Luxury luggage is an investment. When choosing between top brands like Monos and Rimowa, you want to ensure you select the best option for your needs and budget. This comprehensive review compares these two premier luggage companies across critical categories so you can determine the right fit.
Overview of Monos and Rimowa
Monos
Founded in 2016, Monos is a Vancouver-based startup seeking to make luxury luggage more accessible to the masses. Their suitcases and bags fuse thoughtful design with durable, high-quality materials like aluminum, polycarbonate, and water-resistant nylon. With prices ranging from $150-$500, Monos targets budget-conscious yet style-savvy travelers.
Key Features:
- Sleek, modern aesthetic
- Use of eco-friendly and vegan materials
- Innovation features like a modular clip system, anti-microbial lining, silent spinner wheels, and more
- Mid-range pricing
- Direct-to-consumer model
Rimowa
In operation since 1898, Rimowa is one of the most established high-end luggage brands worldwide. The German company pioneered aluminum and polycarbonate suitcases, later adopted by the industry. While innovating construction, Rimowa retains its signature grooved case design across its product line. With prices from $700 to over $2000, the brand caters to jet-setting elite and status-conscious travelers.
Key Features:
- Iconic grooved case aesthetic
- Very high-end materials like aluminum, leather, and polycarbonate
- Patented Multiwheel spinner system
- Premium pricing reflecting luxury status
- Available globally through retail stores and online
Critical Comparison of Brands
Next, we’ll evaluate how Monos and Rimowa stack up across crucial decision factors for shoppers.
Product Range and Variety
Both Monos and Rimowa focus product lines on luggage, backpacks, and select accessories suited for travel. Monos offers 16 styles of suitcases, 6 backpacks, and a handful of add-ons like packing cubes and shoes bags. Rimowa sells 21 suitcase options, 3 backpacks, luggage covers and more.
For colors, Monos provides far more variety with 10 hues across most styles. Rimowa limits color choice to 2-4 sophisticated neutrals befitting the brand’s upscale identity.
Regarding sizes, Rimowa extends more choice for carry-ons and large check-in luggage, while Monos focuses on optimal sizes for shorter trips.
The takeaway: Rimowa edges out Monos regarding overall product variety at this stage as an established luxury brand. But Monos still impresses considering their newcomer status in just 5 years.
Design and Durability
Both brands build luggage to endure rugged global travel. Monos constructs its polycarbonate and aluminum shell cases reinforced by leather accents and water-resistant canvas. The cases stand on smooth spinner wheels promising 360 degree effortless glide.
Rimowa also relies on ultra-strong aluminum and polycarbonate structured into grooved cases. Their patented Multiwheel system similarly provides superior maneuverability.
For weathering scratches and dings, Rimowa offers protective cases not currently available from Monos.
Inside, both brands provide organizational components like straps, dividers and zippered lining pockets.
The takeaway: It’s a close match, but Rimowa prevails regarding resilient design and materials resisting wear. But Monos still achieves excellent durability that should satisfy most travelers.
Weight and Mobility
When lugging bags lengthy distances, weight becomes a crucial factor. Monos focuses explicitly on keeping their bags astonishingly light, with cases weighing 6.6 to 10 pounds. The use of aircraft-grade materials like polycarbonate and aluminum contributes majorly to the reduced weight.
Comparatively, Rimowa cases range from 7.3 to 15 pounds depending on size and materials. The brand‘s larger suitcases tend to rely on heavier aluminum.
For mobility, both brands optimize carrying comfort. Monos provides padded leather handles and shoulder straps. Rimowa integrates both a durable top handle and add-on shoulder straps on larger pieces.
The takeaway: Monos carries the advantage on lightweight construction ideal for condensed packing on shorter trips. Rimowa offers excellent mobility with well-designed handles and wheels but prioritizes durability over minimal pounds.
Sustainability
Eco-friendly travelers will appreciate Monos’ efforts towards sustainability. They utilize recycled aluminum, plant-based leather alternative, and recycled plastic where available. Packaging skips excess materials, using recycled cardboard and corn starch bags.
Rimowa has shared little publicly about environmentally friendly initiatives. As a luxury player, opulence takes priority over sustainability.
The takeaway: Monos leads decisively regarding adopting eco-conscious practices and materials wherever feasible.
Accessibility
When evaluating affordability and availability, significant differences emerge between these luggage makers.
As a direct-to-consumer digital brand, Monos focuses solely on online sales. Shoppers worldwide can order Monos luggage conveniently through their website for delivery to over 50 countries. Prices range from $150 to $500, targeting budget-minded yet stylish travelers.
In contrast, Rimowa sells exclusively through 100+ company-owned stores and select luxury retailers globally. Shoppers can expect to pay between $700 to over $2,000 for Rimowa luggage reflecting the high-end positioning.
For payment options, Monos offers installment payment plans missing from Rimowa.
The takeaway: Monos prevailed regarding convenient accessibility online and reasonable prices aided by payment plans. Rimowa offers worldwide retail availability but exclusively through luxury channels befitting their market niche.
Quality Reputation
Both brands enjoy stellar reputations for quality and satisfaction. Monos is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars averaged across 2000+ reviews on their website and Trustpilot. Many customers praise the thoughtful design details and premium feel.
Rimowa also garners outstanding feedback on retailer sites and review sites. The consensus identifies durability as the number one asset, combined with a glamorous aesthetic. Some counter that the steep price exceeds the functional value.
When problems emerge, Monos provides a 100-day trial period for returns. Rimowa offers limited warranty service.
The takeaway: Both deliver exceptional quality luggage, but Rimowa edges out Monos based on century-old heritage and trust. Yet Monos comes astonishingly close considering their youth.
Which Brand Suits You Best?
With the comparative assessment complete, recommending the optimal brand depends on your travel style and priorities:
Select Monos If You Want:
- Reasonably priced luggage
- Lighter-weight construction
- Eco-conscious materials
- Direct online ordering
- Frequent new collections and colors
Select Rimowa If You Want:
- Established luxury brand cache
- Very durable and weather-resistant exterior
- Grooved aluminum case aesthetic
- Local retail availability
- Upgrade aesthetics signaling elite status
The Final Verdict
For shoppers balancing style and substance, Monos delivers outstanding luggage combining quality with a reasonable price point. The direct-to-consumer brand makes luxury travel gear accessible to more consumers.
But travelers craving heritage cache, premium materials, and design will gravitate towards Rimowa as a globally prestigious brand. Customers pay for exacting craftsmanship and a lifelong guarantee proven over 120 years.
Either way, travelers win with two remarkable brands pushing the boundaries of luggage innovation. Check both brands out to find your perfect travel partner for life.
