Monos vs. Away Luggage: Which Should You Buy in 2023?

So, you’ve decided to donate your old, cheap, hand-me-down luggage and get yourself a nice suitcase. If you’re in the market for modern, upscale luggage, odds are you’ve seen the names Monos and Away in your search. These two luggage brands are direct competitors, and both specialize in sleek, high-quality hardside suitcases.

But which one is better?

As someone who’s been traveling for more than a decade, I’ve had a lot of hands-on experience with both of these brands. I’ve spent multiple years using bags from each brand—all over the world—and comparing the nitty gritty details to learn their strengths and weaknesses.

There are a lot of similarities between Monos and Away. Both are startups founded in the last ten years. Both offer stylish hardside cases with polycarbonate shells. Both have grown loyal customer bases, especially among younger travelers.

The winner in this detailed comparison of Monos vs. Away Luggage is be the brand that offers the best quality, useability, and value. Below, I’ll dive into the details and break down where each brand excels. Ultimately, I’ll show you exactly where each brand stands out compared to the other.

Don’t like to read? Here’s the spoiler: just buy Monos.

Monos Luggage Review

Monos is a Vancouver-based luggage brand that was founded in 2018. Their mission is to provide products that help you focus less on your stuff and more on the (sometimes fleeting) experiences of travel. They believe in making simple, timeless luggage that is built to last rather than trendy, cheaply-made products that you’ll throw away in a year.

I can get behind that idea.

There are two other things that really impress me about Monos.

First is their emphasis on quality manufacturing and transparency about their process. Every company has some level of quality testing (at least they should), but I’ve rarely seen a brand make that public the way Monos does. Their quality testing is extensive (some might say torturous), and gives me a lot of confidence in their products.

Second is their dedication to sustainability. Monos donates 1% of their revenue to climate-related non-profits. They are also the first luggage brand to achieve net zero carbon emissions and become Climate Neutral Certified.

For more information, read our full Monos luggage review.

Monos Luggage Materials & Quality

As you’d expect from a brand that is dedicated to building high-quality, sustainable products, Monos luggage is really…