ABLE CARRY MAX: REVIEW
Able Carry Max in Earth Green feels right at home out in the wild
FOREWORD
A couple of years ago Able Carry took the carry world by storm by introducing Thirteen and Daily (check out my review on this blog) backpacks that offered some of the best materials on the market with an extremely affordable price tag. After expanding the product line with Daybreaker (also featured on my blog) the company has won more hearts and was firmly placed on many people’s radar.
Now the time has come to see the latest product from Able Carry which also happens to be the largest bag in the line - enter Max.
Did the company succeed with this offering? Read on to find out.
I am 176cm, 90 kg. Max can easily be used as a bigger EDC bag
WHO IT SUITS
Someone who is looking for an extended EDC bag or an excellent weekender with a dedicated “office” compartment. Clear separation of “work” and “play” compartments make Max very versatile and potentially the only bag you need for EDC and short trips.
Those who are into the technical look
Someone who loves smart build-in organization. Max has it all - outside quick access pocket with a key clip, secret pocket on the outside, zippered water bottle pocket with generous size, plenty of internal pockets in both “office” and the main compartments.
WHO IT DOESN’T
If you are looking for the lightest backpack possible Max might not be the best option. This is a price you pay for outstanding build and materials.
Speaking of price, at $226 Kickstarter price Max costs almost twice as much as Daybreaker or Daily and if you are on a tight budget it might be out of reach. But if you look at it as an investment and also plan to use daily - the cost divided over time is very reasonable.
A more technical look might not work for everyone, especially if you need a carry solution for a formal environment.
If you don’t carry a laptop and simply want to carry your clothes the space and organization of the “Work” compartment would be wasted making the Max, not an optimal option.
My pre-production sample is in Earth Green color. Max also comes in Ocean Blue and Tarmac Black.
ABOUT THE BAG
* PRICE: Kickstarter special $226, Retail $256
* DIMENSIONS: H520 x W320 x D200mm (H20.5 x W12.5 x D8 inches)
* WEIGHT: 1.7 kg
* CAPACITY: 30L (22L main compartment)
Max is the 4th bag in the product line of Able Carry and the 2nd Kickstarter campaign of the Hong Kong-based brand. Having used and reviewed The Daily and Daybreaker I had a pretty good idea of the company’s design philosophy and aesthetics. I was not prepared that Max would be everything I ever wanted after using previous products. You see, at 20L Daily was such an awesome bag but simply too small for my larger frame. I also hoped for more useful space in the bag since Daily was filling up quite fast and I personally felt a bit constrained, especially considering my occasional unplanned grocery runs. The Daybreaker at 25L was a bigger bag that Maximized the space I could use but I was lacking a good laptop compartment and organization.
This is why after unpacking Max I was blown away with how much it offers. And despite my review sample being a pre-production model I can already say that this bag is a giant leap for the company and a great addition to the line-up. With anticipated minor tweaks and some color-matching of the hardware, the production unit will be even better than the impressive sample I received.
Max features some of the most satisfying and comfortable grab handles I have ever tried. Rivalled only by Black Ember (based on my experience)
COMFORT
The harness system on the Max was built from the ground up to ensure that the larger volume is still supremely comfortable to carry.
The shoulder straps are generously padded with high-rebound foam that is thick and comfortable. The back panel features breathable mesh and nice channels for air to pass through.
Backpanel has been design specifically for Max and its great! Also features a stealthy luggage passthrough :)
Similar to previous offerings, Max has one of the best sternum strap designs on the market - an elastic part for improved breathability and a nice WooJin magnetic buckle for effortless use. A small but very appreciated detail - the sternum strap has a strap keep to prevent dangling of the excess fabric.
Despite the larger size and noticeable weight, the bag does not have load lifters and after using Max for 3 weeks I did not feel the need for those.
In short, the bag rides high, tight, and comfortable. Personally, I much prefer the tradeoff of excellent comfort for a bit of added weight. Max weighs just a couple hundred grams more than the average bag of similar size so it’s not a huge sacrifice, just something you will notice if you are used to lighter packs.
Initially I was concerned to see no load-lifters. Happy to report Max is comfortable without them. Bonus points - cleaner look and less dangling straps to worry about..
DESIGN & FEATURES
Minimal and tasteful branding - thank you for this, Able Carry!
If I were to characterize the design of Max in one word it would be “Efficient”. There is nothing crazy going on on the outside or the inside of the bag, but it all comes together in a very balanced and most importantly intuitive way. Simply put the bag is a pleasure to use with the pockets being the right size and the zippers the exact length and all the pockets are exactly what I would need - the bag just works. I have to say this is refreshing because I had tried many different bags loaded with features that somehow don’t click and don’t add value.
Some of the features that I appreciated about Max:
Hook loop to hang the bag without deforming the top grab handle
Zippered water bottle pocket - awesome to secure the bottle while also keeping the stealthy profile of the bag. The pocket easily swallows Nalgene 32 OZ
Secret pocket on the back - already a signature feature of Able Carry bags
Clamshell opening to the main 22L compartment - awesome to easily pack your bag and have quick access to your contents
“Work” compartment that has not just a suspended laptop sleeve but additional organization enough to add chargers, cables, documents, tablet, etc.
