T&C Tried & True: The Monos Carry-On Pro Plus Makes Traveling a Breeze

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Here at T&C, we pride ourselves on our discerning eye for quality. With Tried & True, our editors will give you an inside look at the pieces they simply cannot live without.

Last year I made a pact with myself: to get as many stamps as possible in my passport before it expires in 2032. The only problem is I don't enjoy traveling. Between deciding on what clothes to pack and what to leave out, the endless lines at the airport, the fact that I have to sit nervously in the air for hours at a 30,000-plus-foot altitude, and then having to wait at baggage claim for what feels like forever until my suitcase appears, the whole experience has always driven me absolutely bonkers. There is, however, one thing I've been doing that has helped make traveling a tad more seamless: only taking a carry-on suitcase with me so I can pop in and out of the airport more quickly.

Finding the right piece of luggage required tons of trial and error—some were too big, others were downright too small, and many were just too darn heavy for my puny little arms to lift into the overhead compartment. But about eight months ago, I came across the Monos Carry-On Pro Plus, and it has quickly become my go-to travel companion for flying both domestically and internationally.

For starters, the sleekly-designed suitcase is an organized person's dream come true. Inside, you'll find a zippered panel that offers ample space for fitting tons of clothing, shoes, and toiletries, plus another generously-sized spot featuring a built-in compression pad that helps keep even more outfits compact and tightly in place. There are also big and mini zippered compartments for storing your smaller goods—I generally like to use those for my socks and undergarments. At the exterior, there's a padded compartment for storing your laptop and all your tech essentials, which I have found a total game-changer when I am traveling for work. Oh, and don't sleep on packing cubes! If you're an over-packer like I am, you should be able to fit everything you want with even more room to spare.

The design of the suitcase is something that also stood out to me. It's made of a polycarbonate shell that's not only absurdly sturdy, but also helps maintain the suitcase's shape no matter how much you pack inside, so you never have to worry about your bag being too big for the overhead compartment. I can't tell you how many times I've packed everything into a carry-on only for the TSA agents to tell me at the gate it's too big and it has to be checked—a major annoyance. Other standout details: the 360-degree spinner wheels that make lugging the case everywhere a breeze, its weightless construction, and the TSA-approved combination lock for ensuring all your belongings are safe.

The case comes in plenty of colors (I have it in olive green) and is even available in larger sizes for checking in. I will say it does mark up a tad easily, but that's easy to clean—just use an eraser sponge. And besides, what's a tried-and-true suitcase without a few scuffs? Personally, I think it adds charm and shows that this bag has seen some places. Indeed, mine has: so far it's gone to Charleston, South Carolina, Sardinia, and across England—and I can't wait to see where else it goes with me next.

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