r/Monos

Behind every Monos suitcase is a battery of 40 tests – covering everything from colour fastness and UV fading to corrosion resistance, tensile strength, chemical resistance, and temperature stability. Here are a few of those tests.

Monos' quality testing

The tumble test

The case is loaded with 16 kg, placed inside a rotating chamber full of obstacles, and tumbled for 25 cycles. The chamber is designed to maximize hard drops and high impacts – the closest thing we could engineer to simulate what actually happens to your bag between check-in and baggage claim.

Luggage tumble test

The mileage test

Up to 25 kg inside the case. Another 7 kg of weight applied to the telescopic handle. The suitcase is angled at 45° and rolled at 4 km/h on a specialized treadmill with built-in bumps to simulate uneven terrain. The test runs for the equivalent of 32 km. Additional stairs and road conditioning are tested with up to 25 kg inside, 7 kg on the telescopic handle, angled at 45°, and rolled across a cylinder with steps built in to simulate the hard impact of dragging a suitcase down stairs. Repeated for 750 cycles. If the wheels and handle survive that, they'll survive your trip.

Luggage mileage test

The telescopic handle test

The suitcase is loaded with up to 25 kg and suspended in the air by its telescopic handle. It's lifted, dropped, and then suddenly stopped mid-freefall by the handle. That cycle is repeated 300 times. The handle either holds or it doesn't – there's no partial credit.

Telescopic handle test

The wheel abrasion test

Up to 25 kg inside, all four wheels in contact with two spinning rollers that simulate uneven terrain at 4 km/h. Run for the equivalent of 32 km. This one is specifically about the wheels holding their shape and grip over time, not just surviving a single impact.

Wheel abrasion test

The drop test

The suitcase is stored at -12°C for four hours first – because cold makes materials more brittle and more likely to crack. Then it's loaded with up to 25 kg and dropped on every surface, edge, and corner from 90 cm. Cold, full, and dropped from height. If it passes that, it passes.

Luggage drop test

When we say our luggage is built to last, we mean it. If you have any questions about how our luggage is made and tested, ask us below.

– Shop Monos Carry-Ons

– Shop Monos Check-Ins

i have been looking for a new carry-on that is lightweight but still durable enough for frequent trips. i found a nice one on monos that i really liked, the standard carry-on in a neutral colour with that clean minimalist look and the smooth wheels. the polycarbonate shell and the lifetime warranty stood out to me as good long-term value.

has anyone here used their luggage for a while? how does it hold up with airline handling and does the size actually work well for most carry-on rules? any real experiences with the wheels or the interior organisation would help.

Hi.

I'm weighing purchasing a large checked bag from either away or monos. I prefer the monos color options but the maximum capacity they offer is 97L vs Away's large is 105L & expands to 115L. Given they're pretty pricey & an investment I figured it would sense to get the most capacity out of the bag, but I'm having trouble visualizing the difference between them. Is the capacity a noticeable difference or are both generally large so 10L isn't a meaningful difference?

The away bag is also 2 lbs heavier than the Monos one so I guess even with the extra room you'd be more limited in what you can bring to not exceed weight limits.

Thanks

Four collections, four carry-on sizes, four check-in sizes – it's a lot to sort through. The short version: every collection shares the same understated aesthetic and is built to stand the test of time. Every case comes with:

• Whisper-quiet 360° spinner wheels
• Adjustable telescopic handle with four height settings
• A luxuriously soft, anti-microbial lining
• Vegan leather details
• Thoughtfully designed interior organization

What changes is the material, the frame, the colour options, and the features. The long version is below – we've laid it all out so you can find the right suitcase for how you actually travel.

Firstly, the size.

Before you even think about collections, know which size you need.

