Review: How the Chic Monos Metro Backpack Won an Outdoorsy Traveler's Approval

What is the Monos Metro Backpack?

The Metro Backpack is a chic, mid-sized backpack with a clean, professional silhouette and a decent amount of built-in organization. That includes a padded laptop pocket for laptops up to 15 inches, a hidden back pocket, and a few internal pockets for smaller items like pens, earbuds, or a phone charger. It also comes with a detachable front pocket called the “Classic Kit.” It’s part of the brand’s modular system, allowing it to clip to other bags in the system. The Classic Kit is essentially an extra pouch for items you want within easy reach.

In my testing, I decided to upgrade by adding the Folio Kit. It’s more like a tech kit, with pockets for an e-reader or small tablet, thin slots for cards and documents, a keyring loop, and some other features to help small items stay organized.

The Metro Backpack weighs 2.68 pounds for the nylon version, or 3.10 pounds for the vegan leather version. It’s roughly 16.5 inches x 11.2 inches x 6 inches wide, making it much smaller and easier to stash under a seat than larger bags. It has a capacity of about 14 liters, giving it roughly one-third of the capacity of larger travel backpacks intended to serve as luggage replacements, like the Tortuga Travel Backpack.

The Classic Kit is 6.6 inches x 8.9 inches by 1.9 inches, while the Folio Kit is 7 x 9 x 1.5 inches wide.

Comfort: Better than expected

While some online reviews have questioned the bag’s comfort, I found it quite comfortable to carry through airports and in train terminals. Given the small capacity and relatively light weight, it just doesn’t weigh that much when it’s full, at least for anyone used to hauling a much larger bag on their back. While there’s no hip or sternum strap, it never felt like I needed one. I found the straps to be adequately padded and didn’t notice any shoulder pain, and since the structured bag holds its shape well, it doesn’t slouch or shift when you’re on the move. Overpack it or underpack it — the way it sits on your back will remain the same.

Design: Simple and durable

The Metro Backpack comes in two main finishes: premium nylon twill with ultra-microfibre vegan leather accents, or a vegan leather exterior. Monos says both finishes are water- and scratch-resistant and so far, they seem to be. I chose the nylon version in Juniper Green, and water did indeed bead up on the exterior. I’ve only used it on a few trips, but haven’t noticed any scratches, and both the backpack and the detachable kits come with storage bags to protect them against scuffs in your closet.

In real-world terms, the Metro reads “smart” rather than “technical.” It looks appropriate in an office, on a plane, or at a hotel lobby, without outdoor-ready additions like webbing or external straps. It’s a much more minimalist look, and combined with its smaller size, reads more like a fashion-forward commuter backpack than a piece of carry-on luggage.

Organization and layout: Smart, but not overdone

This is where the Metro Backpack earns its keep. While it is a minimalist design, it does have some useful features that help make the case for it being a well-organized carry-on bag. That includes a laptop compartment (up to 15 inches), a hidden back pocket for items like a phone or passport, an interior divider with soft lining on one side, and smaller interior pockets. The zipper opens fairly wide (about 75 percent of the way down on both sides), making access easy, even when it’s fairly full.

The one item it doesn’t have? An external water bottle holder. Granted, this would absolutely take away from the minimalist look, so it’s an understandable design choice. But I did find it slightly inconvenient to store my water bottle in the backpack, especially when I wanted to quickly pull it out on planes with dry, circulated air.

Worth pointing out: the Metro Backpack does have a zippered interior pocket lined with a waterproof fabric. It’s meant to be used to keep gym clothes or wet items separate from everything else in your bag. Though I didn’t make use of it, I could see where it would be helpful, especially if you have something like a wet rain jacket or umbrella.

The QuickSnap Modular System

The Metro Backpack ships with the Metro Classic Kit, a detachable front pouch that connects via Monos’ QuickSnap modular system. It includes four different bags and four different attachable kits.

In practice, the modular idea is strong: detach the kit when you want your essentials at your seat, or swap kits depending on the day. It’s undeniably convenient to have a small external pocket, as the Metro Backpack otherwise lacks for one. In practice, the system works fairly well, though it can be a little stiff and finicky at first with trying to slide the strap and clip on and off.

My only gripe with the system is that it would be incredibly convenient if the Folio Kit or the Classic Kit had a way to connect it to a strap, allowing it to be used as a small crossbody bag when not on the backpack. When I took this backpack on a trip to New York City, I had to pack a separate small purse for day use. It would have been a heck of a lot better if I could have just unsnapped the kit and had a bag ready to go. You actually can buy a kit that doubles as a small hip bag —  but why not just have every kit come with this option?

The Verdict

• The good: Stylish, waterproof, interior organization, mix-and-match modular system, from a certified B-corp
• The not-as-good: No water bottle holder, external kits don’t double as stand-alone bags, only a two-year warranty

The Monos Metro Backpack is a strong pick for commuters and travelers who don’t mind a smaller sized backpack. If it’s more important to have a clean look and polished profile than it is to maximize space, consider trying one out. The modular QuickSnap system is genuinely useful once you get the hang of it, and the internal compartments are helpful, especially if you often travel with tech items. Overall, it’s an excellent alternative to a more business-focused bag from a traditional brand, looks less old-school than a briefcase, and is a far more convenient hands-free alternative to a tote bag. It’s also often on sale, though you’re still likely looking at close to $200 when you factor in shipping and taxes.

Monos Metro Backpack alternatives

While the only way to get a backpack that looks extremely similar to the Monos Metro Backpack at a lower price is to roll the dice with a copycat version off Amazon, there are many reputable brands making their own versions of smaller, modern backpacks that don’t make you look like you’re on your way to the trailhead.

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• Kaslo Tech Travel Pack from Herschel: $150, comparable in size and design, with an external water bottle holder (albeit a small one). Similar inside organization, plus a sternum strap to help balance weight on your back.
• Raven 28 Pack from Fjallraven: $150, skewing a little more outdoorsy but still minimalist, with several exterior pockets and a more flexible shape, accommodating laptops up to 15 inches and weighing just over two pounds.
• Subterra 2 Hybrid Travel Bag from Thule: At $169, it’s a work-ready backpack with the option to carry as a briefcase, with waterproofing equal to the Monos Metro Backpack and a slick, shell-style design. Can be expanded for use as a small piece of luggage or used as a slim-profile laptop bag.
• Base Camp Voyager Daypack from the North Face: $150, and probably the most comparable in design with a square shape and a waterproof, slightly slick outer fabric. Comparable interior organization pockets, a few external organization pockets, and padded straps in case you do need to use it as a hiking bag in a pinch.
• Arcane Roll-Top Pack from Osprey: At $55+, it’s the most affordable alternative. While it lacks the minimalist square shape of the Metro Backpack, the roll-top design keeps it modern and stylized, while clean lines make it office-ready. Minimal interior organization — just a simple, everyday backpack for commuting or quick travel.