Able Carry Daily Plus Review
Able Carry, the Hong Kong-based bag company that launched on Kickstarter, has evolved their first backpack (the Daily) and released the Daily Plus! At first glance they look like the same bag, but there are some new features and changes. And of course, an Able Carry signature secret pocket.
Overview
- 21 L capacity — compared to similarly rated bags, the space feels a little bit tight
- Main compartment with laptop sleeve, elastic sleeves for a tablet or notebook, pen holders, and opaque zippered pocket
- Front slash zippered pocket with two internal pockets and a key leash
- Front semi-hidden zippered water bottle pocket that expands into the main compartment
- Top quick access pocket (this is not the secret pocket — yup, every Able Carry bag has a secret pocket)
- X-Pac fabric exterior, ripstop lining, YKK zippers (Aquaguard for the main compartment)
- Shoulder straps and back panel padded with mesh on the outside, sternum strap included
- Price: $198 USD
The Daily…Plus Ultra!
The most noticeable additions on the Plus are:
- Dedicated water bottle pocket
- Internal organization on the front slash pocket
Water Bottle Pocket
The water bottle pocket is fully enclosed with a vertical zipper that is situated close to the main compartment zipper path. The zipper is covered by an inconspicuous flap so at first glance you wouldn’t even notice it. This also makes it somewhat of a security pocket since pickpockets would probably focus on the more obvious front zippered pocket. The volume of the bottle pocket expands into the main compartment in order to maintain a clean appearance on the exterior. It’s big enough to accommodate a 1 L Nalgene, provided you have enough space in the main compartment.
Front Pocket Admin
In the regular Daily backpack, the front vertical slash pocket is just a tall dump pocket with a key leash. This is fine for stuffing an outer layer or stowing a notebook, but not ideal for multiple small-ish items since they would just sink to the bottom.
The Plus smartly adds a stretchy slot and a zippered pocket, one below the other, to make better use of the height of the compartment, while still leaving some space to just dump things inside if that’s your style. I appreciate that the zippered pocket is closer to the top, since it ensures that items cannot fall out and sink to the bottom.
One thing I don’t love is how long the key leash is. Whether I clip my keys to it or not, my keys just end up at the bottom of the pocket. I’d prefer it if the key leash kept more in the upper half of the pocket. I suppose the key leash is long so that you can keep your keys attached to it when taking them out to unlock a door, but I’d rather have a retractable leash.
One other note is while this front vertical pocket has its own dimension, it can start to get tight when the main compartment is really packed out.
Modified laptop admin
Another change that is minor in my opinion is the main compartment organization on the laptop sleeve. The original Daily had a mesh zippered pocket. The Plus replaces that with layered stretch pockets and pen slots. I think it’s an improvement that provides additional organization without sacrificing versatility, since the stretch pockets can accommodate a variety of things. But it’s not as impactful a change as the water bottle pocket and front pocket admin. One minor downside is the stretchy fabric will get loose over time if it’s frequently used to stow thicker items, and start to look a little droopy.
Keeps what is great from the Daily…
We reviewed the Daily in 2019 and had mostly positive things to say about it. I like its aesthetics, the A-frame webbing that prevents the bag from becoming saggy under load, the additional attachment points that don’t make the bag look “tacticool,” the padded top handle, the padded bottom, and the back ventilation.
And of course, a secret pocket ;) To not spoil the secret I won’t show it (it’s somewhere in the main compartment). But it’s sized to stow some cash and cards, or a passport. It’s also a great place to keep an AirTag or other tracking device.
The Plus retains all of these features, with some refinements. The silhouette is more dialed and the zippers are more subtle. If you own an earlier version of the Daily, you’ll be happy to know that the interior lining is drastically improved. It uses a ripstop nylon which shouldn’t result in the same breakdown and wear that my original Daily experienced.
…As well as its trade-offs
Since the Daily Plus is really just an enhanced version of the Daily, they really do look and feel like the same bag. While it’s rated to have more capacity than the Daily, I feel like they pack the same amount. Due to the somewhat triangular cross-sectional profile, the bottom of the bag has more capacity than the top but packing rigid bulky items into the bottom is hampered because the upper half is more constricted. If the main compartment opened full clam-shell this wouldn’t be an issue, but the zippers go down maybe 75% of the height.
Another thing I didn’t like about the Daily, which still holds true for the Plus, is that in most cases it falls forward on its own. Your mileage may vary on this, but a typical load out for me was laptop, laptop charger, a few books, water bottle, and battery pack/cables/small pouch in the front slash pocket. The Plus falls forward immediately without something to lean against. If you can really fill out the bottom of the main compartment (e.g., with a large rectangular pouch), the Plus has a much better chance of standing on its own, but it still clearly leans forward.
Summary
Don’t let the “Plus” in the name fool you, it’s still sized to be a more compact everyday backpack. Think work essentials — laptop, tablet, chargers, cables, books, glasses/headphones, water bottle, keys, and accessories. Anything more than that (clothes, for instance) will end up being a pretty tight fit.
It’s clear Able Carry has done the work to refine and evolve their flagship offering in functionality and durability. As long as you’re OK with certain aspects (falling forward, bottle pocket expanding inward), the Daily Plus is an excellent option for work and day trips.
This review contains some Amazon affiliate links.
