I had been looking for new luggage for years. Until recently, I was still using my parents’ suitcases AKA soft fabric Air Canada suitcases that weighed a million pounds and really didn’t fit much in them. They were not cute, they were not functional, and they were just definitely not ideal for my travel adventures as a young adult. I knew that I wanted to convert to a hardside carry-on with spinner wheels (yes, about time) but I had the hardest time finding a suitcase that was both cute and had good reviews. It seemed every suitcase brand that I thought was cute and under $500 had the WORST reviews. There were countless horror stories of wheels falling off, the case cracking and the lock breaking after only one use. I didn’t want a piece of luggage that I had to baby in order for it not to fall apart. Afterall, it’s luggage. It going to take a beating no matter what.
But I came across Monos and it appeared this was the luggage brand of my dreams. It’s a Canadian company (1000 bonus points award right there alone) that really pride themselves on having the utmost quality in their product let alone also being a super beautiful suitcase. That’s exactly what I was looking for. Monos sourced the highest quality parts and material for every little detail of their luggage and it really shows. AND they don’t cost an arm and a leg. The suitcases range from $368CAD to $462CAD but are currently on sale for $246 to $347 with FREE 2-3 day shipping. It can’t get much better than that.
The Monos luggage comes in three different sizes: Carry-On (22” × 14” × 9”), Carry-On Plus (23″ × 15″ × 9.5″), and Check-In (30” × 21” × 11”). I went with the smallest size, the Carry-On in the Olive Green colour. Fun fact: I have always wanted a suitcase in an olive green color and they are surprisingly hard to find so I was a very happy gal to see that Monos had the most perfect one. The minimalistic design is made with German Makrolon polycarbonate which is a lightweight, aerospace-grade material that is nearly impossible to break. And I believe that. It feels so much more sturdy (yet still flexible) than any other hardside luggage I have tested. It’s handle is absolutely perfect with high-grade aluminum that is designed to fit at opposing 45° angles (reducing the lateral and torsional movement) and the handle release button is on the underside which makes it more ergonomic to use. I usually struggle with pulling out and locking handles (it seems they always get stuck) but throughout the entirety of my trip, I found it always pulled in and out smoothly.
And let’s talk about the wheels. I never realized how important luggage wheels are but man, what a difference I noticed in these ones. These are the Hinomoto Lisof Silent Run wheels. (You know a wheel is good when they have their own name). They are unrivalled in quietness, performance, and durability. They were so smooth. Even on the bumpiest of sidewalks. And they didn’t fall off. Huge bonus there. But let’s not forget about the inside of the suitcase. That matters too. The interior is draped in 350 denier polyester, a durable, waterproof, and anti-bacterial fabric. On the left side it features a large zipped compartment with a mesh pocket and on the right side it features a built-in compression pad (that allowed me too squish everything down and hold it all in place when I did a little too much shopping on my trip) with another zipped pocket on that. The accessories also include an antimicrobial laundry bag, two shoe bags, a vegan leather luggage tag as well as a little eraser sponge for getting rid of any scuffs on the shell. Yes, Monos really thought about everything.
What I Packed For San Fran:
I recently went on a six day trip to San Francisco and I absolutely hate checking my luggage (it always gets lost) so my stubborn self was determined to fit six days worth of clothes into a carry-on. Now, that might not seem like the hardest challenge but when you’re a fashion blogger who needs six different but also cute outfits to take OOTD photos in everyday, it’s gets a lil’ harder. And it gets even harder when you’re packing for San Francisco. Because if there’s any city that has the most unpredictable weather, it’s there. I needed layers, layers and yup, more layers. So this is what I managed to fit in my Monos Carry-On:
| Clothes | Miscellaneous | Toiletries |
| Mustard Yellow Blazer | Swimsuit | Foldable Hairbrush |
| Cream Knit Cardigan | Crossbody Purse | Toothbrush & Toothpaste |
| White Denim Jacket | Brown Leather Belt | Comb |
| Mustard Yellow Midi Shirt Dress | Cheetah Print Belt | Foreo |
| Orange Mini Dress | Cheetah Print Headband | Razor |
| Yellow Tank Top | Floral Print Headband | Makeup Brushes |
| Ripped Jeans | Ten (10) pairs of undies | Beauty Blender |
| Snakeskin Midi Skirt | Three (3) bras | Cotton Pads |
| Five (5) White T-Shirts | Ten (10) pairs of socks | Micellar Water |
| Lilac Hoodie | Flip Flops | Makeup |
| White Adidas Sneakers | Hair Straightener | Hair Ties |
| White Nike Sneakers | Pyjama Top & Pants | Plastic Headband |
| Black Romper | Four (4) Pairs of Earrings | Skincare |
That’s a ton of stuff, hey? Yeah, I don’t pack light, that’s for sure. And that list doesn’t include all of the things I bought while I was in San Francisco. I basically brought double that list back home. I don’t have a shopping problem, OKAY.
*ftc disclaimer: Luggage was gifted for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make When I’m Older possible!