Black Ember Forge Max vs. Tortuga Setout Divide
Two carry-on travel backpacks, compared spec for spec.
Black Ember Forge Max
| Capacity | 20 L |
| Weight | 1.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 46×31×15 cm |
| Airline fit | 94% |
| Price | $343 |
Feature by feature
| Black Ember Forge Max | Feature | Tortuga Setout Divide |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ||
| 4 | Compression | Y |
| 30L | Expanded Capacity | None |
| 1 | Opening | 0 |
| back | Passport | front |
| Y | Passthrough | Y |
| Carry | ||
| hideable | Backpack | hideable |
| N | Hip Belt | removable |
| removable | Sternum Strap | removable |
| Inside | ||
| 15in | Laptop | 15in |
| 4 | Main Compartments | 4 |
| Y | Organizer | Y |
| Outside | ||
| × | Hard Shell | × |
| N | Rain-fly | N |
| N | Water Bottle Holder | N |
| Y | Water Resistant | Y |
| Material | |
| 500D CORDURA re/cor RN66 AIR TEXTURED MATTE FINISH 1000D HYPALON | 900D heathered polyester |
Tortuga Setout Divide
| Capacity | 26 L |
| Weight | 1.7 kg |
| Dimensions | 51×34×16 cm |
| Airline fit | 89% |
| Price | $209 |
Key differences between the Black Ember Forge Max and Tortuga Setout Divide
- Compression straps: 4 on the Black Ember Forge Max; Yes on the Tortuga Setout Divide.
- Opening: Clamshell on the Black Ember Forge Max; Other on the Tortuga Setout Divide.
- Passport pocket: Back on the Black Ember Forge Max; Front on the Tortuga Setout Divide.
- Hip belt: No on the Black Ember Forge Max; Removable on the Tortuga Setout Divide.
Both have: luggage passthrough, backpack straps, sternum strap, laptop sleeve, built-in organizer, water resistant.
Which airlines take each bag as a carry-on
We checked both bags against the carry-on size limits of 189 airlines. 169 accept both. 8 accept only the Black Ember Forge Max, and 0 accept only the Tortuga Setout Divide.
Only the Black Ember Forge Max fits
American Eagle, Belavia, easyJet, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Ravn Alaska, Regional Express, Virgin Australia.
Black Ember Forge Max vs. Tortuga Setout Divide: which should you pack?
The Tortuga Setout Divide carries 6L more than the Black Ember Forge Max (20L vs. 26L), while the Black Ember Forge Max is the lighter pack at 1.6kg (vs. 1.7kg). 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 Tortuga Setout Divide; if you want to travel lighter, the Black Ember Forge Max is the better call.