Able Carry’s Daily Backpack: A Minimalist’s Dream
Product Review Summary
If you’re looking for a backpack that has a minimalist design but doesn’t sacrifice all the bells and whistles you expect from a commuter bag, then Able Carry’s Daily Backpack is the best solution for you. The 20L of storage and the protective tech pocket and 5 thoughtfully designed pockets make this backpack ideal for the modern remote worker.
Ratings
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★★★★★
The Daily Backpack comes in one size only and features 20L of storage and weighs 2.1 lbs. As soon as I slipped it on my back, I was surprised at the level of comfort. The backpack is designed with anchor straps and tapered panels to keep gear tucked away. I’ve had issues in the past with backpacks sagging as soon as I added my laptop, water bottle, etc. But that wasn’t the case here. The “anti-saggy bag” support straps keep the backpack looking consolidated and compact and the A-frame design ensures you’re kept cool with the proper ventilation (aka - no sweaty back).
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★★★★★
You have the option of choosing the X-Pac Fabric or Cordura 1000D Nylon. My Daily Backpack came in the X-Pac Fabric - something I personally haven’t seen in a product before. This fabric is water resistant (not waterproof) and comes with an extra layer of Durable Water Repellent (DWR) which can help protect your items from spills or brief periods of light rain. I took this backpack on a hike and (purposefully) got it dirty by setting it down on the ground from time to time to take a sip of water. As soon as I got back to my car, I was able to brush off all the dust and dirt in one simple wipe and it was back to looking brand new.
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★★★★★
This inside features five spacious storage options: a zippered lining pocket, an open lining pocket, a mesh zipped pocket, a front pocket with a key leash, and a top quick access pocket. I also appreciate the thoughtful laptop pocket which Able Carry calls the “Floating Tech Pocket.” The floating design means the tech pocket is lifted from the bottom panel and has extra padding. So if you accidentally drop your backpack, you know your laptop is safe and won’t hit the ground.
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★★★★☆
From the thoughtful organizational pockets to the durable fabric, I love the overall design of this bag. The only qualm I have about this bag is the lack of a water bottle pocket. In their lifestyle images online, I see people using the front diagonal pocket as a place to hold their water bottle or a carabiner that attaches their water bottle to the outside straps. But as someone who has ruined several laptops because of a leaking water bottle, I’m hesitant to ever place it inside. Whenever I plan on using this backpack while working, I’ll have to try the carabiner approach of attaching it to my bag - which is still a bit outside my comfort zone.
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★★★★★
Priced at $168 USD, it’s a bit pricier than other similar backpacks I’ve seen on the market. But what I think more than justifies the price is the A-frame design that leads to exceptional comfort, as well as the high-quality and durable materials. It’s clear Able Carry thought about everything when it comes to a commuter bag and I believe the price tag matches the thoughtful design with their overall good intentions.
Pros:
Made with high-quality, durable materials
Fabric is water resistant and has an extra layer of Durable Water Repellent (DWR)
5 spacious storage options (including a hidden interior pocket)
The laptop sleeve is lifted from the bottom panel and has extra padding.
Cons:
No exterior or interior water bottle pockets (you have the option of attaching water bottles via carabiner - but this isn’t ideal for me personally)
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Able Carry: What To Know About the Brand
Able Carry is a small Hong Kong-based brand that focuses on fit, comfort, organization, and quality materials. Their pieces are well-made and durable, and they strive to keep things clean and minimal with just enough detailing to give each bag character. Even though the brand is newer to the market, they’ve been making waves in a relatively saturated space with fresh ideas that are sure to appeal to professionals and explorers alike.
Able Carry Daily Backpack Review
I typically use my Lo & Sons Rowledge backpack during the week when I visit friends or head to the coworking space to work. But on certain weekdays when I’m feeling a bit more adventurous, I like to switch to something a little more durable and ‘outdoorsy’. That’s why I was so excited to test out Able Carry’s Daily Backpack to see if it lives up to the hype.
The following is a review of Able Carry’s Daily Backpack in X-Pac Black.
Unpacking and First Impressions
My Daily Backpack arrived quickly and was neatly packed in a branded box and wrapped in a fabric sleeve. On the inside of the box was text that listed the URL to the Setup Guide, which can be found here. I spent some time going through the videos and short instructions which walked through all the features of the bag. I thought I was impressed with the sophisticated packing, but after going through the Setup Guide, I was even more excited to wear my Daily. The videos showed how to adjust the straps to ensure maximum comfort and hidden features you may have not even noticed, like the .5 Pocket at the top which you can access by gripping the corners above each handle and flipping backward. As someone who likes to stash cash in case of an emergency, I appreciated this feature.
