Monos vs Away
Let’s be honest: When was the last time you upgraded your family’s luggage? In most households, you’ll find cheaper bargains that were bought at the last minute right before a big trip. We’ll say it straight out: That’s not sustainable.
Instead of focusing on price and special offers, we should take a closer look at the features a single piece of luggage can offer. From sustainably sourced materials to improved packing methods and locks, luggage manufacturers have comprehensively revamped the design of standard luggage.
While there are a multitude of brands, this comparison between Monos and Away focuses on two of the top travel luggage brands in 2021.
We may not all be able to take the trips we’d hoped for just yet, but there’s nothing better than getting ready for your next vacation to avoid stress when it’s time to go!
About Monos
Monos is a brand that prioritizes simplicity above all else, with products designed to outlast the fads and trends that come and go in the travel industry. By focusing on craftsmanship and timeless design, Monos manages to keep prices lower than those of its competitors, making the brand an affordable option crafted from durable materials.
Although the actual product range is limited, the company adheres to a core style that applies to every bag category, with an emphasis on the benefits each bag offers customers in terms of lightweight design and hard-shell construction. In addition to bags, the brand’s “deep appreciation for the beauty of fleeting moments” has now expanded to its range of accessories and clothing.
About Away
Away was born out of a social mission and was founded with the goal of making a positive impact on the world around it. Through partnerships with various social initiatives addressing issues such as hunger, homelessness, sexual health, and much more, this brand makes a significant contribution to creating a better society for everyone.
When it comes to products, the company spares no effort to offer a durable collection of luggage and accessories, including both hard-shell and soft-shell suitcases. With a focus on sustainable sourcing and affordable prices, this brand is the top choice for a safe and smart way to explore the world.
What to Consider
Before you decide to make a purchase right away based on this comparison between Monos and Away, you should pause and consider the bigger picture. While both brands excel in simplicity and affordability, there’s more to luggage than just these two aspects. So what should you look for when buying, and how do the different brands stack up in each category?
Product Range
As for Monos, its product range actually consists of only 20 different items. Within this selection, the categories are divided into clothing, accessories, checked luggage, and carry-on luggage.
Away has expanded its product range since its initial launch, which was limited exclusively to luggage, but continues to focus solely on the travel industry. This means a collection of nearly 20 travel bags and an additional range of over 20 accessories for comfortable and casual travel.
Target Audience
It’s worth noting that both brands are actually aimed at the same market—travelers who want to save money without compromising on the quality of their luggage or travel accessories.
Materials and Durability
At Monos, durability is at the heart of the design; the collection consists exclusively of hard-shell suitcases made of polycarbonate. In addition to this robust material, the brand has redesigned the typical shape and angle of the suitcase handles to ensure a comfortable grip when navigating the streets.
Away enters the market with a durable design that offers slightly more detail on the exterior than the simple models from Monos. Both Away’s soft-sided and hard-sided models are designed to withstand the usual stresses and bumps of travel and keep all items inside secure even during the most severe turbulence.
Sustainability
Both brands are committed to creating high-quality products that withstand the rigors of time and travel, thereby preventing the creation of additional waste. In addition, both Monos and Away use recyclable materials to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing when sourcing fabrics and plastics.
Availability
Both brands offer reasonable prices, as they cut costs by eliminating middlemen from the process. With that in mind, Away products are available exclusively through the brand’s website, awaytravel.com, while Monos can be found both on monos.com and at Nordstrom.
These brands actually share some similarities when it comes to the key aspects to consider when shopping. It can be difficult to choose between brands that offer similar features and price points. So, in this comparison between Monos and Away, let’s look at specific products to see how things differ in detail.
Monos Carry-On vs Away The Carry-On Review
First, a quick look at the Monos Carry-On: This polycarbonate hard-shell suitcase is available in 8 colors and 2 limited-edition patterns. Equipped with 360-degree wheels that make traveling as easy as possible, the real highlight of this brand and this product is the handle.
The Monos handle can be adjusted to four different heights, offering a convenient range of options in case the family wants to lend it to others who might be a bit shorter than average.
In addition to these adjustment options, the ergonomic handle shape and the position of the adjustment knob are major selling points for this brand. Instead of following the trend of placing the adjustment knob on top, Monos has broken new ground by positioning the feature on the underside of the handle, allowing for easy adjustment at any time.
With its vegan leather accents and antimicrobial lining, this suitcase is all about comfort, easy access, and smooth navigation through the airport. As for the price, this model typically ranges around $280 but is currently available for $225.
