Monos vs. Away Luggage: Which Should You Buy in 2023?

So, you’ve determined to donate your previous, low-cost, hand-me-down baggage and get your self a pleasant suitcase. If you happen to’re available in the market for contemporary, upscale baggage, odds are you’ve seen the names Monos and Away in your search. These two baggage manufacturers are direct opponents, and each focus on smooth, high-quality hardside suitcases.

However which one is best?

As somebody who’s been touring for greater than a decade, I’ve had loads of hands-on expertise with each of those manufacturers. I’ve spent a number of years utilizing luggage from every model—everywhere in the world—and evaluating the nitty gritty particulars to be taught their strengths and weaknesses.

There are loads of similarities between Monos and Away. Each are startups based within the final ten years. Each provide trendy hardside instances with polycarbonate shells. Each have grown loyal buyer bases, particularly amongst youthful vacationers.

The winner on this detailed comparability of Monos vs. Away Baggage is be the model that gives the very best quality, useability, and worth. Beneath, I’ll dive into the small print and break down the place every model excels. In the end, I’ll present you precisely the place every model stands out in comparison with the opposite.

Don’t wish to learn? Right here’s the spoiler: simply purchase Monos.

Monos Baggage Assessment

Monos is a Vancouver-based baggage model that was based in 2018. Their mission is to supply merchandise that show you how to focus much less in your stuff and extra on the (typically fleeting) experiences of journey. They consider in making easy, timeless baggage that’s constructed to final somewhat than stylish, cheaply-made merchandise that you simply’ll throw away in a 12 months.

I can get behind that concept.

There are two different issues that basically impress me about Monos.

First is their emphasis on high quality manufacturing and transparency about their course of. Each firm has some stage of high quality testing (no less than they need to), however I’ve not often seen a model make that public the best way Monos does. Their high quality testing is intensive (some would possibly say torturous), and provides me loads of confidence of their merchandise.

Second is their dedication to sustainability. Monos donates 1% of their income to climate-related non-profits. They’re additionally the primary baggage model to realize internet zero carbon emissions and turn into Local weather Impartial Licensed.

For extra data, learn our full Monos baggage assessment.

Monos Baggage Supplies & High quality

As you’d count on from a model that’s devoted to constructing high-quality, sustainable merchandise, Monos baggage is de facto well-built.

All of it begins with the sturdy polycarbonate shell. Polycarbonate is the gold customary materials for hardside baggage lately as a result of it’s light-weight, robust, and versatile sufficient to soak up impacts with out cracking.

Not all polycarbonate shells are created equal, although. The design and manufacturing course of additionally play an enormous roll within the sturdiness of exhausting shell suitcases. Monos development is among the many finest. I’ve by no means seen a Monos shell crack, even with tough use. That’s higher than I can say for Away.

Monos additionally presents a hybrid suitcase assortment that mixes polycarbonate shells with an aluminum body and reinforcement within the corners and edges. As a substitute of zippers, the Monos Hybrid Baggage makes use of a hinge design with locking clasps. Actually, I don’t see a lot purpose to purchase certainly one of their hybrid instances. They’re heavier, costlier, and more durable to make use of. The basic Monos suitcases are lots sturdy.

The standard and sturdiness goes past the shell, too. Each Monos suitcase makes use of robust YKK zippers (the perfect within the enterprise) and high-performance spinner wheels that Monos designed from the bottom as much as be the perfect in the marketplace. Certain sufficient, that is a number of the finest spinner baggage I’ve ever used. It’s clean, maneuverable, and handles cobblestones with (relative) ease.

Monos rounds out their supplies with premium vegan leather-based particulars and a mushy stain-resistant lining that’s straightforward to maintain recent journey after journey.

Monos Baggage Design & Options

The general design of Monos suitcases may be very easy and streamlined. The exterior is clean and doesn’t have any pointless frills. The smooth, trendy aesthetic simply seems actually good (I personally a lot favor Monos styling to Away).

Inside, you get loads of options for preserving every part organized. On one facet you get a big zippered divider with a built-in mesh pocket. On the opposite facet there may be an inside compression system with a compression pad (detachable within the carry-on baggage and folding within the checked baggage). This compression pad goes excessive of your packed clothes, after which a pair of beefy compression straps cinch every part down.

The easy design doesn’t imply you don’t get some further perks although. Monos suitcases include an anti-microbial laundry bag, TSA-approved lock, two shoe luggage, and a vegan leather-based baggage tag.

Monos design and options are pretty constant throughout their complete vary of sizes. The checked Monos baggage has just a few extra pockets than the carry-on fashions, however that’s the principle distinction.

I like the variety of decisions Monos offers you for a carry-on. You may decide the usual Carry-On which is sized to suit worldwide dimension restrictions or the Carry-On Plus, which is a much bigger carry-on for home flights. In addition they provide the identical sizes with an exterior pocket with their Carry-On Professional and Carry-On Professional Plus (that final identify’s a little bit of a mouthful, nevertheless it will get the purpose throughout).

