Monos luggage and travel bag review: Sustainable, sleek, seamless

When traveling, backpacks and carry-on bags can go “mano a mano” — which is best for a long weekend?

In our case, the Monos Metro backpack and the carry-on bag of the same brand are actually travel besties, working in harmony to get you where you need to go while staying organized the whole way.

Ahead of a long weekend in upstate New York, we wanted to put both bags to the test. As seen in our other luggage review, we packed the larger Béis suitcase to the brim, so being faced with a mini carry-on and a smaller backpack would be a challenge.

Starting with the Monos Metro, the viral bag has been spotted all over TikTok and Instagram, both for the aesthetic look of the sleek leather, but also for its ability to be used as a travel bag one day and an office commuter bag the next.

The carry-on we chose was a delicious one, as it came from the Monos x Magnolia Bakery color collection that came out a few years back.

Read on for the breakdown of the brand, pricing, and our review while on the road.

What is Monos and how does it compare to other brands?

All luggage brands are not the same. Our staff here at The Post has tried a whole bunch of bags, from Away to Béis, each with something else to offer.

In the case of Monos, a few things stand out. The company places value on simplicity, choice, and sustainability. The streamlined design of their luggage and bags is purposeful, explained on their site as being for the mindful traveller with a timeless approach to luggage.

They also offer a few different choices for fabrics and design, but not too many as to be overwhelming. All their luggage comes in hard-shell, with options for carry-on, carry-on plus, check-in medium, and check-in large. As for materials, they offer luggage made of polycarbonate as well as hybrid bags that also have aluminum for even more durability.

Lastly, to address sustainability, you also need to take a look at the rest of their bags and materials. The Monos Metro backpack has vegan leather as an option, plus their whole operation has net zero carbon emissions and donates 1% of their revenue to non-profits in the environmental space.

The Monos Carry-on blends minimalist design with maximum performance, offering a sleek, durable, and ultra-organized solution for modern travelers. Crafted from aerospace-grade polycarbonate, this hardshell suitcase is tough enough to handle turbulence — both in the air and on the ground — while staying remarkably lightweight. Inside, a thoughtful interior includes a compression pad, multiple mesh compartments, and smooth anti-microbial lining to keep your essentials clean and secure.

With whisper-quiet spinner wheels, a telescopic handle with four height settings, and a TSA-approved lock, the Monos Carry-on turns every trip into a first-class experience — no upgrade required.

Dimensions: 22″ H × 14″ W × 9″ D (including wheels and handles) | Capacity: ~39.9 L | Weight: 7 lbs (3.2 kg) | Shell: Aerospace-grade polycarbonate, unbreakable and impact-resistant | Interior: Antimicrobial fabric lining, compression pad, mesh zippered pockets | Handle: Adjustable telescopic handle with 4 height settings | Wheels: Silent 360° spinner wheels | Security: TSA-approved lock | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty + 100-day trial | Extras: Vegan leather details, laundry bag, two shoe bags included

The Monos Metro Backpack is a stylish and highly functional travel companion designed for seamless movement between commutes, flights, and daily tasks. With its modular QuickSnap Metro Classic Kit, you can easily detach a compact front pouch to carry your essentials separately or switch it between bags.

It features a weather-resistant nylon twill or vegan leather exterior, a padded fleece-lined sleeve for laptops, a hidden privacy pocket lined with waterproof material for damp items, and a pass-through trolley sleeve that lets it sit securely over carry-on luggage handles. Sleek yet spacious, it’s built to simplify your life on the go.

Dimensions: 16.5″ H × 11.5″ W × 6″ D (excluding front pouch) | Capacity: ~18 L | Weight: 2.4 lbs (nylon) or 3.0 lbs (vegan leather) | Shell: Water- and scratch-resistant nylon twill or full vegan leather | Interior: PET-felt lining made from recycled bottles, zippered pouch, two pockets, large sleeve, and waterproof compartment | Laptop Sleeve: Padded, fleece-lined compartment fits up to 15″ device | Carry Features: Adjustable shoulder straps, top vegan leather handles, trolley sleeve for stacking on luggage | Metro Kit: Detachable QuickSnap pouch with zip pocket, two mesh compartments, and key ring | Warranty: 2-year limited warranty | Extras: Available in multiple finishes, sustainably made interior, hidden magnetic privacy pocket

Monos pricing

Monos’ pricing is pretty on par with the other new-wave luggage brands we’ve seen on the market. You have options for sizing, as seen above, as well as materials, as nylon may cost less than vegan leather and polycarbonates less than aluminum, for example.

The Monos Metro backpack comes in nylon for $215.00, while the vegan leather option we reviewed is $245.00. The Monos hard-side luggage starts at $275.00 typically for the 22-inch carry-on, while the larger check-in bags start at $345.00 and go up to $775.00 for the Large Aluminum Trunk.

Our review

Immediately after my return from an international trip, I unpacked and traded in my larger bags for something best built for a weekend away.

This weekend in question was set to rain the entire time, so I was happy to see that both my Monos Carry-on and the Metro Backpack were water-resistant. Since the weekend was with my best girlfriends, I wanted to pack enough outfits and games, but also be sure to have room for anything we may bring home, and of course, have enough room in the trunk to pack it all.

Starting with the Metro Backpack, I immediately fell in love with the color and material, opting for the brown vegan leather. The bag felt soft, like I like my leather to be, but the actual structure of the bag was stiff enough to stand up on its own while I packed. It also felt supportive and protective enough for my belongings, including a padded laptop sleeve and zipper pockets that felt secure.

My favorite part of the backpack was the QuickSnap Modular Kit System, or the ability to remove the pouch on the front of the backpack and use it as a toiletry bag, tech kit, or whatever else I needed. I kept it on the bag while we drove up, but then detached it with ease when I unpacked, so it could serve as a place to keep my phones and chargers on my nightstand.

The carry-on luggage already got a test drive when I packed for a Marie Kondo article, and so I knew the small bag could really fit a lot, especially when you use packing cubes and tricks. The color is beautiful to look at, which is a perk already, but the matching wheels and interior make it that much more yummy.