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Verdict
Three years on the road, and the Monos Carry-On Pro is still looking and performing great. It’s a stylish, well-designed piece of luggage that makes those weekend getaways and impromptu flights a breeze. With the convenience it offers, the built-in front compartment has become a must for me, and I can’t imagine going back to a regular carry-on.
- Size: 22″ x 14″ x 9″/ 55.8 x 35.5 x 22.8 cm
- Weight: 7.8 lb / 3.5 kg
- Volume: 36L
- Materials: Aerospace-grade polycarbonate
- Colors: Stellar White, Desert Taupe, Rose Quartz, Olive Green, Blue Haze, Ocean Blue, Storm Gray, Midnight Black + various Limited Edition colorways
- Warranty: Lifetime limited warranty
About Monos Luggage
Monos creates beautiful luggage that stands the test of time both in terms of durability and aesthetics. They understand slow travel, embrace craft and sustainability, and believe in the beauty of simplicity. What sets them apart from other brands is a remarkable focus on quality and details.
I’ve been using their products since they first started in 2018 and have loved them ever since. From lightweight suitcases to chic travel bags, their designs are clean, minimalistic, and free from unnecessary embellishments, focusing on essential features that really enhance the user experience.
The company is based in Toronto, Canada, where it recently opened its first flagship store – a stunning, gallery-like space I secretly hope to visit one day.
After years of rigorous testing across multiple continents, here’s my hands-on Monos Carry-On Pro review:
I’m not easily impressed when it comes to carry-on luggage. When you test and review as many great bags as I do, you become accustomed to 360° spinner wheels, TSA-approved locks, and well-organized interiors. The difference is always in the details, and the Monos Carry-On Pro has them all.
From smooth-rolling wheels to ergonomic handles, lockable zippers, smart packing compartments, and a durable, lightweight construction, it boasts all the features you’d expect from a premium suitcase. And it’s wrapped in a beautiful matte finish that oozes stylish Japanese minimalism.
After more than a dozen trips together, I’m here to share my experience. Let’s break it down by category:
Aesthetics
Three years of dragging this Monos Carry-On Pro through airports has only made me appreciate its aesthetics more. Trends come and go, but this piece really is like the little black dress of luggage – sleek, minimal, goes with everything, and will never go out of style. It has a smooth matte finish that resists wear and tear like a champ, and I love its clean lines, rounded corners, and subtle grooves. It looks effortlessly chic.
I love that all components – the outer pocket, handles, and zippers – have been meticulously designed to merge seamlessly into the overall aesthetic. It’s clear that they put a lot of thought into every aspect of this suitcase.
And then there’s the color palette – dreamy pastels, calm neutrals, and delicious brights. So many fun options from which to choose!
Materials
The attention to materials is another hallmark of Monos’ commitment to quality. They use only the finest materials and are committed to responsible manufacturing practices, continually exploring ways to minimize their environmental footprint. I love that their bags are made responsibly from partially recycled materials.
The exterior of the Carry-On Pro is crafted from German Makrolon polycarbonate, an aerospace-grade material trusted by aircraft manufacturers for its incredible strength and lightness. This translates to worry-free travel. The ultra-durable shell stands up to anything you throw at it, while its lightweight design lets you pack more without exceeding airline weight limits. And because it’s water-resistant, you can navigate sudden downpours with peace of mind.
Monos doesn’t skimp on the details, either. Look closer, and you’ll find tasteful vegan leather details and a luxuriously soft, anti-microbial interior fabric made from recycled polyester that’s easy to clean and keeps your belongings fresh.
Functionality and Features
Anyone who’s navigated a crowded airport knows the importance of a suitcase that maneuvers like a dream. The Monos Carry-On Pro glides in silent serenity on its 360-degree spinner wheels.
The grab handles on top and side come in handy when placing the suitcase in the overhead compartment, and although they are a bit snug, I like the minimalist design approach.
Like all well-made, modern suitcases, the Carry On Pro comes with a side-mounted TSA-approved lock for added security.
The bag’s top-notch YKK reverse coil zippers are a breeze to operate, while the color-coordinated gaskets maintain the sleek aesthetic.
Hardshell Front Pocket: The Monos Carry-On Pro’s most distinctive feature is the hardshell front pocket. While not completely unheard of, this is a rare sight in hardside carry-on luggage.
Crafted from the same indestructible, water-resistant polycarbonate as the rest of the suitcase, this zippered external compartment offers quick, easy access to essentials while keeping them protected. It fits a 15-inch laptop, my phone, keys, scarf, and much more, thanks to a thoughtful mix of sleeves and zippered pouches. It practically eliminates the need to carry a handbag and helps me breeze through airport security like a pro.
Best-in-class wheels: Seriously, these wheels are a revelation – smooth, effortless rolling that makes turning corners and weaving through crowds a breeze. On top of that, they have proven incredibly durable. I’ve wheeled this suitcase down countless cobblestones and bumpy sidewalks, over thick hotel carpets, and in heavy rains, and they’re still intact!
