Monos vs. Away Baggage: Which Ought to You Purchase in 2023?

So, you’ve determined to donate your previous, low cost, hand-me-down baggage and get your self a pleasant suitcase. Should you’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 rivals, and each specialise in modern, high-quality hardside suitcases.

However which one is best?

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

There are lots of similarities between Monos and Away. Each are startups based within the final ten years. Each supply fashionable hardside circumstances 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 provides the very best quality, useability, and worth. Beneath, I’ll dive into the main points and break down the place every model excels. Finally, I’ll present you precisely the place every model stands out in comparison with the opposite.

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

Monos Baggage Evaluation

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 (generally fleeting) experiences of journey. They imagine in making easy, timeless baggage that’s constructed to final moderately than stylish, cheaply-made merchandise that you just’ll throw away in a yr.

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 hardly ever seen a model make that public the way in which Monos does. Their quality testing is in depth (some may say torturous), and offers me lots 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 web zero carbon emissions and develop into Climate Neutral Certified.

For extra info, learn our full Monos luggage review.

Monos Baggage Supplies & High quality

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

All of it begins with the sturdy polycarbonate shell. Polycarbonate is the gold normal materials for hardside luggage as of late 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 onerous shell suitcases. Monos building 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 affords a hybrid suitcase assortment that mixes polycarbonate shells with an aluminum body and reinforcement within the corners and edges. As an alternative of zippers, the Monos Hybrid Luggage makes use of a hinge design with locking clasps. Actually, I don’t see a lot cause to purchase one in all their hybrid circumstances. They’re heavier, costlier, and more durable to make use of. The basic Monos suitcases are loads 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 available on the market. Positive sufficient, that is a few of the best spinner luggage 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 smooth stain-resistant lining that’s straightforward to maintain contemporary journey after journey.

Monos Baggage Design & Options

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

Inside, you get loads of options for preserving every thing organized. On one aspect you get a big zippered divider with a built-in mesh pocket. On the opposite aspect 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 thing 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 baggage, and a vegan leather-based baggage tag.

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

I really like the variety of selections Monos provides you for a carry-on. You’ll be able to decide the usual Carry-On which is sized to suit worldwide measurement restrictions or the Carry-On Plus, which is a much bigger carry-on for home flights. Additionally they supply the identical sizes with an exterior pocket with their Carry-On Pro and Carry-On Pro Plus (that final identify’s a little bit of a mouthful, nevertheless it will get the purpose throughout).

The Monos Carry-On Professional is among the best carry-on suitcases on the market. It has all the standard and options as the conventional 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 rather a lot to like about Monos. It’s sturdy, useful, and classy. General, Monos has lots of benefits over away when it comes to high quality and options, however there are some downsides, particularly when you have particular wants like expandability or a small private merchandise suitcase.

Listed here are a few of the prime execs and cons of Monos in comparison with Away:

Away Baggage Evaluation

Away might be probably the most on-trend baggage model at this time. 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 one in all 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 fashionable, and sturdy sufficient to depend on throughout journey.

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

If you’d like much more element, you’ll be able to learn our full Away Luggage Review.

Away Baggage Supplies & High quality

Identical to Monos, Away baggage begins with a sturdy polycarbonate shell. Away onerous shells will not be as rounded as Monos, they usually 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 modern wanting as Monos.

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

Granted, that most likely 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, they usually roll easily, however they positively aren’t as robust as Monos wheels, that are a few 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 anticipate in a contemporary higher-end hardside bag: a sturdy telescopic deal with, TSA-approved lock, hidden laundry bag, and inside compression system. Nothing is especially excellent, nevertheless it’s all there, and all of it works.

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

Their normal Carry-On is sufficiently small for many worldwide flights, whereas the Greater 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 essential characteristic, nevertheless it’s as much as you to resolve should you want it. In that case, Away would be the most suitable option for you.

Away Baggage Execs and Cons

Whereas Away baggage is well-built, fashionable, 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 few of the prime 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?

Should you’ve been paying shut consideration, you most likely can already guess the reply:

Go together with Monos.

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

If you’d like 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 a long time of journey. I’ve little question, although, that should you get a Monos suitcase, you’ll have it for the remainder of your life. Plus, with their lifetime guarantee, should you ever do occur to interrupt it, they’ll restore or change it for you.

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

The one exception can be the Away Daily 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.

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

Monos vs. Away FAQs