Is Monos worth it? I travelled with $1,465 worth of Monos luggage — and it's all on sale for Black Friday
Now through Nov. 28, take up to 30 per cent off sitewide at Monos.
The more time I spend on airplanes, the more I am convinced that it's worth it to invest in high-quality luggage. I have travelled to 34 countries, and with my family on the other side of Canada, I fly domestically every few months. Therefore, even if only self-proclaimed, I consider myself something of a packing expert.
Much like my opinions on high-end bed sheets, I used to think expensive luggage was a waste of money. Why would you spend hundreds of dollars on an item you may only use a couple of times a year? However, just because I wasn't investing in good luggage doesn't mean I was saving money, either. Over the past decade, I have dropped hundreds on cheap department store suitcases, just for them to crack, break or tear after a handful of uses — buy cheap, buy twice.
In my quest to upgrade my luggage, I tried four best-selling travel essentials from Monos (a Canadian brand, by the way): the Hybrid Check-In Large, the Metro Tote, the Metro Weekender and the Metro Backpack — all of which just so happen to be on sale.
Monos Black Friday sale: Now through Nov. 28, take up to 30 per cent off sitewide and an automatic 15 per cent off with the discount code EARLYBF. Shop all sale merchandise here.
Hybrid Check-In Large
$454$535Save $81
Metro Tote
$213$285Save $72
Metro Weekender
$270$360Save $90
Metro Backpack
$213$285Save $72
After several weekend getaways, a two-week international trip, and countless hours spent on planes, trains and automobiles, read on to learn the pros and cons of the Monos suitcase, tote, weekender bag and backpack, and, importantly, see if they're worth the price.
Shop the Hybrid Check-In Large in four colours: silver (pictured), obsidian (black), champagne and a limited-edition brown.
I have had my eye on the Hybrid Check-In Large since Monos released its Hybrid collection a few years back. The suitcase is designed using resilient aluminum and aerospace-grade, water-resistant polycarbonate to withstand the wear and tear of frequent airport travel.
A check-in version of the Hybrid Carry-On, the "large" bag is ideal for one-to-three-week trips, offering 97 litres of packing space. Inside the bag, you'll find two large packing compartments plus three zippered pockets for your shoes, socks, undies and more. The suitcase has two TSA-approved locks and its anti-microbial lining is made from 100 per cent recycled polyester.
What I like about it
It's stylish: In my opinion, this suitcase is the epitome of stylish airport travel. It has a refined metallic finish and anodized aluminum corner guards, so when you roll it into the airport, you feel like a first-class traveller, even if you're destined for the back of the plane.
It's roomy: Beyond aesthetics, it's a large suitcase — there's ample room for everything you need, including a full ski suit and boots, as per my last trip.
It's durable: Thus far, it's proven to be an extremely durable bag, although only time (and rough handling) will tell its lasting durability.
What I don't like about it
It's not for over-packers: Prior to the Monos suitcase, I had never had a bag without exterior zippers (the two TSA-approved locks keep the Hybrid closed). Having now tried both, I prefer a zippered suitcase with the expansion option. I realize the lack of a zipper makes the bag durable; however, as an over-packer, you don't have a ton of wiggle room to fit in a heavy-handed shopping trip.
It's heavy: At 13 pounds, it's a heavy suitcase. The hard polycarbonate shell makes it durable, but as the bag eats up over one-fifth of your airport weight limit, it's something to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to purchase.
Shop the Metro Backpack in eight colours, including nylon and vegan leather options.
The Monos Metro Backpack is water and scratch-resistant and made from vegan materials. It has a dedicated 15-inch laptop compartment and a hidden back pocket with a quick-access magnetic closure, perfect for your passport, wallet and more. The bag has a removable Metro Classic Kit and a trolley sleeve to secure it to a suitcase handle while travelling.
The backpack comes in eight colours, with nylon and vegan leather options. A fan-favourite in the Yahoo Canada office, three of us own the Metro backpack, with the vegan leather version having the slight upper hand.
What I like about it
It's durable: The backpack has been my carry-on bag, grocery store companion, and daily accessory when I trek to my office — all without any indication of wear and tear.
