Mabef M23 Backpacker Sketchbox Easel

Relatively lightweight and well designed. Easy to assemble it for painting and also to pack it up. The paintbox holds quite a few tubes, and there is room for a reasonbly sized canvas, though wouldn't work for larger paintings. Only negative is that the edges of the box assembly are sharp and sliced my finger - they should have been sanded and smoothed off. This is the only box easel I've had, so I have nothing to compare it with, but I like my Mabef studio easel, so at the sale price it seemed a good choice.

Arrived safely in a box. Easy to set up and drawer has plenty of room for paints and brushes. Having screws on outside of frame to allow easy tilting of painting. Cheaper ones often have adjusting screws inside drawer and when painting is at an angle lowering it to flat is harder. The shoulder strap leather is fairly thin and one of mine has broken in the middle though I can still use it. Moderately heavy when loaded with paints and brushes and a carry bag would be nice for traveling. The legs pull out easily and the design cuts in the frame allow the legs to lock in position when extended. I am very happy with my purchase.