• Carry-On and Carry-On Pro – fits in the overhead bins of every airline worldwide. Best for 2–5 day trips. Packs 5–8 outfits.
• Carry-On Plus and Carry-On Pro Plus – slightly larger, fits in US airline bins and most international ones. Also 2–5 days, but with more breathing room for over-packers.
• Check-In Medium and Trunk Medium – for 7–18 day trips. 10–15 outfits. The sweet spot for most international travel.
• Check-In Large and Trunk Large – for 7–21 days, 15–20 outfits. For when you're gone a while, or you just like to have options.

All Monos luggage sizes

Classic Collection – The original.

Our first collection of hard-shell travel suitcases – and still our most versatile. Made from aerospace-grade polycarbonate with a TSA-approved lock and YKK reverse coil zippers, it's the right choice for anyone who wants a reliable, lightweight suitcase with maximum style and colour options.

Monos Classic Collection

Expandable Collection – Classic, with room to grow.

Same foundation as the Classic, but with a wraparound expandable zipper that adds 1.6" of depth – handy for last-minute items, souvenirs, and spontaneous finds along the way. Available in three sizes and four best-selling colours: Olive Green, Ocean Blue, Storm Grey, and Midnight Black.

Monos Expandable Carry-On

Hybrid Collection – Polycarbonate shell. Aluminum bones.

Hybrid cases have a polycarbonate shell with an aluminum zipperless frame, reinforced corner guards, and two TSA-approved latch locks. Available in five core colours with a rotation of limited-edition shades, the Hybrid is the perfect in-between if you can't choose between Classic and Aluminum.

Monos Hybrid Carry-On

 Aluminum Collection – The pinnacle.

Launched in 2025, the Aluminum Collection is our most elevated offering yet – and the only one in our lineup with a full aluminum shell. Anodized, electroplated, and finished with a refined brushed texture, it's designed to withstand the demands of travel and evolve with every journey. Inherent to the material, it develops a patina over time, making each suitcase entirely unique to its owner. Inside and out, every detail has been considered: a black quilted taffeta lining, soft-release side handle, and integrated luggage tag attachment set it apart from anything else we make.

Monos Aluminum Carry-On Plus

Travelling soon and not sure which suitcase is right for you? Drop your trip details in the comments and we'll help you figure it out.

How can I get Monos to answer customer support questions, even after multiple follow-up emails? Live chat goes straight to a bot and into a loop. We quickly got one email response asking for more information, but then radio silence.

I was so excited about buying this luggage as our retirement present to ourselves, and two pieces were damaged by the airline on the very first flight. I'm not even trying to get Monos to cover it, just to ask questions about whether this is normal and is there any way to fix it.

I guess I thought I'd get better support from a premium brand. But now I look at my luggage and want to cry, instead of being excited. And kind of wishing maybe we had bought from Away instead..?

Does anyone have the Arles blue or mulberry glossy luggage? Or has seen it in person? I would absolutely love the Arles blue color (or mulberry) in check in large but they both appear to be out of stock online so am debating on settling for the classic olive green. Anyone own both glossy and matte variations of monos luggage and have a preference/ advice on wear and tear?

I really love the look of glossy luggage but am torn because I’ve also heard that they look worn and get scratched very easily. I have an olive green carry on plus that I love and it has gotten some marks and scratches from being checked in gate-side , and I don’t really mind. For check in luggage, I know they can get really banged up though. Do their luggage covers protect the surface for the most part? I’d like to take the plunge and get a glossy large check in and a glossy carry on pro plus set - maybe a cover will help?

Appreciate any opinions/feedback.

Hello everyone,

I made an account on the Monos site, and I have received the Welcome email, but not the new member 10% discount. Any insight to when/if it will appear is welcome!

When can we expect a restock of the Aluminum Carry On Plus and Aluminum Trunk Large in Aspen Silver?

Hi! I made a color switch on my previous order and paid the difference. Does the Mulberry color scratch easily compared to other colors?

Hi - I'm thinking of getting a checked bag in the mulberry color but I'm a bit concerned with how easily it may scuff or damage due to the gloss. Has anyone purchased this color & can share their experience?

Thank you