After unpacking and reviewing the Setup Guide, it’s clear Able Carry should be teaching all other brands a Master Class on how to onboard new customers. They definitely know their products and made me feel confident and knowledgeable about all the features of this backpack.
Sizing and Fit
The Daily Backpack comes in one size only and features 20L of storage and weighs 2.1 lbs. As soon as I slipped it on my back, I was surprised at the level of comfort. The backpack is designed with anchor straps and tapered panels to keep gear tucked away. I’ve had issues in the past with backpacks sagging as soon as I added my laptop, water bottle, etc. But that wasn’t the case here. The “anti-saggy bag” support straps keep the backpack looking consolidated and compact and the A-frame design ensures you’re kept cool with the proper ventilation (aka - no sweaty back).
I also appreciated the wide plush straps. They felt super comfy against my shoulders and after stress-testing them with a walk to and from my house to the coffee shop, the Daily still sat comfortably on my back, without digging into my shoulders or causing any discomfort. Overall, the fit and sizing scored well over an A+ for me.
Quality of Materials
You have the option of choosing the X-Pac Fabric or Cordura 1000D Nylon. My Daily Backpack came in the X-Pac Fabric - something I personally haven’t seen in a product before. This fabric is water resistant (not waterproof) and comes with an extra layer of Durable Water Repellent (DWR) which can help protect your items from spills or brief periods of light rain. I took this backpack on a hike and (purposefully) got it dirty by setting it down on the ground from time to time to take a sip of water. As soon as I got back to my car, I was able to brush off all the dust and dirt in one simple wipe and it was back to looking brand new.
From the durable fabric to the sturdy zippers and the padded straps, I can tell Able Carry didn’t skimp on materials. And what I love most is their 14-day trial. So even if you’re not entirely sold on the backpack when ordering, you’ve got 14-days to give it a test run to see if you love it as much as I do.
Storage Compartments
Sufficient storage is a biggie for me. No matter where I work or travel, I always seem to accumulate little things that I *need* with me at all times - whether it's my hand sanitizer, highlighter, or nail file. And I’m a bit particular about where I put these things. What I love about this backpack are all the available storage compartments. Even with how compact and minimalist this bag appears, I found there was space for everything I bring with me.
This inside features five spacious storage options: a zippered lining pocket, an open lining pocket, a mesh zipped pocket, a front pocket with a key leash, and a top quick access pocket. I also appreciate the thoughtful laptop pocket which Able Carry calls the “Floating Tech Pocket.” The floating design means the tech pocket is lifted from the bottom panel and has extra padding. So if you accidentally drop your backpack, you know your laptop is safe and won’t hit the ground.
Overall Design
From the thoughtful organizational pockets to the durable fabric, I love the overall design of this bag. I especially like the diagonal pocket in the front that makes it easy to access whenever you swing your backpack around and need to grab something quickly. The overall minimalist feel is especially appealing and looks sharp and clean.
The only qualm I have about this bag is the lack of a water bottle pocket. In their lifestyle images online, I see people using the front diagonal pocket as a place to hold their water bottle or a carabiner that attaches their water bottle to the outside straps. But as someone who has ruined several laptops because of a leaking water bottle, I’m hesitant to ever place it inside. Whenever I plan on using this backpack while working, I’ll have to try the carabiner approach of attaching it to my bag - which is still a bit outside my comfort zone.
Value for Money
Priced at $168 USD, it’s a bit pricier than other similar backpacks I’ve seen on the market. But what I think more than justifies the price is the A-frame design that leads to exceptional comfort, as well as the high-quality and durable materials. It’s clear Able Carry thought about everything when it comes to a commuter bag and I believe the price tag matches the thoughtful design with their overall good intentions.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a backpack that has a minimalist design but doesn’t sacrifice all the bells and whistles you expect from a commuter bag, then Able Carry’s Daily Backpack is the best solution for you. The 20L of storage and the protective tech pocket and 5 thoughtfully designed pockets make this backpack not only ideal for the modern remote worker but can also transition perfectly for outside adventure and exploration.