ABLE CARRY DAYBREAKER : REVIEW
Daybreaker: The companion for any activity
FOREWORD
Able Carry, a Hong Kong-based bag maker, has been around for just a few years but is already making good progress disrupting the carry world.
Their idea was simple - make straightforward, no-fuss bags with thoughtful design and high-quality materials.
Daybreaker is the third bag in the Able Carry lineup (following Thirteen and Daily with 13L and 20L capacity respectively)
Able Carry decided to go back to the drawing board and come up with a bag unlike its previous offerings, that would not just fill the vacant niche of a 25L bag in the product line, but expand the carry scenarios past EDC.
Looking for a new challenge.
ABOUT THE BAG
PRICE: $126 (XPAC) and $108 (Cordura Ripstop)
DIMENSIONS: Height 50 cm x Width 26 cm x Depth 19 cm
WEIGHT: 560g (XPAC) and 580g (Cordura Ripstop)
CAPACITY: 25L
As the latest bag in the collection, Daybreaker shows how much the company has matured and found its footing to innovate.
Upon opening the package I was immediately struck by the weight of the bag. At a mere 560g (XPAC version) the Daybreaker has easily become the lightest bag in my collection. To achieve this, Able Carry had to meticulously approach every aspect of this product, question every detail, and come up with a solution that would not jeopardize the comfort, usability, and durability of the bag.
Therefore don’t expect to see much padding on the bag (grab handles and back panel have none, while straps have an essential amount of padding but not more), nor extra fabric anywhere (thicker inner lining would make manufacturing more complex and would also contribute to the weight and the cost of the bag)
Streamlined design, there is nothing that shouldn't be on the Daybreaker.
QUALITY & COMFORT
The materials used on the bag are excellent - Dimension Polyant’s XPAC VX21 material is one of the best fabrics on the market (durability to weight ratio, abrasion resistance, water-resistance - all top-notch).
The zippers are YKK and are additionally protected from the elements with the AquaGuard treatment.
The stitching is good and reinforced where needed - on shoulder straps and the grab handle. Overall, I was pleased with the quality of the bag, especially when considering its price.
The straps have bare minimal but essential padding, and I found them to be comfortable. On a hot summer day, I did notice that my back was sweating quite a bit. There is no air-channel built into the back panel for ventilation, and I felt the bag being warm against my frame.
The straps have balanced width and just enough padding considering the weight and capacity of the bag.
The grab handles (one on top and one on either side) have no padding and can dig into your skin if the bag is heavily packed.
The adjustable sternum strap has multiple attachment points allowing you to configure the bag to your body shape.
Minimal branding on the bag is a welcome change comparing to some other brands. Tasteful choice from Able Carry
ORGANIZATION
Daybreaker is a king of simplicity. There is only one zippered pocket that can be accessed externally - a quick access zip on the side of the bag which allows you to conveniently store your keys using a key leash. The pocket is quite generous and long, and can fit your wallet, snack, keys, passport, etc. Just be mindful of what you put inside as having keys attached endangers the phone that I instinctively stored that for easy access. What’s nice is how the pocket is very low-key and blends in, barely noticeable against the side grab handle, making it harder for pickpockets to take advantage of.
There is a water bottle pocket on one side. My 1L Nalgene could not fit there despite the elastic band sewn to the pocket for additional expandability. Therefore, be mindful of the water bottle you wish to carry - 0.5L-0.75L fits nicely. The pocket has the laser-cut holes at the bottom to allow the debris and liquid to escape the pocket.
Accessing the main compartment can be done only via the top flap that is opening towards you. Inside you can find a few pockets:
Barely noticeable zip against the back - it stores a lightly padded foam panel that can be removed if you need to pack your bag. The compartment with foam could also be used to store flat objects such as… business papers, man (c)
Vertical zip near the top - gives access to quite generous horizontal mesh pocket. You can store anything from your wallet to phone, or charger, snack, etc.
A laptop sleeve that does not offer much padding or false bottom, adding a bit of protection if you plan to slam the bag on the ground.
If you intend to use the Daybreaker to carry a laptop, it is strongly recommended to use a removeable laptop sleeve for extra protection.
CONTENTS: Source 3L water bladder, Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket, Powerbank, Brown Buffalo Pencil case, Avalon Sunglasses, Facemask, Bucket hat, Amazon Kindle Voyage, iPhone 11
WHAT’S HOT
Ultra-light. At 560g this is an excellent offering for extended outdoor adventures or a packable bag on your trip. Granted, some bags push the weight down even further, but those would cost hundreds of dollars more and might not be that much better than the Daybreaker.
Strap keepers. No dangles. Even bags that cost $400 often lack this simple feature. Much appreciated, Able Carry!
LIFETIME WARRANTY. When you buy an inexpensive bag you are usually prepared that it will last you for a year or two before it would need major repairs or just being tossed in the garbage. Able Carry does something very special here - it commits to the quality and guarantees against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for the practical lifetime of the product when used under normal conditions and for the purposes intended. (Please do not expect to deliberately ruin the bag and expecting a replacement/refund)
Excellent materials, build, and durability. Everything about the bag comes together into a reliable, well-built product that can accompany you on your adventures for years to come.
The side quick access pocket blends in perfectly with the Daybreaker
WHAT’S NOT
No dedicated hydration opening. If you want to use the bladder it fits right in the dedicated laptop/bladder sleeve inside; however, the tube will have to go through the main zipper opening, leaving the bag exposed to the elements through the hole. I would have preferred a dedicated hole for the hydration that is well-protected and covered when not in use.
The top opening often felt not wide enough. I wish the zippers went further down at least 5 more cm allowing a wider opening for better packing and access of the bag.
No ventilated back panel = sweaty back. The upside - XPAC does not soak up the sweat so your bag remains clean even after long trekking sessions.
The bag does not have much structure and if you are concerned about the looks - be prepared that the Daybreaker collapses when not full.
The bag does not have much rigidity, be prepared it to collapse when not full
WRAP-UP
If you try hard you can find many cons on the Daybreaker - carrying the laptop without extra protection is somewhat risky, the top opening could be wider, not much padding all around, and so on. However, it is essential to take a look at how Able Carry positions the Daybreaker, specifically as “An ultralight 25L activity pack, with premium fabrics in a minimal, streamlined shell.” With this purpose in mind absolutely everything about the bag comes together very nicely, and in the capacity it was designed, Daybreaker shines and excels in the competition.
So if you are looking for a well-built, ultralight bag with generous capacity that does not break the bank - Daybreaker should be at the top of your list. I would argue that it is an excellent, and perhaps default option for most of the adventure-seekers who need a reliable partner in crime.
Disclaimer
The bag was provided as a sample for review purposes, the content of this review was not shared with Able Carry before publishing.
My goal is to share an honest, unbiased review that is not tailored to keep the brand happy.
If you would like to support my reviews please use the affiliate link when purchasing Able Carry products, this adds no extra cost to you, but helps a lot. Thank you!
Urban and outdoors. Active and chilling. The Daybreaker can do it all