As for Away’s “The Carry-On,” this suitcase, available in eight different colors, embodies extravagance through its minimalist design. Don’t worry, we’ll explain it to you.
This suitcase features a similar hard polycarbonate shell with an internal compartment system for laundry, as well as the (now almost standard) TSA-approved lock for a certain level of security.
The leather details (including a leather luggage tag—chic) contrast with the suitcase’s neutral colors and make its simple design stand out.
So what’s the highlight here? A built-in USB charger that lets travelers charge their devices on the go. We all know the feeling when the battery on your phone—which holds tickets, hotel information, and pretty much everything else for the trip—is slowly dying.
Away takes away those travel anxieties with this TSA-approved device, which provides an extra boost of energy at any time of day. Add to that the compression technology that ensures the suitcases offer more space while looking sleeker—this product, priced between $225 and $245, won us over.
Both suitcases offer plenty of space for carry-on luggage, but in this comparison between Monos and Away, Away wins out solely because of its battery performance. We all love having a backup, and what could be better than having it built right in?
Monos Metro Duffel vs Away The Everywhere Bag Review
That perfect weekend-away duffle needs its place in every home closet for last-minute trips or souvenirs. What better way to celebrate spontaneity than a possible shopping trip to find that perfect fit?
The Monos Metro Duffle rounds out the Metro collection and stands out with its elegant design and timeless appeal. Forget the latest trends—these models, made from nylon or vegan leather, make a lasting impression no matter the season. Modern, minimalist, and packed with storage space: this travel bag keeps your essentials safe and secure.
One cool feature of the Metro collection that we forgot to mention above (sorry) is that these bags come with a Metro Classic Kit that can be clicked onto any Monos Metro bag to create extra storage space. Perfect for toiletries, tickets, or even a book to read when boredom strikes—these small compartments attach effortlessly and can be easily swapped between products.
Not enough for you, you say? Add to that the felt-lined laptop compartment, the trolley sleeve, and the scratch-resistant coating—and this bag is practically indestructible. Perfect for slinging over your shoulder or packing on top of your luggage to lighten the load—at $205, this bag is a great addition to any trip.
Monos vs Away: Quality
Every case must undergo a quality inspection before it reaches the checkout. We can say that neither of these two options will disappoint in terms of quality. With rave reviews and the shared use of German and Japanese materials for their polycarbonate shells, these brands are pretty much neck and neck.
Monos is very transparent when it comes to materials, durability, and design. The brand’s major innovation was redesigning the handle and upgrading the standard zinc tubes to high-quality aluminum to ensure a firmer grip during turns and movements. In addition to repositioning the knob for a more natural grip and improved functionality, they’ve made it clear that their handles are the pride of the company.
As for the rest of the suitcase, the polycarbonate shells ensure the interior is protected from damage, and the wheels come from a Japanese manufacturer known for its quiet-rolling wheels.
Rounding out the premium features of these high-quality suitcases is the interior lining, which is not only soft and waterproof but also has antimicrobial properties to keep your belongings clean and hygienic even after hours of travel.
As for Away, this brand is all about top quality at affordable prices. Using many of the same techniques as Monos, these sturdy shells made of nylon and polycarbonate ensure a secure fit and offer solid protection against anything that might come into contact with the case.
This brand forgoes fancy extras and instead focuses on simple, high-quality materials. They’re known for withstanding pressure and constant wear and tear, and although their linings aren’t antimicrobial, they’re incredibly soft and help keep your clothes separate.
Ultimately, we have to go with Monos here, as they offer more standalone versions of the standard suitcase. That said, Away is known for top-notch quality, so they definitely don’t lack in sturdiness and durability.
Monos vs Away: Price & Value
Since affordability is a key focus for both brands, in this comparison between Monos and Away, we had to take a close look at the prices and value for money of both brands to see how they really stack up. Since both use similar materials and designs (we love understated brands with a timeless, minimalist look), it’s not too surprising that the prices are actually in a similar range.
We’d say these brands are evenly matched when it comes to value for money. While some products (like the travel bag and carry-on) are cheaper at Away, other products, such as the medium-sized checked bag, are slightly more expensive at Away than at Monos.
