Which is Higher in 2023?

In case you’re searching for a brand new suitcase that’s sturdy, practical, and fashionable, you’ve most likely come throughout these two baggage manufacturers: July and Monos. Each manufacturers supply modern, feature-packed polycarbonate suitcases, however which is healthier?

My first baggage was a pair of low-cost spinner suitcases that I used whereas residing overseas in Europe. They each broke inside a couple of months. Now I’m much more picky about my suitcases, and Monos and July are two of my favourite manufacturers available on the market proper now. I’ve spent months digging into the main points to see how they examine.

July and Monos each make nice hardside luggage. Their designs look wonderful, are tremendous practical, are constructed to final, and compete straight in value. The distinction comes all the way down to the main points. Which model has higher options and group? Which is less complicated to make use of? Which suitcase will preserve trying good after years of journey?

I’ll dive into the main points on these two manufacturers and present how they examine for real-world use. In case you’re searching for the last word comparability between July and Monos, you’re in the correct place.

July Baggage Evaluation

July is an Aussie model that began in 2018 with the mission of bringing higher design and considering to the journey trade. Their dedication to enhancing the sturdiness and performance of their merchandise makes them one of many best luggage brands on the market.

My favourite a part of the July model is that relatively than beginning with a preconceived concept of what makes the most effective suitcases, they started their design course of by studying hundreds of critiques of present merchandise.

From their analysis they appeared for the commonest areas of criticism individuals had with their baggage. They discovered the place different suitcases had been breaking and what options individuals wanted most, after which they got down to create a suitcase to resolve the issues they discovered within the journey market.

The design of July baggage is a direct results of their customer-focused method. They discovered the areas that wanted enchancment and labored to repair them. That angle additionally carries over to the remainder of their enterprise. July customer support, return coverage, and guarantee are a number of the finest within the journey trade. I like manufacturers that stand behind their merchandise with nice service and assist.

July Baggage Supplies & High quality

July builds all of their suitcases with a high-quality German polycarbonate exhausting shell. This has turn into the gold customary materials for hardside premium baggage as a result of it’s each light-weight and really sturdy.

The place July stands out from different luxurious manufacturers is that they add sturdy aluminum nook bumpers to their circumstances. These bumpers are seen on the skin of their customary suitcases, whereas their Carry-On Essential and Carry-On Pro have hidden inner bumpers. Corners are the probably a part of a suitcase to crack or dent, and this design provides a ton of energy on this susceptible space.

I’ve by no means seen a Monos exhausting shell crack, however theoretically, July’s aluminum corners ought to make them extra affect and damage-resistant. One draw back is that the anodized coating on the exterior bumpers can scuff or scratch, displaying some beauty put on over time.

In case you’re searching for lightweight luggage, it’s price noting that July additionally makes a dialed-back model of their customary carry-on. At below 4 lbs, it’s the lightest hardside carry-on on the planet!

July Baggage Design & Options

Functionally, July suitcases are easy and streamlined, however they’ve a number of nice options that make for simpler packing and journey.

Inside you’ll discover a big zippered divider on one aspect and July’s Y-strap compression system on the opposite. With this method there’s a compression pad that you simply place over your packed clothes. You then buckle the beefy Y-shaped strap excessive and cinch it all the way down to compress the whole lot and preserve it securely in place. The bonus is that the compression pad has a built-in zippered pocket.

Total, I do want there have been extra pockets inside July suitcases. That’s one space the place Monos positively has the benefit.

You additionally get a sturdy adjustable deal with with 20 totally different stopping factors, so it’s straightforward to get it set to the right top. This is a bonus over Monos suitcase, which gained’t have as a lot adjustability.

Aesthetically, July baggage may be very minimal and understated—extra so than Monos. July suitcases are easy rectangles with rounded edges and a single molded-in line across the heart to interrupt up the profile. The one different notable stylistic element is the aluminum nook bumpers.

I personally love the easier look of July, although type is all the time a private choice.

July Baggage Execs and Cons

Total, July baggage is basically spectacular. July suitcases look wonderful, are sturdy, and are actually well-designed. You’re right here to understand how July compares with Monos although, so we have to cowl the benefits and downsides.

These manufacturers are carefully matched, and there aren’t any overwhelming variations. It’s all going to be within the particulars right here. For instance, July carry-on suitcases include an ejectable battery financial institution to cost your telephone or laptop computer; you don’t get that with Monos. Then again, Monos has actually spectacular testing of their merchandise and wonderful construct high quality.

Listed below are the professionals and cons of July and the way it measures up in opposition to Monos baggage:

For a extra in-depth look, take a look at our full July luggage review.

Monos Baggage Evaluation

Monos is a contemporary journey model based mostly in Vancouver Canada. Their complete enterprise mannequin is constructed on providing the identical high quality and options you see in luxurious suitcase manufacturers at a lower cost.

The factor that stands out most to me about Monos as a model is their obsession over high quality. They aren’t afraid to utterly redesign primary elements to make them higher and longer lasting. Monos baggage have improved handles, wheels, and shells which can be extra sturdy than different baggage choices.

