When I first received the Monos Hybrid carry-on, one of the things I was most excited about was the dual-lock closure that doesn't feature any fabric zipper gussets. I love that this design makes it super easy to wipe off after busy travel days—plus, the locks keep my items extra-secure, so I felt confident dropping it at the front desk of my hotel while I waited for check-in. Additionally, it was easy to maneuver and felt lightweight moving from the trunk of my car to the lobby. One more huge bonus of this carry-on is the built-in compression board, which really helped to contain my items, and I appreciated the extra pocket on it for added organization.
The only slight downside I found as a chronic over-packer is that it was a little harder to get fully closed than a traditional zipper design when I had it stuffed full—but I'm hoping this will encourage me to pack lighter in the future.
When it comes to the Metro tote, I was seriously impressed with how much I could fit in it, considering how easily it fits over my shoulder without weighing me down. As you can see in the second photo above, in addition to my laptop and chargers, I was also able to fit several pouches full of beauty products and tech accessories inside. I also have to mention that the shoulder straps still felt super comfortable even with the bag stuffed this full (something I've never experienced with other jam-packed travel totes). It's worth noting I haven't tried schlepping through an airport with it yet, but considering I can always slide it right on top of the Hybrid carry-on, I don't anticipate having any issues. For this one, I do wish it had the zippered top reached fully to the edges to keep small items from spilling out, but I know I'll get tons of use out of it anyways.
You've probably realized this already if you've made it this far, but I truly can't say enough good things about the functional (and still stylish!) designs of the Monos Hybrid carry-on and Metro tote—both of which come in plenty of colors to fit your aesthetic. I can see myself using these again and again for trips over the next few years, and if you also enjoy a good weekend getaway (because, honestly, who doesn't?), I'd suggest getting your hands on them before it's time to get packing.
