Day Owl Backpack Pro vs. Able Carry Max Backpack
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Day Owl Backpack Pro
| Capacity | 21 L |
| Weight | 1.1 kg |
| Dimensions | 43×31×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 95% |
| Price | $155 |
Feature by feature
| Day Owl Backpack Pro | Feature | Able Carry Max Backpack |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | N |
| None | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| top, back | Passport | top |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| Y | Backpack | Y |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| N | Sternum Strap | hideable |
| Inside | ||
| 16in | Laptop | 17in |
| 6 | Main Compartments | 6 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 1, side | Water Bottle Holder | 1, side |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| waxed canvas | X-Pac Fabric and Cordura 1000D Nylon Weight: 1.7kg xpac; 1.6 cordura ripstop |
Able Carry Max Backpack
| Capacity | 30 L |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 52×32×20 cm |
| Airline fit | 88% |
| Price | $278 |
Key differences between the Day Owl Backpack Pro and Able Carry Max Backpack
- Passport pocket: Top, back on the Day Owl Backpack Pro; Top on the Able Carry Max Backpack.
- Sternum strap: No on the Day Owl Backpack Pro; Hideable on the Able Carry Max Backpack.
- Laptop sleeve: 16in on the Day Owl Backpack Pro; 17in on the Able Carry Max Backpack.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, built-in organizer, water bottle pockets, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 167 accept both. 12 accept only the Day Owl Backpack Pro, and 0 accept only the Able Carry Max Backpack.
Only the Day Owl Backpack Pro fits
Air Tahiti, American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Gulf Air, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Royal Jordanian, Virgin Australia.
Day Owl Backpack Pro vs. Able Carry Max Backpack: which should you pack?
The Able Carry Max Backpack carries 9L more than the Day Owl Backpack Pro (21L vs. 30L), while the Day Owl Backpack Pro is the lighter pack at 1.1kg (vs. 1.7kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Day Owl Backpack Pro fits 95% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Able Carry Max Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Day Owl Backpack Pro is the better call.