The front panel pocket is incredible with quick access, a key loop, and even a stretch divider for additional organization. I loved how the pocket has it’s own dimension so even if the pack is full you can still comfortably fill the front panel with additional things.
The bottom of the bag is reinforced with tried and true 1000D Cordura. Of course, Max also features signature A-frame present in one way or another on all Able Carry bags.
And there is so much more like a low-key external loop system for attachment, signature A-frame to ensure good weight distribution, some of the nicest top and side grab handles I have ever tried, an internal loop system for accessories attachment.
My typical EDC with Max:
iPhone 11
Wallet
AirPods Pro
IPad Pro 11 (with keyboard case on)
Hand Sanitizer
Powerbank
Sunglasses
Small Peak Design packing cube with gym clothes or Medium Peak Design packing cube for travel
Remote Equipment Org Pouch with cables, dongles, chargers, etc
The Brown Buffalo Pencil case with toiletries
Thoughtful organization makes Max one of the easiest and joyful bags to use - nothing is lost and everything has its place.
MATERIALS & ORGANIZATION
Without boring you with the detail I can say right off the bat that the materials are excellent across the board.
The semi-clamshell opening allows your stuff to stay in the bag when you open the main compartment. Love it.
The combination of VX21 and 1000D Cordura on the outside give the bag good structure, supreme weather, and abrasion resistance. The bag is simply beautiful.
The inner liner used on previous Able Carry bags was uninspiring, I really wanted something that would be on par with the outer fabric. Apparently, I was not the only one and Able Carry listened! Max features an awesome coated ripstop lining that is durable, waterproof, and pleasant to the touch! I also love that it is bright which helps with visibility.
The inner liner is beautiful, practical and pleasant to the touch. The internal organization of both main compartment and the “office” compartment is exemplary.
The zippers are all lovely and buttery smooth YKK with excellent water resistance and also tasteful zipper pulls. I could not ask for more, opening and closing the bag is an easy one-handed operation regardless of the pocket - thank you Able Carry!
Key Clip on the front panel is a Godsend!
WHAT’S HOT
Brilliant materials and build
Plenty of pockets to keep yourself organized
Thoughtful separation of work area and the main compartment
Conveniently placed and well-padded top and side grab handles
Clamshell opening of the main compartment is incredibly useful for packing and unpacking
Comfortable to carry regardless of the load
Minimal branding and tasteful design
There is no way around it - Max is a looker!
WHAT’S NOT
The bag is not perfect, but it was quite challenging to find real negatives about it. The zippers are a bit jangly but this is easily rectified with custom zipper pulls. I did not feel the need for a waist strap or load lifters, even though the size and weight of Max prompt to have those. I can imagine that the look of the bag might not work for everyone, but the Black color option should make it stealthy and neutral. The only real downside I could find is the weight - at 1.7kg the weight is higher than average for the size which could be a serious consideration for carry-on on the plane.
ALTERNATIVES TO CONSIDER
Goruck GR2 34L. Also quite heavy and with spartan organization, this alternative can be abused like nobody’s business. Bonus points for personalization with morale patches.
Bellroy Transit Backpack 28L. Smaller in size and with a less technical look, Bellroy might be a better fit for a very formal environment and business meetings.
Heimplanet Transit Backpack 34L. Slightly more capacity and a different way to organize your belongings, Heimplanet is slightly cheaper and comes with a removable waist strap.
Tom Bihn Shadow Guide V2 33L. The latest creation from legendary bag maker SHV233 is simplicity at it’s best. With just 1.1kg of weight and a huge bucket for the main compartment, you can go minimal as long as you can live with the packing style of this backpack.
Evergoods CPL28. Recently released V2 offers some of the best carry experience you can get for the money. Simple aesthetics hide a ton of quality of life features and a wonderful user experience at a comparable price point.
VERDICT
Folks at Able Carry have outdone themselves. Taking the best from the previous products and implementing most of the suggestions from the community, Max has become the pinnacle of the company’s talent and expertise.
The only reservation I had about the bag was the higher than average weight, but judging by the popularity of Goruck GR1 and GR2, Boundary Supply Prima, Black Ember Citadel, and Forge, etc - the weight is less of an issue if you can mitigate it with good harness system. Designed from the ground up harness of the Max offers excellent comfort and breathability, even without load lifters.
The price tag of Max is substantially higher than Able Carry’s previous products but after using the bag for 3 weeks I can confidently say it is well worth every penny. Everything from the robust harness, to excellent materials and organization, makes Max one of the strongest offerings on the market today and the bag can stand tall even among giants like Goruck, Black Ember, Bellroy, etc. Trying previous products from Able Carry I can clearly see the growth and evolution of the brand, Max is a big leap forward for this young company and if you are looking for an excellent hybrid pack that can securely carry your work essentials AND a reliable travel companion - consider Max as your friend for many years to come.
Disclaimer
The bag was provided as a sample for review purposes, the content of this review was not shared with Able Carry before publishing. This is a pre-production model that is expected to be fine-tuned before final production.
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!
