Great review! I adore Able Carry, for all the reasons you mentioned. I've bought a number of their bags, including the Daily and the Daily Plus, and there are a couple things I might mention, for anyone who likes the look and is considering either of these bags (which I highly recommend). First, some things to know about both bags: - One feature that is common to both bags is the excellent top carry handle. It's way more premium than many bags at this size/price, smooth and cushiony. I grab and carry my backpacks quite a bit by the top handle, and while this might be a small thing for some, it's one of the reasons the Daily Plus is my personal favorite EDC. - While 20L/21L (that's the Daily Plus size) is on the smaller side for some, one of my favorite things about Able Carry (and Clint touched on this in his review of the bag's polish and structure) is that you can pack it out completely and it won't lose its shape or bulge awkwardly. I've had my Daily Plus packed out for a full weekend trip (computer, iPad, Kindle, Switch, a couple changes of clothes, toiletry pouch, tech pouch, packable jacket, other assorted bits and pieces), if it zips, it'll look good and carry well. - As Clint says, the pocket that runs under the back panel is definitely tight. It feels like it's more a place to stash flat, sensitive items like your wallet or passport more safely against your back. This is very much not a top stash pocket for things like sunglasses like you get on bags from Aer, Bellroy, Evergoods, etc - these bags do not have that sort of pocket. One of my only minor complaints about the Daily/Daily Plus. - While Able Carry's black fabrics are gorgeous, this is one company where I'd 100% recommend going with a color other than black, if you're moved to do so. Their green and blue fabrics are really beautiful and unusual while still keeping things professional and polished. Some advantages you get with the Daily Plus over this bag: - While, as Clint says, Able Carry is more on the minimal end of the spectrum in terms of organization, and their pockets aren't cavernous like you get on, say, an Evergoods pack, I do think the organization is thoughtful. But if you want just a touch more organization than you're seeing in the Daily, the Daily Plus might give you what you need. The tech area has really stretchy pockets so you can store multiple laptops/iPads at the same time, or even store bulkier things like chargers, which makes it a bit more functional than what you see in the Daily. Also, the front slash pocket has a couple pockets inside it on the Plus, which makes it work better as a quick-access pocket for small items, since they won't all fall to the bottom of the pocket. For this pocket on the Daily, I'd recommend sticking a flatter pouch in it for organization (something like the Evergoods CAP1 would be perfect), or use it for something like a winter hat or packable jacket/raincoat (it has a lot of room, and won't look bulky with stuff like this in it). - The Daily Plus adds an internal water bottle pocket that is accessed through an exterior zipper. This is why the Daily Plus is 21L while the Daily is 20L - they increase the size of the bag just a touch to give you a 1L water bottle pocket while not taking any room away from the main compartment. I love this pocket, personally - while it pushes into the storage in the main area, that can be mitigated with smart packing around it, and the cool thing about an internal dedicated water bottle pocket is that you can use it for things other than a water bottle. It's a massive pocket - it can swallow huge bottles, or store other larger cylindrical items, and would also work great as a quick-access pocket for a phone or other things of that size if you don't carry a water bottle. - The Daily Plus comes in Xpac, rather than the 1000D Cordura - a bit more weather-resistance, if that's your thing. So, why might you go with the Daily, when the Plus has all those upgrades? - Let's get this out of the way: the Daily Plus is $200, definitely on the expensive side for a 21L bag, while the Daily is $138, which I think is actually really nicely priced for a bag this well made and versatile. - You might not need the additional organization the Daily Plus offers, and/or you don't often carry a water bottle. The extra organization in the Plus is nice, but it's not like you're suddenly in Aer territory with the pockets. It's more a refinement of organization than a whole different bag. - The 1000D Cordura on the Daily might fit in a bit better in certain work situations than the Xpac. I think both look very nice and professional, but the Xpac can look a bit rugged/quirky for some. Anyway, just a few thoughts for anyone considering this bag or the Daily Plus. Again, great review, Clint, and I look forward to your Max review!
Interesting you mentioned the ‘ fairly wide ‘ distance between straps on top of the backpack. The space on the daybreaker is actually quite short I find,compared to most backpacks. For my body type it actually is a great match and feels really comfortable. I never had any pains with the daybreaker on my back/shoulder after long hours of wearing, which I often have with many other quality backpacks, unfortunately. I think this is a thing to really look at , for the comfort of backpacks and not many reviewers talk about this
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Great review! I adore Able Carry, for all the reasons you mentioned. I've bought a number of their bags, including the Daily and the Daily Plus, and there are a couple things I might mention, for anyone who likes the look and is considering either of these bags (which I highly recommend).
