Which is Higher in 2023?

Should you’re in search of a brand new suitcase that’s sturdy, practical, and trendy, you’ve most likely come throughout these two baggage manufacturers: July and Monos. Each manufacturers supply glossy, feature-packed polycarbonate suitcases, however which is best?

My first baggage was a pair of low cost spinner suitcases that I used whereas residing overseas in Europe. They each broke inside just a few months. Now I’m much more picky about my suitcases, and Monos and July are two of my favourite manufacturers available on the market proper now. I’ve spent months digging into the small print to see how they evaluate.

July and Monos each make nice hardside baggage. Their designs look superb, are tremendous practical, are constructed to final, and compete immediately in worth. The distinction comes right down to the small print. Which model has higher options and group? Which is less complicated to make use of? Which suitcase will hold wanting good after years of journey?

I’ll dive into the small print on these two manufacturers and present how they evaluate for real-world use. Should you’re in search of the last word comparability between July and Monos, you’re in the correct place.

July Baggage Overview

July is an Aussie model that began in 2018 with the mission of bringing higher design and considering to the journey business. Their dedication to bettering the sturdiness and performance of their merchandise makes them among the finest baggage manufacturers on the market.

My favourite a part of the July model is that moderately than beginning with a preconceived thought of what makes the perfect suitcases, they started their design course of by studying hundreds of evaluations of current merchandise.

From their analysis they appeared for the commonest areas of grievance folks had with their baggage. They discovered the place different suitcases have been breaking and what options folks wanted most, after which they got down to create a suitcase to unravel the issues they discovered within the journey market.

The design of July baggage is a direct results of their customer-focused strategy. They discovered the areas that wanted enchancment and labored to repair them. That perspective additionally carries over to the remainder of their enterprise. July customer support, return coverage, and guarantee are among the greatest within the journey business. I like manufacturers that stand behind their merchandise with nice service and assist.

July Baggage Supplies & High quality

July builds all of their suitcases with a high-quality German polycarbonate onerous shell. This has change into the gold commonplace materials for hardside premium baggage as a result of it’s each light-weight and really sturdy.

The place July stands out from different luxurious manufacturers is that they add sturdy aluminum nook bumpers to their instances. These bumpers are seen on the skin of their commonplace suitcases, whereas their Carry-On Important and Carry-On Professional have hidden inner bumpers. Corners are the most probably a part of a suitcase to crack or dent, and this design provides a ton of power on this weak space.

I’ve by no means seen a Monos onerous shell crack, however theoretically, July’s aluminum corners ought to make them extra affect and damage-resistant. One draw back is that the anodized coating on the exterior bumpers can scuff or scratch, exhibiting some beauty put on over time.

Should you’re in search of light-weight baggage, it’s price noting that July additionally makes a dialed-back model of their commonplace carry-on. At beneath 4 lbs, it’s the lightest hardside carry-on on the planet!

July Baggage Design & Options

Functionally, July suitcases are easy and streamlined, however they’ve a number of nice options that make for simpler packing and journey.

Inside you’ll discover a big zippered divider on one facet and July’s Y-strap compression system on the opposite. With this method there’s a compression pad that you simply place over your packed clothes. You then buckle the beefy Y-shaped strap excessive and cinch it right down to compress all the pieces and hold it securely in place. The bonus is that the compression pad has a built-in zippered pocket.

General, I do want there have been extra pockets inside July suitcases. That’s one space the place Monos positively has the benefit.

You additionally get a sturdy adjustable deal with with 20 totally different stopping factors, so it’s straightforward to get it set to the proper top. This is a bonus over Monos suitcase, which received’t have as a lot adjustability.

Aesthetically, July baggage could be very minimal and understated—extra so than Monos. July suitcases are easy rectangles with rounded edges and a single molded-in line across the middle to interrupt up the profile. The one different notable stylistic element is the aluminum nook bumpers.

I personally love the easier look of July, although fashion is at all times a private desire.

July Baggage Execs and Cons

General, July baggage is admittedly spectacular. July suitcases look superb, are sturdy, and are actually well-designed. You’re right here to understand how July compares with Monos although, so we have to cowl the benefits and drawbacks.

These manufacturers are carefully matched, and there aren’t any overwhelming variations. It’s all going to be within the particulars right here. For instance, July carry-on suitcases include an ejectable battery financial institution to cost your telephone or laptop computer; you don’t get that with Monos. However, Monos has actually spectacular testing of their merchandise and superb construct high quality.

Listed below are the professionals and cons of July and the way it measures up towards Monos baggage:

For a extra in-depth look, try our full July baggage evaluation.

Monos Baggage Overview

Monos is a contemporary journey model based mostly in Vancouver Canada. Their complete enterprise mannequin is constructed on providing the identical high quality and options you see in luxurious suitcase manufacturers at a lower cost.

The factor that stands out most to me about Monos as a model is their obsession over high quality. They aren’t afraid to utterly redesign primary elements to make them higher and longer lasting. Monos luggage have improved handles, wheels, and shells which can be extra sturdy than different baggage choices.

