Comments about Mabef Backpacker Easel M-23:

As far as portable easels go this is the best I've yet to find. For a few years I painted plein-air with standard fold up easels, which meant carrying them by hand which is extremely tiresome, especially after painting for a few hours.

Being able to sling this easel across your back changes everything. The fit is tight around the shoulders while hanging a bit loose on the back, but remains suprisingly comfortable. For the past few months I've been using this easel in combination with my bicycle to get around to new painting spots in the city. The canvases always stay firmly in place despite vigorous peddling. Mounting the canvas vertical for travel also makes it possible to get between cars and doorways. Of course keep in mind how wide you are when wearing a 24"x36" piece on your back. Getting the backpack off while fully loaded isn't glamorous, but it works, and people always seem to appreciate the ingenious mobility of it.

This easel is about half as wide as standard models, which means you must pick your paint tubes selectively. I use a messenger bag in combination with it to haul jars and extra necessities. All the fasteners are heavy duty, much nicer than previous easels I've owned. Even the wood feels more solid. Smells great out of the box too. It's a big price leap over other fold up easels but the ability to take it new places faster makes the difference worthwhile.