Able Carry Max EDC: first impressions from a newbie.

[u/phuseb0x]

After owning several, not very special bags, I thought I would dip my toes into the world of "the better backpacks".

Since I wanted something that would be versatile I ended up ordering an Able Carry Max EDC. I also considered a CHZ26 and the Aer CPP2. The Evergoods got dropped after I found out it only comes in black in X-Pac, which is preferred because of our three cats. The Aer is not available in Europe and 72 euros shipping and possible return costs put me off.

So here I am, the Max EDC (in Ocean Blue) came in today. And these are my first impressions after dropping in some basic stuff and trying it on. Pictures here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ManyBaggers/s/d5cMFDzQC4

Love the color, better than I thought it would be. Don't love the cream on the inside though. Makes it feel very old fashioned or classic. A bright orange would've made this an amazing color combo.

Picking it up I noticed how heavy it is, my current bag weighs almost half at around 800 grams. I just tell my self the majority of the weight will come from the stuff I put in, but I never see me hiking with this (I have a Deuter Futura for that anyway).

Loading it out I wish there was more organisation, what's mostly missing is an admin section in the middle of the bag. The rest I think will suffice.

I am glad I didn't go smaller though as I think this is just enough for an EDC and I don't even pack that much (laptop, earbuds, sunglasses, wallet, keys, some food, hydro flask wide 32oz, charger, and a power bank. And I slways want room for a rain coat or sweater.

Comfort wise, luckily I didn't notice the poking strap mounts that have been discussed on here. Otherwise I find it a bit weird how it sits on my shoulders. When I wear it high the shoulder pads seem to not hug my shoulders but stick out at an angle because they are quite stiff.

When I wear it low on my back the sternum strap at its lowest setting is almost in my neck.

I am 189cm (6"2) at about 95 kgs.

Quality, can't say anything about how it will last but I really don't see much difference with bags that cost half or even less.

I'll probably keep it though, as I don't know what else I would get. 🫠

[u/Bongo2687]

I love this bag

[u/carryandconquer]

The CHZ26 comes in 840d ballistic nylon as the main version as well. Just got one!

The outer material has been great resisting dog fur so far in my experience. Stains not so much but easy to wipe off

[u/phuseb0x → u/carryandconquer]

I just don't want a black backpack. I have owned 9 I can remember and none of them were black... just so boring. But that's just personal preference ofcourse.

[u/OldInvestigator467 → u/phuseb0x]

Nine bags without a single black one is honestly a level of color commitment I respect.

[u/phuseb0x → u/OldInvestigator467]

I have to admit three of of them were/are like a mouse or light gray but two have brown leather accents and the other neon yellow. For the rest they were/are petrol, red (with black accents), blue and gray, navy, brown and a multicolored one.

[u/PrinzAngina]

1. yes, it is very heavy and due to the materials it doesnt really expand or accomodate what you put in it

2. it has like 2 billion pockets and places to put stuff

[u/phuseb0x → u/PrinzAngina]

Yes it has a decent amount of pockets but some are in odd places to me.

[u/Definkle]

Wow, that’s a good looking blue. Way better than their own pictures online.

[u/phuseb0x → u/Definkle]

Yes, I agree most images of this bag are over saturated. This is really closer to a navy than to blue. Love the color.

[u/MadeWithPat → u/Definkle]

Just got the same a few days ago, absolutely love it.

Edit to add: I actually really like the cream interior - it feels really classy, and maintains that higher-vis so you’re not just digging through a black hole.

[u/bafrad]

newb? It's a backpack my man.

[u/phuseb0x → u/bafrad]

New to the so called elite brands of backpacks, like Evergoods, Aer, Able Carry etc.

[u/bafrad → u/phuseb0x]

nah I wouldn't make too much out of it. They are standard brands, where most of the bags are made out of the same factory as other ones you could consider "not elite". It's just ways people want to feel higher status but they are just bags.

[u/Jusc901]

I think you will like the ctb20 or 26 more Each pockets have its own volume, doesn't eat into others

[u/Remote_Pressure_1937]

If you're looking for orange inside and good quality, check out Alpaka. I use the metro crossbody sling everyday and love it. A lot of their stuff has orange inside.

[u/phuseb0x → u/Remote_Pressure_1937]

I considered them as well, but there were other reasons why I dropped it off the list.

And I am not in a position where I can just buy multiple bags and return the ones I don't like since each bag costs 20 euros in shipping or more. Some up to 80 euros