In need of some robust versatile luggage? Then check out this Snugpak Roller Kitmonster 120L review.
Like most people, I know the British brand Snugpak from their sleeping bags. Having owned a couple over the years I have found them to be reliable, well made and long lasting. However, Snugpak also make luggage, outdoor clothing, tents and other gear.
So when I was looking for a large wheelie bag to use as robust versatile luggage I checked out their website. They have a few different wheelie bags, including a 35 litre carry on, a 65 litre mid-sized bag and the 120 litre luggage that I tested.
Snugpak Roller Kitmonster 120L review
At the top end in terms of size is the second generation 120 litre Roller Kitmonster. Costing £129.95 it is a pricey bit of kit, but you get high quality, robust versatile luggage. It comes in black, olive green or bright red.
I tested the Kitmonster on a road trip in the French Pyrenees. This included walking 2 km with the bag from my house to the train station via a big hill. This was followed by a train journey to Gatwick Airport where I checked the bag into the hold.
Once in France we hired a car and the Kitmonster was chucked in the back. Then at two different hotels it was taken back and forth to the room in and out of the car etc. Then I did the flight, train and walk again all in reverse. For a five day trip I feel I put the bag through its paces and used most of the features.
Transporting the Kitmonster
For me the most important thing about luggage is how well it transports from one place to another. I am looking for a versatile bag that will handle different situations. The versatility of the Kitmonster comes from the various ways you can transport it.
With two robust wheels it has mostly been used by me as a wheelie bag. The wheels are big and strong enough to bump up and down curbs without a problem, and unlike some suitcases it pulls easily in a nice straight line.
The lightweight but strong aluminium handle is height adjustable. It feels robust and does not flex like with some cheaper suitcases. There are only two settings and being short I found myself using the lower one most of the time. But when going uphill the extended handle was useful and kept the Kitmonster from banging my heals when walking.
There are two traditional holdall style handles which are perfect for grabbing the bag when you need to go up or down stairs, or get on and off a train. There are also handles on either end to pull it out of a car boot etc that I found to be very useful during this Snugpak Roller Kitmonster 120L review.
But where the real versatility comes in is with removable rucksack straps. I did not need to use them on this trip, however I tested them out with a fully packed bag at home.
Being well padded and adjustable they are surprisingly comfortable. However, you would not want to walk long distances as the large luggage feels quite unwieldy on your back compared to a dedicated backpack.
Although there was no use for them on this trip, using it as a rucksack would be very useful on uneven ground, snow or sand. It makes the Kitmonster very versatile luggage, that could be used for anything from camping to backpacker travelling and lugging gear to and from a beach or to ski accommodation across snow.
Environmental protection and robustness
Next on my requirement list for this review of Snugpak Roller Kitmonster 120L is to keep the elements at bay. There is nothing worse then arriving at your destination to find all your gear is wet (okay so bag getting lost is worse!).
Fortunately, the Roller Kitmonster uses tough weather resistant tarpaulin fabric. Water just beads off it – I got to test this on my way home as I was caught in a heavy downpour. And all my gear stayed dry during this Snugpak Roller Kitmonster 120L review.
One point to note is the zips are not waterproof. They have flaps covering them so rain is unlikely to get through. But this does mean that you can’t submerge the bag.
The material is also very strong. I don’t think you could snag it on a bush if you tried. So going through airport luggage, being chucked in and out of cars is not going to affect it at all. Overall if you are looking for robust versatile luggage, the Snugpak Roller Kitmonster 120 is a great choice.
Size and pockets
120L is a big bag. I was away for five days and needed gear for hiking, mountain biking, canyoning, paragliding, rafting, climbing and smart clothing for the evenings. I ended up taking five different pairs of shoes – bike, hike, water shoes, trainers, and trekking sandals.
I easily fitted it all in. In fact there was loads of space left over, meaning I tested the compression straps which do a good job of reducing the overall volume of the bag. In terms of size, there would easily be enough room in this bag for two weeks of adventures.
On the last day we went rafting just before heading to the airport. So I tested the wet and dry pockets. There are actually two options.
Inside the bag there is a zipped off separate bag you can use for dirty or wet clothing. During this Snugpak Roller Kitmonster 120L review I used it for all my dirty clothes – having been hiking, mountain biking, canyoning and climbing there was plenty.
There is also also separate end pocket that does the same but is accessed from the outside. I found this very useful to put the wet gear after rafting. The good thing is these pockets are waterproof so the rest of your gear won’t get wet.
There is also a mesh pocket inside the lid, which i used for toiletries and chargers. Finally, there is a separate zipped pocket which is just the right size for travel documents.
Conclusion: Robust versatile luggage
The zips and material are very strong and don’t seem likely to break. Similarly the wheels, straps, handles etc are very well made and feel like they will last very well. Overall I feel like this bag could take a lot of punishment and not let you down.
The rucksack straps give the Kitmonster an extra element of versatility compared to similar luggage. Whilst the waterproof material means your gear will stay dry. Internally the different compartments mean you can keep wet, smelly or dirty clothes away from your clean stuff, which is very handy.
To conclude this Snugpak Roller Kitmonster 120L review, I’d say this is the best wheelie bag I have owned. It’s robust versatile luggage that I expect will be joining me on many adventures for years to come.
The RRP of the Snugpack Kitmonster 120L is £129.95. You can pick one up here: www.snugpak.com/roller-kitmonster-120-g2