It's versatile: Whether you're en route to the airport or the office, the Metro Backpack is a "checks all the boxes" kind of backpack. It has a dedicated laptop compartment and plenty of spots to house your personal belongings, gym shoes, lunch bag and more.
It's cute: I have the (currently sold-out) lilac version of the bag, and a week rarely goes by without it earning a compliment from a passerby. The vegan leather looks and feels high-quality, so you feel like you are wearing a backpack made for adults instead of stealing one from your kid.
What I don't like about it
It's expensive: After more than a year of almost daily use, I've only noticed two downsides for the backpack. The first is its obviously high price tag. The vegan leather version of the bag rings in at $285, while the nylon is slightly less expensive at $245.
It's heavy: At three pounds, the backpack is on the heavier side. I own the vegan leather version, so I can't speak to the nylon, but it's not the lightest bag in the world.
Shop the Metro Weekender in seven colours and both nylon and vegan leather options.
The Metro Weekender is a sleek option for organized weekends away, thanks to its myriad of pockets and separate storage area for shoes. It's made from water-resistant vegan leather (there's also a nylon version) and comes in seven colours.
If you're heading to the airport, the bag has a built-in trolley sleeve and a laptop-specific sleeve for a 16-inch computer. With 47.5 litres of storage space, the duffel has a handful of pockets to store your essentials, and its vegan leather version rings in at 5.34 pounds (the nylon bag is slightly lighter at 5.18 pounds).
What I like about it
It has a ton of pockets: If staying organized is your thing, you'll appreciate all of the pockets on the Metro Weekender. In addition to a 16-inch laptop compartment, the bag has a handful of interior and exterior pockets, including a separate lower compartment to house your shoes or dirty gym clothes.
It's carry-on size: At first glance, I (and those working at the Air Canada security gate) did not know if the Metro Weekender would fit as a carry-on bag — spoiler, it does. Some Monos reviewers even use the Weekender as their personal item in addition to a standard carry-on suitcase. Who needs checked luggage anyway?
What I don't like about it
It's heavy: Technically, the vegan leather Weekender weighs 5.34 pounds. However, when you're carrying it in an airport, and it's full of your in-flight essentials — water bottles, laptops, books and whatever else — it's incredibly heavy. Unlike a backpack where you have extra support, carrying the Weekender on its own is not fun when it's filled to the brim.
Only one handle is comfortable: To piggyback off my last point, only the long strap is comfortable when the bag is heavy. If you want to use the shorter handheld strap, especially over your shoulder, it's pretty uncomfortable, especially as the bag itself is rather large.
Shop the Metro Tote in five colours.
If you are an everyday over-packer — we're talking laptop, lunch bag, water bottle and bits and bobs — Monos' Metro Tote is a versatile (and roomy!) bag fit for the job. It features a massive interior pocket that can hold your passport, wallet or other valuables, two exterior pockets, a slot for your water bottle and a built-in trolley sleeve that can fit over the handle of your suitcase or carry-on bag.
What I like about it
It's huge: When I walk to work but don't want to bring my Metro Backpack, Monos' Metro Tote is my bag of choice. It easily fits my 16" laptop, water bottle, lunch, snacks, ballet flats, and all of the knick-knacks you need when you leave the house. If you're looking for a jumbo tote, this is just the thing.
There are a ton of pockets: I love how many (and how big!) the pockets are in this vegan leather tote. Technically speaking, the bag has a 14" laptop compartment, but the main space is roomy enough for larger devices.
It has a trolley sleeve: Let me tell you: once you have a bag with a trolley-compatible sleeve, there's no going back. I fly quite frequently and having a bag that can so easily sit atop your rolling bag feels like a small little luxury.
What I don't like about it
It's heavy: The Metro Tote weighs just under three pounds, and while that may not seem like a lot, you feel the added weight if you're trekking with it over long distances.
The zipper won't close with a large laptop: Again, I have a larger laptop than what is designed for this bag, but I wish the zipper were a bit more flexible so that I could zip the bag closed even with my 16" laptop.
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