First, some things to know about both bags:
- One feature that is common to both bags is the excellent top carry handle. It's way more premium than many bags at this size/price, smooth and cushiony. I grab and carry my backpacks quite a bit by the top handle, and while this might be a small thing for some, it's one of the reasons the Daily Plus is my personal favorite EDC.
- While 20L/21L (that's the Daily Plus size) is on the smaller side for some, one of my favorite things about Able Carry (and Clint touched on this in his review of the bag's polish and structure) is that you can pack it out completely and it won't lose its shape or bulge awkwardly. I've had my Daily Plus packed out for a full weekend trip (computer, iPad, Kindle, Switch, a couple changes of clothes, toiletry pouch, tech pouch, packable jacket, other assorted bits and pieces), if it zips, it'll look good and carry well.
- As Clint says, the pocket that runs under the back panel is definitely tight. It feels like it's more a place to stash flat, sensitive items like your wallet or passport more safely against your back. This is very much not a top stash pocket for things like sunglasses like you get on bags from Aer, Bellroy, Evergoods, etc - these bags do not have that sort of pocket. One of my only minor complaints about the Daily/Daily Plus.
- While Able Carry's black fabrics are gorgeous, this is one company where I'd 100% recommend going with a color other than black, if you're moved to do so. Their green and blue fabrics are really beautiful and unusual while still keeping things professional and polished.
Some advantages you get with the Daily Plus over this bag:
- While, as Clint says, Able Carry is more on the minimal end of the spectrum in terms of organization, and their pockets aren't cavernous like you get on, say, an Evergoods pack, I do think the organization is thoughtful. But if you want just a touch more organization than you're seeing in the Daily, the Daily Plus might give you what you need. The tech area has really stretchy pockets so you can store multiple laptops/iPads at the same time, or even store bulkier things like chargers, which makes it a bit more functional than what you see in the Daily. Also, the front slash pocket has a couple pockets inside it on the Plus, which makes it work better as a quick-access pocket for small items, since they won't all fall to the bottom of the pocket. For this pocket on the Daily, I'd recommend sticking a flatter pouch in it for organization (something like the Evergoods CAP1 would be perfect), or use it for something like a winter hat or packable jacket/raincoat (it has a lot of room, and won't look bulky with stuff like this in it).
- The Daily Plus adds an internal water bottle pocket that is accessed through an exterior zipper. This is why the Daily Plus is 21L while the Daily is 20L - they increase the size of the bag just a touch to give you a 1L water bottle pocket while not taking any room away from the main compartment. I love this pocket, personally - while it pushes into the storage in the main area, that can be mitigated with smart packing around it, and the cool thing about an internal dedicated water bottle pocket is that you can use it for things other than a water bottle. It's a massive pocket - it can swallow huge bottles, or store other larger cylindrical items, and would also work great as a quick-access pocket for a phone or other things of that size if you don't carry a water bottle.
- The Daily Plus comes in Xpac, rather than the 1000D Cordura - a bit more weather-resistance, if that's your thing.
So, why might you go with the Daily, when the Plus has all those upgrades?
- Let's get this out of the way: the Daily Plus is $200, definitely on the expensive side for a 21L bag, while the Daily is $138, which I think is actually really nicely priced for a bag this well made and versatile.
- You might not need the additional organization the Daily Plus offers, and/or you don't often carry a water bottle. The extra organization in the Plus is nice, but it's not like you're suddenly in Aer territory with the pockets. It's more a refinement of organization than a whole different bag.
- The 1000D Cordura on the Daily might fit in a bit better in certain work situations than the Xpac. I think both look very nice and professional, but the Xpac can look a bit rugged/quirky for some.
Anyway, just a few thoughts for anyone considering this bag or the Daily Plus. Again, great review, Clint, and I look forward to your Max review!
This is great info! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
I'm really intrigued to see your reviews for the other bags , the 13 is calling my name
please review the plus one too! and compare it to this one, cheers!
Interesting you mentioned the ‘ fairly wide ‘ distance between straps on top of the backpack. The space on the daybreaker is actually quite short I find,compared to most backpacks. For my body type it actually is a great match and feels really comfortable. I never had any pains with the daybreaker on my back/shoulder after long hours of wearing, which I often have with many other quality backpacks, unfortunately. I think this is a thing to really look at , for the comfort of backpacks and not many reviewers talk about this
*CLAP!* "BOOM!!!" Great review!
The max is one of my 🐐