Past simply designing their merchandise to be sturdy, Monos goes above and past with their rigorous high quality testing (possibly you possibly can name it baggage torture testing). They run their wheels for twenty miles on treadmills with jarring bumps, yank repeatedly on the baggage handles, drop loaded suitcases onto concrete, and tumble them round in a machine that appears like an enormous garments dryer. Significantly, these folks aren’t messing round.

What which means for you is that you simply get a suitcase that’s designed and examined to outlive all the pieces you may throw at it.

I additionally love that Monos is dedicated to sustainability and lowering their affect. They donate 1% of their income to environmental non-profits, and the are licensed local weather impartial, with web zero carbon emissions. Not solely are their merchandise well-made, however you can too be ok with shopping for them.

Monos Baggage Supplies & High quality

Like July, Monos baggage begins with a glossy polycarbonate shell. They don’t have the aluminum nook bumpers of July, however I’ve by no means seen a Monos suitcase crack or dent, even with some fairly heavy abuse.

The inside of Monos luggage is made with a 100% recycled rPET material that’s smooth to the contact and stain- and water resistant. You additionally get sturdy, snag-resistant YKK zippers throughout.

Monos designed their telescoping deal with to be higher than the rest available on the market. It’s made with aerospace-grade extruded aluminum tubing, and the upright telescoping tubes are positioned at a 45-degree angle, which suggests they’ll higher resist pulling and pushing forces. Should you’re coming from a less expensive suitcase, you’ll be blown away at how stiff and durable this deal with feels.

The standout aspect of Monos baggage construct high quality is the wheels. After they couldn’t discover 360-degree spinning wheels available on the market that met their top quality and sturdiness necessities, Monos designed their very own from the bottom up, with bigger wheels and stainless-steel ball bearings. I’m not an enormous fan of spinner wheels after destroying a number of on cobblestone streets in Europe, however these are among the solely ones I belief to final.

Monos Baggage Design & Options

The practical design of Monos baggage is similar to July total. For inner group, you will have a zippered divider on one facet and a compression pad system on the opposite facet. The compression is nearly equivalent to July. The one distinction is that there are two separate compression straps as an alternative of a giant Y-strap.

Monos does supply extra inside pockets of their suitcases, which is a win in my guide. The big mesh pocket and smaller hinge pocket offer you extra locations to place issues and assist hold your suitcase neat and arranged.

Each piece of Monos baggage, from the compact carry-on to their largest checked bag additionally comes with an odor-blocking laundry bag and two shoe luggage. It’s superior to see “bonus” options like this included.

Should you’re in search of essentially the most feature-packed Monos baggage, you’ll wish to try the Carry-On Professional. This glossy carry-on bag has a zippered outdoors pocket constructed into the shell. The entrance compartment hinges open and is loaded with small pockets and pouches for conserving necessities organized and simply accessible. The Monos Carry-On Professional even has a padded laptop computer sleeve with room for laptops as much as 16 inches.

The fashion of Monos suitcases could be very minimalist and trendy, with only a bit extra visible detailing than July. The very best half is that due to the high-quality supplies, Monos baggage will hold wanting good after years of use.

Monos Baggage Execs and Cons

Monos baggage is well-designed and well-built, so how does it evaluate to the competitors (on this case, July)? General, I’d say there are lots of benefits in Monos’ favor, together with the superior sturdiness. It’s not all win-win although, as there are some tradeoffs when choosing Monos as an alternative of July.

Listed below are the professionals and cons of Monos when in comparison with July:

For a extra in-depth look, try our full Monos baggage evaluation.

July vs. Monos: Which Ought to You Purchase?

There’s so much to love about each July and Monos, they usually have so much in widespread. Each manufacturers use polycarbonate shells, designed their very own spinner wheels, have wonderful group, and supply luxury-level high quality at attainable costs. Most of their merchandise compete head-to-head in relation to options and value.

So which is best?

You’re certain to be proud of a suitcase from both model, however in order for you the very best high quality and sturdiness, Monos baggage is the place it’s at. Their rigorous high quality testing and obsession over particulars is spectacular. Don’t get me fallacious, July instances are additionally very well-built, I simply assume Monos takes it to the subsequent degree.

If I have been to advocate a single product from both of those two suitcase manufacturers, it will be the Monos Carry-On Professional. Monos carry-on baggage is simply actually well-designed. With its zippered exterior pocket, clever design, and bomber development, this carry-on bag is likely one of the greatest available on the market.

There’s additionally a July Carry-On Professional; as an alternative of a zippered pocket, it has a detachable laptop computer sleeve. Whereas that is essentially the most revolutionary baggage I’ve seen for carrying a laptop computer, it’s costlier, much less protecting, and fewer versatile. If you need an exterior pocket, I’d stick to the Monos Carry-On Professional.

Whereas Monos excels at carry-on baggage, I believe it begins to make a bit extra sense to think about July in the event you’re looking for checked baggage. These sturdy aluminum nook bumpers can provide you some peace of thoughts when your baggage is being tossed round by gung-ho airline baggage handlers.

Ultimately, it comes down to private desire. Monos has among the most sturdy hardside suitcases on the market, however Should you just like the extra minimal, streamlined styling of July suitcases (I certain do), go for it. I don’t assume you’ll be disillusioned both means.

July vs. Monos FAQs