Past simply designing their merchandise to be sturdy, Monos goes above and past with their rigorous quality testing (possibly you possibly can name it baggage torture testing). They run their wheels for twenty miles on treadmills with jarring bumps, yank repeatedly on the bags handles, drop loaded suitcases onto concrete, and tumble them round in a machine that appears like a large garments dryer. Critically, these individuals aren’t messing round.

What which means for you is that you simply get a suitcase that’s designed and examined to outlive the whole lot you’ll be able to throw at it.

I additionally love that Monos is dedicated to sustainability and lowering their affect. They donate 1% of their income to environmental non-profits, and the are licensed local weather impartial, with internet zero carbon emissions. Not solely are their merchandise well-made, however it’s also possible to be ok with shopping for them.

Monos Baggage Supplies & High quality

Like July, Monos baggage begins with a modern polycarbonate shell. They don’t have the aluminum nook bumpers of July, however I’ve by no means seen a Monos suitcase crack or dent, even with some fairly heavy abuse.

The inside of Monos baggage is made with a 100% recycled rPET cloth that’s gentle to the contact and stain- and water resistant. You additionally get sturdy, snag-resistant YKK zippers throughout.

Monos designed their telescoping deal with to be higher than anything available on the market. It’s made with aerospace-grade extruded aluminum tubing, and the upright telescoping tubes are positioned at a 45-degree angle, which implies they will higher resist pulling and pushing forces. In case you’re coming from a less expensive suitcase, you’ll be blown away at how stiff and durable this deal with feels.

The standout ingredient of Monos baggage construct high quality is the wheels. Once they couldn’t discover 360-degree spinning wheels available on the market that met their top quality and sturdiness necessities, Monos designed their very own from the bottom up, with bigger wheels and chrome steel ball bearings. I’m not an enormous fan of spinner wheels after destroying a number of on cobblestone streets in Europe, however these are a number of the solely ones I belief to final.

Monos Baggage Design & Options

The practical design of Monos baggage is similar to July general. For inner group, you’ve gotten a zippered divider on one aspect and a compression pad system on the opposite aspect. The compression is nearly equivalent to July. The one distinction is that there are two separate compression straps as a substitute of a giant Y-strap.

Monos does supply extra inside pockets of their suitcases, which is a win in my guide. The massive mesh pocket and smaller hinge pocket provide you with extra locations to place issues and assist preserve your suitcase neat and arranged.

Every bit of Monos baggage, from the compact carry-on to their largest checked bag additionally comes with an odor-blocking laundry bag and two shoe baggage. It’s superior to see “bonus” options like this included.

In case you’re searching for essentially the most feature-packed Monos baggage, you’ll wish to take a look at the Carry-On Professional. This modern carry-on bag has a zippered outdoors pocket constructed into the shell. The entrance compartment hinges open and is loaded with small pockets and pouches for protecting necessities organized and simply accessible. The Monos Carry-On Pro even has a padded laptop computer sleeve with room for laptops as much as 16 inches.

The type of Monos suitcases may be very minimalist and fashionable, with only a bit extra visible detailing than July. One of the best half is that due to the high-quality supplies, Monos baggage will preserve trying good after years of use.

Monos Baggage Execs and Cons

Monos baggage is well-designed and well-built, so how does it examine to the competitors (on this case, July)? Total, I’d say there are lots of benefits in Monos’ favor, together with the superior sturdiness. It’s not all win-win although, as there are some tradeoffs when selecting Monos as a substitute of July.

Listed below are the professionals and cons of Monos when in comparison with July:

For a extra in-depth look, take a look at our full Monos luggage review.

July vs. Monos: Which Ought to You Purchase?

There’s quite a bit to love about each July and Monos, they usually have quite a bit in widespread. Each manufacturers use polycarbonate shells, designed their very own spinner wheels, have glorious group, and supply luxury-level high quality at attainable costs. Most of their merchandise compete head-to-head with regards to options and value.

So which is healthier?

You’re positive to be proud of a suitcase from both model, however if you need the very best high quality and sturdiness, Monos baggage is the place it’s at. Their rigorous high quality testing and obsession over particulars is spectacular. Don’t get me mistaken, July circumstances are additionally very well-built, I simply assume Monos takes it to the following degree.

If I had been to advocate a single product from both of those two suitcase manufacturers, it will be the Monos Carry-On Pro. Monos carry-on baggage is simply actually well-designed. With its zippered exterior pocket, clever design, and bomber building, this carry-on bag is without doubt one of the finest available on the market.

There may be additionally a July Carry-On Pro; as a substitute of a zippered pocket, it has a detachable laptop computer sleeve. Whereas that is essentially the most revolutionary baggage I’ve seen for carrying a laptop computer, it’s costlier, much less protecting, and fewer versatile. In order for you an exterior pocket, I’d stick to the Monos Carry-On Professional.

Whereas Monos excels at carry-on baggage, I feel it begins to make a bit extra sense to think about July when you’re purchasing for checked luggage. These sturdy aluminum nook bumpers may give you some peace of thoughts when your baggage is being tossed round by gung-ho airline baggage handlers.

Ultimately, it comes down to private choice. Monos has a number of the most sturdy hardside suitcases on the market, however In case you just like the extra minimal, streamlined styling of July suitcases (I positive do), go for it. I don’t assume you’ll be upset both approach.

July vs. Monos FAQs