Monos vs. Away: Which Luggage Brand Is Better? I Put Them Head to Head
Updated: May 21, 2024
Both brands have a big online reputation, so I found out which one lives up to the hype in the battle of Monos vs. Away.
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I’ll admit it—I’m a chronic overpacker. I spend hours haranguing over which of my 700 sweaters to bring on a week-long trip, only to settle on about twice the amount I need. So when my husband and I booked a trip to Japan this spring to attend a wedding, I knew I needed a bag that could handle my, ahem, overindulgences without being too bulky to lug across the five cities I’d be visiting during my stay. And, because I expected this luggage to be my go-to for future trips, too, it needed be durable and long-lasting. Oh, and did I mention fashionable?
Too many boxes to check? Not so. I ended up with two internet-famous brands that met all my requirements, but true to form, I didn’t want to choose in the battle of Monos vs. Away, so I brought them both. Here’s how they stood up to 10 days of international travel.
What’s the difference between Monos and Away?
On the surface, Monos and Away create almost identical luggage. Both feature sleek, modern hard-shell exteriors in unique (but still chic) colors with telescoping handles and spinner wheels. Both brands also make other travel products, such as backpacks and toiletry bags.
But if we’re being particular about the differences between the large luggage bags from each brand, here are my findings comparing the Monos Check-In Large and the Away Large Flex:
- Away
- Slightly shorter and wider
- Extra handle on the bottom
- More durable exterior shell
- Monos
- More interior compartments
- Better steering/stability
- Both bags
- Easily-programmable, Transportation Security Administration (TSA)-safe locks
- Excellently smooth wheels and handles
- Come with laundry bags, luggage tags and buffing sponges
- Could benefit from more space under the carry handles
All about Monos
My Monos bag came completely assembled in a linen storage bag, and included three extra pouches (two small shoe bags and one large laundry bag), a luggage tag and a buffing sponge for the exterior. As previously stated, I like to pack heavy, so I chose the Check-In Large option in the limited-edition terracotta color—a shade I hoped would stand out at baggage claim.
The standard double compartments of this zippered bag are bisected by a not-so-standard separator that adds three extra mesh pouches. It was a boon for keeping my formal wedding clothes protected from the rest of my things, but could have been dangerous when it came time to getting the bag closed—especially since this bag doesn’t have an extending zipper. Ultimately I didn’t have any trouble with 10 days’ worth of clothes, toiletries and souvenirs, but my bag sure was overweight when it came time to fly home!
So, how did it hold up during the trip? I’m happy to report that the Monos bag had no trouble rolling over carpet, cement, gravel, cobblestones or dirt, and it stayed in place well on the many trains I rode going from one Japanese city to another. Though it was heavy, I had no problems lifting it up and down stairs or into luggage compartments on public transit.
My one complaint has to do with the exterior. The matte finish on this bag scrapes very easily and takes some serious elbow grease to clean. Here’s what the bag looked like at the end of my trip, and after I spent a solid 15 minutes scrubbing it with the provided buffing sponge (and, when that disintegrated, a rag and cleaning solution). The scrapes did come out, but they took significantly more work to clean than the Away bag did.
Pros
- Tons of interior compartments
- Chic, unique color options
- Smooth-as-butter wheels
- Nice extras (luggage tag, cleaning sponge and laundry bags)
Cons
- Scratches easily and is difficult to clean
- No extender
- Clasps on separator are a little fiddly
Our favorite Monos products
VIA MERCHANT
Monos Check-In Large
The biggest bag Monos makes is also one of its best. With tons of interior pockets, spinner wheels and 11 color options to choose from, this is a bag anyone can fall in love with.
VIA MERCHANT
Monos Carry-On
For when you don't need a checked bag, reach for the Monos Carry-On. It has all the same perks of the brand in a smaller size!
VIA MERCHANT
Monos Weekender
Weather-resistant nylon, a separate shoe compartment and a laptop pouch make this weekender versatile enough for any type of quick trip.
All about Away
Like Monos, the Away Large Flex bag came assembled in a box with surprisingly little packaging (the only plastic was to cover the handles), which is a plus if you’re an eco-conscious shopper. I also appreciated that the QR code lock instructions were printed right on the cardboard that enclosed the luggage tag. The Away bag also came with all the same extras as Monos (luggage tag, laundry bags and a cleaning sponge).
This bag’s construction, however, is a bit more streamlined. In addition to the standard two large compartments and one small pouch for belts/accessories, the Away bag has only one extra pouch in the mesh separator. A nice feature here is that you can completely remove the separator if desired, though my husband chose to use it. Because of the depth of each large compartment, he found that he had extra space without using the compression straps (he’s also not the type of packer I am, but don’t worry—we used all the extra space for souvenirs).
In use, the Away bag rolls even more smoothly than Monos, but be sure to pack both sides of the bag evenly—it being slightly wider means uneven weight distribution can make steering a little wonky. Also, keep an eye on this bag wandering off if you take it on public transit—we had to grab it before it rolled away more than once.
When it came time to clean, this bag won the Away vs. Monos battle hands down. The before and after shots show just how little scratching the slightly grainier exterior of the Away Large Flex bag retained compared to the Monos equivalent. Though it’s lighter in color, its durability is unmatched.
Pros
- Zipper lock on top of suitcase (vs. side) is extra accessible
- Has zipper extender
- Extra handle on bottom of bag
- Separator is easy to unbuckle and/or remove
- Easy-to-clean exteriorÂ
Cons
- Button to reset zipper locks is tiny/requires a pen to press
- Few interior compartments
- Susceptible to rolling away—keep a hand on it!
Our favorite Away products
VIA MERCHANT
Away Large Flex
This durable check-in-size bag passed our international travel test with flying colors. Get it in your choice of 11 colors!
VIA MERCHANT
Away Bigger Carry-On
When you're packing lighter, choose this carry-on from Away. It features the same perks as the larger bag: 360-degree spinner wheels, a handle on the underside and an included laundry bag.
VIA MERCHANT
Away Quilted Everywhere Bag
A shoulder bag that's functional and stylish? Sign us up. This water-resistant weekender has a laptop compartment and trolley pass-through to make it convenient as your plane carry-on, too.
FAQ
Does Monos luggage scuff easily?
Simply put, yes, it does. While even the immediate post-trip marks I saw wouldn’t put me off this bag, if having a scratch-free bag in the long term is important to you, keeping your Monos bag clean will be a challenge. (Though in my experience, it’s not feasible for any bag that travels with you internationally to look brand new for long.)
Is Monos worth the hype?
This depends entirely on what you prioritize in your luggage, but from my testing, I would absolutely recommend the Monos Check-In Large to anyone looking for quality, stylish luggage.
Is Monos better than Béis?
We also asked ourselves this question! See our full Béis vs. Monos review for more info.
Which brand of luggage is the most durable?
I found that the Away Large Flex bag was more durable when it came to withstanding scrapes and smudges, but the Monos bag showed no sign of trouble in use—those wheels could handle any terrain, the handles were sturdy and my belongings were well protected under the exterior shell.
The bottom line
The answer to who wins the Monos vs. Away debate ultimately comes down to the inside vs. the outside of each bag. Personally, I prioritize lots of interior compartments, which puts Monos in the lead, but others might be more interested in the longevity of the hard shell, which gives the win to Away. I recommend either bag to travelers looking for quality luggage that’s big enough to fit an international trip’s worth of belongings without being too bulky to easily move around with.
Originally Published: May 21, 2024
