Monos Carry-On Plus Review
1. Introduction
Have you ever traveled with a friend who somehow manages to pack all their necessaries for a long weekend in one bag, then zips through immigration while you’re still waiting for your checked luggage? It’s annoying, right? That’s one of the reasons we always travel with a high-quality carry-on.
Founded in Vancouver in 2018, Monos is one of the most exciting luggage brands out there right now. The brainchild of three friends with a passion for design and sustainability, its understated aesthetic has made it a success story in the DTC bag market.
One of the things that really sets Monos apart is its sustainability credentials. A certified B Corp, the company uses recyclable materials in its luggage design, as well as partnering with Veritree to support reforestation initiatives.
We got our hands on one of these sexy-looking suitcases to see how it stacked up against other market competitors.
2. Size, Capacity & First Impressions
Monos has about nine different carry-on options, the main difference between them being size. We went with the Carry-On Plus, which is larger than the standard Carry-On but doesn’t include a front compartment like the Carry-On Pro. It comes in a range of colors, so you can show off your flair with Terrazzo, keep it cute with Rose Quartz, or go understated with Storm Grey.
When we first pulled our Blue Haze out of the drawstring bag, our first thought was: it looks very similar to the Away. That’s perhaps not surprising since Monos’ founders have been open about their aspirations to be in the same league as Away – just with a closer eye on the small details.
One immediate example of this is the grooves across the front of the Monos carry-on. Away’s decorative indentations are evenly spaced across the whole front, while Monos’ only occupy the bottom half and are unevenly spaced, giving it a more visually engaging appearance. (See what we mean about the small details?)
As for the capacity, the Carry-On Plus can fit up to 35l inside its 23” H x 15” W x 9.5” L (58cm x 38cm x 24cm). Now, that is slightly too large for most airlines’ carry-on policies, but only by at most an inch. We’ve not had any problems so far with our Monos, but technically a carrier could refuse to let you take it as carry-on.
Empty, the suitcase weighs 7.38lb (3.35kg), which makes it one of the lightest options out there.
3. Features & Functionality
Monos hasn’t reinvented the wheel with its carry-on functionality, but it has placed a greater emphasis than most brands on sustainable materials where possible.
Storage & Interior Design:
The clamshell design of the Carry-On Plus gives you two roughly equal compartments. On one side, you have a zipped panel with a pouch in front for flat items.
On the other, you have an open space with a removable compression pad that can be adjusted with not one but two buckles, which we found more effective than most at squeezing clothes down. There’s also a small pouch on the side for little items like keys, cables, and so on.
There are several nice additional touches, like the vegan leather luggage tag and the anti-microbial lining made from 100% recycled polyester. Plus, the carry-on comes with a laundry bag and two shoe bags.
Wheels & Handling
The four 360-degree spinner wheels are top of the line. We had no issues gliding through airport lounges or along the tarmac to the plane. The wheels also handled pretty well across the extreme cobblestones of Bergamo.
The release button for the trolley handle is situated underneath (rather than on top) and has four height settings. It does eat into the bag capacity quite a bit on the inside – but Monos is not alone in struggling in that department.
Security
There’s a standard TSA-approved combination lock on the side, as well as those YKK zippers (color coordinated) that brands like July, Away, and LEVEL8 all have.
As for the polycarbonate shell, it’s made from partially recycled materials and is water-resistant, which means you can brave a little rain without worrying about your belongings getting soaked.
Tech & Smart Add-ons
Like Away, Monos has opted to skip over things like a built-in power bank or charging cables, so you’ll need to pack your own.
Mobility & Ease of Use
There are rubberized handles on the top and the side. They’re not the MOST comfortable – some carry-ons have nice, padded ones – but they are ergonomic and make it easy to lift the bag into the overhead compartment.
4. Durability & Travel Performance
We did have a little problem with the telescopic handle getting jammed when the bag was very full. This isn’t completely unusual for roller carry-ons, but it’s annoying that it happens, especially with a brand like Monos.