This gets even better! The wheels on my Carry-On Pro are Hinomoto, the gold standard for wheel design. However, in the meantime, Monos updated all their suitcases with in-house-designed, high-performance 360° spinner wheels, which I had the pleasure of testing on the Hybrid Carry-On and Trunk. Believe it or not, they are even smoother, sturdier, and more silent than the Hinomoto!
Reimagined telescoping handle: The multi-level telescoping handle on the Monos Carry-On Pro is among the best I’ve used so far. Redesigned in-house from the ground up and made with aerospace-grade aluminum tubes instead of flimsy plastic, it’s solid, comfortable, and easy to pull. The underside release button is something you never knew you needed but once you use it you’ll wonder why there aren’t all like it.
Interior
The interior design of Monos suitcases is particularly thoughtful. The zippers, the stitching, the materials are all top-notch. There are multiple pockets and compartments to help you stay organized, plus plenty of compression to ensure that you make the most of the packing capacity.
Inside the Carry-On Pro, you’ll find two similarly sized storage compartments – one compartment with compression straps and pad to keep your things in place and one fully enclosed with a zippered panel. Uniquely wide, strong, and easy to operate, these straps are by far the nicest I’ve ever used. The pad is removable and comes equipped with a zippered pocket for flat items.
Despite its eco-friendly origins, the soft anti-microbial lining with delicate pattern detailing throughout feels more like a high-end textile than a utilitarian fabric. On top of that, it’s gentle on clothes and helps combat odors – a welcome feature after a long day exploring a new city. I’m also glad they went with a light color. It makes it so easy to see inside and find what I’m looking for!
The Carry-On Pro Plus comes with a laundry bag and two shoe bags made from the same plush, anti-microbial fabric, which have become staples in my packing routine.
Strength and Durability
Monos suitcases really hold up. I own several of their models, including the Terrazzo Check-In and the Hybrid Trunk & Carry-On. I’ve traveled with them extensively over the last few years, and they’ve held up remarkably well. Sure, they’ve picked up a few minor cosmetic scratches along the way, but everything functions perfectly – the wheels roll smoothly, the zippers glide effortlessly, and the construction feels just as solid as when I first got them.
I am really impressed with the durability of the Monos Carry-On Pro. It has endured countless flights and even more car trips; it has traversed cobblestone streets and dusty trails, busy sidewalks, boardwalks, and hotel lobbies, and has even been dragged to a beach or two. It’s astounding how it is still in perfect condition.
Monos is so confident in this bag’s durability that they offer a Limited Lifetime Warranty covering all functional aspects.
Points to Ponder
While the Monos Carry-On Pro will fit in the vast majority of overhead bins, it’s slightly larger than airlines like Vueling and Ryanair, two companies I use frequently for domestic flights around Spain, allow.
My 15-inch laptop fits perfectly in the hardshell front pocket, but if you’re traveling with a larger device, you’ll have to either carry a separate bag or place it deep within the bag between clothes to ensure it’s properly protected.
Some online reviews mention that the bag shows wear more easily with bright colors, and they recommend choosing a darker shade to minimize the appearance of scratches. Luckily, I never had to gate-check this suitcase, but I used it a lot and haven’t had any major issues. The magical foam eraser provided by Monos works really well at removing the scuffs. This makes me wonder if I just got incredibly lucky with my white carry-on or if white might actually be more forgiving than other bright colors in terms of scratches.
Value
To me, the Monos Carry-On Pro offers exceptional value for its quality, features, and design. It’s a high-end suitcase with a mid-range price that has made my journeys a lot smoother. While it may lean towards the pricier side for some buyers, for frequent travelers who value well-engineered, aesthetically pleasing, and highly effective carry-on luggage, it’s an investment that will pay off for years to come.
Monos Carry-On Pro vs. Monos Carry-On Pro Plus
The difference between the Monos Carry-On Pro and Carry-On Pro Plus lies in their size and, consequently, packing capacity.
At 36L, the Monos Carry-On Pro is the standard-size carry-on suitcase designed to fit in most overhead bins. It’s ideal for trips of around 3-5 days where you don’t need to pack a huge amount.
The Monos Carry-On Pro Plus is a slightly larger version of the Pro. It offers a generous 46-liter packing capacity, which makes it ideal for longer trips. While it should still fit in the overhead bins of major airlines, there’s a chance it might be too big for some smaller regional jets.
Other than that, the Carry-On Pro and Carry-On Pro Plus share the same smart features and premium polycarbonate construction Monos is beloved for. Both sport a built-in front compartment and are available in the same wide array of colors.
How We Tested the Monos Carry-On Pro
At Travel Away, we like bags too much to actually throw them off a cliff. But we do put their durability to the test in real life before writing a review. My Monos Carry-On Pro is a well-traveled suitcase. Over the last three years, I have tested it in different travel scenarios to see how well it does the job, if it streamlines the experience, and how it compares to other hard-sided carry-ons I have tried.
As someone who travels frequently for both work and pleasure, I’ve filled it to the brim for weekend jaunts and strategically packed it for longer trips. I’ve dragged it through airports, crammed it into overhead bins, and bounced it over uneven terrain more times than I can count. It’s seen it all – quick city breaks, sunny beach escapes, month-long European odysseys – and, more importantly, survived it all.