The Monos Carry-On Professional is without doubt one of the finest carry-on suitcases on the market. It has all the standard and options as the traditional Monos Carry-On, nevertheless it provides a zippered exterior zippered compartment. This pocket has a padded sleeve for a laptop computer and extra compartments inside for group. It additionally has a tough polycarbonate face to maintain all of your necessities protected. If you wish to purchase one Monos suitcase, that is the one to get.

Monos Baggage Execs and Cons

There’s loads to like about Monos. It’s sturdy, useful, and classy. Total, Monos has loads of benefits over away when it comes to high quality and options, however there are some downsides, particularly when you’ve got particular wants like expandability or a small private merchandise suitcase.

Listed here are a number of the high execs and cons of Monos in comparison with Away:

Away Baggage Assessment

Away might be probably the most on-trend baggage model right this moment. They began in 2015 and now have one thing of a cult following amongst Influencers and Millennial and Gen-Z vacationers.

Away baggage was began after certainly one of their founders, Jen Rubio, had her suitcase break up open within the airport, dumping all of her belongings throughout the ground. After that she needed to create trendy baggage that was each trendy, and sturdy sufficient to depend on throughout journey.

Away builds some nice style-conscious and sturdy wheeled baggage. Many individuals have used their Away suitcases for years on finish with none vital issues, and the web is filled with rave opinions.

If you need much more element, you’ll be able to learn our full Away Baggage Assessment.

Away Baggage Supplies & High quality

Similar to Monos, Away baggage begins with a sturdy polycarbonate shell. Away exhausting shells are usually not as rounded as Monos, and so they have a rougher floor end. I personally like this rougher end as a result of it hides scratches higher, nevertheless it additionally isn’t as smooth wanting as Monos.

One thing in regards to the design of the Away exhausting shell can be simply much less sturdy total. I’m undecided if it’s a distinction within the curvature or the manufacturing course of, however regardless that these two baggage manufacturers use the identical materials, Away baggage is simply much more more likely to crack or break.

Granted, that in all probability gained’t occur with regular use, however you by no means know what these airline baggage handlers are going to do together with your bag.

One other space the place Away falls quick is within the wheels. Away makes use of good spinner wheels, and so they roll easily, however they positively aren’t as robust as Monos wheels, that are a number of the finest baggage wheels within the enterprise.

Away baggage has high-quality real leather-based detailing, together with zipper pulls and an included baggage tag.

Away Baggage Design & Options

Away baggage has all of the suitcase options you’d count on in a contemporary higher-end hardside bag: a sturdy telescopic deal with, TSA-approved lock, hidden laundry bag, and inner compression system. Nothing is especially excellent, nevertheless it’s all there, and all of it works.

One factor I like about Away is what number of choices they supply. Their suitcases vary from a reasonably fundamental customary carry-on (creatively known as The Carry-On) to an expandable checked bag (The Medium Flex) to a compact underseat spinner (The Each day Carry-On).

Their customary Carry-On is sufficiently small for many worldwide flights, whereas the Larger Carry-On is designed to take absolutely the most allowable room within the overhead compartment on home flights.

All Away suitcase sizes can be found with an expandable design with their Flex sequence. The issue is that the Flex suitcases are considerably costlier. I personally don’t suppose expandability is a mandatory characteristic, nevertheless it’s as much as you to resolve if you happen to want it. If that’s the case, Away would be the best option for you.

Away Baggage Execs and Cons

Whereas Away baggage is well-built, trendy, and filled with helpful options, it falls behind Monos when it comes to high quality, sturdiness, and group.

That doesn’t imply it’s all cons although. Listed here are a number of the high execs and cons of Away baggage:

Monos vs. Away: Which Ought to You Purchase?

So, now to the ultimate query: Monos vs. Away, which do you have to purchase?

If you happen to’ve been paying shut consideration, you in all probability can already guess the reply:

Go together with Monos.

Monos baggage is greater high quality and extra sturdy than Away baggage, all whereas nonetheless being cheaper throughout all the vary. It additionally has extra options, pockets, and group.

If you need a carry-on bag that can finest survive being stuffed into overhead bins and dragged for miles, or a checked suitcase that can arrive on the baggage carousel in a single piece, Monos is your finest wager.

Monos solely launched their merchandise in 2018, so nobody has had one lengthy sufficient to inform the way it holds up over many years of journey. I’ve little question, although, that if you happen to get a Monos suitcase, you’ll have it for the remainder of your life. Plus, with their lifetime guarantee, if you happen to ever do occur to interrupt it, they’ll restore or substitute it for you.

Don’t get me unsuitable, Away baggage is nice (and if you happen to’ve already purchased an Away case, you don’t should remorse it). I simply don’t see a lot purpose to choose Away over Monos.

The one exception can be the Away Each day Carry-On. This miniature Away carry-on is sufficiently small to make use of as your private merchandise on most flights and works nice as a carry-on laptop computer bag.

Aside from that, if you happen to’re available in the market for a brand new suitcase, simply decide Monos. You gained’t remorse it.

Monos vs. Away FAQs