Aside from that, we didn’t have any notable issues with our Carry-On Plus. It did pick up a few scuffs – we refer you back to those extreme Bergamo cobblestones – and they did show up quite noticeably on the Blue Haze shell. However, we were able to polish them out no problem with the eraser sponge. The wheels, meanwhile, coped admirably, and they didn’t pick up any damage despite the rough usage.
Even if we had damaged the wheels though, the Monos limited lifetime warranty covers a replacement. This warranty extends to problems with the telescopic handle, the lock, and the zippers – provided the damage isn’t due to mishandling.
However, the warranty doesn’t cover injury to the shell or if damage is caused by airline mishandling unless you purchase either the Essential or Pro warranty upgrade.
Monos has mimicked Away in giving you 100 days to trial its products, which is a nice gesture and lets you actually get a feel for the carry-on, before you commit to the $295 price tag. You can’t actually travel with it during this test period, but you can touch the material and test out the wheels, the handle, etc. The caveat is that a return shipping fee will be deducted from the refund if you do decide it’s not for you.
5. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Partially made from sustainable materials
- Extremely lightweight
Cons:
- May be too big for strict airlines
- Limited warranty
6. Monos Carry-On Plus vs. Away Bigger Carry-On vs. July Carry-On Pro
There are a couple of things that we particularly like about the Monos Carry-On Plus compared to Away’s Bigger Carry-On and July’s Carry-On Pro. The first is the sustainability ethos. The brand’s B Corp status and partnership with Veritree are very attractive in combination with its use of recyclable materials.
It’s also our personal favorite in terms of style. While Away and July luggage also looks very smart, the Monos has that extra je ne sais quoi, with a snappy range of colors.
However, it’s not without its drawbacks. With a capacity of 35l, the Carry-On Plus holds less than Away’s Bigger Carry-On (49.7l) and July’s Carry-On Pro (42l). We’re not entirely sure why, since the dimensions aren’t exactly smaller either, but there you go.
In terms of price, Monos’ Carry-On Plus costs $295, the same as Away’s Bigger Carry-On. July’s Carry-On Pro is marginally more expensive at $325.
Like Away, Monos doesn’t provide any tech features, whereas July supplies a built-in ejectable power bank with its suitcase.
7. Who It’s For (And Who It’s Not)
Perfect for: design-focused nomads, travelers who like numerous compartments and pouches
Not ideal for: people traveling on airlines with strict baggage restrictions
We used our Monos Carry-On Plus mostly for long weekend trips and had plenty of space for a spare pair of shoes, as well as 5 different outfits. We tested it during the summer, so our clothing was light, but we’d imagine a 5-day trip is about the max.
8. Final Verdict & Rating
Style is such a personal thing, so we won’t take it to heart if you disagree, but the Monos Carry-On Plus is probably our favorite piece of luggage from an aesthetic perspective. Of all the brands we tested, it just looked the most sophisticated the moment we pulled it out of the drawstring bag.
It also comes with lots of thoughtful touches, like the concealed telescopic handle release button and the shoe bags. Plus, we do appreciate the eco-conscious messaging.
The biggest drawback is probably the relatively limited capacity, but for long weekends it’s absolutely perfect.
Rating: 4.5/5
9. FAQ Section
Does the Carry-On Plus fit under airplane seats?
That’s a hard no. Its dimensions and the fact that it’s hardshell mean you will need to place it in the overhead lockers.
What’s the warranty policy?
Monos supplies a limited lifetime warranty policy with all its luggage. This covers the telescopic handle, the lock, and the zippers – provided the damage isn’t due to mishandling. However, damage to the shell isn’t covered.
Is the luggage waterproof?
The polycarbonate shell is water-resistant, rather than waterproof. That means it can endure a bit of light rain, but probably not a persistent heavy downpour – although we haven’t tested this ourselves, as we try to avoid walking outside during squalls!
Responses