Relatively new to the travel space, the Monarc brand quickly caught our eye. Because one thing we need to do as travelers is be environmentally conscious and this is something the brand strives to do everyday.
In this review we share what we like and don’t like about the Monarc Travel Duffel Backpack. We think it’s a very unique product designed with the environment in mind.
Disclaimer: We received the Monarc Settra Duffel Backpack in order to share our opinion about this product but this is not a sponsored post. We only feature products we already own or have used ourselves.
Monarc Brand Overview
Created in 2020, the Monarc brand was built on sustainability. The founders, Nate and Jesse became inspired to help solve the plastic problem after working in Asia. Having witnessed first hand the negative impacts of irresponsible manufacturing, they set out on a mission to do better by minimizing waste created from making new products.
This mission is what originally attracted us to Monarc in the first place. Having spent several days helping clean beaches during our travels in Koh Lipe, we’ve also witnessed the devastation of plastic on the environment. After cleaning up the beach, the locals told us it would be covered again in just a few days. It’s an experience that has truly impacted our decisions to this day.
In partnership with rePurpose Global, Monarc is continually working to be a plastic negative company. This means they remove twice as much plastic from nature compared to what’s used in their products. Not many companies can do this and it’s an impressive statistic. So it’s important to know your purchase with Monarc goes father than the average transaction.
Our review will feature the Duffel Backpack which is currently Monarc’s flagship product, but you can visit the official website to see other popular products. And when you shop, look to see how many plastic bottles each item was made with.
Duffel Backpack Highlights
When we first received the Monarc Settra Duffel, we were impressed with how durable and strong the materials on the bag seemed to be. Since we’re always on the move, it’s important for us to use gear that can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
The bag is currently available in gray or black. We went for the gray colored bag since black is a very popular choice for travel bags and we try to avoid it. This way we can easily identify our items on the baggage carousel at the airport. Gray is also great at hiding dirt.
At a 40L capacity and weighing 4.5 lbs, this bag is on the heavier side, but that’s due to the quality materials. Here are the official stats:
- Dimensions: 24” x 13“ x 11”
- Shoe compartment: 15″ x 12″ x 8″ (holds up to US Men’s 20)
- Laptop pocket: 20″ x 11″ x 1″ (holds up to 17″ Laptop)
- Shoulder strap: 59″ long, 30″ short
- Backpack straps: 38″ long, 20″ short
Another thing we noticed right away was the thoughtful little pieces placed throughout the entire duffel. Monarc has really taken the time to think about what travelers need and it shows in this product. So in addition to the eco-friendly properties we already discussed, here are some of the best features of the Monarc Duffel:
1. Multi-Functional
What gives this duffel an edge over the competition is how easily it can be converted from a duffel bag into a backpack within seconds. But it doesn’t stop with there. You can technically carry this bag in four different ways with the shoulder strap (how we often use it), top handle, duffel carry handles (pictured above) and the backpack straps.
We like how easy it is to access the backpack straps. All you need to do is unzip the outer layer on the bottom of the duffel, remove the sternum and wrist straps then zip it back up so you can still access the straps. There is also a thick padded air mesh layer with molded ventilation streams to help minimize sweat when carrying the duffel as a backpack.
2. Carry On Size
Another great feature is the 40L capacity making this bag a TSA approved carry-on size. We used a 40L bag for most of our 18 month honeymoon around the world and love how easy it is to get around with just a carry on. While 40L won’t meet everyones needs, we think this is the perfect size for a quick weekend away or for storing everyday items.
The main compartment is lined with a strong nylon fabric known as ripstop and it has a large zippered pocket inside. There are two compartments on each side with a thin pocket in the front. We like the multiple pockets because you can access smaller items when on the go. The exterior zippers are also a stand out quality for us because you can easily tell they’re made from durable waterproof materials.
READ: Is the Osprey Farpoint 40L good for travel?
3. Shoe Compartment
Monarc truly thought of everything with this built in ventilated shoe compartment. It’s a great way to keep dirty shoes separated from your clean clothes in the same bag. Or it can be used for dirty laundry. This compartment will hold up to mens size 20 shoe and it has odor confinement properties.
For those who need more space, the entire shoe compartment is removable by a zipper closure so you can pack even more inside the main compartment. We typically take this compartment out so we can fill the main part of the bag for trips, but we appreciate the flexibility of this product.
4. High Quality Fabrics
Each Travel Duffel by Monarc is made from 50 recycled plastic bottles. For us, this was another stand out feature and as soon as we felt it, we knew this duffel was different from other bags. All plastic bottles sourced are certified by the global recycled standard. This has lead to a very strong and durable fabric that’s water-resistant making them ideal for travel which help to to keep your valuables safe from the elements.
5. 17″ Large Laptop Sleeve
Last but not least, let’s talk about the extremely large laptop sleeve in this Travel Duffel. Able to hold a 17″ laptop, this is one of the largest laptop sleeves we’ve seen on a bag. But that’s not all because you can also use this sleeve as a luggage passthrough to store the duffel on top of a suitcase when traveling.
READ: Are Level8 suitcases worth the price?
The Morgan Conclusion
What we like: We’d recommend you purchase a Monarc Travel Duffel for a few reasons. We love the multi-functionality between a duffel bag and a travel backpack. It’s made from 50 recycled bottles so it’s extremely eco-friendly and made from high quality materials. There are many storage compartments throughout the bag including an impressive 17″ computer sleeve.
What we don’t like: There may be a few reasons why Monarc might not be a good choice for you. We think the backpack style is good for short trips, but it’s not practical for long travel or hikes. The small 40L capacity might be restricting for some travelers, especially when the overall duffel bag weight is heavier than most competitors.
Is the Monarc Travel Duffel worth it? Overall, we love using our Monarc Duffel, but we only use it for short domestic trips. The quality of this bag is very easy to see and we’ve never had a problem after using it during several trips. But with a $200 price tag, this is an expensive option that might not fully meet your needs. We highly recommend you think about why you need a duffel bag and if you plan to only use it for short weekend trips away, the Monarc Travel Duffel is a great sustainable choice!
>> BUY: Official Monarc website
We like Monarc as a brand because they offer a 2 year warranty on all products. So if the product fails within 2 years of purchase, you can send it back for them to repair or they’ll send you a brand new bag. It’s also worth mentioning if you send back a previously used bag, Monarc will make sure no part of it ends up in the trash.
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Want more reviews? Head over to our Product and Tour Reviews section.
We hope our review featuring the Monarc Duffel helps with preparing for your next trip!
Please let us know if you have any questions about this brand or travel planning in the comments below.
Happy Packing,
Mark and Kristen
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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.
Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us.