This is a solid feature-by-feature comparison. Well done Sir. I used your comparison to make a buying decision. Appreciated. Please keep up the solid work.
I have the Peak Design that I use for travel. I don't take a laptop when I travel so the separate compartment adds no value. I also don't pack it to capacity so the straps are not a problem. I got my nephew the AB max for school and he loves it. It protects his laptop really well and the harness is great for heavier loads. The additional pockets are useful for EDC. So for basic travel I like the PD 30L (27L/33L due to the expansion). But for EDC with a heavier load I would recommend the AC Max
The PD without the optimal hip belt does not have good enough straps to carry when completely full. But the hip belt works well. Great idea for a comparison!
That peak design color is awesome. I have the black version, but would so prefer to have that one, really nice. Also on the peak design, that front bottom loading pocket, I just have a rain cover that slides in there perfectly.
Personally, I much prefer the AC Max over the PD. The Max and the Daily Plus are two of the best bags available today, in fact the Daily Plus I consider as the EDC bag of the year.
I'm looking for something just a little smaller than the AER TP2 & Peak Travel Backpack, both of which I own (Aer is more comfortable, Peak has more capacity). Wondering if / how these will stow under a plane seat. For the first time on two recent flights, I was 'encouraged' to jam my AER TP2 under a seat, which worked, but was really tight. Curious about these, as I suspect its a sign of things to come, where roller bags take up so much space they have become a priorty.
Thank you for watching and good question! These can potentially fit on some of the larger airlines (so delta / AA for example I think they would be ok) but for spirit / frontier they might be a little too close to the limit. The travel pack 3 small, Patagonia mini Mlc, Goruck gr2 26l and EVERGOODS Ctb26 are some of my go to for under seat
Another issue for the rear-opening of the Peak Design's main compartment is when you're packing/looking at the main compartment, you can't easily access that front-top admin pocket. I think that would be annoying when searching for small stuff in the bag.
Thanks for the review comparison, Danny :) Really hoping AC release something in between the Daily Plus and Max! Out of interest, do you plan to review the ULA Ultra Dragonfly? That’s another minimal travel bag IMO.
Thank you for watching and I agree, a bag like that would be awesome! The ULA is definitely on my wishlist but it has been really hard to get a hold of, they sell out fast!😅
I went with the Able Carry Max. Decision was simple as this-it is better designed with a proper Tech section with sections for extra tech items. Not perfect. But I found the PD was lacking in that. Also, at the time there was no XPac Peak Design version.
The internal pockets in the pd are not ideal, as you have to remove your gear to access the ones in the back, making them fairly inaccessible without unpacking your main compartment.
This is a solid feature-by-feature comparison. Well done Sir. I used your comparison to make a buying decision. Appreciated. Please keep up the solid work.
Thank you for watching and for the support! I’m glad the video was helpful!:)
I havent tried the Peak Design one but the AbleCarry bag has the best, most comfortable straps when fully packed of any bag I've reviewed
Thanks for watching Dean and I agree, the able carry straps are great!
Great review Danny. Both bags are great I went with the Able Carry and I’m thrilled with it
Thank you for watching and glad to hear the able carry is working out well so far!:)
I have the Peak Design that I use for travel. I don't take a laptop when I travel so the separate compartment adds no value. I also don't pack it to capacity so the straps are not a problem. I got my nephew the AB max for school and he loves it. It protects his laptop really well and the harness is great for heavier loads. The additional pockets are useful for EDC.
So for basic travel I like the PD 30L (27L/33L due to the expansion). But for EDC with a heavier load I would recommend the AC Max
Thank you for watching and for sharing your experience with the bags!
The PD without the optimal hip belt does not have good enough straps to carry when completely full.
But the hip belt works well.
Great idea for a comparison!
Thank you for watching and good call out on the hip belt!:)
It is very inconspicuous when not in use. Without it, I think the Able Carry is really the better bag
@@dannypacks
That peak design color is awesome. I have the black version, but would so prefer to have that one, really nice. Also on the peak design, that front bottom loading pocket, I just have a rain cover that slides in there perfectly.
Thank you for watching and I agree on the color, really like the coyote! Good idea to use that pocket for a rain cover as well
Great comparison.
Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful!:)
Personally, I much prefer the AC Max over the PD. The Max and the Daily Plus are two of the best bags available today, in fact the Daily Plus I consider as the EDC bag of the year.
Thank you for watching and I agree both those bags are great!
Too heavy
@@leotravel85when packed out it much more comfortable though
Very useful video, thanks!
Thank you for watching and I’m glad the video was helpful!:)
I'm looking for something just a little smaller than the AER TP2 & Peak Travel Backpack, both of which I own (Aer is more comfortable, Peak has more capacity). Wondering if / how these will stow under a plane seat. For the first time on two recent flights, I was 'encouraged' to jam my AER TP2 under a seat, which worked, but was really tight. Curious about these, as I suspect its a sign of things to come, where roller bags take up so much space they have become a priorty.
Thank you for watching and good question! These can potentially fit on some of the larger airlines (so delta / AA for example I think they would be ok) but for spirit / frontier they might be a little too close to the limit. The travel pack 3 small, Patagonia mini Mlc, Goruck gr2 26l and EVERGOODS Ctb26 are some of my go to for under seat
@@dannypacks This is great information, thank you!
Another issue for the rear-opening of the Peak Design's main compartment is when you're packing/looking at the main compartment, you can't easily access that front-top admin pocket. I think that would be annoying when searching for small stuff in the bag.
Thank you for watching and that’s a good point as well!
Thanks for the review comparison, Danny :) Really hoping AC release something in between the Daily Plus and Max!
Out of interest, do you plan to review the ULA Ultra Dragonfly? That’s another minimal travel bag IMO.
Thank you for watching and I agree, a bag like that would be awesome! The ULA is definitely on my wishlist but it has been really hard to get a hold of, they sell out fast!😅
I went with the Able Carry
Max. Decision was simple as this-it is better designed with a proper Tech section with sections for extra tech items. Not perfect. But I found the PD was lacking in that. Also, at the time there was no XPac Peak Design version.
I also agree that both are smaller than I would like for one bag travel. Close, but I would tend to edge a bit larger.
Thank you for watching and for sharing your experience with the bags!
AC is too heavy
Which is your personal favorite?
And how've they held up since?
The internal pockets in the pd are not ideal, as you have to remove your gear to access the ones in the back, making them fairly inaccessible without unpacking your main compartment.
Thank you for watching and I agree, that’s been one of the main issues I noticed with the bag
Weight weight weight