our luggage. They feature a breathable mesh top panel and come in varying sizes, making them perfect for organizing everything from bulky items to delicate undergarments. The zippers are smooth yet sturdy, and each cube is designed to fit perfectly inside Monos luggage pieces.
Pros
- Organization: The cubes make packing (and unpacking) easier and keep everything tidy throughout the trip. It’s especially useful for separating clean and dirty laundry mid-trip.
- Space-Saving: Compression zippers on the larger cubes allow for even more storage space.
- Sustainability: Made from recycled materials, the cubes are both functional and eco-friendly.
Cons
- Price: At $115 USD for a set of 6, the packing cubes are pricier than other brands, but the quality is significantly higher – so the price is definitely justified.
- Limited Colors: We love the minimalist aesthetic, but those looking for brighter colors or patterns might feel limited. This wasn’t an issue given that we chose a sleek grey colour for all of our luggage – but we were surprised to see that the Packing Cubes did not come in the popular Ocean Blue colour.
Why We Like Them
Packing cubes have long been a game-changer for us, and Monos’ version elevates the experience. The thoughtful design, quality materials, and sustainable ethos make them worth the investment. They feel like they’ll hold up for years, unlike cheaper versions we’ve had to replace repeatedly.
Final Thoughts
Monos has impressed us with its focus on quality, functionality, and sustainability. While we haven’t taken these pieces on any trips yet, our initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive.
The Expandable Check-In Medium, Carry-On Pro, and packing cubes feel like investments in better, more organized, and more conscious travel. If you’re looking for luggage that stands out for all the right reasons, Monos is a brand worth considering.
Disclaimer: Monos Luggage and packing cubes were sent to us as a gift, but all opinions expressed in this review are our own and have, in no way, been influenced by the team at Monos.