Instead of simply saying “this is better than that,” we’ll provide a few brief price comparisons to give readers a quick idea of what we’re dealing with here:
- Carry-On
- Monos – $225 (regular $280)
- Away – $225
- Medium Checked Luggage
- Monos – $290 (regular $363)
- Away – $395
- Large Checked Luggage
- Monos – $320 (regular $400)
- Away – $425
- Duffle Bag
- Monos – $205
- Away – $165
Monos vs Away: What Do Customers Think?
Don’t just take our word for it—we’re just as curious as you are about what these brands have to offer. To dig deeper into our research, we turned to online review platforms to find out how these companies actually stack up.
We’ll start with Monos, and we have to say: it’s looking promising so far. On its own website, the company is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars, based on nearly 3,000 customer reviews.
While this brand doesn’t have a huge number of reviews yet, coverage from Business Insider, Rolling Stone, Expert World Traveler, and other media outlets speaks to the popularity of these products.
Customers are raving about the solid craftsmanship and quality of these items, especially the detailed designs featuring zippers, pockets, and much more.
Speaking of pockets, the number of slots and spaces incorporated in these pieces is a major highlight for users as they provide easy packaging for any last-minute trip.
Don’t take our word for it though – check out a few of these top reviews:
- “Sturdy and reliable, chic look, significantly more packable space in the Pro Plus, a smart front pocket that doesn’t protrude when packed on both options.”
- “I can’t believe how many zippered compartments there are for various things. Everything is high quality.”
- “Feels very premium, with lots of minor touches that make the design feel very intentional, and lots of attention to detail throughout.”
Turning towards Away, this brand has garnered a lot of attention via social media with the millennial crowd.
This brand has already been featured in The New York Times, Insider, Business Insider, CNN, and other media outlets. While there is no overall rating for the website, the most popular models score 4.9 out of 5 stars based on over 3,200 reviews (for the “Carry-On” model) and 4.9 out of 5 stars based on over 1,260 reviews (for the “The Medium” model).
On TrustPilot, the rating is slightly lower at 3.7 out of 5 stars based on over 530 reviews, but the numbers speak for themselves when it comes to the high star ratings for individual models.
What customers love is quite simple: quality. From the handle to the wheels to the sturdy shell—this bag is all about solid craftsmanship and high-quality performance. In addition, the storage space, lining, and numerous pockets have made this brand a favorite among travelers.
“Solid, well constructed and high quality and a classy feel I have when using. From the interior organizational elements helping make packing simple to the outer components that make the difference during use.”
“It fits so much more than I thought it was going to and it’s just so damn cute! I got compliments on it everywhere, which made me feel awesome!”
“I fit so much in it, packing it like they showed how. The rollers are amazing, the quality fantastic! Love the battery availability!! Love my bag and cannot wait to get the whole set.”
Monos vs Away: Shipping & Returns
Okay, no one wants to make a purchase without knowing the key details—shipping and returns. So let’s take a look at what these brands have to offer.
When it comes to shipping at Monos, the brand’s offerings can be summarized in a few points:
- Products are shipped to the U.S. and Canada
- Delivery takes 7 to 9 days
- All standard shipping is free (express shipping costs depend on your location)
That’s basically all there is to say about shipping. As for returns, every purchased product comes with a 100-day return policy that offers a full refund. Customers simply need to send a quick email to customer service to initiate a return.
Important note: All returned products must be unused to be eligible for a refund. Refunds are not possible if there are even the slightest signs of use.
As for Away, this company has a bit more experience with shipping policies due to its four-year presence in the market. Regarding orders and delivery, the following applies:
- Products ship in Canada, the US, and Europe
- Free ground shipping on all orders to Canada and the US
- There are two levels of expedited shipping with flat rate costs dependent on the product
- Expedited Bags – $35
- Second Level Bags – $50
- Expedited Accessories – $15
- Second Level Accessories – $20
- Ground shipping will arrive within 1 to 5 days
Alongside their shipping features, Away also steps it up with returns. Starting the process with the Online Contact Form in a few simple clicks, each purchase has a 100-day trial. The trick here is that any product can be returned. This brand wants customers to go out, travel, and really try the product before deciding if it’s worth it.
If we look solely at the return policy, this comparison between Monos and Away would favor Away on this point. Setting aside this additional restriction on which items can be returned for a full refund, the encouragement to try out the luggage is certainly something to appreciate. Add international shipping and express options to the mix, and there’s no turning back.
Who Will You Shop With?
When it comes to making the final purchase decision, it’s always a tough choice. We’d love to say that it ultimately comes down to price, features, or quality, but the fact is that these brands are pretty much neck and neck in many key areas. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either of these two excellent options.
