Nomatic Travel Backpack vs. Black Ember Forge Max
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Nomatic Travel Backpack
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.8 kg |
| Dimensions | 47×30×13 cm |
| Airline fit | 93% |
| Price | $330 |
Feature by feature
| Nomatic Travel Backpack | Feature | Black Ember Forge Max |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| N | Compression | 4 |
| None | Expanded Capacity | 30L |
| 1 | Opening | 1 |
| back | Passport | back |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | N |
| Y | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| N | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| 2, side | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| Waterproof tarpaulin | 500D CORDURA re/cor RN66 AIR TEXTURED MATTE FINISH 1000D HYPALON |
Black Ember Forge Max
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×31×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 94% |
| Price | $343 |
Key differences between the Nomatic Travel Backpack and Black Ember Forge Max
- Compression straps: No on the Nomatic Travel Backpack; 4 on the Black Ember Forge Max.
- Sternum strap: Yes on the Nomatic Travel Backpack; Removable on the Black Ember Forge Max.
- Built-in organizer: No on the Nomatic Travel Backpack; Yes on the Black Ember Forge Max.
- Water bottle pockets: 2, side on the Nomatic Travel Backpack; No on the Black Ember Forge Max.
Both have: passport pocket, luggage passthrough, backpack straps, laptop sleeve, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 174 accept both. 1 accept only the Nomatic Travel Backpack, and 3 accept only the Black Ember Forge Max.
Only the Nomatic Travel Backpack fits
Air Niugini.
Only the Black Ember Forge Max fits
American Eagle, easyJet, Ravn Alaska.
Nomatic Travel Backpack vs. Black Ember Forge Max: which should you pack?
The Nomatic Travel Backpack carries the same capacity as the Black Ember Forge Max (20L vs. 20L), while the Black Ember Forge Max is the lighter pack at 1.6kg (vs. 1.8kg). For carry-on flexibility, the Black Ember Forge Max fits 94% of the airlines we track — the higher of the two. If you prioritise packing volume, choose the Nomatic Travel Backpack; if you want to travel lighter, the Black Ember Forge Max is the better call.