One thing I’ve learned on my travel adventures is that having the right suitcase can elevate your travel experience. There are many factors to consider when buying a suitcase to match your travel needs. Recently, I went through this process to replace bags I’ve used for more than 12 years and taken to over 30 countries. Here, I’ll share these factors and what led me to choose Monos Travel.
1. Durability
As a frequent traveller, it’s important to have a suitcase with resistant materials that can withstand rough airport handling. Some scratches will inevitably happen, but what matters is that your belongings are shielded. That’s why I have a strong preference for hard-shell cases made from polycarbonate with aluminium finishes. It’s also important to have reinforced corners and strong zippers. Lastly, choose suitcases made from waterproof or water-resistant materials to protect your belongings from unexpected showers, and include waterproof zippers.
2. Organisation
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Staying organised on the go is a game-changer. I realised that having a suitcase with two split compartments just makes it easier so you don’t have to ruffle around your clothes to find something. It’s also useful for keeping shoes, toiletries or used and unused clothes separate. Internal straps also keep the items secure when you’re moving around.
3. Mobility
Four wheels are an absolute must. This just makes navigating with your suitcase much easier. They help distribute the weight of the suitcase evenly when walking through the airport or when you arrive at your destination tired from the journey. Also, going through an aeroplane aisle with a two-wheeled suitcase can be cumbersome. I did this for years and always ended up lifting it to avoid accidentally bumping into other passengers. And don’t forget the handles, having one at the top and on the side is very important for you and staff lifting your suitcase to do with more support.
4. Airline requirements
This is the number one factor when choosing a carry-on model suitcase. When trying to travel light, the last thing you want to happen is getting to the airport to be told you have to pay additional fees because your luggage doesn’t fit their requirements. Navigating airline size and weight restrictions can be daunting because different airlines have unique size limits for carry-ons. But for most European airlines, a standard carry-on size is around 55 x 40 x 20 cm. However, it’s always worth checking the website of the airlines you travel often for updated information. Regarding, weight restrictions it also helps that the suitcase itself is made of light materials to not impact the total weight.
5. Warranty
When buying luggage, you’re making an investment that should last for years, so make sure you invest in a reputable brand. Check the warranty policy to see how you’d be supported with structural damages and replacing wheels, zippers or handles.
6. Security
Embedded locks will make it easier to safeguard your belongings, especially when your luggage is on hold or even when you leave it at storage facilities.
7. Style and colour
Yes, this is about aesthetics but if you’re going to have luggage for years to come it’s always nice to have a product that you like the style of. I also find it quite useful to have a suitcase that stands out a bit, as opposed to the standard black or grey. That makes it much more easily identifiable when you’re trying to spot it on the luggage belt. Recently, in a situation where I didn’t board because of overbooking and had check-in luggage, it was easier for the staff to identify it and bring it back to me because of its distinctive colour.
Finding my perfect suitcase
My recent quest to find the perfect suitcases for my travels led me to Monos. After carefully checking the product pages against my list of requirements, I chose the Monos Carry-on and the Monos Hybrid Check-In.
For my shorter travel, the Monos Carry-on Pro fits the part because of its smartly designed interiors with two split sections for organisation and padded sections with strips to keep things compact and organised. And to keep things handy or fit my laptop when I’m not carrying its bag, I also have an outside pocket. And for the trip to be a bit longer, the packing cubes allow me extra space for a few more outfits that can get compressed to fit neatly in the luggage.
As for the Monos Hybrid Check-In, this was truly a game changer. Imagine me travelling for 12 years and moving countries with a large suitcase that only had two wheels and no top handle! Why does it make a difference? When you’re pulling a suitcase through the airport on two wheels you really feel its weight and it tires you. Now, with the 360 wheels, the suitcase just glides through the floor so easily with minimal effort. And yes, having two handles on the suitcase makes a huge difference when you’re lifting it for the check-in scale, grabbing it for on the luggage belt, and not to say the looks I’d get from taxi drivers before.
When buying a suitcase, think about your travel style and requirements. This checklist should help you decide. After four months of travelling with Monos suitcases, I can confidently say it has (literally) lifted the weight off my shoulders and helped me organise my belongings more efficiently.
