Max EDC Desert Brown

This is ALMOST the bag that I've been waiting for! I've had my eye on the Max backpack for a while, but, at 30 liters, it was just a bit too big for a comfortable EDC bag. If only Able would make one around 24-26 liters... And, finally, they did! Only they removed some of the best features from the Max! Able, why would you remove the organization from the front pocket!? Worse yet, why would you make the zipper to the laptop compartment shorter, making access harder, AND remove the stretchy pocket that allow for carrying a laptop AND a tablet? The beauty of these organization options in the Max is that they lay flat; you can use them if you want, but they're also easy to ignore if you don't want to use them; I don't understand why Able would remove features with an update. I WANT to love this bag, but, alas, I'll have to look elsewhere or wait until Able combines the features of the Max and the EDC before I purchase.

I wrote in my MAX backpack review that "if able carry would make a 23-25L backpack that looks exactly like the Max I would definitely buy it and it would be the perfect EDC backpack for me." and this statement holds true! I got goosebumps when they announced it and I ordered it immediately when it came to stock. Been daily driving it ever since for work, sports, everyday whatever and even got the chance for a small weekend trip and wow this bag is the best. I was really close for getting an AER CPP backpack or the newly announced Alpaka Metro backpack pro and was getting bummed out of not having the luxury of the A-frame but Able Carry came in with the clutch and actually dropped the backpack that I needed. If I had to say something bad about the pack, personally for me I was not happy that they changed the front compartment to a duffle style and removed the pockets and organization from it since for me that was what I used the most everyday on the go and I loved it. I mean they could have done the duffle style and leave the organization pockets imo. But as much as I loved the organization I can live without it and still overall the backpack is amazing if you want a top quality backpack for every purpose. Thank you Able Carry!

I own (and adore) a couple Able Carry backpacks, with the Daily Plus not only being my favorite, but also on a very short list of my favorite backpacks ever. I had my eye on picking up a Max, but hadn't yet pulled the trigger - partly because I already have another travel backpack around that general size, and partly because I'm not doing quite as much one-bag travel with a backpack these days. But I'm always in the market for a new bag to spice up my EDC, and so when they announced the Max EDC, I immediately pre-ordered. My hope was that it might be able to flex nicely between EDC and short travel, but at minimum I was hoping that it might be a great EDC bag for when I want to use an Able Carry but want just a touch more space than the Daily Plus as well as the convenience of a separate laptop compartment.

As far as EDC goes, the bag is brilliant. It's not as bulky as the 26L size could suggest it might be (more on this in a moment), and looks and carries more like other larger EDCs I own, which is exactly what I was hoping for on the EDC side. The pack is beautifully constructed, with fantastic materials, and smooth chunky zippers. The quick-access and water bottle pockets are really convenient and easy to use whether doing so with the bag on-body or off. The main compartment is spacious, with great pocketing, and the walls and padding feels more substantial than other bags I own around this size - I feel like everything I put in it will be safe and secure. This goes for…