We appear to be in a luggage renaissance of sorts, with the emergence of numerous brands over the last few decades. Among them is Monos, which takes its name from the Japanese concept of “monos no aware” and pursues the beauty of fleeting moments. At the heart of its design philosophy is a classic fusion of minimalist aesthetics and maximum functionality. But does the brand live up to its own hype? I took their carry-on for a test drive to find out!
Design
There’s a lot of repetition when it comes to modern luggage design so I give instant praise to the Monos Carry-On for its distinctive sense of style, especially when presented in the colour of Desert Taupe. The polycarbonate exterior cultivates expert interplay between hard lines and smooth surfaces while the brand logo injects the perfect amount of visual contrast. Additional features such as the telescopic handle, vegan leather accents, and spinning wheels keep it black and basic, allowing the shell’s handsome colourway to stand out with all the more effectiveness.
Inside the luggage, you get what one might call the standard layout. Lined in anti-microbial polyester, both sides of the interior hold plenty of room for apparel. On the left side, a zippered sleeve with a mesh front pocket keeps the contents intact while the right side uses a removable compression pad (which doubles as a storage vessel for flat items) and ballistic nylon straps. In essence, the Carry-On achieves an effortless balance between subtle aesthetic distinction and functional usability. And yes, its dimensions will fit in most overhead compartments!
Performance
When packing my clothing and gear, I experienced no issues with the Monos Carry-On. The interior was roomy enough to hold my essentials and the compression pad worked as intended. I didn’t feel like I was cramming anything into extra corners just to make room, though keep in mind I was only embarking on a three-day getaway. For longer trips, one might need bigger luggage.
Two desirable features of any hard-shelled carry-on are the telescopic handle and the spinner wheels. With the Monos Carry-On, I found that the adjustable handle was a little weak and wonky once the luggage was packed. It took some getting used to but I was eventually able to adjust and employ the handle with relative ease. The wheels, meanwhile, worked without issue as they rolled through the airport.
As for the polycarbonate shell, it took any bumps and dings like a champ. There were no dents to speak of by the end of my trip, though the case did exhibit a few random scuffs and scratches. Nevertheless, the Desert Taupe colour retained a strong lustre and didn’t show any sign of fading.
Value
Monos occupies a fairly overpopulated tier of mid-range luggage and the Carry-On has healthy competition. The price of AUD$315 is right but consumers also have plenty of alternatives, some of which may better suit their personal needs. In my opinion, the brand’s Carry-On gets the job done and looks downright sleek in the process, even if the telescopic handle isn’t as seamless as one might hope for. Still, for anyone who travels a few times a year, this beauty will surely suffice.
